The United States is at war with Iran. At Outside the Beltway James Joyner has a round-up of reports from major news outlets on the action, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury”. When you use military force against another country it is war whether you call it that, “operations”, “limited strike”, or another diction does not change the reality.
I oppose this war. It is a violation of our treaty obligations under the UN Charter Article 2(4)—the prohibition of force. It is unjust—Iran has not attacked us and no evidence has been presented that such an attack was imminent. It is illegal: under Article I, Section 8 of the U. S. Constitution the Congress is granted the authority to declare war. The president does not have that authority. The circumstances do not justify military action.
That should not be construed as arguing that I support the mullahocracy that presently rules Iran. I do not. I think it is unjust, engages in global state-financed terrorism, and has treated the Iranian people poorly. Iran would be more prosperous, happier, and probably at peace without them. None of that justifies the use of military force against them.
I also think it is bad policy. If the mullahs are removed from power what will follow? The likelihood that they will be succeeded by a liberal democracy is vanishingly small. The history of revolutionary regimes suggests that they will retain power as long as possible. The Revolutionary Guard will remain and even if the mullahs are removed from power, it is likely that the IRG will retain it. Power vacuums generally result in the best-organized force taking power and that is the IRG. Street demonstrations are not organized resistance. The United States cannot occupy Iran with air power alone and a land campaign in Iran would be costly, both in money and American lives.
Congress should take steps to end this war, operation, limited strike or whatever you choose to call it.
