"The last half century reveals a record not of strategic brilliance, but of consistent folly, as the regime has waged wars badly—failing to achieve its objectives, creating new enemies, and inflicting more damage on itself than on others."
"The waste was shocking. If that war was unavoidable, picking repeated fights with the United States, first by holding hostages from its embassy and then by attacking shipping in the Persian Gulf, was not."
"U.S. forces began large-scale escort-of-convoy operations—yes, it has been done before—to get oil through the Strait of Hormuz. They succeeded, and the Islamic Republic was humiliated."
Western countries often engage in strategic orientalism when in conflict, attributing exaggerated qualities to their enemies. The war with Iran exemplifies this, as the regime is credited with strategic patience and cunning. However, historical evidence shows a pattern of folly, with Iran's leadership making poor tactical choices during conflicts, such as the Iran-Iraq War. The regime's actions, including provocations against the U.S., have led to significant losses and humiliation, undermining the narrative of Iranian strategic brilliance.
Read at The Atlantic
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]