Douglas Silliman, former US ambassador to Iraq and Kuwait, warned a US war on
Iran without a clear strategy risks Washington becoming trapped in shifting
objectives. He said Trump began the campaign without a concrete strategy beyond
toppling Tehran; when the regime did not collapse Trump floated “five or six”
alternate goals and has since refocused on “reopening the Strait of Hormuz” and
“reducing or eliminating” Iran’s nuclear program through negotiations. Whether
this is a sharpening of aims or a lowering of the bar depends on perspective:
White House Republicans view it as more precise; outside critics see early
strategic confusion followed by lowered standards to enable an exit.
