The US Point on Nuclear Energy in Iran - Research Paper Example

?Running head: The US Government Does Not Want Iran to Have a Nuclear Energy The US Government Does Not Want Iran to Have a Nuclear Energy Course Date The US Government Does Not Want Iran to Have a Nuclear Energy Outline Abstract---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4 Literature Review---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 Discussion------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8 Conclusion-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 References-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13 Outline 1. Abstract 2. Introduction Countries that own nuclear power plants experience rapid economic growth. Nuclear energy is cheaper as compared to other forms of energy. This therefore leads to faster development of infrastructure and industrialization which later results in economic growth. 3. . Literature Review History of nuclear programs in the U.S Iran breach of the NPT Safeguards The Middle East Arms Race Iran could attack Israel with nuclear weapons Israel and U.S alliance to stop Iran from developing nuclear programs U.S and Iran disagreements over nuclear weapons 4. Discussion U.S does not trust Iran with nuclear power Difficulties that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faces Iran is a sovereign state and should deal with the issue the best way it sees fit 5. Conclusion The US believes that it will be more dangerous if countries like Iran are allowed to develop nuclear weapons. It is of paramount importance to understand that nuclear energy is the most secure source of energy for people because it does not result in increased greenhouse gas emissions. Abstract The US Government Does Not Want Iran to Have a Nuclear Energy This paper discusses the issue and the reason why the U.S does not want Iran to have nuclear energy. The paper starts by giving the definition of nuclear energy and weapons. There are two types of nuclear weapons; these are atomic and hydrogen bombs. Nuclear energy has several pros and cons which are clearly discussed in the paper. The main disadvantage of nuclear energy is that it poses an adverse effect to humans, animals and the environment when used as a weapon. The main advantage is that it has significant economic effects that result in development of infrastructure, industries, thus countries with nuclear power plants experience quick economic growth, and this leads to development. The literature review mainly focuses on Iran in relation to nuclear power programs and the fears of the U.S on terrorism. Introduction The U.S Government Does Not Want Iran to Have a Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy is a form of energy that comes from the splitting of the uranium atoms during the fission process. During fission, there is generation of heat that leads to the production of steam that runs the turbine to generate electricity at the power plant. Nuclear weapons are explosive devices that are capable of changing matter into power. Nuclear weapons are classified in two categories; atomic and hydrogen bombs. The main characteristic of atomic weapons is the splitting of the atoms of plutonium or extremely saturated uranium that gives out a lot of energy. Hydrogen bombs use atomic explosion to join two hydrogen atoms to form helium. In terms of strength, hydrogen bombs are more destructive than atomic bombs. The two types of nuclear weapons are capable of causing mass destruction in terms of death, sickness and destruction to the environment. There are several advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. Countries that own nuclear power plants experience rapid economic growth. Nuclear energy is cheaper as compared to other forms of energy. This therefore leads to faster development of infrastructure and industrialization which later results in economic growth. The major disadvantage of nuclear energy is that radioactive wastes are usually produced during the plant operation and can further be used in the manufacturing of more nuclear weapons through application of the existing knowledge about nuclear energy production, thus leading to adverse effects, for instance the 9/11 instance in New York. Basing on the negative impacts of nuclear energy the U.S does not want Iran to have nuclear energy because Iran can use it for destructive purposes such as making weapons of mass destruction. Literature Review Iran has posed a challenge of the Middle East Arms Race that has led to constant opposition of Iran (Persia) and its Arabic neighbors. The conflict revolves around the Shiite and Sunnis as far as their population and control of the Arab countries is concerned (Naji & Jawan, 2011). Research reveals that the major threat of Iran becoming nuclear is the fact that Iran might influence other nations to follow suit. This has raised the U.S concern about Iran constructing new power plants due to their connection with Iraq (Michael, 2011). Israeli security is a challenge in that Iran is capable of using nuclear weapons to attack Israeli. Iran disagrees with the rights of Israeli. This has made Iran to give fiscal support to Hamas. Hamas participated in the freeing of Palestine from Israeli and for starting an Islamic State in the current Israel, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip (Weitz, 2011). The US