“A More Feminine Approach?” Rethinking How America Deters a Nuclear-Capable Iran

Abstract

To demonstrate why a more feminist approach offers potentially greater success than the more masculine approaches already tried, and failed, this article provides a case study of US deterrence strategy toward Iran during the most recent presidential administrations—two Democratic and two Republican. Analysis will focus on whether each administration’s stance toward Iran has been traditionally masculine, feminine, or a mix. From that examination, recommendations are made regarding development of effective US-Iranian deterrence strategy in the future.