As the Iran war continues, what are the potential off-ramps for Trump?

NPR | By Ailsa Chang,

Connor Donevan, Tinbete Ermyas

Published March 19, 2026 at 4:03 PM EDT

The Trump administration says the Iran war will end when the president decides. Thomas Wright of the Brookings Institution argues that's easier said than done.

Ailsa Chang

Ailsa Chang is an award-winning journalist who hosts All Things Considered along with Ari Shapiro, Audie Cornish, and Mary Louise Kelly. She landed in public radio after practicing law for a few years.

See stories by Ailsa Chang

Connor Donevan

See stories by Connor Donevan

Tinbete Ermyas

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