Analysis: How Effective Was the US Attack on Iran?

Atlas
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3 Min
By: Atlas
Analysis: How Effective Was the US Attack on Iran?
Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv on Saturday. (Leo Correa - AP)

The United States' direct military action on Iran's nuclear facilities on June 21-22, 2025, is undeniably a turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. President Donald Trump said that the US "successfully" hit three nuclear sites in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. He said that Iran's most important nuclear sites were "completely and fully obliterated." This analysis looks at how well the operation worked in three important areas: immediate tactical success, strategic nuclear impact, and long-term effects on the region.

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ANALYSIS CONFLICT DEFENSE MIDDLE EAST NORTH AMERICA

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Analysis: The ELN And Venezuela Partnership (Part 2 of 2)
ANALYSIS

Analysis: The ELN And Venezuela Partnership (Part 2 of 2)

Due to the likelihood that Colombia could return to the “Plan Colombia” model of using military force, with US aid, to target guerilla groups after the 2026 elections it is likely that the ELN will continue to consolidate its forces and illicit funding schemes within Venezuelan territory. The ELN initially

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6 Min
By: Atlas
Analysis: The ELN And Venezuela Partnership (Part 1 of 2)
ANALYSIS

Analysis: The ELN And Venezuela Partnership (Part 1 of 2)

By: Maxwell Ingalls, Residing Fellow For Atlas

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4 Min
By: Atlas
Analysis: What A U.S. Green Light For South Korean Nuclear-Powered Submarines Would Mean
ANALYSIS

Analysis: What A U.S. Green Light For South Korean Nuclear-Powered Submarines Would Mean

Seoul has long debated building nuclear-powered attack submarines, arguing they are needed to track North Korea’s growing missile and submarine forces. As of late 2024, Washington had not publicly approved any transfer of naval nuclear propulsion technology to South Korea; if that changes, it would carry major technical, legal,

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3 Min
By: Atlas
Analysis: Gaza Ceasefire Could Mirror Lebanon’s ‘No War, No Peace’ Model
ANALYSIS

Analysis: Gaza Ceasefire Could Mirror Lebanon’s ‘No War, No Peace’ Model

Israel’s pattern of limited strikes and ground raids during lulls in Gaza resembles the post-2006 Lebanon front, where a formal ceasefire coexists with recurring violations and low-intensity clashes. Without a broader political deal, experts say a Gaza “calm” is likely to mean continued Israeli operations against perceived threats, intermittent

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3 Min
By: Atlas

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