On my @CSIS podcast #TheLastLineofDefense, I was joined by fmr Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Sandy Winnefeld & @Norman_Roule to discuss the latest in #Iran. Here’s what it could mean. /1🧵 🎧Roule: cs.is/4tPbmJr 🎧Winnefeld: bit.ly/3OYTrzM

The Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz reminds us that war is the continuation of politics—or policy—by other means. So what are U.S. political objectives? It is not entirely clear. /2

There are several possible objectives: 1. Set back (again) Iran’s nuclear program 2. Weaken Iran’s ballistic missile & drone capabilities 3. Undermine regional proxies — Hezbollah, Hamas, & the Houthis 4. Deter further violence against protesters 5. Orchestrate regime change /3

.@Norman_Roule highlighted the concern about a future in which the U.S. does not intervene and allows Iran to expand its missile and nuclear program. /4

Now that the U.S. has moved additional air & naval forces to the region, what might it hit? Depending on U.S. political objectives, potential targets include nuclear sites, missile silos, IRGC & broader military infrastructure, & air defense & command-and-control locations. /5