Read MPAC’s Policy Paper: The Pitfalls of Operation Epic Fury — How the Undeclared War Against Iran Hurts Americans’ Interests Abroad and at Home
I. Executive Summary
The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), an American Muslim policy advocacy organization, presents this policy paper to highlight how Operation Epic Fury harms U.S. interests. The paper also identifies MPAC’s policy recommendations to elected officials to further the American people’s interests.
To date, while the U.S. military has achieved several of its short-term tactical objectives, the conflict has resulted in widespread disruptions to regional stability and to the global economy. Most alarmingly, this war of choice has spurned unprecedented human suffering across the region, including very high levels of civilian casualties and injuries, displacement of populations, and the deliberate damage and destruction of critical civilian infrastructure by parties to the conflict. Additionally, the dehumanization of Iranians, Muslims, and other communities by U.S. government officials and public figures (see Appendix 1) is coinciding with a significant rise in violent attacks on individuals and institutions of numerous communities in America (see Appendix 2).
MPAC calls for an end to the war and a return to diplomatic negotiations. Ending the war is also the only way to put an end to human suffering, avoid putting U.S. servicemembers in harm’s way unnecessarily, and to reverse the economic fallout of this ill-conceived foreign military intervention. Congress must reassert its Constitutional role with respect to authorizing the declaration of military action. Accordingly, MPAC opposes supplemental war funding in order to constrain escalation and reflect domestic opposition to prolonged conflict.
MPAC reminds all elected officials to stop dehumanizing people on the basis of religion, ethnicity, and nationality, among other protected characteristics. This unchecked bigotry has become normalized and encouraged in political spheres, which then encourages other actors to follow suit.
II. Overview
This policy paper identifies foreign and domestic challenges resulting from the recent attacks on Iran and the regional spillover:
Getting embroiled in another forever war: A reversion to hostilities could easily turn into a costly, open-ended military commitment for the U.S., replicating patterns seen in the decades-long wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The known risks include insurgency, state fragility, and long-term instability. Importantly, a full-scale war would have a much greater human cost for civilians throughout the region, as well as putting American servicemembers directly in harm’s way indefinitely.
Everyday Americans in the crosshairs: In the lead-up to and following the military strikes in Iran and the surrounding region, MPAC has documented a significant spike in anti-Muslim sentiment and increased attacks against Muslims across America. If the past is prologue, conflicts in the Middle East have resulted in an expansion of U.S. government surveillance, suspension of civil liberties, asset seizures without due process, degradation of civil society, and growing political alienation of multiple communities, such as American Muslims, Persians, Arabs, and many others. This wholesale securitization of communities by our own government sows fear and distrust across American society, rather than cultivate a united front to achieve our common interests as Americans. The added challenge with this particular conflict is the significant economic challenges faced by the vast majority of Americans, when many were already having trouble making ends meet.
III. Summary of Policy Recommendations
In response to our findings, MPAC advocates for the following policy recommendations:
End the war through multi-stakeholder diplomacy to secure a lasting peace.
Recommit to diplomacy on the nuclear issue with non-proliferation experts at the forefront of negotiations, building on frameworks such as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Reject military escalation and proxy strategies, including ground invasion, arming opposition groups, and support for separatist movements. This is crucial to protect U.S. national security, including domestic vulnerabilities.
Oppose supplemental war funding to constrain escalation and reflect domestic opposition to prolonged conflict. Congress must reassert its Constitutional role with respect to authorizing the declaration of military action.
Lift broad-based sanctions to alleviate human suffering.
Uplift representative and rights-based governance in Iran and around the world, rather than externally imposed regime change.
Promote balanced media representation by platforming a wider range of Iranian voices.
Back impartial investigations into human rights abuses, including recent incidents of political violence, through credible international mechanisms.
Protect civil liberties and reject any return to post-9/11-style surveillance practices or expand unchecked law enforcement authorities that target American Muslims, Iranians, or Arabs.
Address the significant spike in anti-Muslim and other forms of hate-fueled violence and bigotry.
Taken together, these recommendations offer a more sustainable approach to managing tensions with Iran and reduce the risks of large-scale conflict while better aligning U.S. policy with long-term strategic stability.
