Jeremy Bowen: Trump has called for an Iran uprising. The lessons from Iraq in 1991 loom large

In this special essay, the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen explains what can happen when an American president calls for an uprising – and then doesn’t get involved when it starts.

A version of this piece first ran on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 11 March.

Producer for The Global Story: Xandra Ellin

Mix: James Shield

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: Jeremy Bowen, October 2025