Has the U.S. really lost the Iran war? Today, Lianhe Zaobao of Singapore wrote: "On the surface, this preemptive war appears poised to repeat the fates of Iraq and Afghanistan, once again entangling the United States deeply in the quagmire of the Middle East. However, if we step back from short-term military and diplomatic confrontations and examine it through the lens of America’s long-term energy strategy, the winner is clearly the United States. In fact, one could say that through this war, the U.S. has fully consolidated its global dominance in energy, achieving its strategic goal of 'using war to advance energy supremacy.'
This analysis highlights, from another angle, the apparent dilemma where the U.S. seems trapped in a negative international public opinion narrative and repeating the cycle of military quagmires—yet in reality, it's a case of losing face but winning substance, sacrificing international credibility while reaping tangible benefits. On the surface, the U.S.'s preemptive military actions failed to achieve quick victories or generate favorable momentum, instead facing widespread international skepticism. Allies have deliberately distanced themselves, the hegemonic credibility of overseas military interventions has been severely damaged, and the nation’s global image and moral standing have sharply declined, resulting in a complete loss of public opinion.
But from the perspective of long-term energy and economic strategy, the United States is undoubtedly the biggest winner. This war has helped the U.S. firmly control the energy landscape of the Middle East, solidify the dominant position of the petrodollar, and firmly grasp the initiative in global energy pricing. Not only have national strategic interests been fully secured, but also President Trump and his affiliated energy and defense industries have profited significantly, enjoying dual gains in political votes and personal wealth.
The U.S. doesn't care about international reputation or moral losses—it only focuses on actual geopolitical dividends and economic returns. Even if diplomatic dignity is shattered and national credibility is exhausted, as long as control over energy dominance remains and private interests keep flowing in, the original purpose of the war is achieved. This purely profit-driven hegemonic calculation fully reveals America’s self-serving essence and further destabilizes the situation in the Middle East.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863689394980932/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.