DOCSLIB.ORG

Iranian Space Capabilities and Support to Military Operations

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Iranian Space Capabilities and Support to Military Operations Operational Environment & Threat Analysis Volume 11, Issue 1 July 2020 Iranian Space Capabilities and Support to Military Operations Retaliatory tactics of Iranian Missile Strike: the Iranian military Implications of Iran’s Response APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED OEE Red Diamond published by TRADOC G-2 Operational INSIDE THIS ISSUE Environment & Threat Analysis Directorate, Fort Leavenworth, KS Iranian Missile Strike: Topic Inquiries: Implications of Iran’s Response ............................... 3 Kevin Freese (DAC), Editor in Chief Retaliatory Tactics of the Iranian Military ................. 7 OE&TA Staff: Penny Mellies (DAC) Director, OE&TA Iranian Space Capabilities and Support [email protected] 913-684-7920 to Military Operations .......................................... 14 LTC Bryce Frederickson [email protected] 913-684-7944 WO2 Rob Whalley UK LO Iranian ATP Preview ............................................. 18 [email protected] 913-684-7994 Paula Devers (DAC) Intelligence Specialist Past is Present: Continuity in Iranian Foreign [email protected] 913-684-7907 SME Policy and Why it Matters ..................................... 20 Laura Deatrick (CTR) Editor [email protected] 913-684-7925 SME Iran in Iraq .......................................................... 24 Angela Williams (DAC) Branch Chief, T&S [email protected] 913-684-7929 WEG Updates ...................................................... 27 John Dalbey (CTR) Military Analyst [email protected] 913-684-7939 Jerry England (DAC) Intelligence Specialist Cover image sources: [right] Foreign CyberShafarat; [lower left] Hosein Velayati / CC BY 4.0; [background] [email protected] 913-684-7934 Google Earth. Rick Garcia (CTR) Military Analyst [email protected] 913-684-7991 This issue of Red Diamond features a variety of articles focused on Jay Hunt (CTR) Military Analyst Iran. While our readers typically expect a tactical-level focus from [email protected] 913-684-7960 our articles, this issue expands that context to a more strategic level Kris Lechowicz (DAC) Intelligence Specialist as a result of real-time events at the time of production, and the [email protected] 913-684-7922 Steven Sallot (CTR) Military Analyst expertise of our featured guest authors. Understanding why Iran [email protected] 913-684-5963 behaves the way it does will facilitate faithful emulation of Iranian analogs in training scenario development and execution. JamieT&S Stevenson (CTR) Military Analyst [email protected] 913-684-7995 Walt Williams (DAC) Intelligence Specialist Of particular interest are feature articles by renowned Iranian [email protected] 913-684-7923 subject matter experts Joseph Fallon and Michael Rubin. Joseph Fallon, currently at the think tank UK Defence Forum, places Jennifer Dunn (DAC) Branch Chief, A&P Iranian foreign policy in historical context, arguing that the [email protected] 913-684-7962 present Iranian regime’s actions are consistent with the objectives Rick Burns (CTR) Military Analyst of its predecessors—preservation of the regime by protecting [email protected] 913-684-7987 independence and securing territorial integrity. Michael Rubin of the Kevin Freese (DAC) Intelligence Specialist American Enterprise Institute explores the complexities of Iran-Iraq [email protected] 913-684-7938 relations. He argues that Iranian interest in dominating its Western William Hardy (DAC) Intelligence Specialist neighbor will never disappear, for myriad cultural, economic, and [email protected] 913-684-7901 strategic reasons. Iran’s ability to exert influence is only thwarted by Brad Marvel (CTR) Military Analyst continued Western commitment to ensuring Iraqi independence. [email protected] 913-684-7914 Vincent Matteo (CTR) Military Analyst Jerry England explores how Iran’s historically competing armed [email protected] 913-684-7903 forces are becoming increasingly expeditionary and retaliatory, Matt Matthews (CTR) Military Analyst and improving their ability to coordinate their efforts. He highlights [email protected]&P913-684-7761 diverse Iranian capabilities and techniques, ranging from ballistic Dave Pendleton (CTR) Military Analyst missiles to cyber-attack. Kevin Freese provides an overview of [email protected] 913-684-7946 Iranian space programs, analyzing Iran’s ability to support military Wayne Sylvester (CTR) Military Analyst operations through space and counter-space endeavors. Brad [email protected] 913-684-7941 Marvel provides a sneak preview of TRADOC G2’s upcoming Army Techniques Publication (ATP) 7-100.4, Iranian Tactics, planned for release in 2021. Finally, this issue provides a status report on updated The Red Diamond newsletter presents professional information but the views expressed herein are those of the authors, not the Department entries within TRADOC G2’s Worldwide Equipment Guide. of Defense or its elements. The content does not necessarily reflect the official US Army position and does not change or supersede Regards, Editorial Staff any information in other official US Army publications. Authors are responsible for the accuracy and source documentation of the material that they reference. The Red Diamond staff reserves the right