A Worst-Case Scenario for the War with Iran

A hypothetical war with Iran could trigger a catastrophic collapse into a chaotic civil war after the country's leadership is eliminated in initial strikes. With no central authority, competing factions, protest movements, and armed ethnic separatist groups would battle for control, creating a massive power vacuum. This internal violence would quickly spill across borders, destabilizing neighbors like Iraq and Pakistan while reigniting dormant conflicts. The resulting turmoil would unleash a massive refugee crisis far exceeding Syria's, fuel new terrorist movements, and cause sustained high energy prices.