Episode 117: The Regional and Global Significance of the US-Led Attack on Iran
Dr Neil Melvin, Dr Burcu Ozcelik and Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian
4 March 202654 Minute Listen
The US and Israel have launched major strikes on Iran, triggering retaliation across the region and raising fears of wider war.
About the episode
As tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz and across the region, the implications extend far beyond the Middle East. In this episode of Global Security Briefing, Neil Melvin is joined by Dr Burcu Ozcelik, RUSI Senior Research Fellow, and Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian, a specialist on Iranian and regional politics and an Associate Fellow with RUSI, to analyse the regional and global significance of the crisis.
This episode explores:
- What the US and Israel are seeking to achieve, and how Iran is responding.
- Whether the strikes could threaten the survival of Iran’s political system established in 1979.
- The risks of escalation and miscalculation across Iraq, Lebanon, the Gulf, and the Red Sea.
- The prospects for leadership disruption, succession dynamics, and elite cohesion inside Iran.
- The potential roles of Russia and China as diplomatic or strategic actors.
- The UK’s response and whether it has adopted the right approach.
- Key scenarios for how the conflict may evolve in the coming days.
FEATURING
Dr Neil Melvin
Director, International Security
International Security
Dr Burcu Ozcelik
Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Security
International Security
Dr Roxane Farmanfarmaian
RUSI Senior Associate Fellow, International Security
