Security Assistance and Democratic Accountability: The U.S. Israel Interventions in Iran and its Global Implications

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between security assistance and democratic accountability through an analysis of the 2025-2026 U.S.-Israeli military interventions in Iran. Using Power Realism as the theoretical framework, the paper investigates how security assistance mechanisms enabled the circumvention of democratic oversight and weakened adherence to international legal norms. A qualitative case study design was adopted, drawing on academic literature, policy reports, official documents, and expert analyses. The findings reveal that executive actions bypassed congressional authorization, relied on contested intelligence narratives, and undermined international legal accountability in pursuit of strategic objectives. The interventions also generated significant regional and global consequences, including heightened instability, energy market disruptions, and erosion of confidence in the rules-based international order. The study concludes that while security concerns often drive state behavior, the absence of effective democratic checks can produce counterproductive outcomes. It recommends strengthening legislative oversight, intelligence transparency, and multilateral accountability mechanisms