Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Venezuela
    • China
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • Syria
  • Analysis
    • Research
    • Q&A
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Israel-Iran / Will the bombing of Iran end America’s role in the war, or start it?
Israel‑Iran, Iran, Israel, Middle East

June 21, 2025

Will the bombing of Iran end America’s role in the war, or start it?

Such concerns might prompt Mr. Trump to decide that military prudence requires “inserting U.S. ground forces and getting involved in some kind of regime change operation,” says Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East program at Defense Priorities think tank.

That would increase the risk of “a broader and deeper pulling in of American military forces into a conflict that involves U.S. troops on the ground,” she says.

“The thinking is that an Iran so beset by internal problems—a basket case like Libya is today—wouldn’t be able to go back and race for a bomb after all this,” adds Dr. Kelanic.

Read at Christian Science Monitor

Featuring

Rosemary
Kelanic

Director, Middle East Program

Defense Priorities

More on Middle East

op-edMiddle East

The real problem with cozying up to the Saudis

By Benjamin Friedman and Rosemary Kelanic

December 5, 2025

op-edIran, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East

The case for diplomacy with Iran

By Geoff LaMear

December 5, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Hamas, Israel, Middle East

Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza is on life support

By Daniel DePetris

December 2, 2025

op-edIsrael‑Iran, Middle East, Nuclear weapons

Iran escalates nuclear stand off

By Daniel DePetris

November 22, 2025

Press ReleaseMiddle East, Alliances, Diplomacy

Keep the U.S.-Saudi relationship modest

By Rosemary Kelanic

November 19, 2025

op-edMiddle East, Alliances

Saudi Arabia and the U.S. are not allies—no matter what their leaders say

By Daniel DePetris

November 19, 2025

Events on Israel-Iran

See All Events
virtualMiddle East, Grand strategy, Israel‑Iran

Does the Middle East still matter?

February 6, 2024
virtualMiddle East, Iran, Israel‑Hamas, Israel‑Iran, Syria, Yemen

Keeping the U.S. out of war in the Middle East

January 16, 2024
in-personMiddle East, Counterterrorism, Israel‑Iran

Recalibrating Middle East policy

November 27, 2018

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • Research
  • Experts
  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved