In Part Ten of Irregular Warfare Initiative’s special series on the conflict with Iran, presented by the Economic & Legal Warfare Team, Ioannis (Gianni) Koskinas (CEO, Hoplite Group), Matt Flug (Director, Economic & Legal Warfare Focus Area, IWI), and Richard Y. Newton III, Lt General, USAF (Ret), Founding Partner, Newton Samson Advisory, LLC, examine the evolving strategic landscape as the conflict increasingly intersects with broader global competition. Moderated by Hamlet Yousef, the discussion explores how developments involving Iran, Russia, China, and Ukraine are becoming increasingly interconnected, reshaping both regional security and the global geoeconomic environment.
The panel discusses Iran’s expanding use of military, economic, and proxy capabilities to impose costs well beyond the immediate theater of conflict, including the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb, and maritime commerce. The conversation examines the growing convergence of regional and global conflicts, the implications of Iranian missile capabilities, and the role of all instruments of national power—not just military force—in shaping strategic outcomes.
Throughout the discussion, the panel also explores the changing character of modern conflict through the lens of economic and legal warfare, regional perceptions of U.S. and allied actions, and the strategic importance of resilience across commercial, financial, and security systems. As geopolitical competition continues to intensify, the group assesses how policymakers and the private sector alike should think about interconnected risks, emerging opportunities, and the broader implications for international stability.
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