In a discussion published by The New York Times, American journalists and writers asserted that the United States will deeply regret the ongoing war against Iran, pointing to the negative repercussions that may arise from this conflict in the context of former President Donald Trump's administration.
The conversation was moderated by renowned journalist and radio host Robert Siegel, featuring contributions from liberal writer and journalist E.J. Dionne Jr. and conservative political analyst Mona Charen. The speakers agreed that the regret would not be limited to the war as a military event, but would extend to the structural damage inflicted on America's leadership role in the world.
Details of the Discussion
E.J. Dionne began the conversation by emphasizing the futility of the idea of war in the first place, pointing to the way Trump has managed this conflict. Dionne described Trump as a leader lacking in consistency, swinging between military threats and seeking negotiations to calm markets and oil prices, which has made American leadership appear unserious in front of a seasoned adversary like Iran.
In turn, Mona Charen reinforced this argument, noting that the Iranian regime is an expansionist and revolutionary system that requires a strict strategic approach. She harshly criticized the response to this threat by an unserious leader acting on whims and emotions, leading to what she termed the "critical mass of Trumpism," where defenders of Trump can no longer claim he is playing three-dimensional chess, but it has become clear that he is improvising, resulting in grave strategic miscalculations.
Context and Background
The discussion moved to the more alarming topic of the future of NATO, with Dionne pointing out that the alliance is in serious danger, citing instances of silent or overt rebellion from European allies. Trump has pursued a policy of "how to lose influence with your friends," adopting a transactional language and imposing tariffs, while questioning the utility of NATO, and at times leaning towards Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Ukraine conflict.
Mona Charen added shocking details about this deterioration, recalling Trump’s threat to invade Greenland, a territory of Denmark, a NATO member, which she deemed unimaginable in international relations. In the context of the war with Iran, Trump did not consult allies, even though they are the most affected by the halt in oil and fertilizer supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
Consequences and Impact
This "brutal" behavior, as Charen describes it, has led to a loss of trust, prompting Europeans to seriously consider seeking "more friendly climates" and relying on themselves for defense, despite the difficulty of compensating for the nuclear umbrella and American military spending. In a historic turning point, Siegel noted that American sympathy for the Palestinian cause has begun to surpass sympathy for Israel, reflecting a decline in popular support for Israeli policies.
Despite the unprecedented military coordination between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in airstrikes against Iran, the grassroots support for this alliance is eroding. Dionne pointed out that this trajectory creates a "gap" within American politics, especially with the rise of a young generation that has known only "Netanyahu's Israel," a picture that is fundamentally different from the "Labor Israel" that enjoyed consensus among liberals.
Impact on the Arab Region
In the final part of the discussion, the participants focused on the impact of the war and Trump’s policies on the upcoming elections, with Dionne noting that the Republican Party is shrinking to become "Trump's Party" only, weakening the party's ability to compete in general elections. Mona Charen described this situation as "tautology," where polls showing support for Trump's decisions in Iran reflect the views of those who identify as "MAGA Republicans," while the overall base of Republicans is shrinking.
The discussants agreed that the phrase "we will deeply regret" is a prediction that did not come from nowhere, but is a natural result of dismantling international alliances, sowing division within American society, and weakening constitutional institutions.