Strategic Reversal: The United
position, secure from overland incursions
States, Iran and Middle East
United States: Three principal Interests
- 1. To maintain a regional balance of power
- 2. To make certain that the flow of oil in not
interrupted
- 3. To defeat the Islamist groups
* Afghanistan
US Goals:
1. To prevent Al Qaeda from using
Afghanistan as a base of operation
2. To create a stable democratic
government
How:
1. Train the incipient Afghanistan army
2. Managing the police force of Afghan
recruits
3. Intruding into Afghan politics
India and Pakistan
- 1. Have maintained uneasy and sometimes
violent relations
- 2. Have nuclear power
Role of US:
1 . Create a strong and viable Pakistan
a. Restore balance with India
b. Restore Pakistan as a foil for
Afghanistan as well.
THE REGION’S HEARTLAND:
IRAN AND IRAQ
- 2003- U.S. destroyed both Iraq’s
government and army.
- A Secure Iran:
1. Iranian- Turkish border is extremely
mountainous, making offensive military
operations are difficult.
2. Iran is buffered from Russian power
by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and in
northeast by Turkmenistan.
3. To the east lie Afghanistan and
Pakistan, both in chaos.
Conclusion: Iran is in an extraordinary
and free to explore the southwest.
A Strike to Iran
- 1. Iran Response:
a. Block the Strait of Hormuz, where
about 45 percent of the world’s exported
seaborne oil flow through a narrow channel.
b. Anti-ship missiles
c. Mines (oil Reserve)
* It can cause oil prices to spike
dramatically and would certainly abort the
global economic recovery.
U.S. Strategy
- To create an alliance with countries that had
previously been regarded as strategic and
moral threats.
1. Russia
2. China
3. Iran
Written on the BOARD
Turkey
- The only country capable of being a counter
balance to Iran and a potential long-term
power in the Region.
1. 17th largest economy in the world
2. Largest economy in the Region
3. It has the strongest army in the
Region and probably in Europe, besides
Russia and UK.