Geoeconomics of Irregular Warfare: Iran and the Global Ripple Effects

Description

In the first session of the Irregular Warfare Initiative’s Economic and Legal Warfare series, panelists examined the rapidly evolving situation surrounding Iran through a strategic, economic, and geopolitical lens. The discussion explored the convergence of internal economic collapse, sustained sanctions pressure, and shifting U.S. policy posture, assessing whether current events represent a historic inflection point rather than another episodic crisis. Panelists analyzed the role of economic warfare tools, the weakening of Iran’s regional proxies, and the broader implications for great power competition—particularly with China and Russia. The panel examines the second- and third-order effects of sustained economic pressure: the durability of authoritarian partnerships, the limits of sanctions, and the geopolitical ripple effects across the Middle East and beyond. The conversation challenges viewers to think not just about Iran, but about the global implications of what unfolds next.