Archive - Policy Tensor

Notes on the balance of power in West Asia

What explains Iranian primacy?

4 hrs ago • Policy Tensor

Iran still enjoys escalation dominance

And no, it is not overplaying its hand

Jul 17 • Policy Tensor

Iran throws down the gauntlet

No more cat and mouse

Jul 13 • Policy Tensor

Theory of the Dud

Why do analysts keep predicting things will break?

Jul 11 • Policy Tensor

How to Climb the Ladder

International specialization in high-tech manufacturing

Jul 5 • Policy Tensor

Who is climbing the ladder of global manufacturing?

The most important zero-sum game in the world.

Jul 3 • Policy Tensor

June 2026

Vantor vs Russia

Optically-guided midrange drones

Jun 28 • Policy Tensor

A World-Historic Opportunity for the Iranian People

The MOU signed between the US and Iran imposes the victor’s terms.

Jun 18 • Policy Tensor

Did they get him?

An alternative theory

Jun 10 • Policy Tensor

A War of Position

Neither attrition, nor maneuver

Jun 7 • Policy Tensor

Escalate to Deescalate

By now it is clear that Iran has counter-escalated with a broad attack on US bases in the Gulf littoral.

Jun 3 • Policy Tensor

May 2026

The Ben Gurion Risk Model

What would a counter-air attack look like?

May 24 • Policy Tensor

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