The Defense Department recently declassified a briefing Dr. David Crist prepared in 2020 on US war planning in the Middle East against the Soviet Union from 1979 to 1987. On this episode of Overwatch, Dr. Crist talks to ISW Research Director Matthew McInnis about this assessment and what it may reveal about a possible future conflict with Iran and strategic competition with Russia and China in the region.

Dr. David Crist is the Executive Director of the Joint Staff History and Research Office and an advisor to US Central Command Commander General Frank McKenzie. He is also the author of “The Twilight War” which is still considered a must-read for students of the US-Iran conflict since the 1979 revolution.

You can see the entire declassified briefing on the ISW website.

E57: Soviet-era Iran Planning Holds Lessons for Modern US Middle East Strategy 17:24 Share

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E57: Soviet-era Iran Planning Holds Lessons for Modern US Middle East Strategy