Iran’s low cost, high reward strategy with International Relations Professor Michael Butler


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On this episode of Challenge. Change., Michael Butler, chair of Clark’s Political Science Department and professor of international relations, analyzes the war in Iran through the lens of international security and conflict resolution.

“There’s no real incentive or need for Iran to seek an exit strategy here,” says Butler. “The Strait of Hormuz is a particularly good example of that. It’s a highly defensible waterway. It’s a hugely significant one, but it’s so narrow — with a few mines and with a relatively short distance, cruise missiles, and drones, they can turn that into a strategic nightmare. And there’s not much that the U.S. can do about it, at least not without a more extensive escalation.”

Note: This episode was recorded on March 16. Details about the war in Iran have evolved since then.

Challenge. Change. is produced by Melissa Hanson for Clark University. Listen and subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Find other episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.

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