An Unlearned Lesson: The Sorry Record of Regime Change Operations in the Middle East

On Feb. 28, 2026, President Donald Trump announced the commencement of Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran. Among the mission’s goals was the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. “When we are finished,” Trump told the Iranian people, “take over your government. It will be yours to take.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Trump’s message, saying: “Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.” To be sure, Washington and Jerusalem had other objectives — above all, preventing the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons The post An Unlearned Lesson: The Sorry Record of Regime Change Operations in the Middle East appeared first on War on the Rocks .