to edit Red Diamond access via: material. Appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/ace-threats-integration/ endorsement by the US Army for information contained therein. Red Diamond 2 Jul 2020 Iranian Missile Strike: Implications of Iran’s Response Source: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6024487/ballistic-missile-attack-brings-unprecedented-amount-media-al-asad-airbase by Colin Christopher , TRADOC G-2 ran’s national goals are to expand the reach and at Erbil in northern Iraq. Al Asad airbase serves as an relevance of its brand of Shi’a Islam across the operational center for US military operations in western IMiddle East and to assume a position of regional Iraq and Erbil is a staging site for special operations, hegemony in line with its long history. Tehran views including operations in northern Iraq and Syria. The US influence in the region as its foremost barrier to attack, code named Operation “Martyr Soleimani” by these goals, and to secure them relies on the global use Iran, was in retaliation for the US drone strike that of proxy groups, terrorism, coercion, and the threat killed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods and employment of armed force to target the United Force (IRCG-QF) Commander, Major-General Qassem States and its partners and allies. One of Iran’s primary Soleimani.1 tools of coercion and force projection is its missile arsenal, which is characterized by increasing numbers of Iran launched sixteen SRBMs in two waves about an relatively sophisticated systems with improved accuracy, hour apart. Of the sixteen missiles launched, eleven hit Ayn Al Asad airbase, one hit Erbil’s airbase, and range, and lethality. Recently, Tehran employed its 2 ballistic missiles in a strike against US installations in four missiles malfunctioned. Iran claims to have Iraq. Though the operation was clearly symbolic, Iran’s conducted “electronic war” during and after the strike, likely indicating they were attempting to jam US response showcased advanced capabilities revealing a 3 more capable adversary with an ability to challenge the counter-strike assets. Diplomatic channels provided US Army. US forces warning prior to the strikes, which limited US casualties.4 Post-strike analysis revealed damage to Overview of the strike structures, equipment, cratered runways, and traumatic brain injuries to dozens of US service members.5 The On January 7, 2020, Iran launched multiple short range lack of US fatalities, combined with the early political ballistic missiles (SRBMs) from three locations within warning, led to relatively rapid de-escalation, and since Iran against US Forces in Iraq. The missiles struck two the attack both sides have continued tense diplomacy. airbases; Ayn Al Asad in western Iraq and an airbase Red Diamond 3 Jul 2020 similar technology and Tehran can use ISA towards creating ICBMs. Further ambitions include increasing medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) capacity and expanding cruise missile capabilities.10 Iran is quickly evolving missile capability and the latest missile strike validates they can challenge their enemies with more proficient longer range fires. Integrated Electronic Warfare Iran utilizes modern electronic warfare (EW) equipment to protect high-value military assets. Brigadier General Amir Ali Figure 1. Map of Missile Strike Locations Hajizadeh, commander of IRGC Source: TRADOC G2. Aerospace Force, claimed Iran employed jamming during and Implications of Iran’s Response after the strikes, likely a defensive protocol to protect Missile Precision & Scale Progression against a US counterstrike. The Iranian government has satellite communications and GPS jamming capabilities, The attack against US forces revealed Iran’s current which Tehran previously showcased by jamming ships capability to fire different types of SRBMs at targets traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, according with better precision. They launched a barrage of to analysis by the Defense Intelligence Agency.11 In SRBMs from three locations within
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Iran's Evolving Military Forces
    CSIS_______________________________ Center for Strategic and International Studies 1800 K Street N.W. Washington, DC 20006 (202) 775-3270 To download further data: CSIS.ORG To contact author: [email protected] Iran's Evolving Military Forces Anthony H. Cordesman Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy July 2004 Copyright Anthony H. Cordesman, all rights reserved. Cordesman: Iran's Military forces 7/15/2004 Page ii Table of Contents I. IRAN AND THE GULF MILITARY BALANCE: THE “FOUR CORNERED” BALANCING ACT..........1 The Dynamics of the Gulf Military Balance ..........................................................................................................1 DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NORTH GULF ........................................................................................................................2 II. IRAN’S ERRATIC MILITARY MODERNIZATION.......................................................................................9 THE IRANIAN ARMY ...................................................................................................................................................9 THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS (PASDARAN).................................................................................14 THE QUDS (QODS) FORCES ......................................................................................................................................15 THE BASIJ AND OTHER PARAMILITARY FORCES ......................................................................................................15 THE IRANIAN
