Statement of Third Way President Jonathan Cowan on The War with Iran
"The bar, as it should be, is high for engaging in a war of choice and from what we currently know, President Trump has failed to clear it, refusing to answer a number of grave and urgent questions."
WASHINGTON — Third Way released the following statement:
"When this nation goes to war, every patriot hopes for the success and safety of our troops. We are praying for America’s warriors. But in a democracy, the highest form of patriotism is asking tough questions and holding our leaders accountable. The bar, as it should be, is high for engaging in a war of choice and from what we currently know, President Trump has failed to clear it, refusing to answer a number of grave and urgent questions:
"First, is it true that Iran is on the brink of developing nuclear weapons that can threaten the United States or our allies?
"This action may well be justified if—and only if—that is verifiably true. This president or any other should always have the authority to use force to prevent a hostile power from imminently obtaining a weapon of mass destruction to threaten the United States. But President Trump lies, exaggerates, and changes his mind often, and America simply does not know if this is fact or fiction.
"Second, why did Trump tell us in an address to the nation in June that Iran’s nuclear assets had been “completely and totally obliterated”?
"If they were, we should not be at war again just eight months later. Was he lying then, or is he lying now? Some of Trump’s lies are pathetic, mostly harmless, and can be forgotten. Others can be deadly and lasting—this would be one of those. We should have learned the lesson well over the last 75 years that trust is paramount when America’s leaders take the country to war.
"Third, is this a preventive war?
"Iran is a malignant and menacing force in the Middle East and a deeply oppressive regime for nearly a half century. They have continually perpetrated hostile actions and threats, including through their proxies, against the United States and our allies. But going to war with a country to prevent them from going to war with you or your allies at some future date is neither legal nor justified. It is also a clear violation of international law. If this is not a preventive war, then what is it?
"Fourth, is this a war for regime change?
"Trump’s statement on social media seemed to suggest that a principal justification for these strikes to take down the regime, telling the Iranian people that “the hour of your freedom is at hand.” Kinetic wars for regime change are a 20th century idea that has proven an utter failure in the modern world. As a matter of bipartisan foreign policy in the 21st century, we should no longer risk American lives or treasure in regime change wars that are almost certain to fail, either in the near or long term.
"Fifth, why has Congress been bypassed?
"Article I of the Constitution invests Congress with the power to declare war. We are now in a war of choice with a major power in the world’s most dangerous region—a war the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reportedly views with considerable doubt and concern about the degradation to our military capacities—without an act of Congress or even congressional consultation.
"Sixth, is this a “Wag the Dog” war?
"It is legitimate to wonder if this is an attempt by Trump to focus America’s attention abroad at a moment when his political fortunes are their lowest of either of his presidencies. If that’s the case, it’s not only immoral but a serious miscalculation. While there will be a rallying around the flag, especially to support our troops, engaging in a sustained and heavy military operation while calling for a nation of oppressed people to rise up against their rulers seems like a hope, not a plan. Americans have made clear that while they want a tough and smart approach to national security, they want the focus here at home, not on wars of choice abroad. They are rightly skeptical about foreign entanglements.
"We strongly support our troops and hope this mission succeeds. But these unanswered questions mean we don’t know what success looks like, and that should deeply worry every American."