Iraq war’s aftermath was a disaster for the US – the Iran war is headed in the same direction

More than 20 years after the US military success in Iraq, the outcome of the US effort at regime change wasn’t as expected, and authoritarians with close ties to Iran now rule the country.

By: Farah N. Jan, University of Pennsylvania, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 10, 2026

Words: 1,477

Last Updated: 1 hour, 15 minutes ago

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By Farah N. Jan, University of Pennsylvania

The United States military achieved every objective it set when it went to war in Iraq in 2003. Decapitation: Saddam Hussein was captured, tried and hanged. Air dominance: total, within days. Regime collapse: The Iraqi government fell in 21 days.

Now, consider Iraq more than 20 years after the U.S.-Iraq war. Iraq is still an authoritarian state governed by political parties with deep institutional ties …

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