Middle East Stability And The Economic Ambitions Of Iran

The strategic economic goals and ambitions of Iran and the Iranian capability to attain them present a challenge that when understood could provide an opportunity in which engagement is possible. Recent events within the Middle East and the actions of Iran have resulted in significant socioeconomic and security issues within the region that warrant examination of the effectiveness of current U.S. policy. It can be argued that the future strategic environment of the Middle East is dependent upon the ability of the United States, in cooperation with international and regional partners, to effectively engage the Iranian government. Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons, support of terrorism, by proxy aggression toward Israel and others, and potential emergence as a regional power further threatens to destabilize the Middle East. Iran is postured to further upset the already tenuous balance of power in the Middle East given the uncertain outcome of the Arab Spring and the withdrawal of the United States military and its international coalition partners from Iraq. This paper will explore the economic ambitions of Iran that underscore their actions and the strategic implications of these policies as they relate to the United States National Security Strategy for the region.