Dear MEPIN Readers,
Will the President order a strike on Iran? If so, will it resemble the limited action taken in June, or is the administration contemplating a broader campaign aimed at fundamentally weakening or even collapsing the regime? What would be the likely duration of such an operation, and what strategic objectives would define its end state?
Just as importantly, how would renewed military action affect the protesters who are once again risking their lives in the streets? And where do the Sunni Arab states stand — what messages are they conveying to Washington behind closed doors?
I explore these questions in my interview with Major (res.) Alexander Grinberg, an Iran expert at the JISS think tank, where we assess the strategic calculus facing decision-makers and the potential regional implications of escalation. — Eric