Why Iran Should Not Get the Bomb, and Neither Should Israel: The Case for Nuclear Disarmament

This thesis explores the question of how, why, and under what conditions states give up their nuclear weapons. There are four examples of denuclearization: Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and South Africa. I conduct case studies of these four historical examples, positing South Africa as a model for nuclear disarmament with potential to be replicated in the future. Of the nine current nuclear states, Israel shares the most commonalities with pre-disarmament apartheid South Africa. I argue that Israeli denuclearization is not only possible under the South African model, but it is preferable for the state's long-term security interests, including but not limited to its relations with Iran. I conclude with the broader implications for regional and international security, specifically what this might mean for other nuclear states.