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The Munk Debates: Iran - A Critical Examination of the Arguments for and Against Nuclear Weapons

Jean Blair

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Published in Can The World Tolerate An Iran With Nuclear Weapons?: The Munk Debate On Iran (The Munk Debates)

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The Munk Debates are a series of public debates on global issues that bring together leading experts from around the world to engage in a lively and informative exchange of ideas. The debates are held at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto and are broadcast on television and online.

Can the World Tolerate an Iran with Nuclear Weapons?: The Munk Debate on Iran (The Munk Debates)

by David Chandler

4.5 out of 5

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The Munk Debate on Iran was held on October 18, 2012, and featured the following participants:

Ray Takeyh, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Trita Parsi, President of the National Iranian American Council
Michael Oren, Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States
Gareth Porter, Investigative Historian and Journalist

The debate was moderated by Steve Paikin, host of TVOntario's The Agenda with Steve Paikin.

The debate explored the complex issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program and the potential consequences of military action. The participants presented a range of views, from those who believe that Iran is a threat to international security and must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons, to those who believe that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful and that military action would be a mistake.

The debate was lively and informative, and it provided a valuable opportunity for the public to hear from leading experts on this important issue. The Munk Debates are an important forum for public discourse on global issues, and they provide a valuable service by bringing together leading experts to engage in a lively and informative exchange of ideas.

Arguments for Military Action

Those who argue in favor of military action against Iran typically cite the following reasons:

Iran is a threat to international security. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, and it has a history of aggression in the Middle East. Iran's nuclear program is a threat to the stability of the region and to the world.
Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Iran has refused to comply with international inspections of its nuclear facilities, and it is believed to be developing nuclear weapons. A nuclear-armed Iran would be a grave threat to the world.
Military action is the only way to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Diplomacy has failed to stop Iran's nuclear program, and military action is now the only option to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Arguments Against Military Action

Those who argue against military action against Iran typically cite the following reasons:

Military action would be counterproductive. Military action would likely lead to a wider war in the Middle East, and it could also destabilize the region and lead to a nuclear arms race. Military action could strengthen Iran by uniting the Iranian people behind the regime, and it could also increase support for terrorism.
Military action would be illegal. Military action against Iran would be illegal under international law. The United Nations Charter prohibits the use of force except in self-defense or with the authorization of the Security Council.
There are other ways to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Diplomacy and sanctions are still viable options for preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Military action should only be considered as a last resort.

The Munk Debate on Iran

The Munk Debate on Iran was a lively and informative exchange of ideas on the complex issue of Iran's nuclear program and the potential consequences of military action. The participants presented a range of views, and the debate provided a valuable opportunity for the public to hear from leading experts on this important issue.

The debate was moderated by Steve Paikin, host of TVOntario's The Agenda with Steve Paikin. The participants were:

Ray Takeyh, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations
Trita Parsi, President of the National Iranian American Council
Michael Oren, Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States
Gareth Porter, Investigative Historian and Journalist

The debate explored the following questions:

Is Iran a threat to international security?
Is Iran developing nuclear weapons?
Is military action the only way to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons?
What are the potential consequences of military action against Iran?

The debate was a valuable opportunity for the public to hear from leading experts on the complex issue of Iran's nuclear program and the potential consequences of military action. The debate provided a range of perspectives on this important issue, and it helped to inform the public debate on this issue.

Can the World Tolerate an Iran with Nuclear Weapons?: The Munk Debate on Iran (The Munk Debates)

by David Chandler

4.5 out of 5