The latest report is an opinion essay arguing the assault has become a watershed in the decline of US power under President Donald Trump.
It says Trump, elected on promises of retrenchment, has instead dangerously overextended the United States through a Middle East war that could cost reputation, allies and moral standing.
Previous reports said US strikes began on 28 February under Operation Epic Fury, hitting more than 13,000 targets before an 8 April ceasefire and exposing strains on US munitions.
How can the U.S. deter a larger war with its arsenal depleted before factories can resupply?
What lessons did China learn from America's victory in Iran for a future Taiwan conflict?
Can multi-million dollar missiles win the new era of low-cost, AI-driven drone warfare?
In early 2026, the United States and Israel launched a major military campaign against Iran to stop its nuclear ambitions and weaken its military. Despite thousands of precise strikes aided by AI, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei quickly consolidated power and used regional proxies to continue fighting, especially through Hezbollah’s ongoing conflict with Israel. Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz caused a historic disruption in global oil supplies, triggering sharp economic impacts worldwide. The campaign drained U.S. munitions and diverted forces from other regions, weakening overall military readiness. Diplomatic efforts failed, leaving the Middle East unstable with fractured alliances and a high risk of renewed conflict.