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Gun Laws
    FOR INFORMATION ONLY NORTHERN VIRGINIA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, INC. COMMISSION ON CIVIL AND SOCIAL ACTIONS GUN LAWS IN VIRGINIA Compiled by Dr. George W. Farmer, Jr chairperson 1 FOR INFORMATION ONLY Gun laws in Virginia (Wikipedia) This document is a compendium of data concerning gun laws in the State of Virginia. These data are drawn from the general data bases of Wikipedia and should be assessed in light of the reputation of that data source. It is a convenient array of relevant information and is provided to give the reader useful background information. Gun laws in Virginia regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. SUMMARY STATEMENT This compendium of data concerning gun laws in Virginia has been developed to provide interested individuals background data to aid in making decisions concerning purchasing and storing guns of all types available in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This document does not endorse or oppose the gun laws as they exist, but is provided as a resource that hopefully will aid those who seek objective information concerning the possession of firearms in the State. It is important to recognize that laws concerning guns are on the books and that those laws are “morality neutral.” Moreover, the Northern Virginia Baptist Association has not established a position based on the scriptures concerning the purchase or use of guns. We provide this information more or less as a “clearinghouse” with the goal of increasing the prospects that individuals may use it to help them make informed decisions concerning the purchase and use of fire arms.
    [Show full text]
  • Legal and Lethal
    November 15, 2017 LEGAL AND LETHAL: 9 PRODUCTS THAT COULD BE THE NEXT BUMP STOCK How the gun industry is putting public safety at risk by manufacturing extremely lethal firearms designed to skirt the federal laws established to keep us safe DAVID CHIPMAN Senior Policy Advisor at Giffords, former ATF Special Agent LINDSAY NICHOLS Federal Policy Director at Giffords Law Center In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, the nation was shocked to learn how the Las Vegas shooter used an accessory to increase the severity of the shooting. That device, known as a “bump stock,” attaches to a semi-automatic rifle, increasing its rate of fire to nearly that of a BUMP STOCKS machine gun—to inflict maximum carnage Bump stocks, like those used by the Las Vegas on the 22,000 concertgoers, killing 58 and shooter, increase the rate of fire of semi- injuring hundreds more. The catastrophic automatic weapons but do not convert them into automatic firearms. Bump stocks allow a loss of life in the Las Vegas shooting was person to hold a finger steady while the recoil of due in large part to the use of bump stocks, the fired rifle simply “bumps” the stock of the gun against the shooter’s shoulder. There, the but this device is just one of many types of gun is propelled forward against the shooter’s guns and accessories being marketed by finger, causing the trigger to be pulled. Although the person pulls the trigger each time the gun the gun industry that convert firearms into is fired, the force of the recoil fires the gun at a military-style weapons.
    [Show full text]
  • India's Prospects in the Area of Ballistic Missile Defense
    РАБОЧИЕ МАТЕРИАЛЫ WORKING PAPERS МОСКОВСКИЙ ЦЕНТР КАРНЕГИ CARNEGIE MOSCOW CENTER Petr toPychkanov IndIa’s ProsPects In the area of BallIstIc MIssIle defense: a regIonal securIty PersPectIve 32012 WORKING PAPERS № 3 • 2012 PETR TOPYCHKANOV INDIA’S PROSPECTS IN THE AREA OF BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE: A REGIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE МОСКОВСКИЙ ЦЕНТР КАРНЕГИ CARNEGIE MOSCOW CENTER The Working Papers series was founded in 1999. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Carnegie Endowment or the Carnegie Moscow Center. Carnegie Moscow Center Russia, 125009 Moscow, Tverskaya ul., 16/2. Tel: +7 (495) 935-8904 Fax: +7 (495) 935-8906 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.carnegie.ru Electronic versions of all Carnegie Moscow Center publications may be found at: http://www.carnegie.ru The Carnegie Moscow Center is an independent public policy research institution that promotes intellectual collaboration among Russian and international scholars and policy experts and provides analysis on a wide range of political, economic, and social issues. The main vehicles for its work are its publications and seminars. Working Papers provide readers with access to the main current research on Russian and Eurasian domestic and foreign policy. The series includes intermediate results of research and articles for immediate release. You may send your comments to the email address above. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace or the Carnegie Moscow Center. The publication is distributed freeofcharge.
