Defending Iran

by Gawdat Bahgat

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. Based on a wide range of primary sources in Persian, Arabic and English, Gawdat Bahgat and Anoushiravan Ehteshami offer a detailed and authoritative analysis of Iran's defense strategy. Additionally, this book provides a comparative analysis of the Islamic Republic's capabilities in relation to Israel and Saudi Arabia, its main regional adversaries. Framing Tehran's threat perceptions following the revolution within a wider historical context, this book will facilitate further analytical reflections on the country's changing role in the region, and its relations further afield, with the United States, Europe, Russia and China.

Genres: Iran

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2021

Reviews

[Zare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about the Iran's military potential, forces and supporting, political and industry, services. Authors give a very informative overview of states and alliances around Iran, I found Israels forays into amicable alliances with Arab states very interesting. Following general media one would think that old enmities never die, and while this more amicable approach is maybe just a beginning (and not that amicable), it is what it is - a beginning. Also interesting are parts where authors comment on US military standing and plans for the Gulf region.

When it comes to the Iranian military and political security apparatus book is sort of a mixed bag since majority of sources are open sources, various news and wiki articles. And this a weak spot of this book. After a while there is just too much conjecture. While political elements are very well known to the authors and experts they consulted, I have a feeling that full understandings of internal workings of Iran and its military are not that well understood. It looks like there is too much guessing here. In one place authors say for some of Iran's combat systems they are very effective only to say few pages later that same system's quality is rather dubious. At one point there is even reference to a techno thriller, which was the only omg, aint this cringey feeling I had while reading this book (and considering the topic I expected more of these).

What is interesting is that book published in 2020 did not age that well in 2022. Especially when it comes to the cyber/IT activities. The way West started to control the cyber space, access and ability to express ones ideas in it unfortunately ended up very similar to Iran's and China's approach. Only difference being that West's control is on a very source (not through firewalls and filtering), which makes it even more troubling.

And one thing that is also rather funny and weird is the constant use of Iran's "perception of danger". Considering that authors then mention very specific (as it is now fancy to say) kinetic and other actions between Iran, Israel and US (directly or indirectly, from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq to Yemen) calling this a perception is laughable. There are very direct and specific enmnities in place here. After reading several books on similar subjects I can only guess this is the way for authors and their sources not to print that actual conflict (and all the provocations that go with it) is going on between these parties. You know...it is on, but its "gray" so no harm is done.

Very interesting book, highly recommended.