America’s prolonged military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan have been referred to as ‘forever wars’ due to their extended duration and significant costs, which ultimately resulted in limited achievements. Donald Trump was elected partially on the promise to avoid such lengthy conflicts. However, there is concern that Iran may become another such engagement.
Steven Erlanger, a journalist specializing in diplomacy, explores whether the tensions with Iran could mirror the drawn-out wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. 
Historically, no American president has intentionally embarked on a conflict expecting it to last indefinitely. Despite this, the pattern has been frequent—presidents enter wars that persist beyond expectations. These wars continue until a future leader weighs the financial burden and political ramifications, finds a plausible reason to declare victory, and decides to withdraw.
With Iran, President Trump may be repeating past mistakes. His presidential campaign emphasized ending wars rather than initiating them, especially in the Middle East.
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