    [Show full text]
  • 2.2 Ukraine Aviation
    2.2 Ukraine Aviation Key airport information may also be found at: World Aero Data Website Ukraine inherited a significant aircraft manufacturing industry from the USSR, with the Antonov design bureau and related factories as its main component. Ukrainian and EU aerospace industries have a major interest to increase their cooperation. The envisaged agreement could create a new framework for industrial aviation relations between the Ukraine and the EU which could accompany the restructuring and modernisation of the Ukrainian aerospace industry. Page 1 Kyiv-Boryspil (KBP) was the largest Ukrainian airport servicing close to 60% of the country's commercial air traffic. Over 8.65 million passengers flew through Boryspil in 2016, a 18.8% growth compared with 2015. The airport served 12,9 million passengers in 2015 At present, there are 45 operating civil airports (including heliports) in Ukraine. Out of them, 14 airports receive domestic flights from Kyiv the capital of Ukraine on a regular basis. 18 airports have been assigned international status: Boryspil Dnipropetrovsk Zaporizhzhia Ivano-Frankivsk Izmail Kyiv Kryvyi Rih Lymanske Luhansk Lviv Mariupol Mykolaiv Odesa Rivne Simferopol Uzhhorod Kharkiv Chernivtsi The following airports covered are capable of handling wide body passenger aircraft and heavy freighters: Kiev (Boryspil Airport) can be considered as the main international air hub of the country with all related services and facilities available for offloading, handling, storing and clearing of the humanitarian cargoes. The airport has a large storage capacity, transportation means and can be easily accessed from the capital for any follow up work with freight documentation, diplomatic clearances, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • India's Infantry Modernisation
    Volume 10 No. 4 `100.00 (India-Based Buyer Only) MEET THOSE WHOM YOU NEED TO WORK WITH AN SP GUIDE P UBLICATION Digitisation SP’s of Battlefield Series 2 October 31, 2013 Le Meridien, New Delhi invitation Entry strictly by WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET ROUNDUP IN THIS ISSUE THE ONLY MAGAZINE IN ASIA-PACIFIC DEDICATED to LAND FORCES PAGE 3 >> Small Arms Modernisation in South East Asia COVER STORY Photograph: SPSC Over a period of time not only have some of the South East Asian nations upgraded and modified the infantry weapons but they have also been successful in developing indigenously their own small arms industry. Brigadier (Retd) Vinod Anand PAGE 4 Stability & Peace in Afghanistan The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation possibly is looking for an all-inclusive framework under the auspices of the UN that should help Afghanistan in post-2014 era. Brigadier (Retd) Vinod Anand PAGE 9 The Syrian Imbroglio The support to Syrian rebels fighting the Assad regime is from the Sunni Arab nations, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US. Lt General (Retd) P.C. Katoch PAGE 10 DSEi Demonstrates Strong Growth of Military Equipment This year, the show attracted over 30,000 India’s Infantry of the global defence and security industry professionals to source the latest equipment and systems, develop international relations and generate new business opportunities. Modernisation R. Chandrakanth While the likelihood of full scale state-on-state wars may be reduced, India will PLUS Interview: more likely face border skirmishes on its unresolved borders and low intensity Mark Kronenberg conflict operations including counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency in the Vice President, International Business Development, future.
