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11 April 2026

From Bargain to Breakdown: Five Strategic Futures for the Iran War

Chase Metcalf, Michael Posey

Wars rarely end as their participants expect. Military campaigns launched to achieve clear political objectives often produce ambiguous, incomplete, or entirely unforeseen outcomes. The outcome of the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States will shape not only Iran’s nuclear ambitions but also the balance of power in the Middle East and the security of one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.

As Carl von Clausewitz reminds us, “war is ultimately a continuation of policy by other means.” Military operations may reshape the battlefield, but the outcome of war is determined by political decisions and strategic adaptation. Rather than predicting a single outcome, strategists often explore multiple plausible futures to understand the risks and opportunities that may emerge. As President Trump took office, we offered our thoughts on potential scenarios for the Russian-Ukrainian War, and we do so here again.

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