How the Iran War Is Hitting Campus

The war in Iran has reaffirmed several truths about global politics. First, the U.S. remains the world’s pre-eminent military power. From the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro to the decapitation of Iran’s theocracy, the U.S. military has demonstrated again and again its professionalism and precision.

Second, U.S. military success requires allied support. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Arab powers, along with Israel and U.S. bases in the region, have been the targets of Iran’s retaliation. Sure enough, the fall of Iran’s revolutionary regime will yield strategic benefits for these countries. But it’s no trivial matter that their leaders, presumably despite pressure from their own populations, are willing to share in the burden of the U.S.-Israel operation.

Third, China and Russia are unreliable patrons. In January, Beijing, Moscow and Tehran formed a trilateral security pact for deepened diplomatic, economic and security cooperation. But just as Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin failed to prevent Mr. Maduro’s capture, they have thus far proved helpless in sustaining the Iranian regime’s leaders in the face of overwhelming U.S. and allied military might.