Impacts of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Jcpoa) on the United States Interests and the Military Balance in the Middle East

The United States and other major powers have signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA] with Iran. We don't know how this agreement will affect regional security, proliferation, and the balance of power in the Middle East; what impact it may have on Iran's malign activities and hegemonic ambitions in the region; what it means for perceptions of American credibility and resolve among our allies and partners; and what the consequences are for U.S. defense policy, military planning, and force structure. Iran is not just an arms control challenge. It is a geopolitical challenge. Iran will soon receive a windfall of sanctions relief, estimated at roughly $60 billion or possibly as much as twice that. Some of that money will surely go to Iran's domestic priorities, but it is only fair to assume that billions of dollars that will flow to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Quds Force, money that will likely be used to boost arms supplies to Iran's terrorist proxies, to sow chaos and instability across the region, and to double-down on Bashar Assad right when he needs it most.