Won on the battlefield, lost at the negotiating table? In war, people often talk about victories and defeats. Our government promised the people a “total victory” in the Middle East. Yet not every military success automatically translates into a strategic gain. Sometimes remarkable achievements are accomplished on the battlefield, only to lose their political significance at the negotiating table. That is precisely the impression left by the current developments in the conflict with Iran.
For weeks, there was talk of a historic opportunity to permanently halt Iran’s nuclear program, curb Tehran’s regional expansion, and fundamentally reshape Israel’s security environment. The images projected strength. The headlines spoke of determination. The operation was called “Roaring Lion.” But the closer Washington and Tehran move toward a potential agreement, the more pressing another question becomes: What remains of that roar if the central strategic objectives ultimately remain unfulfilled?
Wars are not judged by how spectacular their opening days may be. They are judged by the reality they create in the end. And that is where the real debate begins.
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