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Iran: Engagement or Regime Change?

March 03, 2010
Michael Ledeen, David Ignatius and Flynt Leverett

The South Asia Center of the Atlantic Council hosted a debate between experts Michael Ledeen and Flynt Leverett on how best to approach Iran's nuclear ambitions and on possible courses of action for the U.S. and its allies to halt Iran's capacity to weaponize its nuclear program.  Washington Post columnist and creator of PostGlobal David Ignatius moderated the discussion, and Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council, provided an introduction.

Both the tempo and the temperature of the dialogue on Iran have been on the rise in recent months, as the Obama administration attempts to craft a new policy towards the country in the wake of contentious elections and outbreaks of public unrest.  Many different solutions have been offered by analysts – ranging from military action to sharper economic sanctions to support for dissident movements.  But are these solutions practicable?  Do we really understand Iran and its motivations?

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Michael Ledeen is a Freedom Scholar at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and the author of over 25 books, the latest of which is Accomplice to Evil: Iran and the War Against the West.  He holds a PhD in Modern European History and Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin.  Flynt Leverett is a Senior Research Fellow at the New American Foundation, where he directs the Iran Initiative and publishes The Race for Iran blog.  He is a Professor of International Relations at Penn State and worked for the U.S. government for several years, holding senior positions at the National Security Council, the State Department and CIA.

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