In bombing Iran, Trump gets his big-boy military show
Though the military used for the first time its so-called 'bunker-busting' bombs, Trump's declaration seems
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But of course the president isn't walking back his statements. Nor has he explained why he committed what some are calling an
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'The … disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers,' Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
But the president who thinks himself a king does not feel the need to answer to anyone about making one of the most consequential decisions any leader can make — involving his nation in what could become a prolonged war.
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At the same time, Trump has shown again — not that more evidence was necessary — that his is not a presidency that runs on strategic planning or a deft knowledge of world politics. It's driven by vibes, narcissism, and Fox News headlines.
When Israel launched its assault on Iran earlier this month, Trump initially showed little desire to get involved. What changed, according to
In doing so, Trump accepted Netanyahu's word about the extent of Iran's nuclear capabilities over that of
This isn't even the first time that Trump has
After the US military bombed Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump got what he always needs — gushing applause from his Fox News hype man Sean Hannity, who hailed the president's decision as 'one of the greatest military victories.'
During the 2016 presidential campaign,
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In whatever he does, Trump serves only his wants and needs, and that includes his need to win a
Since returning to the White House, Trump has done nothing but enable the Netanyahu administration's continued slaughter and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. Meanwhile Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine, now nearing 3
½
years, which Trump once claimed he could
His
Above all else, Trump wants to maintain his false image as a dealmaker and strongman. And so long as that remains his primary focus, his intrusion into this Middle East conflict — which has now also put this nation
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Renée Graham is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at
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