Iran and Strategic Power Projection: The Iran-Iraq War as a Foundation of Understanding
Abstract
This monograph attempts to provide the reader with an understanding of the dynamics and rational context for Iranian strategic power projection in the 21st century. Using the Iran-Iraq War as a lens through which to examine Iran during a stressful conventional conflict, the research illustrates a number of characteristics and trends still representative of the regime today. In Muslim nations, particularly Iran, Islam is thoroughly ingrained in diplomatic/political, information, military, and economic power (DIME) while also being a separate, valid element of national power. This concept is one of many that make Iran unique and forces Western thinkers to re-evaluate their perspectives when dealing with Muslim countries in general and Iran in particular. A review of Iran's cultural and historical background provides a number of topics relevant to Iranian strategic power projection, including geopolitical history, economics, religion, and the revolution. From this foundation, the monograph moves to specific events in the Iran-Iraq War. The monograph examines the Iran-Iraq War through three events: the 1982 decision to conduct the counteroffensive into Iraq, the arms-for-hostages deal with the United States, and the 1986 Fao offensive. These three events demonstrate the significance of internal politics in strategic power projection, the failure of conventional military operations to attain strategic objectives, the tension between revolutionary and pragmatic Iranian diplomacy, and the use of Islam as a tool of power projection. The author describes the impact of these events on the Iran-Iraq War, and asserts that the three events form a causal linkage -- each event sets the conditions for the one that follows, eventually leading to defeat. He concludes that the continued existence of the revolutionary regime was more important than winning the war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA479308
Entities
People
- Darric M. Knight
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College