Robert Pape is a very subtle propagandist for US militarism. He appears otherwise which is where the subtlety is. He explains how he has gamed and mapped US strategy for decades and even has a protocol for the wars. What does not make sense is that he assumes that US war objectives are say X, but he never is listened to. He then explains the negative consequences when his plans were not listened to.
He argues that the goal of US policy was the elimination of Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. All his scenarios are based on the US seeking to immobiise China’s nucear ambition. At no point does he ever even consider the possibility that the goal was not the elimination of Iran’s nuclear ambition. At least, all the actual decisions may make sense if the US goals were very different. According to Pape the problem is US policy makers making mistakes, not listening to wise and technically sophisticated. By focussing on this view he takes attention away from the question: WHAT IS THE REAL US POLICY GOAL?
This means that some possibly ugly and unacceptable issues are kept hidden. Pape’s role is very valuable to the world of US propaganda.
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcXfcXJvMXg