Iran War: Tough Lessons from Iraq for Current Conflict

For more than 45 years, the Iranian regime has relied on nuclear brinkmanship, proxy militias, and missile and drone proliferation to destabilize the Middle East and project power beyond its borders. Iran and its proxies have kidnapped and killed Americans in Iraq, Yemen, Israel, and in countries as far-flung as France and Argentina.

In recent days, as U.S. and Israeli strikes have targeted key elements of that system, I have heard the same phrase repeated in the halls of Congress, in member briefings, and on cable news: Iraq 2.0.

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Michael Baumgartner

Congressman Michael Baumgartner represents the people of Washington’s fifth district and sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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For more than 45 years, the Iranian regime has relied on nuclear brinkmanship, proxy militias, and missile and drone proliferation to destabilize the Middle East and project power beyond its borders. Iran and its proxies have kidnapped and killed Americans in Iraq, Yemen, Israel, and in countries as far-flung as France and Argentina.

In recent days, as U.S. and Israeli strikes have targeted key elements of that system, I have heard the same phrase repeated in the halls of Congress, in member briefings, and on cable news: Iraq 2.0.