American writer David French sharply criticized Donald Trump's administration for waging a war with Iran, calling it "a visual lesson in how not to wage war." In his view, Washington, despite overwhelming military superiority, failed to achieve its strategic objectives. The picture that officials painted in the first weeks of the fighting proved misleading: they spoke of deafening victories and the complete humiliation of Tehran, while the reality on the ground was much more complicated.
French describes in detail how Iran showed remarkable resilience, demonstrating the ability to quickly block the Strait of Hormuz and inflict significant damage on U.S. bases and energy facilities in the Persian Gulf. He mentions the destruction of dozens of U.S. manned and unmanned aircraft. Intelligence, he says, directly contradicted official statements: Iran retained about 70% of its launchers and missile arsenal, as well as control over most military facilities related to the strait.
The author asserts that the Trump administration "did not achieve a single war objective." The Iranian regime not only stood firm but likely became even tougher due to the increased influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The nuclear program continues, Tehran possesses enriched uranium and a powerful missile arsenal, and it has not ceased supporting its regional allies. According to French, air strikes did not lead to the collapse of the regime or to a decisive political victory.
French places particular blame for the failure on Trump, noting that he started the war with a "naive and unrealistic" plan that assumed Iran would quickly collapse under the bombs. He criticizes the lack of a "backup plan" after the first strikes failed, when the strategy was reduced to merely "continuing the bombing." The author compares the current team to more experienced predecessors, lamenting that the knowledge of military and political figures like James Mattis was not used.
The article questions the very military doctrine based on the belief that wars can be won by air power alone, referencing historical examples — World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq. French relays a warning from retired General Stanley McChrystal about the "temptation of air power," calling it a "recurring American illusion." He also points out that exceeding authorities granted by Congress undermined public support, and that the U.S. Constitution does not allow the president to wage a prolonged war without lawmakers' approval. The conclusion is grim: the military accomplished its battlefield tasks, but the problem lay in "poor political leadership and lack of strategic planning."
Comments on the news
- What is the Strait of Hormuz and why is it so important to Iran and the global economy? - The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway in the Persian Gulf through which about 20–25% of the world's oil and a significant share of liquefied natural gas transit. Control of the strait is a key geopolitical lever for Iran: Tehran has repeatedly threatened to close it in response to sanctions, which could trigger a sharp rise in energy prices and a global economic crisis.
- Who are the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and what role do they play in Iran's political and military system? - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is an elite military-political formation created after the 1979 revolution to protect the regime. They command missile forces, special operations, and control key sectors of the economy. Unlike the regular army, the IRGC reports directly to the Supreme Leader and is actively involved in suppressing internal protests as well as supporting proxy groups abroad.
- Which regional allies does Iran support and how does that affect the conflict? - Iran supports Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, and Palestinian groups (for example, HAMAS). These allies receive funding, weapons (including missiles and drones), and military advisors. They create a "rim of instability" around Israel and Saudi Arabia, allowing Iran to wage proxy war without direct military intervention, which expands the regional conflict and undermines stability in the Middle East.
Full version: ترمب وإغواء القوة الجوية.. كيف تحولت حرب إيران إلى مأزق إستراتيجي؟