Foreign Affairs: Iran War a Catastrophe, US Must Withdraw from Middle East
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Foreign Affairs magazine has emphasized in a report that a war with Iran would be a complete catastrophe. The United States and Israel have violated international laws, leading to the deaths of at least 1,700 Iranian civilians and severe destruction of civilian infrastructure. In contrast, Iranian retaliation has resulted in the deaths of 18 American soldiers and wounded over 600. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has also driven up energy prices worldwide, placing pressure on the global economy. This conflict is the latest in a series of strategic missteps that have undermined American security and plunged Western Asia into instability over the past 35 years.
The publication added that the continuous military presence of the United States in Western Asia, which began with the Persian Gulf War in 1991, has exposed host countries to direct attacks from Iran and its proxy forces, rather than ensuring security. Approximately 43,000 American soldiers are stationed in scattered bases across Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait, each of which has become a target for retaliation. This extensive military footprint has drawn the U.S. into local conflicts and multiplied threats against its interests.
Foreign Affairs wrote that the costs of 35 years of military intervention in Western Asia are exorbitant and undeniable. Since September 11th, the U.S. has spent $8 trillion on regional wars. Over 15,000 American soldiers and contractors have been killed, and 1.8 million have been disabled. However, the human cost for the region’s people is more catastrophic: over 940,000 direct deaths, 3.6 million indirect deaths, and 38 million displaced individuals. These numbers represent generations that have lost the opportunity for normal life amidst the storm of endless conflicts.
The magazine added that the United States’ relationship with Israel is a clear example of the failure of this strategy. Washington’s unconditional support has emboldened Israeli governments to gradually annex the West Bank, suppress Palestinians, and commit genocide in Gaza. In February 2026, this same support drew the United States into an illegal war with Iran.
Foreign Affairs wrote that the only fundamental solution is complete military withdrawal from Western Asia. A partial withdrawal would still expose the United States to new attacks and conflicts. Washington must condition military aid to aggressive governments on their respect for human rights and refrain from selling weapons to countries that violate international law. Simultaneously, strengthening diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and regional economic cooperation can replace military presence and contribute to lasting stability.
The publication stated that while opponents speak of the risks of American withdrawal, the war with Iran proved that military presence has not protected freedom of navigation but has itself been a factor in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Fears of a power vacuum are also unfounded; China and Russia have no desire to fill America’s place. Given public fatigue with endless wars and the need to focus on genuine threats in Asia and Europe, the time has come for the United States to exit the Middle East quagmire after 35 years.
