Cato Scholar Responds to Israel Attack

“Benjamin Netanyahu has started a war with Iran that has no justification. The attack will destroy US diplomatic efforts to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon. Netanyahu’s war has overtaken President Trump’s declaration this afternoon that “the United States is committed to a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue.” Netanyahu has chosen to present Trump with a fait accompli and dare him to oppose it.

Iran was not on the precipice of acquiring nuclear weapons. It had not thrown out IAEA inspectors (from whom all information about the Iran nuclear program flowed). It had not enriched uranium to weapons-grade. Tehran maximized its leverage in negotiations, which Netanyahu deplored.

The American president should make clear that the United States had no part in the Israeli attack on Iran. He should not ask US servicemembers to protect Israel from Iranian retaliation, and should immediately remove US troops from bases in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere that do nothing other than welcome Iranian reprisals.

Israel has the right to choose its own foreign policy. At the same time, it has the responsibility to bear the costs of that policy. The United States should remind all Middle Eastern countries of their place in US foreign policy and their limited relevance to Americans’ well-being.”