The Iran war and the limits of American power
The war is not unfolding as the US and Israel expected – and Iran possesses more leverage than many observers assume. Among many conservative commentators in the US, the prevailing view of the war with Iran is one of confidence. The assumption is that the US and Israel hold the decisive advantage and that Tehran will ultimately be forced to accept Western terms. After all, Iran has been subjected to one of the most intense air attacks in history and there is no letup in sight. But the war is not unfolding as Washington and Jerusalem expected. Before the US–Israeli strikes on Iran a fortnight ago, Donald Trump appeared to
