Was the Iran War Worth It? Assessing Costs, Benefits, and U.S. Interests

The Iran war imposed major costs on the United States, the Middle East, and the global economy. But did it advance core U.S. national interests? Inspired by a recent Stimson publication, this in-person discussion will assess the conflict through a simple but often neglected question: was it worth it? Panelists will examine U.S. success in achieving its stated objectives, the war’s direct and indirect costs, and its broader consequences for U.S. strategy in the Middle East. Panelists will also consider the underappreciated second-order effects of the war. At a moment when Washington is debating what comes next with Iran, the event will ask what lessons policymakers should draw from the conflict.