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

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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