International studies reading test one article

Strait of Hormuz

A strategically significant waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes.

Elliott Abrams

Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies at the CFR, former deputy assistant to the president in the Bush administration.

Hamas

A Palestinian militant group that, along with Hezbollah, has been supported by Iran to challenge Israel.

Hezbollah

A Shiite militant group based in Lebanon that acts as an Iranian proxy in the region.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)

A United States unified combatant command responsible for operations in the Middle East.

NAVCENT

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, overseeing naval operations in the Middle East, headquartered in Bahrain.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

An elite military unit of Iran, formed to protect the Iranian regime.

Monetizing the Strait of Hormuz

Iran's aim to control and profit from the traffic of oil through this critical waterway.

Iran's regional dominance

Iran's efforts to expand its influence across the Middle East through alliances with proxy groups.

U.S. blockade of Iranian oil exports

A strategy aimed at weakening the Iranian economy by limiting its oil revenue.

Geopolitical implications

The effects of political decisions on the geographic relationship between countries, especially concerning security and trade.

Bashar al-Assad regime

The government led by the current Syrian president, supported by Iran in the Syrian civil conflict.

Gulf Arab states

Countries in the Arabian Peninsula, such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, reliant on U.S. security.

Military force

The use of armed forces to achieve political or military objectives.

U.S. congressional elections

Elections held in the U.S. where members of Congress are elected, influencing domestic and foreign policy.