The Trump administration’s arguments for the war in Iran are all over the place, as are its goals. But that cannot obscure that the aerial campaign has been about as successful as these things can be. Whether brilliant tactics can rescue a mess of a strategy remains to be seen.


The Economist has no illusions about the depravity of Iran’s theocracy. Nonetheless, we question the wisdom of America’s and Israel’s war on it. So far, “Operation Epic Fury” has been a stunning aerial success. Iran’s supreme leader was killed on day one. But President Donald Trump has offered no coherent plan for what happens next, nor even a clear set of war aims. Is he aiming for regime change? Or merely the neutering of Iran’s nuclear-weapons programme? Will the war last for days, weeks or months? 

He may get lucky. Dictatorships often look impregnable just before they collapse. Maybe, just maybe, American air power will create an opportunity for Iranians to overthrow their hated rulers. But it seems more likely that one thuggish theocrat will be replaced by another. Meanwhile, Iran is hurling missiles at its neighbours and disrupting the world’s energy supply. Chaos is spreading across the Middle East; civil war could yet erupt in Iran. Our columnists look at how China sees the war, how Israel does, and how Europe’s muddled response hides a bright side. Our cover leader argues that Mr Trump should find a way to cut it short. 

Finally, a programming note: this week’s edition of The Insider, on Anthropic’s battle with the Pentagon, will air 24 hours later than planned. You will now be able to watch it from 6pm London time (1pm in New York) on Friday March 6th.



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