American Prestige Special - Iran’s Strategy in This War w/ Sina Azodi
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Mar 30, 2026 Sina Azodi, Associate Professor of Middle East Politics at GWU and author of Iran and the Bomb, unpacks why Iran did not collapse quickly and how it pursued asymmetric retaliation. He discusses U.S. misreadings of Iran, the IRGC’s rising influence, nuclear debate pressures, and strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz. Short, sharp takes on regional dynamics and what to watch next.
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Expertise Gap Drives Washington's Iran Blind Spots
- Diplomatic isolation and lack of language/culture expertise fuel repeated analytical failures in Washington on Iran.
- Azodi cites few Farsi speakers and an orientalist lens that labels Iranian leaders irrational instead of studying their long political traditions.
Ignored Grievances Shape Iranian Threat Perceptions
- Historical grievances shape Iranian perceptions but are often unknown or ignored in the U.S. narrative.
- Azodi highlights the 1988 Iran Air Flight 655 shootdown and lack of U.S. apology as a persistent source of Iranian grievance.
Attacking Civilian Infrastructure Risks Wider Escalation
- Threatening or striking civilian infrastructure risks major escalation because Iran can retaliate against regional and U.S. targets.
- Azodi warns attacks on power plants or desalination would invite reciprocal strikes on regional nuclear or civilian sites.