    [Show full text]
  • ISSUE 5 AADH05 OFC+Spine.Indd 1 the Mortar Company
    ARTILLERY AND AIR DEFENCE ARTILLERY ISSUE 5 HANDBOOK HANDBOOK – ISSUE 5 PUBLISHED MARCH 2018 THE CONCISE GLOBAL INDUSTRY GUIDE ARTILLERY AND AIR DEFENCE AADH05_OFC+spine.indd 1 3/16/2018 10:18:59 AM The Mortar Company. CONFRAG® CONTROLS – THE NEW HIGH EXPLOSIVE STANDARD HDS has developed CONFRAG® technology to increase the lethal performance of the stan- dard High Explosive granade for 60 mm CDO, 60 mm, 81 mm and 120 mm dramatically. The HE lethality is increased by controlling fragmentation mass and quantity, fragment velocity and fragment distribution, all controlled by CONFRAG® technology. hds.hirtenberger.com AADH05_IFC_Hirtenberger.indd 2 3/16/2018 9:58:03 AM CONTENTS Editor 3 Introduction Tony Skinner. [email protected] Grant Turnbull, Editor of Land Warfare International magazine, welcomes readers to Reference Editors Issue 5 of Shephard Media’s Artillery and Air Defence Handbook. Ben Brook. [email protected] 4 Self-propelled howitzers Karima Thibou. [email protected] A guide to self-propelled artillery systems that are under development, in production or being substantially modernised. Commercial Manager Peter Rawlins [email protected] 29 Towed howitzers Details of towed artillery systems that are under development, in production or Production and Circulation Manager David Hurst. being substantially modernised. [email protected] 42 Self-propelled mortars Production Elaine Effard, Georgina Kerridge Specifications for self-propelled mortar systems that are under development, in Georgina Smith, Adam Wakeling. production or being substantially modernised. Chairman Nick Prest 53 Towed mortars Descriptions of towed heavy mortar systems that are under development, in CEO Darren Lake production or being substantially modernised.
    [Show full text]
  • Years of Mriya
    NEWSPAPER OF NATIONAL AVIATION UNIVERSITY AVIATOR.NAU.EDU.UA AVIATOR STAFF CONFERENCE Official 3 I CAO GLOBAL SUMMIT International cooperation 4 WINNERS AT ELEPHANT HACKATHON Student Life 8 YEARS OF MRIYA 01 (14519) SCIENCE DAYS FOR LUHANSK REGION Applicants 2019 12 2019 2 OFFICIALLY OFFICIALLY Rector's address at staff conference Dear colleagues, Our university is among Ukraine's best higher educational facilities in terms of educational, scientific, and international operations, ranking 12th in the national consolidated rating and 5th in Kyiv. We are also 22nd place in the Webometrics ranking among 327 Ukrainian universities and 19th in TOP-200 of Ukraine's higher educational institutions. Strong positions in various rankings, commercial pilot training program. Eight Professional University of Liming and recognition, and awards are all due to sophomores are doing practice flights to Inner Mongolia Technology University the fruitful work of our university staff. meet the program requirements in terms (PRC); Memorandum on cooperation Over the past three years, we've been of flying hours. between NAU and Shota Rustaveli Batumi seeing stable dynamics of the potential Another win this year is a solid UAH State University; and the Agreement on of scholars and personnel holding a 90 million laid in the state budget for cooperation with Batumi-based Naval scientific degree and academic ranks. the development of the NAU-based Training University and National Institute Increasing the share of PhDs, International Pilot Training Center. of Economic Research. professors, and candidates of sciences, as The university boasts a significant During the period under review, 993 well as associate professors, is one of the scientific, technical, and innovative specialists from Ukraine and 295 aviation most important tasks we've successfully potential to ensure it becomes one of the specialists from Azerbaijan, Georgia, fulfilled in the reporting year.
    [Show full text]
  • Hezbollah's Missiles and Rockets
    JULY 2017 CSIS BRIEFS CSIS Hezbollah’s Missiles and Rockets An Overview By Shaan Shaikh and Ian Williams JULY 2018 THE ISSUE Hezbollah is the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor, with a large and diverse stockpile of unguided artillery rockets, as well as ballistic, antiair, antitank, and antiship missiles. Hezbollah views its rocket and missile arsenal as its primary deterrent against Israeli military action, while also useful for quick retaliatory strikes and longer military engagements. Hezbollah’s unguided rocket arsenal has increased significantly since the 2006 Lebanon War, and the party’s increased role in the Syrian conflict raises concerns about its acquisition of more sophisticated standoff and precision-guided missiles, whether from Syria, Iran, or Russia. This brief provides a summary of the acquisition history, capabilities, and use of these forces. CENTER FOR STRATEGIC & middle east INTERNATIONAL STUDIES program CSIS BRIEFS | WWW.CSIS.ORG | 1 ezbollah is a Lebanese political party public source information and does not cover certain topics and militant group with close ties to such as rocket strategies, evolution, or storage locations. Iran and Syria’s Assad regime. It is the This brief instead focuses on the acquisition history, world’s most heavily armed non-state capabilities, and use of these forces. actor—aptly described as “a militia trained like an army and equipped LAND ATTACK MISSILES AND ROCKETS like a state.”1 This is especially true Hwith regard to its missile and rocket forces, which Hezbollah 107 AND 122 MM KATYUSHA ROCKETS has arrayed against Israel in vast quantities. The party’s arsenal is comprised primarily of small, man- portable, unguided artillery rockets.
