IRAN'S CONTINUING CHALLENGE IN A TIME OF ARAB TURMOIL

IRAN'S CONTINUING CHALLENGE IN A TIME OF ARAB TURMOIL in The Montreal Review (May 2011)

by Adam C. Seitz and Anthony H. Cordesman

The Islamic Republic of Iran presents a wide range of challenges in a region that is already plagued by insecurity and conflict. As long-standing regimes are threatened by the wave of anti-government protests rolling across the Middle East, Tehran continues to advance its policies intended to expand its influence throughout the region in spite of its own internal challenges and power struggles within its leadership. At a time when the Arab spring is producing unpredictable changes in regional regimes and alignments, Tehran's aggressive regional policy, growing asymmetric warfare capabilities, and developing nuclear and ballistic missile programs present a separate set of challenges of great strategic importance..........(Read on).............