"Operation Epic Fury's initially stated goals were sweeping and maximalist: to fully destroy Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile forces, navy, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and proxy networks. Yet in pursuing these objectives, the Trump administration has constrained itself to accommodate political realities, employing means short of the full-scale occupation typically required to secure such objectives."
"While B-2s and Tomahawks can destroy targets, ensuring the dismantlement of a nation's military capacity has historically required forms of commitment that Washington is reluctant to undertake."
"As history shows, half-measures deployed in service of total victory have often proven disastrous - perpetuating conflict, resolving little."
"Reports suggest that these attacks have been tactically effective, degrading various forms of Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. But assessing the true damage, and the verification problem complicates the situation."
U.S. and Israeli operations have targeted Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure, destroying numerous vessels and missile launchers. However, these actions have not led to a strategic victory. The operation's goals were ambitious, yet politically constrained means limit effectiveness. The inability to verify the success of strikes complicates the situation. Historical precedents show that half-measures often lead to prolonged conflict, and the reluctance to occupy territory undermines the potential for complete success in dismantling Iran's military capabilities.
Read at The Cipher Brief
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