
The Iran strike was probably the right move. We may need to do it again.
Emily Harding is the director of the Intelligence, National Security, and Technology Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former Iran director at the National Security Council (2007 to 2008). This piece is adapted from an essay that first appeared on the CSIS website on Sunday.
President Donald Trump's decision to bomb three of Iran's nuclear sites was probably the right call. Many will say that the United States now risks a broad and disastrous war, but that is far from the most likely outcome. Instead, this was a targeted effort at a narrow goal, and it was likely the correct decision.
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44 minutes ago
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Despite expectations, the recent geopolitical turbulence in the Middle East—especially the events of October 7, 2023, and the escalation between Israel and Iran—did not deliver a severe blow to global energy markets. Compared to past regional crises or major global shocks like the Russia–Ukraine war, the impact was surprisingly muted. This apparent inability of oil-rich Middle Eastern nations to wield their petroleum power as a political weapon may mark the start of a deeper shift in global dynamics—one that emboldens Western-aligned states to more confidently pursue political and economic transformation in the region. For decades, oil served as the cornerstone of power for Middle Eastern rulers—a strategic lever to secure both domestic control and international backing. But as its political weight diminishes on the global stage, the fading support from major world powers may compel these leaders to reconsider their grip on authority. 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News24
an hour ago
- News24
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