Trump Ditched Hearts and Minds in the Iran War
The military may need to cure its counterinsurgent “hangover,” but the president has the wrong solution.
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Morteza Nikoubazl / NurPhoto / Getty Trump Pivots to ‘Least Bad Option’ On Iran
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz marks a shift in strategy—but not necessarily in outcome.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Celal Gunes / Andalou / Getty. Venezuela Seems to Be Going … Well?
The administration’s plan is working, but democracy remains elusive.
Federic Parra / AFP / Getty An Army Shake-Up in the Middle of a War
A general is ousted and the Army secretary is in jeopardy, sources say.
Win McNamee / Getty The U.S. and Iran Are Fighting a Massively Asymmetrical War
The Strait of Hormuz presents a classic war theater for an insurgency to bog down superior forces.
Elke Scholiers / Getty The Pentagon’s Lawyers Are Now Under Review
A new Hegseth initiative could consolidate the ranks of JAGs, targeting those who act as legal guardrails.
Mark Peterson / Redux The Pentagon Cut Its Civilian Safeguards Before the Iran War
As the civilian toll in Iran mounts, some officials point to the impact of Pete Hegseth’s hostility to battlefield restraint.
Amirhossein Khorgooei / ISNA / AFP / Getty The One Variable That Could Decide the War
The U.S. and Israel are racing to destroy Iran’s missile supplies before their own air defenses are exhausted.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: U.S. Navy / Getty. An End to U.S. Military Aid to Israel May Be Closer Than You Think
Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to walk away from U.S. assistance says a lot about the shifting dynamics.
Evelyn Hockstein / Getty Hegseth’s Firing Campaign Reaches Down Into the Ranks
The ouster of the spokesperson Dave Butler, a colonel, shows that the defense secretary’s culling is far from over.
Kevin Wolf / AP
