In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

The first half-year of the Iran conflict confirmed a hard truth about every American war since Vietnam: Victory is impossible without sustained public support. Once Americans sour on a war effort, political realities constrain leaders from doing what is necessary to win.