In recent weeks, there have been a slew of analyses and articles, for the Washington Institute and in Foreign Affairs and the Economist, suggesting that Iranian-backed militias have captured Iraq.

In 1986, during the Iran–Iraq War, Iraqi aircraft frequently entered Iranian airspace during long-range missions. These operations placed enormous pressure on Iran’s air defenses and fighter pilots.

During the Iran-Iraq War in the early 1980s, the Iranian Air Force relied heavily on its powerful F-14 Tomcat fighters to defend Iranian airspace. At the same time, Iraq deployed French built Mirage ...