Finally, a successful campaign against the Islamic Republic would require internalizing the lessons of the last four years of war, especially those gained of its recent successes in Anbar. It would imply the repair of US human intelligence capability, reportedly so poor that agent networks in Iran were rolled up shortly after they were deployed. America has to learn how to mobilize all the resources of its national power if it is to confidently confront the Islamic Republic. In summary Iran may well be “the greatest strategic challenge to U.S. interests in the Middle East in a generation”, in the words of Barack Obama. It might even be, as Michael Ledeen says “the key to this war” which if turned will cause “the world [to] change overnight”. But it presents a formidable challenge; one which America must be ready to face before it turns the key to meet whatever lies beyond the door. |
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