To the Editor:
Re “U.S. Strikes Iran; Khamenei Is Dead, Trump and Netanyahu Say” (front page, March 1):
There will be many Americans who will support the attack on Iran. In fact, a case could be made for it. Iran is one of the worst actors in the world, a supporter of terrorism in the Middle East and beyond, an avowed enemy of the United States and Israel and without question on a deadly path to one day wielding nuclear weapons. The current regime is a murderous one.
Still, war remains the most serious step for our nation or any nation to take. The lives of our troops and likely thousands of innocent people who will be caught in the crossfire hang in the balance. It all too often does not achieve its goals, which just as often remain vague at the outset.
The current attack on Iran was decided in the confines of the White House and apparently without consultation with congressional leaders, let alone with a congressional declaration of war as the Constitution requires. Americans constantly wake up to the latest “emergency” step taken by this president with little or no warning.
The chaos that ensues around our government continues to lead to unending anxiety here and around the world. This president abhors our constitutional democracy, whether in domestic or international affairs, preferring to lead as if a dictator. He wields enormous power, and we are on a dangerous ride.
Bruce Neuman Water Mill, N.Y.
To the Editor:
We have set for the world an example of political decapitation as a new norm.
Conceivably some foreign country might recklessly do what President Trump himself feels free to do at whim when he doesn’t like the government of a sovereign nation: attack our country with the goal of removing our mad dictator.
In starting another endless foreign war, Mr. Trump has acted without any prior true communication with the American people — a trend in warfare that has been increasing over several administrations, now culminating in Mr. Trump’s treatment of Americans as essentially irrelevant to his decisions. We are effectively subjects rather than citizens.
Kathryn W. Kelber Houston
To the Editor:
It is hardly surprising that President Trump, lacking strategic vision, has failed to enunciate a credible case for military action against Iran. But that does not mean a compelling case does not exist. It does.
The Iranian regime, directly and through its proxies, has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans. Its missiles have rained down on our ally Israel. It possesses and insists on retaining thousands of ballistic missiles that can reach as far as Europe, let alone Israel.
While candid about its determination to destroy Israel, it has repeatedly lied about its nuclear ambitions and frustrated international inspections.
And it remains the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism, exemplified by its support for the Oct. 7 attacks.
A simple truth: The world will be far better off if the regime meets the dustbin of history.
Kenneth A. Margolis Chappaqua, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Re “Trump’s War of Choice, With a Key Question: Why Now?” (news analysis, front page, March 1):
David E. Sanger writes, “When historians look back at this moment, they are likely to ask two questions: Why did Mr. Trump act now, and why was Iran his target?
As to why now: President Trump’s popularity is under water and getting worse. If the midterm elections were held today, he would likely lose the House and possibly the Senate.
The Jeffrey Epstein files, the worsening economy, Mr. Trump’s inhumane and chaotic handling of immigration issues and the Supreme Court’s ruling against his unilateral, widespread tariffs are enough for him to want to create a lethal distraction from all of that — and a “national security” reason to cancel the midterm elections.
Myrna Lueck Ypsilanti, Mich.
To the Editor:
When this war with Iran ends, will President Trump add it to the list of wars he says he has ended?
James P. Finnegan Chappaqua, N.Y.
The post The Attack on Iran: A Range of Voices appeared first on New York Times.
