Knowledge Tree
forward defense
Also known as: forward defense strategy, forward defense doctrine
Facts (7)
Sources
The Limits of Iran's Proxy Empire | The New Yorker newyorker.com Mar 12, 2026 3 facts
quoteMansour explained the logic of Iran's proxy strategy: "The logic of the proxies for Iran, primarily, was this idea of forward defense, which meant that, instead of fighting in Iran, let’s do our fighting in other areas."
quoteMansour explained: “The logic of the proxies for Iran, primarily, was this idea of forward defense, which meant that, instead of fighting in Iran, let’s do our fighting in other areas.”
quoteMansour explained the logic of Iran's proxy strategy: “The logic of the proxies for Iran, primarily, was this idea of forward defense, which meant that, instead of fighting in Iran, let’s do our fighting in other areas.”
Iran at a Historical Crossroads - E-International Relations e-ir.info Mar 25, 2025 1 fact
claimIran's 'forward defense' doctrine historically relied on the threat of multiple proxy fronts—such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Saudi Arabia, and Iraqi militias against US bases—to deter attacks on Iran.
Policy Steps to Prevent a Nuclear Iran | The Washington Institute washingtoninstitute.org Jan 28, 2025 1 fact
claimAnalysts describe Iran's national security strategy as 'forward defense,' which involves using asymmetric tools of power to threaten adversaries by capturing weak regional governments.
Iran Country Report 2026 - BTI Transformation Index bti-project.org 1 fact
claimIran's regional strategy of 'forward defense' is a pursuit of regional hegemony, involving a network of militias in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria (until December 2024).
proxy warfare recalibrated: iran's decentralized proxy strategy in the ... academia.edu 1 fact
referenceO. Toga's 2021 analysis details Iran's 'forward defense' doctrine and the evolution of its 'long arm' strategy.