ThinkTankWeekly

America Has No Good Options in Iran

Foreign Affairs | 2026-03-23 | middle_east

Topics: Middle East, United States

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English Summary

The article argues that U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran, despite initial differences from past wars, is setting the stage for a strategic quagmire. The core concern is that Washington is engaging a regional power without establishing clear objectives, a defined theory of victory, or a viable exit strategy. This lack of strategic clarity suggests that the U.S. risks becoming entangled in a protracted and difficult conflict. Policymakers must recognize this pattern to avoid repeating the mistakes of previous, ill-defined foreign interventions.

中文摘要

本文論點指出,美國參與與伊朗的衝突,儘管與過去的戰爭存在初期差異,卻正在為一個戰略泥潭鋪路。核心擔憂在於,華盛頓正在與一個區域大國交戰,卻沒有確立明確的目標、定義的戰勝理論,或可行的退出策略。這種戰略上的模糊性暗示,美國有陷入一場曠日持久且艱鉅的衝突的風險。政策制定者必須認識到這一模式,以避免重蹈過去諸次目標不明確的外交干預的覆轍。

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