The New Dark Age

Thursday, 5 March 2026 — The New Atlas

• US-led air and missile strikes continue across Iran while Iran continues region-wide missile and drones strikes including on high-value US targets;

• Both sides face ticking clocks including Iran’s supply of missiles and launchers and the resilience of its “mosaic” defense strategy and America’s missile inventories as well as maintenance walls its aircraft will reach by the end of the month;

• Victory for the US requires toppling the Iranian government;

• The US would also settle for a temporary pause to reorganize and attempt another round of aggression;

• Victory for Iran in at least this phase of the war is simply surviving;

• US objectives for this conflict are focused on eliminating a Russian/Chinese ally, cutting China off from oil in the region, and allowing the US to consolidate resources toward encircling Russia and China themselves;