NatSec Matters Special Episode - The Battle for the Middle East: Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery
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Mar 2, 2026 Mark Montgomery, retired Rear Admiral and national security leader, brings 32 years of Navy experience and policy work. He breaks down U.S.-Israeli strike objectives, sequencing and campaign rhythm. He analyzes risks to shipping, regional bases, and Gulf states. He assesses Iran’s options, proxy threats, and great power reactions in a rapidly shifting Middle East.
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Run A Multiweek Targeted Campaign
- Prioritize sequential target sets: leadership, forces that can retaliate, and suppression of air defenses while reassessing and reattacking production and stowage sites.
- Montgomery recommended running a multi-week campaign with repeated strikes and battle-damage assessment to exhaust Iranian capabilities.
Air Strikes Alone Won't Topple Iran
- Regime change from air power alone is unlikely without an armed fracture inside Iran or access to weapons for protesters.
- Montgomery noted protesters are widespread but unarmed; a military split or weapons flow would be required for successful overthrow.
Think Twice Before Hitting Energy
- Consider the costs of striking energy infrastructure carefully because it both weakens regime revenue and risks long-term recovery costs for any successor.
- Montgomery warned energy strikes cut funding and could force elites to bear the reconstruction bill later.