The threat of an Iranian land bridge through Iraq and Syria—measured both in established influence and its physical presence—has become a reality. IRGC-directed militias—belonging to the Fattah party—have operational primacy across Syria and in Iraq, the militias are now integrated into U.S.-funded and -equipped Iraqi security forces. As a result, Iran has successfully established an environment conducive to its objectives throughout the Levant. With no military forces broadly obstructing Iran’s strategic movement in the region, the country’s influence continues to grow unchecked and could prove further destabilizing. With upcoming parliamentary elections in Lebanon, Hezbollah is poised to make greater gains, while in the Iraqi Parliamentary elections, the IRGC-supported Fattah party will be instrumental in deciding the next Prime Minister and who controls the security and infrastructure ministries.
On April 26, Hudson hosted a panel to discuss Iran’s growing regional influence and assess the capabilities and willingness of U.S. partner forces to disrupt Iran's regional aspirations. The panel consisted of Jennifer Cafarella, a senior intelligence planner at the Institute for the Study of War; Michael Pregent, an adjunct fellow at Hudson Institute; Dr. Ranj Alaaldin, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution in Doha; and Michael Knights, a Lafer Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
To view Mr. Pregent's slides, click here.
Join Hudson Institute for a conference with leaders from industry, government, academia, and defense to discuss the latest developments in the US-China AI competition.
Join House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03) for a fireside discussion with Senior Fellow Nadia Schadlow on Congress’s role in revitalizing America’s defense industrial base.
Please join Hudson Institute for a special address on the current state-of-play by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will join remotely, followed by a question-and-answer session on the war with Hudson Institute President and CEO John Walters.
Bill Frauenhofer, executive director for semiconductor investment and innovation at the US Department of Commerce, will join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow David Feith for an invitation-only fireside chat on semiconductor onshoring and the role of government capital in strengthening America’s technological and industrial leadership.
