Nepal, April 17 -- Israeli war on Iran, currently on pause, lasted over a month. Even as it caused widespread destruction and hardship in Iran, the war disrupted global oil supply and production and caused economic hardship in distant parts of the world. The Gulf countries were particularly hit.

It is likely that America did not count on such a long campaign with few achievements except destruction. What Trump and his military advisors had in mind was a short, intense campaign leading to the overthrow of the regime or significantly weakening it, which could then be pressured to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. They did not think Iran would hold out for so long, cause as much destruction in the Gulf countries and finall...