War on the Rocks

Twice Bombed, Still Nuclear: The Limits of Force Against Iran’s Atomic Program On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated but separately named military campaigns against Iran — the United States under Operation

The United States and Israel have struck Iran’s nuclear infrastructure twice in under a year. What those strikes failed to resolve may prove even more consequential.

In practice, "what use to Iran is Hizballah in the event of all-out war against the regime?" ask Faysal Itani and Dania F. Arayssi.

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Get exclusive insights from Michael Kofman on The Russia Contingency and Afshon Ostovar on The Iran Reckoning: only for War on the Rocks members. Join today.

Missed Signals and Middle East Shockwaves Welcome to The Ukraine Compass, a weekly digest of Ukrainian commentary and analysis from across the political spectrum only for War on the Rocks members.

Four years after the invasion, consensus is hard to find. Ukrainian voices are openly challenging the path forward. (Members Only)

Israel is fighting on multiple fronts as strikes with Iran intensify and Hezbollah reenters the fray. What comes next could reshape the region. (Members Only)

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Foundry, Fleet, and Fight: Hedging the U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy got some serious nautical miles under its belt during the first year of this administration, with combat operations from the Caribbean to

Adm. Daryl Caudle has laid out a hedge strategy built on foundry, fleet, and fight. Whether it reshapes the Navy or joins a shelf of unrealized reforms depends on follow-through.

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Transition is rarely a single moment. It is a slow reckoning with identity, ambition, and expectation.


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Did you know we've put out three episodes of the "Iran Reckoning" with @osto.bsky.social in three days? With more coming? If you're not a @warontherocks.bsky.social member you are missing out on the most cutting edge, expert informed conversation about the war with Iran
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Why Satellites Fail — and How to Protect Them This exclusive Cogs of War interview is with Jean-François Morizur, the CEO and founder of Cailabs, a French company focused on ground-to-satellite laser

Commercial satellites are indispensable. Knowing why they fail and how to protect them has become increasingly difficult.

Innovation, irreverence, and responsibility all start with one thing: taking care of airmen so they can take care of the mission. (Members Only)

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As the war widens, Hizballah has stepped in alongside Tehran. The risks are multiplying across the region. (Members Only)


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New today for War on the Rocks members:


Day Three in Iran: Who’s Calling the Shots?


The Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs


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Cogs of War Our dedicated vertical on defense tech & industry, brought to you by an epic partnership between War on the Rocks & Booz Allen Hamilton. National security is inextricably linked to technological prowess, talent, and industrial capacity. We aim to leverage deep expertise and thought leadership to foster the most substantive, impactful conversation possible.

Builders, policymakers, investors, and operators: this is your arena. Follow @Cogs0fWar to join the conversation on the future of defense innovation.

In Ukraine, the war is fought on more than one front. This week’s arguments show how much is at stake beyond the battlefield.

From maintenance backlogs to drone swarms, the Navy’s latest strategy confronts hard truths about readiness and risk. Writing the plan was the easy part.

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Today in War on the Rocks:


Foundry, Fleet, and Fight: Hedging the U.S. Navy


Why Satellites Fail — and How to Protect Them

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A Proxy Without a Purpose: Hizballah and the Iran Crisis What use to Iran is Hizballah in the event of all-out war against the regime? In principle, a great deal. In practice, not so much. The ongoing U.S. and

Iran’s primary proxy in Lebanon has long been seen as a strategic asset. Its real value may look very different under strain.

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One of the most notorious figures in Mexico’s cartel wars is gone. The consequences are still unfolding. (Members Only)

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What will it take to rebuild the foundation of American military power?

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Why Trump's Criticism of Maliki Strengthens Him in Iraq Is publicly confronting the likely next prime minister of Iraq the right strategy for the United States? The nomination of Nouri al Maliki by the

A public rebuke from the White House was meant to sideline Iraq’s likely next prime minister. It may have rallied his rivals behind him

Twice Bombed, Still Nuclear: The Limits of Force Against Iran’s Atomic Program On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated but separately named military campaigns against Iran — the United States under Operation

Can military force in Iran succeed against Iran's atomic program where diplomacy did not?

Washington Built the AI Infrastructure AUKUS Needs — Then Locked Allies Out The Manhattan Project brought allied scientists to Los Alamos because winning required pooling allied scientific capacity. Today, as Australia

The Genesis Mission unifies America’s exascale infrastructure for AI development. It did not unify the allies who are supposed to build those systems together.

Why Trump's Criticism of Maliki Strengthens Him in Iraq Is publicly confronting the likely next prime minister of Iraq the right strategy for the United States? The nomination of Nouri al Maliki by the

A fight over one candidate has turned into a broader test of sovereignty, leverage, and U.S. influence in Baghdad.

The Supreme Court just struck down a major pillar of recent U.S. tariff policy. What does that ruling change and how could the White House respond? (Members Only)

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