The Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies

School of International and Public Affairs presents

“The Iranian Nuclear Issue and Regional Security: Dilemmas, Responses, and the Future”

A Presentation by Xiaoning Huang

Visiting Scholar, Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies

Moderated by Stuart Gottlieb, Member, SIWPS and Adjunct Professor, School of International and Public Affairs

The Iranian nuclear issue has been one of the most contentious international conflicts in the past 20 years. It has presented a dilemma to all players involved and had significant implications for regional security. Due to imperfect information, including a lack of understanding of each other’s intentions and calculations, a complex game was played out at the international, regional and national levels to address the perceived Iranian nuclear threat.

This research examines how the issue has affected strategic thinking and decision-making on national and regional security by four main players, namely Iran, the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Their dilemmas and responses are analyzed and uncertainties in implementing the hard-won nuclear deal are discussed. It is argued that the nuclear issue is only part of the problem that adversely affect relations between Iran and its opponents. A regional security structure that addresses both nuclear and non-nuclear concerns by all appears the most viable way forward. Several proposals are explored in this regard and the specific role of the UN is discussed.

A visiting scholar at Columbia University’s Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies, Xiaoning Huang is currently on sabbatical leave from his assignment with the United Nations’ Department of Political Affairs. He has been the Desk Officer for Iran at the Middle East and West Asia Division in the past five years. He has also covered several Gulf States, Pakistan, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States at varying times. Earlier, he had worked with the secretariat of the Security Council from 2006 to 2010 when the Iranian nuclear issue was activity discussed by the Council. Before joining the UN, Mr. Huang had worked with news organizations in Beijing and New York for seven years. He obtained a BA in China and an MA in the US.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

1302 International Affairs

School of International and Public Affairs

420 West 118^th Street

New York City

Pizza Lunch. Seating is limited; first come first seated.