The New York Times reports that President Trump “approved military strikes against Iran in retaliation for downing an American surveillance drone.” However, he “pulled back from launching them on Thursday night after a day of escalating tensions.”
According to the report, “military and diplomatic officials were expecting a strike after intense discussions and debate at the White House among the president’s top national security officials and congressional leaders.” Trump had “initially approved attacks on a handful of Iranian targets, like radar and missile batteries.”
Although the operation was already “underway in its early stages” Trump decided to call it off. Luckily, no missiles were fired when the order to stand down came.
Of course, neoconservatives aren’t exactly happy with Trump’s decision to abort these strikes. See here, for example, a tweet from former Republican Congressman David Jolly:
There's absolutely nothing about this aborted Iran strike that looks good on the world stage tonight. Nothing. Nothing strategic. Nothing geopolitically advantageous. Nothing reflecting well on US political leaders. Nothing reassuring to allies. Only a projection of incompetence.
— David Jolly (@DavidJollyFL) June 21, 2019
“There’s absolutely nothing about this aborted Iran strike that looks good on the world stage tonight. Nothing. Nothing strategic. Nothing geopolitically advantageous. Nothing reflecting well on US political leaders. Nothing reassuring to allies. Only a projection of incompetence,” he opines.
Another proponent of military action is Senator Lindsey Graham. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that he encouraged President Trump to go to war:
I realize and appreciate the difficult decisions President @realDonaldTrump has to face regarding Iran’s multiple provocations.
However, when it comes to the Middle East, people rightly talk about the “Cost of Action” but they seldom mention the “Cost of Inaction.”
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 20, 2019
I have found that “Inaction” in the face of evil and provocation ultimately has its own cost.
This was best displayed by President Obama’s miscalculation in Iraq and “Inaction” in Syria.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 20, 2019
When it comes to the Middle East, there are seldom good choices. But in some instances, failing to act can prove to be the most dangerous choice of all.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 20, 2019
I’m sure that he too will be very disappointed that Trump canceled the operation. After all, there has never been a war Graham did not want waged. The Middle East has to be remade in some utopian fashion. Whether or not this is ‘realistic’ is a question he doesn’t even bother to ask.
Thank God that there’s currently a man sitting in the Oval Office who’s willing to take advice from others than the usual neoconservative suspects.
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