Will Iran lose the war? Defence expert Pravin Sawhney explains

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, defence analyst, author, and director of the Force Institute, Pravin Sawhney, examines the rapidly escalating war in West Asia following US–Israel strikes on Iran, and Iran's retaliatory attacks across the region. He argues that the conflict is fundamentally a “war of survival” for Iran and contends that it is unlikely to lose so long as it preserves its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Sawhney discusses the evolving military dynamics of the conflict, including Iran’s missile capabilities, the limits of Israeli air-defence systems such as Iron Dome, and the growing role of satellite navigation and modern warfare technologies. The conversation also explores the geopolitical dimensions of the crisis. Sawhney analyses the strategic support Iran is receiving from China and Russia, the shifting calculations of Gulf Cooperation Council states hosting US bases, and the economic risks posed by instability in the Strait of Hormuz. He argues that the war could reshape global deterrence politics and accelerate the transition to a multipolar world order. Highlights: -Why Iran views the war as an existential struggle for sovereignty -The military balance between Iran, Israel, and the United States -The role of Chinese satellite systems and modern warfare technologies -Russia and China’s strategic backing of Iran in a multipolar world -The vulnerability of US bases in the Gulf and changing GCC calculations -Economic risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and global energy flows -How the war could reshape global deterrence and world order -India’s diplomatic stance and the debate over its strategic autonomy Perfect for viewers interested in: -West Asia geopolitics and the Iran–US–Israel conflict -Military strategy and modern warfare technologies -The role of China and Russia in global power politics -Energy security and the Strait of Hormuz -India’s foreign policy and strategic autonomy -The emerging multipolar world order Credits: Host: Gowhar Geelani Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar If you found this conversation insightful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions. Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - / frontline_india Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295