What Next | Daily News and Analysis The “Peace President” Goes to War
22 snips
Mar 2, 2026 
Shane Harris, staff writer at The Atlantic who covers national security and intelligence, breaks down sudden U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. He discusses why the strikes surprised many. He outlines the scale and aims of the maximalist military option. He explores Iran’s repression and civilian costs. He examines timing, Israel’s role, collapsed Geneva talks, and political risks at home.
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Why Trump Overestimated An Iranian Uprising
- The administration publicly framed Iranian unrest as a justification for force but underestimated the practical barriers to a popular uprising displacing the regime.
- Shane Harris emphasizes protesters lacked arms, leadership, and suffered mass killings, making a quick popular overthrow unlikely.
This Operation Meets The Definition Of War
- The action qualifies as war even without a formal declaration because U.S. personnel are dying and combat operations are ongoing.
- Shane Harris compares it to 2003 Iraq in scale and warns that wartime casualties and missile interceptions over Gulf cities indicate active conflict.
Trump's Longstanding Appetite For Strikes On Iran
- Trump's inclination to use force against Iran dates to his first term, including killing Qasem Soleimani and repeatedly considering strikes.
- Shane Harris recounts prior aborted strikes and a recent large hardware buildup that signaled an imminent decision.