Thinking the Unthinkable.

The article analyzes U.S. and global policy responses to Iran's alleged development of nuclear weapons. The author believes that the twin policies of negotiations and economic sanctions will likely continue through 2012. Should the U.S. government be convinced that Iran has not ended its nuclear weapons program by 2013, however, he argues that U.S. President Barack Obama has foreclosed all policy options other than the use of military force against Iran. Topics include the views of Israeli political leaders on Iran, parallels between the policy choices of the George W. Bush and Obama administrations, and alternative policies to achieve nuclear nonproliferation.