As Washington debates limited strikes on Iran, William Hartung, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, warns that the shadow of the Iraq War looms large. That conflict was sold as a "cakewalk" but ended in a quagmire costing trillions of dollars, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and a legacy of veteran trauma.
Hartung doubts a single strike would suffice and warns that Iran's likely retaliation against U.S. forces could ignite a broader conflict, challenging Washington's strategic calculus in an already volatile region.
Key risks include:
- Escalation: Iran’s alliances from the Gulf to Lebanon make a swift de-escalation unlikely.
- Economic Shockwaves: Oil markets could surge, impacting global inflation and everyday costs.
- Human Toll: Civilians and troops may bear the brunt of renewed hostilities.
For young global citizens tracking these developments, the lessons of the Iraq War are a stark reminder that military action carries long-term consequences. As tensions rise, the cost of acting—and not acting—must be understood in full.
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Expert recalls of Iraq War's grim lessons as U.S. weighs Iran strikes
cgtn.com