and Israel have put up formal and informal procedures to stop Iran from developing nuclear programs in relation to the cold war conflict, whereby the U.S has put up economic permits and has enhanced border security (Simbar, 2006). Israel on the other hand is carrying out campaigns against Iran. In 2012, the death of nuclear scientists was exposed. According to the report, more than five Iranian nuclear scientists underwent an open assassination in 2010 and 2011. Iran held Israel’s Mossad had offered the financial and training support to the Mujahedin group (Ian, 2009). The US does not want Iran to have nuclear energy due to the existing conflicts. The U.S links terrorism attacks to Iran and is afraid that Iran might use the nuclear weapons to attack. The U.S has failed to offer a satisfactory definition of terrorist activities and is using generalization, financial, and geopolitical benefit to undermine the rights of other nations in fighting against terrorism (Naji & Jawan, 2011).The international community must offer a vivid vision of the international society concerning the general values of universal freedom and shared respect (Brands, 2011). Discussion Nuclear power generation has various advantages. To start with, there are moderately low amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced. This means that nuclear power contributes less to global warming. The fact that the technology is readily available is another advantage since it does not require development. In the production of nuclear energy, there is generation of a lot of steam to run the turbines and this leads to the generation of vast amounts of electric energy (Brands, 2011). Nuclear energy has several disadvantages. First, nuclear power plants and nuclear wastes are susceptible to terrorist attacks. Such attacks have negative effects, for instance the 9/11 attack in New York. The operation of the plant is disadvantageous in that during operation, there are usually radioactive wastes that are produced that can further be used in the manufacturing of more nuclear weapons through application of the existing knowledge about nuclear energy production, thus leading to adverse effects. The source of nuclear power, Uranium, is scanty and may be exhausted in the near future based on the demand. This means that this form of energy may diminish with time (Burr, 2009). Nuclear energy is risky in that although security standards are present, accidents are bound to occur. An accident can have adverse effects on people and the surrounding. This implies that an increase in the number of nuclear power plants increases the catastrophic failure in the future. Some countries fear when other countries are in possession of nuclear powers since they usually feel that they may use the nuclear energy to manufacture nuclear weapons and use them against them, an example is the case of the U.S and Iran. Countries that own nuclear power plants experience rapid economic growth. Nuclear energy is cheaper as compared to other forms of energy. This therefore leads to faster development of infrastructure and industrialization which later results in economic growth. Energy has always been a limitation to economic growth especial to countries that depend on coal and imported oil. This has led to construction of more nuclear reactors in order to meet the energy demand. Nuclear energy is not the solution to energy issues but could be used to deal with the issues until a satisfactory amount of energy is discovered. Since the consequences of nuclear power are adverse, the U.S government is against Iran having a nuclear plant (Schell, 2012). Iran is a sovereign state that has to be left alone because it has the mandate o manage its affairs. Burr (2009) reveals the tension between Iran and the United States over the last thirty years. The U.S is determined to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons because the former sees the latter as a country that cannot be trusted with such kind of weapons as it can use them for ulterior motives. After the Islamic Revolution, which happened in Iran in 1979, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi decided to make the country a fully-fledged nuclear energy industry with the ability to produce twenty-three thousand megawatts. The author notes that the intentions of Iran were unclear and they heaved concerns across the international community. This is despite the fact that Shah had made it clear that the country was not going to pursue nuclear weapons. After the nuclear test that was conducted by India during President Richard Nixon’s tenure, the U.S became aware that many countries would want to go nuclear and as a result ebb US’s superiority. The U.S maintained good relations with the Shah in a bid to ensure that the country did not acquire nuclear weapons (Burr, 2009). On the other hand, Weitz (2011) goes into details about what happened in Japan and explains the difficulties that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faces for it is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that such a disaster does not recur in the world. He notes that very many aging light water reactors around the world are a great risk to the security of the people living around them. In addition, the IAEA has the right to ensure that any country does not go against the standard rules and measures that it