OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — A University of Oklahoma professor is one of the most respected voices on the Middle East in Oklahoma.
2 News Oklahoma traveled to Oklahoma City to talk to Dr. Joshua Landis, co-director of Middle East studies at OU.
With over three decades of experience, Landis is internationally recognized as an expert on the region. 2 News Anchor TJ Eckert talked to him about the current conflict in Iran.
"Everybody is putting their shoulder to the wheels in order to degrade Iran," Dr. Landis said. "What the endgame is? That's unclear."
WATCH: Oklahoma Middle East expert talks United States attack on Iran:
President Donald Trump initially made comments about wanting regime change in Iran. 2 News wanted to know how that compared to previous wars in the Middle East.
TJ Eckert: "What all would it take for something like that to happen, specifically in Iran?"
Dr. Landis: "That's what we don't know. That's the big question mark. Because the Iranian regime is much more resilient and has much more institutional depth."
That depth potentially took a hit, according to President Trump, who said likely candidates to take over the country had been killed in the attacks.
"It's unclear who their next leader is going to be," Dr. Landis said. "He said quite openly, 'We may not know anyone else as we continue to bomb them.'"
As for the conflict's duration, Landis doesn't see it as comparable to the war in Iraq.
TJ Eckert: "Do you envision this being something that ends quickly? Do you envision this being something that drags through 2026? Where do you fall on that?"
Dr. Landis: "I think it's going to end. President Trump has been saying a month. I suspect that in a few weeks, he will want to bring this to an end because Americans are going to get mad."
That anger, according to Dr. Landis, aimed at the process of going to war.
"Questions about whether it's illegal, they haven't gone to Congress," Dr. Landis said. "What does this do, why aren't we spending the money at home? Those questions are going to be knocking at President Trump's door quickly unless he brings this to an end."
WATCH: Extended interview with Dr. Joshua Landis:
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