The US can beat Iran at its own game, and without boots on the ground

The Hill
by Eric R. Mandel, opinion contributor
April 4, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

An opinion piece argues the U.S. can counter Iran through sanctions and opposition support without deploying ground troops.

AI Summary

This is an opinion or analysis piece arguing that the United States can prevail in strategic competition with Iran without deploying ground forces, instead leveraging economic sanctions, geopolitical pressure, and support for internal Iranian opposition movements. The argument positions a "war of attrition" strategy as one that plays to U.S. strengths while exploiting Iran's economic vulnerabilities and domestic discontent. The piece suggests aligning U.S. policy with the aspirations of ordinary Iranians could undermine Tehran's regional influence and internal stability without the costs and complications of military intervention. This reflects ongoing debate within U.S. policy circles over how to counter Iran's regional activities and nuclear ambitions amid heightened Middle East tensions. The proposal contrasts with military-focused approaches and emphasizes asymmetric tools the Trump administration has employed, including sanctions and support for opposition movements.

Source Coverage Map

25 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

58% coverage
Did Not Cover (18)
ICIJ97AP US News96AP Top News96ProPublica95Reuters Investigates94+13 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Chatter and fear about US military draft emerge as Trump’s Iran war drags on
National Security

Chatter and fear about US military draft emerge as Trump’s Iran war drags on

<p>Though the US is almost certainly not going to have a draft, media commentary and online anxiety have surfaced</p><p>The United States is almost certainly not going to have a military draft to fight Iran. That hasn’t stopped the chatter, and anxiety, across the country.</p><p>In recent weeks, Donald Trump has ordered a number of marines and army paratroopers to head to the Middle East, gesturing toward a possible ground war to reopen the strait of Hormuz or secure nuclear weapons material. The provocative military activity has led to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/30/how-could-us-forcibly-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-iran-what-are-the-risks">speculative conversation</a> about what it would take to invade a country twice the population and three times the territory of Iraq.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/us-military-draft-fears-trump-iran-war">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 31
Iran fires on targets across the Mideast while Israel and US hit Tehran as war nears end of 5th week - AP News
Global

Iran fires on targets across the Mideast while Israel and US hit Tehran as war nears end of 5th week - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxOaTRHZ181b3ZFdEMxenBZSl9zSThiM0s3aWhSOFpyMHB1T25heWIwQ3Z0Y1NyVEVjLXVoeHZBUkI4d3BvQVpyOFhxQ3NoOTlCTFRudjhCLVR6RW1MZG9MT3NqTjVVNWo0VUVkMzFQb0FYSnFjOUo3cXNxbE0waG5kZzVRNTFPM04wcmxMc0VEMWc2aW1RdlpLaktJRUUyNG9aeHZr?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran fires on targets across Mideast while Israel and US hit Tehran as war shows no signs of slowing</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 3
US military aircraft hit in Iran war are first shot down by enemy fire in over 20 years - AP News
National Security

US military aircraft hit in Iran war are first shot down by enemy fire in over 20 years - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxPeXZxRkV1UFR0bGxqaU0tNzRZeklTR0pHaTRPdFVJS0hfeTRlemVGZnREeFJhMWFZUjRqLW5uZm5IMVYyVEpDY183cUtXa1pUT01iYm4zS1JFYXgyck5rQjhrQzh5a3hyeE44N090UlA4dVFaQk1tYmNTT21RaWFsU3A3QndyS0ZnaEVDdEpiNTBNNnN3UFY3VV9uREQ?oc=5" target="_blank">US military aircraft hit in Iran war are first shot down by enemy fire in over 20 years</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 4
Understanding why some Iranian Americans support the war on their country of origin
Politics

Understanding why some Iranian Americans support the war on their country of origin

Protesters from the Iranian diaspora in the U.S. gathered in Washington, D.C. as the war in the Middle East broadens. Many say they are aligned with the U.S. and Israel and explain why they want to see regime change in Tehran.

NPRMar 29
What young Republicans are saying about Trump's handling of the Iran war
Politics

What young Republicans are saying about Trump's handling of the Iran war

The U.S. and Israeli war with Iran has caused a rare rift among conservatives, with several influential figures on the right condemning the war. A recent poll shows that while most Republicans support the war, young Republicans appear to be an outlier. White House correspondent Liz Landers spoke to some of them at a Turning Point USA event in Washington.

PBS NewsHourApr 3
'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio - Reuters
Politics

'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxOMG1wX3BaYkRGekduZURYQmNnQTU2NDY3Q2hiLUpDMnJRY1NsS2d4UlhOb01zeUJvaDl1LUtOMHdTR1dYWkdpSEk3ZlJ4S0V2YXc2em9ldDNVWEl6X1JFVFlBVzJiVkN6V3UwSE5zZ2ZEd2dGYjExTFZWQTRLUU9GV1VyVk92dDV3SU1lb2wtdUFlcnA2QVJJVWhPWlI5THNkc3JRQTRVb1MtbHdveTB1QkVR?oc=5" target="_blank">'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 29
Read Next
Trump threatens civilian infrastructure in Iran after it downed a U.S. fighter jet
National Security

Trump threatens civilian infrastructure in Iran after it downed a U.S. fighter jet

It has been over a month since the war in Iran began, and President Trump is now threatening attacks on civilian infrastructure. This comes after strikes destroyed an Iranian bridge on Thursday. CBS News Middle East contributor Courtney Kealy reports.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources