The Iranian military operates cyber espionage and sabotage through a network of dozens of contractors, allowing the state to attack foes while denying involvement.
Jeffrey Fields, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Some of the major events in US-Iran relations highlight the differences between the nations’ views, but others presented real opportunities for reconciliation.
Costanza Musu, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
When the loss of this heritage is used as a weapon of war, it represents a loss for the country affected as well as for humanity. It targets the memories, history and identity of a people.
Tensions between Iran and the US have spiked, but oil prices have barely budged. Why not? And is the oil markets’ muted response an accurate reflection of the rising tensions?
In recent decades, most nations have agreed on certain norms to ensure peace, including an end to assassinations. Trump’s move to kill an Iranian general upends this carefully balanced system.
Less overt than conventional military actions, cyber attacks can have dangerous consequences – especially when they target critical infrastructure systems controlled by the private sector.
The downing of Flight PS752 suggests Iran’s missile technology has grown increasingly sophisticated. But its ability to responsibly control that technology has not.
The downing of Flight PS752 isn’t just the result of Canada being caught in U.S.-Iran crossfire. It’s also the result of an unnecessarily aggressive posture of Canada’s own against Iran in 2012.
Iranian leaders seem eager to use the powerful emotions surrounding his death to coalesce power around the regime. History shows that mass mourning is a powerful way to bring people together.
After the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, further esclation in the conflict between Iran and the US could come in the form of a cyber-attack.
Key evidence from the wreckage can show if the plane experienced engine trouble or was hit by a missile. But first, Iran must decide how much outside help it will accept in an investigation.
Both President Trump and President Obama used military force without informing Congress, or getting its approval. But the differences reveal more than the similarities.