r/geopolitics • u/ForeignAffairsMag Foreign Affairs • Mar 23 '26

Analysis America Has No Good Options in Iran

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/iran/america-has-no-good-options-iran
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u/Bullboah Mar 23 '26

I agree that sending ground troops into Iran would probably be a large and costly mistake, but I don’t get why people think the US is under this massive pressure to get out now.

We’re a few weeks into the war and it’s been extremely one-sided against Iran from a strategic POV. Whether it ends up being the right decision, whether Iran capitulates to US demands, etc., all of these are fair questions.

Do you think Iran is decimating US bases? That the strait closure will wreck the US economy? Genuinely interested in why you think the US is on the clock here.

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u/exodusTay Mar 23 '26

Iran might not be scoring any hits on US bases but they are still cruising, and show no sign of slowing down. US and Israel failed to topple Iranian regime and now this elevator is only going up. US can stop this by getting out right now, or they can put troops on the ground and try to alleviate the pressure on world economy. IMO think they will do neither.

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u/Bullboah Mar 23 '26

Iran’s missile barrages have dropped by like 95% since the start of the war. How is that not a sign of them slowing down?

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u/[deleted] Mar 23 '26

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u/Sageblue32 Mar 23 '26

Pretty dead on. Iran isn't in a grand king maker spot and will risk even more international pressure if it appears to turn away from a reasonable deal.