By: JP Plott
We are at war with Iran. It’s hard to even believe that statement is true. However, was this predictable? Absolutely. It was evidently clear from Trump’s actions as of late that this was coming. The strikes last summer were just a prelude. Regardless of the predictability, this is still a tremendous betrayal considering the origins of the MAGA movement.
When Trump came storming into the GOP in 2016, one of the main pillars of his platform was criticizing the foreign policy of the old Republican guard. There was the now-infamous clip of Trump’s back and forth with Jeb Bush, discussing how the Bush administration lied about WMDs to get us into Iraq. He called it a “big, fat mistake.” Trump symbolized a new era of the GOP. No more forever Middle Eastern wars that don’t advance our national interests. On the flip side, there are also clips dating all the way back to the 80s of Trump claiming that we needed to be harder on Iran, and he also stated after coming down the escalator that he would not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon. One may see said statements and conclude that Trump is simply acting upon what he said he would do all along. Isn’t he just keeping his promises? Not necessarily, and here’s why.
First, we must ask the question: Was Iran about to get a nuclear weapon? No. Yes, the Iranians were enriching uranium up to 80%, which is only 10% short of what is required for a bomb. But, they have no delivery system, and there were no signs that they were actively on track to reach that 90%. This appears to have been a negotiating card. I’m no Iranian supporter by any means. But from a rational perspective, if Israel and the United States had toppled all of your surrounding neighbors and declared you to be next, wouldn’t you want at least the threat of a bomb to protect yourself? The question of whether it would be in our best interests for the Mullahs to have a nuke is separate, to which I would say probably not. But there was no imminent danger last June when we struck their facilities, and even less weeks ago when we launched this war.
Trump also stated that his presidency would be only “America first.” This war is the exact opposite. Whenever I’ve raised concerns over this war, I’m often met with comments by those older than me referencing the 1979 hostage crisis or the Beirut barracks bombing. As if this is justification to launch a preemptive war in 2026. If your justification for launching a war is events that happened almost 50 years ago, then I’m afraid you have no justification. I understand it’s the same regime, but this doesn’t mean there was an imminent threat requiring intervention. The country that was in immediate danger, or at least more than the United States, was Israel. Frankly, the only justification stated by this administration has been that Israel was going to attack Iran regardless, and we had to be involved as well, or Israel was in imminent danger, and we had to act. How exactly is that America First? I prefer that the elected officials of my country consider the best interests of America solely while conducting foreign policy, and not the best interests of a nation on the other side of the world. This is not an anti-Semitic position, nor does it attack Jewish identity. I simply believe that Israel should be allowed to handle its own problems without the price tag of dead American soldiers.
Lastly, the lack of coherent messaging from the administration, as well as Republicans as a whole, will make you dizzy. When Republicans speak about this war, they will either say that we’re winning the war, Iran declared war on us, or that there is no war at all. All while Lindsey Graham gets on Fox News and does somersaults. The constant contradictions reveal a lack of justification from the outset. Or, they’re aware that the justification is so unpopular that they would rather tie themselves up in knots than just be honest and upfront with the American people. If you’re going to launch a war for all of the wrong reasons, at least give us enough respect as American citizens to be honest about it.
Meanwhile, the Iranian regime is still intact, the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed (causing oil prices to skyrocket), the Iranian protests have effectively stopped, and 13 U.S. service members are dead. No matter how you spin it, this is a nightmare for the Republican Party. This tremendously unhealthy relationship with Israel is leaving many young conservatives wanting to just burn the entire GOP down. It didn’t have to be this way. All Trump had to do was stick to his promise of putting America first. This current war, however, is reflecting a lack of a plan, messaging, and justification. How does this end up? I’m not sure. What is clear, though, is that this isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
By: JP Plott, Co-host of Rightside Radio
