Translated from French.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-144) and index.

1. Iran : indisputable military nuclear ambitions -- 2. Europe : an increasingly controversial strategy -- 3. America : in a state of paralysis? -- 4. Russia : an unreliable partner -- 5. China : a close ally for Iran -- 6. Pakistan : clandestine supplier, uneasy neighbour -- 7. India : energy needs and rapprochement with Washington -- 8. Israel : an existential threat -- 9. North Korea : a role model? -- 10. Egypt : the opportunity to rethink its defence policy? -- 11. Saudi Arabia : open rivalry in the gulf -- 12. South Africa : an ambiguous player -- 13. The IAEA : no referral to the security council.

"Delpech is one of the world's leading authorities on international nuclear security, and in this book, she dissects Iran's program in minute detail. Delpech begins with a history of Iran's nuclear project-which was launched with the help of several Western countries-from the 1970s to today. She examines the reasons behind Iran's renewed interest in nuclear power during its war with Iraq, and the national pride, exemplified by Mahmoud Amadinejad's bellicose rhetoric, that prevents the country from bowing to the dictates of the international community. Then she dissects the strategy of the various actors in this new global crisis: Iran, the commonly termed EU "3" (United Kingdom, France, and Germany), the United States, Russia, China, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Delpech follows with an analysis of the feasibility, practicality, and political viability of such possible solutions as dismantling by force, supervised third party reprocessing, referral to the United Nations' Security Council, and Iranian appeasement." -- Book jacket.