[PDF] Irans Present Day Military Capabilities And Military Aspirations In The Middle East eBook

Author : Anthony H. Cordesman
Publisher :
Page : 108 pages
File Size : 12,50 MB
Release : 2013
Category : Iran
ISBN :

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Far too much of the analysis of Iran's search for nuclear weapons treats it in terms of arms control or focuses on the potential threat to Israel. In reality, Iran's mix of asymmetric warfare, conventional warfare, and conventionally armed missile forces have critical weaknesses that make Iran anything but the hegemon of the Gulf. Iran's public focus on Israel also disguises the reality that its primary strategic focus is to deter and intimidate its Gulf neighbors and the United States, not Israel. It has made major progress in creating naval forces for asymmetric warfare and developing naval missiles, but it has very limited air-sea and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (IS&R) capabilities. It lacks modern conventional land, air, air defense and sea power, has fallen far behind the Arab Gulf states in modern aircraft and ships, and its land forces are filled with obsolete and mediocre weapons that lack maneuver capability and sustainability outside Iran. Iran needs nuclear weapons to offset these facts. Iran's Al Quds forces and efforts to build up regional forces like the Hezbollah have been highly effective, but it lacks any real amphibious capability force for entry. It is able to spend far less on military forces than the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and only a fraction of what they can spend on arms imports. It has large numbers of short range rockets and growing missile forces, but these lack the accuracy and lethality to pose a major threat to any Gulf state but Kuwait, and Iran is far weaker in every warfighting dimension than a combination of U.S. and GCC forces. Nuclear weapons change this situation to an important degree. Nuclear armed missile forces pose a major threat to every Gulf state, even if they have missile defenses. Many have only one major population center and all have critically vulnerable facilities. All, along with the United States, will have to be far more cautious in escalating to major attacks on Iran if it uses its asymmetric forces and pay far more attention to Iranian threats and efforts at intimidation.

Author : Frederic M. Wehrey
Publisher : Rand Corporation
Page : 233 pages
File Size : 16,69 MB
Release : 2009
Category : History
ISBN : 0833045547

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"Within this context, this report aims to provide policy planners with a new framework for anticipating and preparing for the strategic challenges Iran will present over the next ten to fifteen years. In an analysis grounded in the observation that although Iranian power projection is marked by strengths, it also has serious liabilities and limitations, this report assesses four critical areas - the Iranian regime's perception of itself as a regional and even global power, Iran's conventional military buildup and aspirations for asymmetric warfare, its support to Islamist militant groups, and its appeal to Arab public opinion. Based on this assessment, the report offers a new U.S. policy paradigm that seeks to manage the challenges Iran presents through the exploitation of regional barriers to its power and sources of caution in the regime's strategic calculus."--BOOK JACKET.

Author : Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi
Publisher : Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
Page : 26 pages
File Size : 38,19 MB
Release : 1996-06-20
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
ISBN :

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This volume presents the research and analyses of internationally recognized scholars concerning the internal and external dynamics which affect and often determine the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Following an introduction designed to provide an analytical and contextual backdrop, the volume begins with a detailed look at the Iranian polity, its evolution before and after the revolution, and the role of ideology. The next section addresses Iranian foreign policy with respect to the Arab Gulf states, as a function of domestic dynamics, and as a response to regional and international events and constraints. The third section discusses Iran's military capabilities and includes reasoned judgments concerning the Islamic Republic's intentions and aspirations in the military realm. The book concludes with a discussion of the evolving relationship between the GCC states and Iran with particular focus on the security dynamics that attend that relationship for the foreseeable future. This timely and comprehensive work acknowledges Iran's important and immutable role in Gulf affairs, and particularly in Gulf security affairs. It also acknowledges the important evolution in Iranian foreign policy which has occurred since the revolution of 1979 and, particularly, since the death of the Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Author : William S. Leyh
Publisher :
Page : 33 pages
File Size : 20,89 MB
Release : 2012
Category : Iran
ISBN :

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The strategic economic goals and ambitions of Iran and the Iranian capability to attain them present a challenge that when understood could provide an opportunity in which engagement is possible. Recent events within the Middle East and the actions of Iran have resulted in significant socioeconomic and security issues within the region that warrant examination of the effectiveness of current U.S. policy. It can be argued that the future strategic environment of the Middle East is dependent upon the ability of the United States, in cooperation with international and regional partners, to effectively engage the Iranian government. Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, support of terrorism, by proxy aggression toward Israel and others, and potential emergence as a regional power further threatens to destabilize the Middle East. Iran is postured to further upset the already tenuous balance of power in the Middle East given the uncertain outcome of the Arab Spring and the withdrawal of the United States military and its international coalition partners from Iraq. This paper will explore the economic ambitions of Iran that underscore their actions and the strategic implications of these policies as they relate to the United States National Security Strategy for the region.

Author : Michael L. Gross
Publisher : Cambridge University Press
Page : 285 pages
File Size : 15,27 MB
Release : 2017-06-09
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 110713224X

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This collection focuses on non-kinetic warfare, including cyber, media, and economic warfare, as well as non-violent resistance, 'lawfare', and hostage-taking.

