Beyond Wars

“Opposed to wars against people and states—military, legal, economic, or otherwise—and to all actions that undermine international stability.”

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Trump has openly declared that the goal of attacking #Iran is regime change—the same “neocon” objective he once mocked in the 2003 Iraq invasion
#MiddleEastConflict

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Congress has, for the first time in 25 years, moved to rein in executive war powers—voting to end the #IranWar‌ authorization and revoke use of the AUMF in this conflict.
“As Evan McMahon of the Libertarian Party said, this is a step toward restoring Congress’s authority over war and ending the forever wars. The Senate and White House still stand in the way—but a message has been sent: the people’s voice for peace is being heard.”

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

“At dawn today, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City reportedly hit residential buildings, and emergency teams have been retrieving the bodies of Palestinians, including children, from the rubble.”
#GazaGenocide‌

[ZNet @OfficialZNET]

Why are birth rates falling worldwide?

Kristen Ghodsee argues that capitalism—not feminism or smartphones—is the deeper cause, making parenthood harder through economic insecurity and competitive social pressures.

https://t.co/l49Yg1HRqR

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

If Trump and Netanyahu truly support democracy, they should let the Iranian people determine their own future—not try to shape it through war, sanctions, and external pressure

[Mark Dubowitz @mdubowitz]

I remain deeply skeptical that Iran is willing to accept any deal worthy of the name, despite the best efforts of U.S. negotiators.

President Trump may soon conclude that reopening the Strait requires military action and a dramatic intensification of Operation Economic Fury.

Just as important, he should recognize that the greatest pressure point is not the regime itself but the Iranian people. He needs to provide them maximum support in their effort to overthrow it.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

For decades, foreign powers have poured money into Lebanon's institutions, yet the country's political system—not a lack of funding—remains the primary obstacle to state sovereignty

[Kaja Kallas @kajakallas]

The latest ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon offers a chance to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities.

But the death of a UNIFIL peacekeeper and continued skirmishes underscore the tenuous nature of what was agreed.

The best way to reduce the threat posed by Hezbollah is to strengthen the Lebanese state, empower its institutions, and restore its monopoly on the use of force.

To support this effort, the EU today agreed to provide an extra €100 million to Lebanon’s Armed Forces.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Iran is showing escalation dominance by striking Kuwait and Bahrain. Its leverage is growing, while Trump appears trapped between backing down and risking a wider war.

[Mark Dubowitz @mdubowitz]

“The regime seems to think the prospect of renewed war is its leverage over the U.S...Iran’s leaders are now escalating their pressure on Trump because they seem to have concluded that he wants an end to the conflict more than they do. Are they wrong?” https://t.co/pLt1fLVZRW

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

BREAKING: The U.S. House voted 215-208 to approve a #war powers resolution directing President Trump to end U.S. hostilities against #Iran, marking the first successful congressional rebuke of the conflict since it began.
The measure passed with support from all Democrats and four Republicans, prompting cheers in the House chamber as the result was announced.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Trump has confirmed reports that he had a heated, profanity-filled phone call with #Netanyahu over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
The significance isn't the language—it's that the U.S. president is publicly signaling frustration with Israeli escalation at a time when Washington is trying to keep broader regional diplomacy, including talks with #Iran, from collapsing.
For years, critics claimed American presidents never push back on Israel. This episode suggests the debate is no longer whether disagreements exist, but how far they go.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

“The Iranians have won. They’ve won a victory here. And if we sit down and negotiate a deal, it will become manifestly clear to anybody with a triple-digit IQ that the Iranians won.”
#IranWar

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

An Iranian drone strike on #Kuwait International Airport has reportedly killed one person and wounded 63, damaging Terminal 1 and other civilian infrastructure. Tehran says the attack targeted U.S. assets in retaliation for American strikes near the Strait of #Hormuz.
The incident marks the third strike on the airport this year, triggering Gulf-wide condemnation and pushing oil prices higher amid fears that the conflict is spilling across the region.
#IranWar‌

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Trump’s War on Truth https://t.co/0p3mKVcSbO

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Why did Trump exclude Europe from the Iran talks?
Because Europe no longer holds the geopolitical weight it did during the 2015 #JCPOA negotiations. Today, neither Washington sees Europe as an essential partner nor Tehran views it as an independent and reliable actor.
Instead,Trump has focused on consulting regional powers—Saudi Arabia, the UAE,#Turkey, and #Pakistan—whose security and economies are directly affected by tensions with #Iran. He also wants to be seen as the architect of a new regional order centered on the Abraham Accords, without giving Europe a share of the credit.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

“Trump wants to cut a deal. He understands that he has no theory of victory here and he's got to cut a deal to put an end to this.”

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

As everyone is sharing the latest Axios report, it's worth noting that an Israeli official told Ynet earlier today that Israel's threat to strike #Beirut was made in coordination with the United States.
If that account is accurate, it raises an obvious question: was this a genuine clash between Trump and Netanyahu, or a disagreement over tactics and timing rather than strategy?

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Why did Trump explode at Netanyahu over Lebanon?

Because the #Lebanon war is no longer just an Israel-Hezbollah issue—it is threatening Trump's broader strategy toward #Iran. According to reports, Trump believes Netanyahu's escalation risks collapsing U.S.-Iran negotiations, which are central to his vision for a new regional order.

Trump reportedly warned #Netanyahu that striking Beirut would further isolate Israel internationally and undermine diplomatic efforts. The dispute highlights a growing tension: Trump wants de-escalation to secure a deal with Iran, while Netanyahu appears determined to maintain military pressure on Hezbollah.

At its core, this is a clash between diplomacy and escalation—and Trump seems increasingly frustrated that Israel's actions could derail his biggest foreign-policy initiative.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Trump’s WAR OF CHOICE in #Iran FAILED ON ALL COUNTS: There's no question it's a disaster.
We have no theory of victory at this point.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged U.S. allies in Asia to boost military spending as part of Washington’s strategy to strengthen deterrence against #China, while signaling a shift toward a less openly confrontational approach to Beijing.

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Oil prices rise more than 2% as Israeli military escalation in #Lebanon intensifies

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

Early this morning, israeli troops demolish Palestinian shops in the old vegetable market in #Beita town, citing “construction without permits”

[Beyond Wars @BeyondWars]

The U.S. may have won the war tactically, but it lost it strategically.

[Fareed Zakaria @FareedZakaria]

Has the US already lost the war with Iran? That's the contention of author and foreign policy analyst Robert Kagan, who joined guest anchor @biannagolodryga to discuss the the obstacles to securing a lasting peace deal on President Trump's terms: