Wars are not won or lost in times such as these, especially when one is dealing with countries that are quite big in size, as Iran is, for instance. The economics and logistics will not allow it. Besides, the war is never decisively won unless you put boots on the ground and physically occupy territories. But for how long? As long as the local people accept an outsider as their leader, which is never easy with very different ethnicities.
The only thing that is possible is a quick, short war with regime changes, to have a more favourable government with a weaker economy that would compel the opponent to turn to the aggressor for help. Or else the enemy nation can create and aid proxy groups within a country to weaken it, as well as replace the regime through internal coups and dissent. This war is also headed in the same direction.
Russia-Ukraine or China-Taiwan or the Indo-Pakistan wars are different due to the close proximity of territory, shared history and cultural background. But America is different. In modern times, much has changed. The Nations are quite consolidated and it is difficult to invade and occupy them without a strong enemy and a greedy, ambitious opposition within. Without a strong internal breakup, it is difficult to take over a country just by external force. Often, in fact, external force ends up cementing the differences and joining people together in the face of a common danger. Let us see.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