    [Show full text]
  • Security Council Distr.: General 27 January 2020
    United Nations S/2020/70 Security Council Distr.: General 27 January 2020 Original: English Letter dated 27 January 2020 from the Panel of Experts on Yemen addressed to the President of the Security Council The members of the Panel of Experts on Yemen have the honour to transmit herewith the final report of the Panel, prepared in accordance with paragraph 6 of resolution 2456 (2019). The report was provided to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) on 27 December 2019 and was considered by the Committee on 10 January 2020. We would appreciate it if the present letter and the report were brought to the attention of the members of the Security Council and issued as a document of the Council. (Signed) Dakshinie Ruwanthika Gunaratne Coordinator Panel of Experts on Yemen (Signed) Ahmed Himmiche Expert (Signed) Henry Thompson Expert (Signed) Marie-Louise Tougas Expert (Signed) Wolf-Christian Paes Expert 19-22391 (E) 070220 *1922391* S/2020/70 Final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen Summary After more than five years of conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen continues. The country’s many conflicts are interconnected and can no longer be separated by clear divisions between external and internal actors and events. Throughout 2019, the Houthis and the Government of Yemen made little headway towards either a political settlement or a conclusive military victory. In a continuation from 2018, the belligerents continued to practice economic warfare: using economic obstruction and financial tools as weapons to starve opponents of funds or materials. Profiteering from the conflict is endemic.
    [Show full text]
  • Avoiding Another War Between Israel and Hezbollah
    COUNTING THE COST Avoiding Another War between Israel and Hezbollah By Nicholas Blanford and Assaf Orion “He who wishes to fight must first count the cost.” Sun Tzu, The Art of War ABOUT THE SCOWCROFT MIDDLE EAST SECURITY INITIATIVE The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative honors the legacy of Brent Scowcroft and his tireless efforts to build a new security architecture for the region. Our work in this area addresses the full range of security threats and challenges including the danger of interstate warfare, the role of terrorist groups and other nonstate actors, and the underlying security threats facing countries in the region. Through all of the Council’s Middle East programming, we work with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region. You can read more about our programs at www.atlanticcouncil.org/ programs/middle-east-programs/. May 2020 ISBN-13: 978-1-61977-099-7 This report is written and published in accordance with the Atlantic Council Policy on Intellectual Independence. The authors are solely responsible for its analysis and recommendations. The Atlantic Council and its donors do not determine, nor do they necessarily endorse or advocate for, any of this report’s conclusions. This report is made possible by general support to the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs. COUNTING THE COST Avoiding Another War between Israel and Hezbollah CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................2
    [Show full text]
  • Getting the Joint Functions Right JFQ 94, 3Rd Quarter 2019 of U.S
    2K12 Kub mobile surface-to-air missile system fires during multinational live-fire training exercise Shabla 19, in Shabla, Bulgaria, June 12, 2019 (U.S. Army/Thomas Mort) This article provides the first orga- Getting the Joint nizational history of the joint functions in order to better understand why dif- ferences persist in how this concept is implemented in the United States versus Functions Right its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partners. Doing so allows us to By Thomas Crosbie better understand enduring challenges in interoperability and persistent cultural clashes within the Alliance. The history reveals that today’s joint functions are built n July 2017, the Chairman of the of Defense (DOD) thinking and around a core of four kinetic principles Joint Chiefs of Staff announced a practice.1 A 2018 article by Alexus G. (leadership or command and control [C2], special out-of-cycle revision to joint Grynkewich in this journal elaborated I maneuver, firepower, and protection), doctrine, adding information to the on why this matters to the national to which subsequent revisions have at- joint functions. The significance of security community.2 Nevertheless, tempted to add a range of “softer” military this policy change was highlighted despite these clear signals that DOD fields (intelligence, information, sustain- by the Secretary of Defense in a Sep- takes the joint functions seriously, and ment, and civil-military cooperation), tember 2017 endorsement, where he despite their centrality in military doc- sometimes successfully, sometimes not. stressed that inclusion in the joint trine, the joint functions remain little The history of the joint functions is functions signaled an “elevation” of understood by those who have not a history of overcoming the resistance information throughout Department served in an operational staff role.
    [Show full text]