‘Sounds familiar’: how the US-Israeli war in Iran parallels Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Guardian argues that the US-Israel campaign against Iran carries notable parallels with Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, despite important differences.

“Shifting goals, unclear timelines and a flimsy pretext: at times, the US-Israel campaign against Iran carries curious parallels of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine”

The Guardian

The article states that Russia sent a massive army across Ukraine’s borders in an unprovoked invasion of a democratic state that quickly resulted in heavy losses.

The Guardian

It says the United States has so far largely limited its involvement to airstrikes against Iran’s authoritarian regime.

It says early US statements framed strikes as preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and emphasised degrading Iran’s missile capabilities and its regional proxy infrastructure.

The article says stated goals have become more maximalist, with Donald Trump saying Iran’s leadership should be replaced and calling for Tehran’s "unconditional surrender".

Scholars, the article notes, say the legal justification is nonexistent.

The piece highlights similarities in rhetoric and a reluctance to use the word 'war'.

It quotes US defence secretary Pete Hegseth saying the US 'didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it.'

The Guardian

It notes that Putin used strikingly similar language in February 2022, saying 'We didn’t start the so-called war in Ukraine... We are trying to finish it.'

The Guardian reports that some US figures, like House speaker Mike Johnson, called the action a 'limited operation.'

Putin avoids the term 'war,' calls his campaign a 'special military operation,' and enforces that narrative through censorship that has jailed critics.

The article also notes how media and political elites shifted positions in Russia.

It says some US commentators who criticised Russia’s invasion are struggling to maintain the same clarity, citing the former US ambassador to Moscow under Barack Obama, Michael McFaul.

McFaul wrote on X that he still wants 'our armed forces to win' despite disagreeing with the decision and process.

The article warns of the risks of vague objectives and escalation.

“Shifting goals, unclear timelines and a flimsy pretext: at times, the US-Israel campaign against Iran carries curious parallels of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine”

The Guardian

It cites media reports that Trump has raised the possibility of sending elite troops into Iran to secure stockpiles of enriched uranium.

It recalls that in Ukraine Russia deployed elite airborne forces early on in a risky operation that ended in heavy losses.

Danny Citrinowicz of the Atlantic Council is quoted warning that when strategic goals become too ambitious a campaign can slide into a war of attrition.

He urged clearly defined, measurable objectives as a way to avoid that outcome.

The piece closes with retired Russian diplomat Vladimir Frolov’s dry comment: 'Sounds familiar.'