October 20, 2026
Myths of Battlefield Triumph Are Destroying the U.S. Military
This article was originally published in Foreign Policy.
In launching his war on Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump promised quick and decisive results. More than six months later, despite thousands of airstrikes, thousands of dead Iranians, and the destruction of Tehran’s air force and navy, Iran is unbowed. Its new leaders are more radical and uncompromising than those killed by the United States and Israel at the start of the war. By disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran holds the global economy hostage as the supply of oil, gas, and refined fuels out of the Gulf remains intermittent. For the Trump administration and its dwindling core of supporters, the hunt is on for excuses.
It is the narrative of triumph forsaken: The United States can still defeat Iran if only it has the will and endurance.
There is a default narrative for Washington’s military failures—one that is more than likely to be picked up by Trump and only compound his failure. It is the narrative of triumph forsaken: The United States can still defeat Iran if only it has the will and endurance. It just has to endure more pain and launch more missiles. Retired U.S. Army Gen. Jack Keane picked up on this supposed solution: “We really do have the capability to end this militarily if we desire to.”
Read the full article in Foreign Policy.
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