Md Abdullah Al Mamun

President Trump is sending more military power to the Middle East as Iran rejects our initial peace offers—setting the escalation trap. We can avoid that trap if we are wise enough not to believe our own hype. Bombing Iranian equipment and killing leaders may produce great hype reels, but if the GWOT taught us anything, it is that tactical success does not equal strategic victory. To avoid a major disaster, we must first define what is truly vital to our national interests and act accordingly—regardless of optics of the daily news cycle. We need the Strait of Hormuz open so oil can flow and stability can return to the energy markets and the Gulf region. These are realistic, achievable goals. They can be reached by significantly reducing our military footprint in the region and lifting sanctions on Iran. We can then tout Iran’s agreement not to build a nuclear weapon as a clear win for the media. The key to avoiding the escalation trap and a disastrous quagmire is restraining Israel by drastically limiting the military aid we provide. Israel cannot sustain this fight without us, and will do everything they can to keep us engaged. We must pursue our own objectives, not theirs. If we try to impose a maximalist outcome on Iran (zero enrichment, etc.) this war will undoubtedly escalate—costing American lives, billions more dollars, and ultimately eroding our global standing. We must learn from our past and recognize when it is time to cut our losses and walk away. In the end, working to restore order will strengthen America far more than any military action ever could.