Author : Laurent Lamote
Publisher :
Page : 230 pages
File Size : 43,59 MB
Release : 2012-07-06
Category :
ISBN : 9781478200321

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Iran appears to be pursuing an assertive foreign policy that confronts the United States on a variety of points: the Middle East peace process, the stability of moderate Muslim states, terrorism (such as the death threat to Rushdie), security in the Persian Gulf, and nuclear proliferation. However, Iran's intentions and capabilities are by no means clear. One the intentions side, some observers expect that a desire for good economic relations with the West and a waning of revolutionary fervor will lead to moderation in action if not in words; others see a broad consensus inside Iran for assertiveness, uniting Persian nationalism with Islamic fundamentalism. On the capabilities side, Iran is short on cash and faces growing internal political dissension, which some say means it will not be able to devote much to foreign adventures and the military build-up, while other say internal problems give Iran reason to acquire a military with which to pressure its rich neighbors. To discuss these issues the Institute for National Strategic Studies at the National Defense University convened a workshop on "Iran's Strategic Intentions." The workshop brought together leading experts on Iranian security policy: speakers with access to Iranian officials and with the language skills to follow Iranian developments. Some of the points taken from the discussion, which by no means represent the view of all the authors or discussion participants, were: Iran is absorbed with domestic problems. Foreign affairs is a secondary concern for Iran's leaders and its people. Foreign policies are in large part a by-product of domestic politics. The government lacks legitimacy. The post-Khomeini leadership is not accepted by many believers as the voice of religious authority. Religious figures in the provinces, especially those with large Sunni or non-Persian populations, increasingly reject the representatives sent from Tehran. The hold of the central government over the provinces in weakening. The economic situation is bad, and the popular mood is worse. Public and elite opinion both believe that the continued existence of the Islamic Republic is in doubt. Iran's military strategy does not emphasize external defense. Iran sees itself as friendless in a hostile world, but it does not see itself as facing a serious danger from its neighbors. Iraq is not seen as a credible threat for the foreseeable future, for political and military reasons. Turmoil in the southern parts of the former Soviet Union is not seen as posing a conventional military problem for Iran. Iran's principal external aims for its military are to discourage US involvement I the Gulf and to spread its influence in its neighborhood. The Revolutionary Guards and the security forces, which are increasingly coordinated with the military, may be called on regularly to suppress domestic unrest. Iran will pursue military capabilities at the low end and high end, not in the middle. Development of nuclear weapons makes excellent sense, to assert the revolutions success and its claim of equality to the great powers. Iran lacks the resources to engage in an extensive buildup of its conventional military. The leadership realizes that high-technology weapons are essential for success on the modern battlefield; revolutionary fervor is not sufficient. Support subversion and terrorism fits Iran's budget, its ideology, and its predilections. Nor does Iran believe it will have to pay a high price for this sort of low-intensity conflict.

Author : Office of Naval Intelligence (U S )
Publisher : Government Printing Office
Page : 44 pages
File Size : 20,51 MB
Release : 2017-06-21
Category : History
ISBN : 9780160939686

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This updated resource provides a more comprehensive history, including: Iran's Persian imperial past, the spread of Islam, and the Iran-Iraq War The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) emphasizes an asymetric doctrine to ensure national security in the Persian Gulf against regional neighbors and foreign presence. The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) employs a more conventional doctrine and focuses on forward presence and naval diplomacy. Both navies have considerable equities and are well positioned to influence and leverage the Strait of Hormuz; a vital chokepoint for the flow of resources and international commerce. Illustrated with organizational charts, and photos of key Iranian leaders, including commanders within the Navy Command and Control Leadership, as well as rank insignia graphics, maps, ships, aircrafts, missile images, and more. Check out ourMiddle East resources collection for more resources on this topic. You may also be interested in ourForeign Military History collection Other products produced by theUnited States Navy

Author : Daniel Byman
Publisher : Rand Corporation
Page : 135 pages
File Size : 18,14 MB
Release : 2001-05-09
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 0833032445

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Religion, nationalism, ethnicity, economics, and geopolitics all are important in explaining Iran's goals and tactics in its relationship with the outside world, as are the agendas of key security institutions and the ambitions of their leaders. This report assesses Iran's security policy in light of these factors. It examines broad drivers of Iran's security policy, describes important security institutions, explores decisionmaking, and reviews Iran's relations with key countries. The authors conclude that Iraq is widely recognized as the leading threat to Iran's Islamic regime and Afghanistan is seen as an emerging threat. In contrast, Iran has solid, if not necessarily warm, relations with Syria and established working ties to Pakistan and Russia. Iran's policies toward its neighbors are increasingly prudent: It is trying to calm regional tension and end its isolation, although its policies toward Israel and the United States are often an exception to this policy. Iran's security forces, particularly the regular military, are often voices of restraint, preferring shows of force to overactive confrontations. Finally, Iran's security forces generally respect and follow the wishes of Iran's civilian leadership; conducting rogue operations is rare to nonexistent.