has put in place. This implies that the IAEA has the right to inspect any nuclear plants in Iran in order to ensure that they are not meant for developing nuclear weapons. Despite the security concerns that the IAEA notes, Iran is determined to go ahead with its nuclear program (Weitz, 2011). According to Justin (2012), Iran’s nuclear program is not peaceful because the administration has been engaging in issues related to nuclear weapons. Some of the issues that the author highlights are designing warheads and detonation of the said weapons. Israel and the U.S are not interested in diplomatic undertakings to solve the issue because they believe that Iran cannot cooperate. The main reason given why Iran is believed to be developing nuclear weapons is the fact that its weaponry are aging and it cannot compete militarily with its neighbors in the gulf region (Justin, 2012). Global warming is an issue that has been affecting everyone in the society as explained by Ian (2009). This implies that countries have to implement new measures that will lead to reduced carbon emissions. It is of paramount importance to note that the U.S is not ready for a nuclear enriched Iran because the consequences are well known. Countries will become more independent after developing nuclear weapons and this is the United States’ biggest worry. This, in the end implies that the U.S cannot allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons because it will be posing a threat to the Gulf region. The author reveals that in a bid to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, the United States and Israel have been using unorthodox means of exterminating nuclear scientists in the country. Israel has denied responsibility for the attacks on the scientists but Iranian authorities insist that the killers are Mossad agents. This means that Israel and the U.S are determined to ensure that the program does not succeed (Ian, 2009). Schell (2012) believes that the U.S should leave Iran alone with its nuclear power proliferation because the latter is a sovereign state. This is despite the fact that Iran poses a danger to the superiority of the U.S. Iran has the right to develop nuclear energy because fossil fuels are responsible for global warming (Schell, 2012). According to Naji and Jawan (2011), nuclear energy is the way to go if the world is to save itself from the consequences of global warming. In addition, the US believes that Iran has links to terrorism attacks. This implies that if Iran is allowed to hold nuclear weapons it will be able attack its neighbors with vigor. Shiite Muslims lead Iran whereas the Sunni lead its neighbors. This increases tensions in the area because the two clans have never been at peace with one another (Naji & Jawan, 2011). The relationship between the U.S and Iran has not been cordial for the last twenty years. This can be attributed to the fact that the U.S does not trust the leadership of Iran. The U.S understands that Iran’s main source of income is oil and it wants to disable it by closing Hormuz. If the United States achieves this feat, it means that Iran will not have money for uranium enrichment. The United States has been unsuccessful in this venture because several countries, especially those from Latin America are always willing to trade with Iran (Sheikhneshin 2009. It is worth noting that the U.S has its own nuclear energy as well as weapons and as a result, it should leave other countries to decide the best options to take in terms of provision of energy to its people. Iran, according to Brands (2011) is a threat in the gulf region, which means that it should not be allowed to make nuclear weapons. Moreover, the author notes that nuclear power has several advantages over the use of fossil fuels. The U.S should not rush into attacking Iran as it did in Iraq where it did not find any weapons of mass destruction as it made the people to believe. In addition, according to Michael (2011) the U.S should avert any military actions targeting Iran because war is very expensive. It leads to loss of lives as well a lot of money. References Brands, H., (2011). Inside the Iraqi State Records: Saddam Hussein, ‘Irangate’, and the United States: Journal of Strategic Studies, 34(1): 95-118. Burr, W. (2009). “A brief history of U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations." Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 65(1): 21-34. Ian, J. (2009). Nuclear energy and proliferation risks: myths and realities in the Persian Gulf. International Affairs, 85(6): 1157-1172. Justin, L. (2012). “Time-Bomb Diplomacy.” American Conservative, 11(4): 12-15. Michael, K. (2011). “US Policies toward Tehran: Redefining Counter proliferation for the Twenty-First Century.” Strategic Studies Quarterly, 5(4): 39-74. Naji, S. & Jawan, J., (2011). US-Iran Relations in the Post-Cold War Geopolitical Order. A Asian Social Science, 7(9):94-108. Sheikhneshin, A. G., (2009) Iran and the US: Current Situation and Future Prospects. Journal of International and Area Studies, 16(1): 93-113 Simbar, R., (2006). Iran and the US: Engagement or Confrontation. Journal of International and Area Studies, 13(1): 73-87 Schell, J. (2012). “Thinking the Unthinkable.” Nation, 294(17): 20-26. Weitz, R. (2011). “Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Security.” World Affairs, 174(4): 56-66. Read More