Israel’s military said Monday it was striking around Iran’s western city of Kermanshah, as fears of a wider regional conflict loomed large after the United States inserted itself into Israel’s war by attacking Iranian nuclear sites.

After the United States’ overnight strikes on Iran’s secretive nuclear program, the most important question is at least a “known unknown” – that is, what remains of it. The answer could define the region for decades to come.

Trump hopes to emerge as a bold commander who achieved a goal long sought by the United States -- destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities without being drawn into a lasting conflict. Middle East history shows the difficulty of achieving that goal.