> project influence, stabilize international trade, or even remotely protect a territory from an enemy that isn't concerned with civilian casualties.

We just failed to do all of those things quite visibly.

Iran made a choice not to escalate to destroying desalination capabilities and that's why a lot of Saudis and Emiratis are still alive. It's not because we protected them.

Because they didn’t want the retribution that would follow. That’s what protection looks like. Assured destruction when it’s not mutual is pretty motivating.