How to Contain Iranian Influence in the Levant
Abstract
The current U.S. policy has failed to curb Tehran's appetite in the Levant. How do we contain or turn the tide of Iranian influence in the Levant, specifically toward Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip? The Iranian regime continues to sustain its influence in the Levant through diplomatic, information, military, and economic means (DIME). This approach by Iran has not gone unnoticed by the United States. However, current U.S. policy has not curtailed or reversed Tehran's influence. Will the United States change its current Levant policy to contain and reverse the existing Iranian influence in the Levant? To frame this question, this project examines current U.S. policy in the Levant and current Iranian policy in the Levant; identifies the amount of aid/support both the United States and Iran provide to the Levant; and tries to quantify the effectiveness of current U.S. policy in the region. The United States has been too focused on the single goal of having Iran abandon its nuclear weapons program. Iranian efforts to expand its influence in the Levant collide directly with U.S. interests in the region. This competition closely resembles a zero-sum game. To achieve its policy goals, the United States must employ all elements of U.S. national power, not just economic power in the form of sanctions. This strategy has not worked because it is overly reliant on a single element of power (economic sanctions) and depends upon the cooperation of other states, Russia and China, that do not appear to share our goals and objectives or agree with our chosen means. In addition, their reluctance to authorize the use of force undermines the credibility of the sanctions. Because our policy has been too narrowly focused on a single end, we need to broaden the ways and apply more means (DIME) to increase the likelihood of achieving our policy goals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA560123
Entities
People
- Shawn M. Nilius
Organizations
- United States Army War College