An opinion piece published on June 30, 2026, analyzes the recent US-Iran war and highlights how Iran, despite facing severe military and economic pressure, avoided collapse and maintained bargaining power in negotiations. The article notes that Iran’s military infrastructure suffered heavy damage and its economy came under strain, yet the country did not surrender or lose political control. Instead, Iran leveraged geography, low-cost defense tactics, and regional networks to impose strategic and economic costs on stronger adversaries.

The analysis argues that the United States demonstrated overwhelming air and intelligence superiority but at a high financial cost, with billions spent in the early stages of the conflict. It suggests that while the US military-industrial complex benefited, ordinary citizens bore the economic burden through inflation and taxes. The author recalls President Eisenhower’s warning about the influence of this complex on democratic decision-making.

Drawing lessons for Bangladesh, the article concludes that military parity with stronger neighbors is unrealistic, but developing affordable domestic defense technologies, coastal and cyber capabilities, and internal unity can strengthen national sovereignty and deterrence.