Lessons From the Iran Conflict: How Tehran’s Proxies and China Expose the Limits of U.S. Rivals
Mainstream media have claimed that U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict would embolden rivals to strike elsewhere. However, U.S. adversaries are instead showing caution and restraint, fearing possible American reprisals. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of War. The 2026 Iran conflict has generated considerable speculation about American overreach and strategic strain. However, the behavior of the actors best positioned to exploit U.S. military engagement,