The Mess the Iran War Made
An analysis of the U.S. conflict with Iran argues that the war has failed to achieve political objectives and has left the region in a more volatile state. The author highlights the closure of key maritime chokepoints and the potential for a global energy crisis.
Why it matters
The piece critiques current U.S. foreign policy and warns of long-term economic and geopolitical consequences resulting from the conflict.
America has to rethink how it moves resources, fights wars, and deters adversaries.
Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto / Getty July 23, 2026, 4:51 PM ET Share Save The sooner we acknowledge that the United States has lost the war with Iran and stop fighting, the better. Because we now have a lot of work to do.
On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was pressed to explain before the Senate what the United States had accomplished in its war with Iran. Sputtering with fury at times, he claimed that Washington had won “a historic military victory.” But even if that were so, as a certain dead Prussian once counseled, nations do not fight wars to achieve military objectives. They fight wars to achieve political objectives.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in