A few thoughts:
1) This attack should not have happened without Congressional authorization. This is no mere technicality -- it's the framer's foundational design for how the republic should wage war.
2) Khamenei's death is a great victory, but we've all been on this rollercoaster before. The U.S. and Israelis have taken out lots of leaders and rulers in these long wars.
3) I very very very much want the regime to fall, and I desperately want democracy to take root, but remember, we're ultimately relying in large part on civilian protesters (hopefully with the support of dissenting regime elements) to actually topple the regime.
4) If we rely on protesters (who possess magnificent courage), I'm worried we might see something like what happened to Iraqis who rose up against a defeated Saddam in 1991. It was a bloody massacre. That's a nightmare scenario.
5) Our forces have performed magnificently, and I'm hoping and praying that the Iranian response remains inept and ineffective. But it's dangerous to simply presume that it will.
6) If we take losses (or if we suffer economic disruption) that's when we'll see one of the consequences of failing to go to Congress. We're a divided country. Trump is a mercurial man.
7) Trump's temperament and character are one reason why it's silly to say, "If I'd support this under any other president, I should support this under Trump." He's not like any other president. Bad and dishonest leaders make me less confident in their plans.
8) If, however, the Iranian people can rally, if our attacks can prevent the regime from massacring civilians, then it will be a massive accomplishment and a great day for the U.S., Israel, and the world.
Only 21% of Americans use X, but we often mistake its viral moments for national conversations.
80% of Americans say they're deeply divided at a moment in time when we're scattered across different platforms with different realities.
This week's edition of my newsletter, Simply Put, asks this:
Are we actually divided, or do we just speak different languages? 👇
The land claim to Greenland is one of the most unjustified land claims in modern history. There is no excuse for it and nobody is going to want to be allies of the USA if they do not honour treaties and attack and stab allies.
CNN this evening.
Magaziner: How many US military veterans have you deported?
Noem: Sir, we have not deported U.S. Citizens or military veterans.
Magaziner: We are joined on zoom by a gentleman who is army combat veteran who was shot twice while serving our country in Panama in 1989. Earlier this year, you deported him to Korea. Can you please tell Mr. Park why you deported him?