General · 18 March 2026
Why attacking leaders often hardens regimes, not collapses them
Historically, targeting leaders like Gaddafi or Milosevic often backfires, hardening regimes rather than collapsing them. External pressure can consolidate internal power, fostering resilience. This pattern explains why formidable US and Israeli firepower struggles to unseat Iran's leadership today, as recent reports highlight. Rather than fracturing, the regime may become more entrenched against perceived foreign threats.
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