Strategic Assessment

In recent months there has been talk both in Israel and abroad about the possibility of a military operation against Iranian nuclear installations. This essay seeks to examine the developments that might ensue following a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. Assuming that a strike has been carried out by Israel and/or the US, it seeks to analyze the possible results in various realms and their significance. The extent of damage to the nuclear facilities is the factor that would have the greatest effect on both the amount of time the Iranian nuclear program would be delayed and the severity of the Iranian response. In any case, however, the larger the scope of the operation, the more extensive the ramifications are likely to be, and the results of the operation would be much more impressive if carried out by the US rather than Israel.