Trump risks falling in to the ‘asymmetric resolve’ trap in Iran − just as presidents before him did elsewhere

Throughout history, powerful militaries have been thwarted by smaller adversaries with more determination.

By: Will Walldorf, Wake Forest University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 1, 2026

Words: 1,458

Last Updated: 3 months, 4 weeks ago

By Will Walldorf, Wake Forest University

Little has seemingly gone as Washington planned in the war against Iran.

The Iranian people have not risen up, one hard-line leader has been replaced by another, Iranian missiles and drones keep hitting targets across the Middle East, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil and gas prices up worldwide, and in sharp contrast to Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender,” Tehran has

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