THE tragedy of unplanned wars is that they are often started by ambition but finished by exhaustion.

It appears that Operation Epic Fury is a war of this nature. With the USA-Israel and Iran war entering its second week, peace seems unlikely. At the war’s outset, Trump and Netanyahu anticipated that the death of Iran’s supreme leader would trigger public disobedience. But so far, the regime has not only survived but has also fought back, causing harm to America and allies in the region. This current flare-up is unlike previous ones. Israeli leaders now increasingly view Iran as the main force behind a regional strategy. Iran is seen as using groups like Hezbollah, Iraqi and Syrian militias and the Houthis in Yemen to surround the region.

The war serves no American interests, aside from America’s role as Israel’s strategic partner. This is a significant risk for Donald Trump, given the upcoming November midterm elections and his desire for a major advantage beforehand. If a win-win situation arises from the Iran war, Donald Trump could see his popularity rebound. Iran, in contrast, functions via a well-established power framework. Power is distributed across various constitutional and military entities, rather than being concentrated in one person. The Supreme Leader presides over strategic direction; the Guardian Council and Majlis function within an ideological constitutional framework. Critically, the IRGC possesses significant military, political and economic power. Iran’s regional strategy........

© Pakistan Observer