Iran Is More Than Just a Target Set
The Bulwark • • world
Key Points:
- The current unrest in Iran is primarily driven by severe economic issues such as inflation, unemployment, drought, corruption, sanctions, and social inequality, rather than ideology or political differences.
- Economic-based uprisings tend to be widespread, harder to suppress, and provoke harsher government responses, as evidenced by reports of thousands of protesters killed in Iran.
- Military strikes by the U.S. against Iranian regime forces are likely counterproductive, as they reinforce the regime’s narrative of Western aggression and may consolidate hardliner power.
- U.S. policy discussions should prioritize defining clear objectives, diplomatic engagement, information support for Iranian citizens, targeted economic measures, and intelligence gathering over immediate military action.
- Military options should be considered last, focusing on deterrence and
