Washington Is Still Chasing the Perfect War
Key takeaways
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- Two months into Operation Epic Fury, few of its loudest cheerleaders have been asked to account for either this war or the past failures that they so loudly pushed for.
- The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, which loudly endorsed the 2003 invasion, now applauds President Donald Trump for “standing firm” in a war that clearly isn’t succeeding.
Get audio access with any FP subscription.
Two months into Operation Epic Fury, few of its loudest cheerleaders have been asked to account for either this war or the past failures that they so loudly pushed for. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has told reporters that toppling the Iranian regime will enable Washington to “make a ton of money” off Iranian oil reserves, also supported the disastrous Iraq war and has never grappled honestly with its outcomes.
Bret Stephens, who has said he does not regret supporting the 2003 invasion of Iraq, now counsels the Trump administration to seize Kharg Island, an operation that would likely result in significant U.S. deaths without a clear strategic benefit. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board, which loudly endorsed the 2003 invasion, now applauds President Donald Trump for “standing firm” in a war that clearly isn’t succeeding. Think tanks such as the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the Vandenberg Coalition (chaired by Iraq War architect Elliott Abrams), Jewish Institute for National Security of America, and some prominent fellows at the Hudson Institute have rejected all forms of diplomacy, including the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and prescribed policies that have led to this war without a cause.