Author: Pulse

Row over damage to Iran’s nuclear programme raises questions about intelligence

By Robert Dover, Professor of Intelligence and National Security & Dean of Faculty, University of Hull The ongoing debate over whether Iranian nuclear sites were “obliterated”, as the US president and his team insist, or merely “damaged”, as much of the intelligence suggest, should make us pause and think about the nature and purpose of … Continue reading “Row over damage to Iran’s nuclear programme raises questions about intelligence”

What damage did the US do to Iran’s nuclear program? Why it’s so hard to know

By Joshua Rovner, Associate Professor of International Relations, American University The U.S. Air Force dropped a dozen ground-penetrating bombs, each weighing 30,000 pounds (13,607 kilograms), in a raid on Iran’s nuclear site at Fordo on June 21, 2025. The attack was an attempt to reach the uranium enrichment facility buried deep inside a mountain. The … Continue reading “What damage did the US do to Iran’s nuclear program? Why it’s so hard to know”

The US and Israel’s attack may have left Iran stronger

By Bamo Nouri, Honorary Research Fellow, City St George’s, University of London Israel’s attack on Iran last month and the US bombing of the country’s nuclear facilities, the first-ever direct US attacks on Iranian soil, were meant to cripple Tehran’s strategic capabilities and reset the regional balance.The strikes came after 18 months during which Israel … Continue reading “The US and Israel’s attack may have left Iran stronger”

Military force may have delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions – but history shows that diplomacy is the more effective nonproliferation strategy

By Stephen Collins, Professor of Government and International Affairs, Kennesaw State University While the U.S. military’s strikes on Iran on June 21, 2025, is believed to have damaged the country’s critical nuclear infrastructure, no evidence has yet emerged showing the program to have been completely destroyed. In fact, an early U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessment … Continue reading “Military force may have delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions – but history shows that diplomacy is the more effective nonproliferation strategy”

Hope for a ceasefire in Gaza (but not much)

By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor Each day that has passed recently has brought another report of mass killings in Gaza. Today’s headline was as grim as any: according to reports from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, another 118 people were killed in the past 24 hours, including 12 people trying to get … Continue reading “Hope for a ceasefire in Gaza (but not much)”