Kenneth N. Waltz takes a neorealist approach providing incredible insight into the functionality and application of a neorealist thinker. Waltz published the article Why Iran Should Get the Bomb in an issues of Foreign Affairs in which he contributed to the conversation on the Iranian Nuclear Crisis. He argues that Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons would provide security and would ultimately reduce the unsustainable imbalance of military and nuclear power in the Middle East. He urges US, European and Israeli actors must abandon their fear of the militarization and nuclearization of Iran and see it instead as a vessel for stability and a balance of power using the neorealist perspective.
Waltz provides three possible outcomes to Iran’s nuclear program. Firstly, an unlikely set of sanctions on Iran which could push them closer to the development of nuclear weapons under for the safety net of security. A second outcome might see Iran developing an advanced nuclear weapons program in a breakout capacity in order to quickly develop a weapon without testing. Finally, Iran could go public in testing nuclear weapons. Waltz argues that the third scenario would result in Middle Eastern states restoring the balance of power and experience stability in the region.
Waltz highlights that the balance of power in the Middle East between Israel and Iran shifted greatly in Israel’s favour due to their weapons capacity. The balance of power must therefore be restored by allowing Iran to develop a nuclear capacity themselves as mentioned in Waltz’ third scenario. He boldly makes the claim ‘where nuclear capabilities emerge, so, too, does stability’. This article is a continuity of the opinions forged in Cold War Era that highlight the role of the security dilemma at a state level. He makes the claim, ‘by reducing imbalances in military power, new nuclear states generally produce more regional and international stability, not less’. As discussed in a prior class, Waltz is providing a defensive response to the phenomena he is seeing and the role of weapons in securing this response.
Waltz’s article highlights the neorealist’s imperative focus on the structure of the international system that allows the interaction of state actors. He sees the weaponization as a movement in the rise of state powers and increasing their security in a comprehensive international state system. He views states as the next level in this analysis as broad-based actors that have equal right to nuclear weaponry for ‘greater security’ and to avoid’ international isolation and condemnation’. Waltz articulates his interest in powerful state actors on the rise, Iran, but also super power actors who are conducting speculative defensive analysis such as the US, European and Israeli actors within the international system.
This paper absolutely sheds light on the applications of an archetypical neorealist thinker. Waltz’s article is invaluable as it is a primary example of the neorealist focus on the balance of power, security, and multifaceted structural system in which states interact. While some of the resources provided in this course compare and summarize many views, this article dives deeper. It gives a perspective on phenomena and main issues of contention provided by a renowed neorealist thinker. It gave me that critical tools to recognize the main elements of a neorealist thinker on subjects I will likely see in the news and outside of this course.