Since the 1979 revolution, the ruling establishment of Iran has developed and articulated a defense strategy reflective of the country’s Iran-Iraq war experience and its international isolation. Its asymmetrical warfare doctrine, use of irregular forces in military campaigns, deployment of ballistic missiles, use of fast naval vessels to harass and confuse adversaries, and finally development of a sophisticated cyber warfare capability, are all features of this unique defense strategy. The Middle East Institute (MEI) is delighted to host the authors Defending Iran: From Revolutionary Guards to Ballistic Missiles Gawdat Bahgat and Anoushiravan Ehteshami – for a panel discussion on Iran’s defense strategy. They will be joined by Sara Bazoobandi.
Gawdat Bahgat
Professor of National Security Affairs, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Study, National Defense University
Sara Bazoobandi
Non-resident fellow, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington; Marie Curie fellow, German Institute of Global and Area Studies
Anoushiravan Ehteshami
Professor of International Relations, School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University
Alex Vatanka, moderator
Senior fellow and director, Iran program, MEI
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