Cato Institute scholars have additional statements available on the U.S. war with Iran.

Brandan Buck, Research Fellow:

“The fog of war—normally confined to the battlefield—has settled over Washington since the Trump Administration initiated hostilities against Iran. In the days since, officials have offered shifting and contradictory explanations of the war’s purpose, objectives, and duration. Americans deserve better than this obscurantism. They deserve representatives in Congress who will jealously maintain their solemn war-making prerogative and take seriously their duty to check the presidency. War demands clarity of purpose and constitutional legitimacy. Americans deserve both.”

Jon Hoffman, Research Fellow:

“President Trump has plunged the U.S. into an open-ended war with Iran without clearly defined and achievable objectives, a discernible endgame, or a viable exit strategy. Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States—this is another U.S. war of choice in the Middle East. Trump’s decision to initiate this war continues decades of failed policies that have produced neither greater regional stability nor tangible benefits for the United States.”

Katherine Thompson, Senior Fellow:

“The president took the nation to war without authorization from Congress, a decision in direct contravention of the Constitution. Congress possesses the tools and procedures necessary to check the president and maintain the limits on executive power envisioned by the Founders. Protecting the separation of powers is not a partisan matter; it is the sworn duty of all 535 duly elected members of Congress.”

Their past statements can be viewed here.

Please contact Madison to speak with them further: mmiller@​cato.​org.