Could Iran be the next ‘forever war’?

We compare this week to previous US interventions in the Middle East.

An episode of the The Global Story podcast, hosted by BBC World Service, titled "Could Iran be the next ‘forever war’?" was published on March 5, 2026 and runs 27 minutes.

March 5, 2026 ·27m · The Global Story

0:00 / 0:00

Summary

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement over the weekend that the United States was launching an offensive in Iran alongside the Israeli military, comparisons to past US interventions in the region began to proliferate. Many Americans asked whether this latest military operation would become another ‘forever war’, as the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan came to be called. We talk to Gordon Correra, security analyst for the BBC, about America’s complicated history of intervention in the Middle East and surrounding region, and ask what these past conflicts might tell us about possible outcomes for the war in Iran. Producer: Viv Jones, Aron Keller and Xandra Ellin Sound engineer: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: A US soldier watches as a statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad in 2003. Credit: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic

Episode Description

Following President Donald Trump’s announcement over the weekend that the United States was launching an offensive in Iran alongside the Israeli military, comparisons to past US interventions in the region began to proliferate. Many Americans asked whether this latest military operation would become another ‘forever war’, as the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan came to be called.

We talk to Gordon Correra, security analyst for the BBC, about America’s complicated history of intervention in the Middle East and surrounding region, and ask what these past conflicts might tell us about possible outcomes for the war in Iran.

Producer: Viv Jones, Aron Keller and Xandra Ellin

Sound engineer: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: A US soldier watches as a statue of Iraq's President Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad in 2003. Credit: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

#6 Polish Fairy Tale - Prince Kindhearted

Mar 27, 2017 ·13m

#5 - Romanian Fairy Tale - Youth Without Age And Life Without Death - Part Three

Mar 23, 2017 ·8m

#5 - Romanian Fairy Tale - Youth Without Age And Life Without Death - Part Two

Mar 23, 2017 ·11m

#5 - Romanian Fairy Tale - Youth Without Age And Life Without Death - Part One

Mar 23, 2017 ·9m

#4 - Hungarian Story - The Moonlight Somnambulist - MAURICE JÓKAI

Mar 20, 2017 ·9m

#1 - Romanian Fairy Tale - The Little Purse with Two Half-Pennies

Mar 18, 2017 ·10m

Similar Podcasts

Global Story Archives - Global Disciples Global Disciples The Global Story is a 3-minute snapshot of what God is doing in and through Global Disciples and those we train to multiply disciples around the world. These stories focus on the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and the efforts of church planting disciple-makers among least-reached people. Rome Audio Guides izi.TRAVEL Dear traveller,Visit Rome with us and make the most out of the wonderful and historical capital of the Italy! Choose one of our free walking, bike or auto tours and discover the city's picturesque palaces, its churches, monuments and its history, while immersing yourself in its fascinating atmosphere! Ready? Press play!izi.TRAVEL is the global storytelling platform which offers a new world in audio guides for city tours and museums. If you want the full experience of our tours, download the free izi.TRAVEL app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, or visit our website izi.TRAVEL for more information. Barcelona Audio Guides izi.TRAVEL Dear traveller,Visit Barcelona with us and make the most out of the wonderful monumental city of Gaudy! Choose one of our free walking, bike or auto tours and discover the city's churches, monuments, picturesque streets, its architecture and its history, while immersing yourself in its fascinating atmosphere! Ready? Press play!izi.TRAVEL is the global storytelling platform which offers a new world in audio guides for city tours and museums. If you want the full experience of our tours, download the free izi.TRAVEL app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, or visit our website izi.TRAVEL for more information. Budapest Audio Guides izi.TRAVEL Dear traveller,Visit Budapest with us and make the most out of the wonderful, historic capital of Hungary at the Danube River! Choose one of our free walking, bike or auto tours and discover the city's churches, monuments, palaces and its history, while immersing yourself in its fascinating atmosphere! Ready? Press play!izi.TRAVEL is the global storytelling platform which offers a new world in audio guides for city tours and museums. If you want the full experience of our tours, download the free izi.TRAVEL app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, or visit our website izi.TRAVEL for more information.

URL copied to clipboard!