Iran's Ground Forces: Significance and Implications

The current Iranian military buildup has received much recent attention with the emphasis on Iran's acquisition of advanced aircraft, Kilo-class submarines, sea-skimming cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, chemical and biological weapons, and possibly nuclear weapons. In most analyses of the arms buildup the ground forces have either been neglected or have been considered not a threat. This thesis examines the Iranian ground forces and their modernization, and assesses the extent of the threat posed by them to United States' interest in the region. The thesis addresses Iran's foreign policy objectives and attempts to argue that Iran has interests in which it may use its ground forces to affect policy. Although presently Iran's ground forces have limited operational capabilities, they have the capability to initiate limited military actions that would be contrary to United States' interest in the region.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Defense and Strategic Studies

Year

1997

Author dc:creator

• Fast, Shawn Eric

Contributors dc:contributor

• William Van Cleave

• Defense and Security Studies

Statement dc:rights

• © Shawn Eric Fast

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/544

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1545