Can covert support spark civil war in Iran?

Arta assesses Israeli and Western plans to back dissidents and why engineered state collapse is unlikely and risky.

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Episode notes

Darryl Cooper and Scott Horton interview Arta Moeini, Managing Director of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy, discussing the implications of recent Israeli strikes on Iranian gas facilities and the potential for Iranian retaliation. They critique America's flawed strategies that overestimate the ease of regime change in Iran and explore Tehran's shift to a more aggressive stance. The conversation addresses the muddled objectives of U.S. foreign policy, concerns about escalating conflicts, and domestic political ramifications, including Joe Kent's resignation. Emphasizing the need for a realist approach to align foreign policy with American interests, they conclude with a cautious outlook on the situation's complexities and the importance of ongoing dialogue.

Chapters

0:38 Introduction and Context

1:56 Escalating Conflict in the Middle East

4:50 The U.S.-Israel Relationship Dynamics

8:02 The Role of Military Strategy

9:27 Iran's Response and Strategy

13:58 Proportionality and Deterrence

15:01 The Nature of Modern Warfare

19:11 The Perception of Iranian Power

24:24 Economic Implications of Sanctions

25:53 Asymmetrical Warfare and Technology

28:53 The American Political Landscape