Des Moines National Security Forum examines Iranian geopolitics and regional tensions

The CGSC Foundation and its Simons Center hosted a luncheon and presentation for the Des Moines National Security Forum (DMNSF) at the Des Moines Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Oct. 1, 2025. The featured speaker was retired U.S. Army Colonel M. Scott Weaver, a seasoned combat veteran, scholar, and strategist with deep regional expertise. Drawing on his 27 years of military service and his time in strategic assignments throughout Southwest Asia, Weaver provided a nuanced briefing on “The Iranian Strategic Challenge: Enduring Legacies and Modern Realities.”

(Top photo and above) Retired U.S. Army Colonel M. Scott Weaver, a former planner in U.S. Central Command, delivers a presentation entitled “The Iranian Strategic Challenge: Enduring Legacies and Modern Realities,” during the Des Moines National Security Forum at the Des Moines Embassy Club West in West Des Moines, Iowa on Oct. 1, 2025.

Simons Center Director John Nelson opened the event by welcoming attendees and acknowledging DMNSF’s local sponsor, Brownells, and program supporters. Following lunch, he introduced Weaver.

In his presentation, Weaver explored the enduring legacy of the Persian Empire and how its complex past continues to shape Iran’s contemporary geopolitical stance. He traced the historical evolution of Iran’s borders and the consequences of territorial losses in the 19th and 20th centuries, connecting these experiences to Iranian strategic culture and sense of national identity. As Weaver outlined, the Iranian regime’s approach to power and negotiation draws heavily on centuries-old traditions, affecting its posture toward regional rivals like Israel and external actors including the United States.

Weaver described the current phase in the Middle East as highly volatile, with Iran’s interactions with Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the U.S. involving direct strikes, nuclear posturing, and proxy conflict. He highlighted how Iran’s economic resilience is being tested by sanctions and recent hostilities. The presentation leveraged the latest economic data, showing declines in non-oil exports and shrinking GDP—reflecting the pressure of both international sanctions and regional instability.

The social and political landscape within Iran were also featured in Weaver’s analysis. He noted the nation’s demographic shifts, vibrant but censored media environment, and persistent challenges such as corruption and infrastructure strain. Weaver emphasized the dominance of state actors like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which wields enormous influence over both Iran’s economy and strategic decisions.

Weaver’s extensive academic and operational background enhanced the depth of the program. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and holds master’s degrees in Strategic Studies, Military Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, and Arts. He served nine years on the faculties of the Army’s degree-granting institutions and contributed to high-level planning for U.S. Central Command, with recurring roles supporting U.S. engagement on Iranian issues.

As with previous forums, this program provided DMNSF members with a candid and timely perspective on one of the world’s most challenging strategic environments. The Simons Center and the CGSC Foundation thank Brownells and all program partners for their support of informed, civil discourse on national security.

The CGSC Foundation’s Simons Center designed the Des Moines National Security Forum in the mold of its Arter-Rowland National Security Forum in Kansas City, wherein members of the forum meet periodically at guest speaker events to learn about issues related to national security. To help facilitate the new program in Des Moines, Brownells in Grinnell, Iowa, is the Simons Center’s local partner. Brownells Chairman Pete Brownell is also the Vice Chair for the Central Region of the U.S. for the CGSC Foundation’s board of trustees.

~ Thank you to our 2025 DMNSF Sponsors ~