Trump Has Already Won the Iran War, a Twenty-Five-Year Army Veteran Argues — ‘the Enemy Gets a Vote’

19FortyFive  |  James Jay Carafano

United States President Donald Trump is executing a "de-risking" military strategy against Iran designed to systematically dismantle the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' operational capabilities while avoiding a protracted ground conflict. This campaign leverages a combination of targeted military strikes, severe economic sanctions, and aggressive diplomatic pressure to force Tehran into submission without triggering a broader regional conflagration.

Historically, American engagements in the Middle East have suffered from strategic misalignment between public support, governmental execution, and military objectives. To prevent another long-term quagmire, Trump’s strategy focuses on incremental attrition, stripping away critical Iranian assets and military leverage each time the regime retaliates. This persistent pressure degrades the IRGC's external proxy networks, forces Tehran to divert resources toward maintaining internal security, and delays its rebuilding timeline. Ultimately, the administration aims to secure a long-term geopolitical victory in the Middle East while shielding the domestic electorate from economic disruptions.

Comment

The de-risking doctrine applied against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps represents a departure from traditional escalation dominance. By targeting IRGC command nodes and regional proxy infrastructure incrementally, this approach seeks to degrade Iranian capabilities without triggering a full-scale theatre campaign. This shift reflects a broader doctrinal transition toward cost-imposing strategies that leverage carrier-based F/A-18F Super Hornets rather than large-scale ground forces.

To read in details click here