One year ago this week, it appeared as if the Middle East was on the verge of fundamental change.

On June 14, 2025, Israel launched one of the most ambitious military operations in its history, striking military and nuclear targets across Iran and eliminating much of the regime’s senior leadership. Days later, the United States joined the campaign, sending B-2 bombers and bunker-busting munitions to attack the Fordow nuclear material enrichment facility in Iran.

The objective, we were told, was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, roll back its ballistic missile program and dismantle the network of proxy military forces the country had spent decades building across the Middle East.

One year later, the United States and Iran say they have reached an agreement to end hostilities.

The details are still emerging, but the deal reportedly includes a ceasefire across multiple fronts, including Lebanon; the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade; the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets; and a new round of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Which raises an........

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