Donald Trump Promised to Keep Us Out of Protracted Wars of Choice in the Middle East. We Are Now in a Protracted War of Choice in the Middle East.

The Slatest Trump Keeps Promising His War With Iran Is Almost Over. It’s More Likely to Get Way Worse. Thanks, Donald Aug 17, 20265:35 PM Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Samuel Corum/Getty Images and Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images. This story is adapted from the Slatest newsletter. You can sign up here to get it in your inbox every day. On paper, Donald Trump’s war in Iran seems like it could be close to over. The U.S. has paused its attacks and Iranian strikes on commercial ships have gotten more infrequent. But less fighting doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting closer to peace. Beneath the surface, the conditions are brewing for a prolonged conflict—and possibly an even more intense one. Wait, back up: Why did the fighting taper off? Good question. Last month, after Trump’