WASHINGTON (March 30, 2026) – The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations, as thousands of American soldiers and marines arrive in the Middle East. This mission could expose U.S. personnel to a range of threats like Iranian drones, missile strikes, ground fire and improvised explosives. As of Saturday, it’s unclear whether Trump would approve all, some or none of the Pentagon’s plans.
Over the past month, the administration has also discussed the possible takeover of Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil hub. Analysts note that any U.S. military involvement could trigger broader regional instability, and could further disrupt oil markets, with ripple effects on inflation and energy security.
GW experts are available for analysis on these developments.
Alexander Downes is a professor of political science and international affairs, and co-director of the Institute for Security and Conflict Studies at GW. Downes's book Targeting Civilians in War was published by Cornell University Press in 2008 and won the Joseph Lepgold Prize awarded by Georgetown University for the best book in international relations published in that year. Downes has written on a variety of subjects in international security, including civilian victimization, foreign-imposed regime change, military effectiveness, democracy, coercion, alliances, and solutions to civil wars.
Sina Azodi is the Director of the Middle East Studies (MES) and Assistant Professor of Middle East Politics, at the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs. Azodi is an expert in international relations of the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Policy, U.S.-Iranian Relations, Nuclear non-proliferation, Iran’s nuclear program and Iranian politics. Azodi can discuss the threats of rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
To schedule an interview, please contact Nadia Payne at nadia [dot] payne
gwu [dot] edu (nadia[dot]payne[at]gwu[dot]edu) or GW Media Relations at gwmediagwu [dot] edu (gwmedia[at]gwu[dot]edu).
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