‘Sounds familiar’: how the US-Israeli war in Iran parallels Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Pjotr SauerMarch 10, 2026 at 07:00 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

The article examines parallels between the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While not identical, both conflicts share similarities in shifting objectives and questionable legal justifications. Initially, the US framed its actions as preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but goals have expanded to regime change. Similarly, Russia's initial aims of "demilitarization and denazification" in Ukraine evolved to protecting Russian speakers and annexing territories. Both sides also use defensive rhetoric, claiming to be finishing a war they didn't start. Neither the US nor Russia initially anticipated a prolonged conflict.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Kyiv 40% Crimea 40% Tehran 40% Pete Hegseth 50% Kremlin ×260% Donald Trump ×380% Israel 80% Russia ×280% United States ×490% Vladimir Putin ×390% Ukraine ×690% Iran ×690%

Keywords

russia's invasion of ukraine 90% us-israeli campaign 90% iran 80% shifting goals 80% regime change 70% vladimir putin 60% legal justification 60% donald trump 50% prolonged conflict 50%