The Demise of Nuclear Emasculation: A Feminist Analysis of Iran’s Nuclear Discourse and Current EU Policy

Abstract

On issues of nuclear power and international security, the role of women is limited by the patriarchal structures of powerful nuclear states and by the patriarchal nature of international foreign policy. Women are marginalized in politics and are underrepresented in positions with decision-making power. Additionally, nuclear discourse is misogynistic, and revolves around a masculine-militarized understandings of nuclear power and policy. Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) is an important corrective to the masculine nature of nuclear power and policy. FFP has introduced new ways of understanding nuclear power discourse and politics, which can be especially helpful when analyzing nuclear policy at the global level. Using Iran as a case study, this paper assesses current nuclear discourse through FFP. It draws on feminist theory to analyze and understand the gendered and militarized frameworks governing current nuclear policy in Iran. Furthermore, it discusses feminist nuclear activism, denuclearization, and arms control.