Strategic Assessment

Historically, Iran’s military strategy has been defensive, based on deterring potential rivals, developing restraining leverage over enemies, keeping adversaries pinned down in secondary theaters, and undermining the will of potential enemies, while attempting to create both influence and a defense zone that will provide it with strategic depth beyond its borders. The goal of this essay is to consider whether as a result of the upheaval in the Middle East Iran has been drawn into a regional policy with new characteristics, and whether its “strategic toolbox” is appropriate for this new policy. The essay also examines how Israel can obstruct Iran, given the emerging lack of equilibrium between Iranian policy and the strategic tools at Tehran’s disposal.