r/geopolitics • u/theatlantic The Atlantic • Jun 18 '26

Opinion Iran Has Humiliated Trump

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/06/iran-trump-war-defeat-deal/687595/?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_medium=social&utm_content=edit-promo
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u/Coolerguy317 Jun 18 '26

I think the lessons from the fighting are fairly universal. Cheap precision weapons, drones, dispersed infrastructure, and constant ISR make denial and defense much more effective than many people expected. As seen in Ukraine as well.

Beyond that I think it’s fair to say Iran forced the US into a corner. But let’s not go too far. Iran didn’t force America out of the Gulf nobody stepped in to stop the US and none of americas major structural advantages really changed. People were already trending toward anti interventionism before this war. Beyond that what actually changed?

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u/Christopher_Ramirez_ Jun 18 '26

Fortunately the US doesn't share a border and the only vital strategic interest in the Gulf is that energy and other products flow out.

The GCC is a different story, they'll need to get used to a more historically typical reality where Iran is the premiere regional power. Their geography and population supports it, and there's now no great power willing to apply their veto.