Staff Reports
America’s foreign policy debate is once again front and center, with Iran taking the spotlight as tensions simmer and speculation about military action grows. The airwaves are filled with pundits and politicians weighing in, but what’s truly remarkable is how quickly some have forgotten the lessons of the past. Not long ago, President Trump was the candidate who promised to end “endless wars.” Now, as the prospect of a military strike against Iran looms, some of his most ardent supporters seem eager to trade in their “America First” banners for the drumbeat of intervention.
This shift is as ironic as it is troubling. The conservative movement has long prided itself on a healthy skepticism of foreign entanglements and a commitment to putting American interests first. Yet, in the current climate, questioning the wisdom of another Middle Eastern conflict is suddenly seen by some as disloyalty. It’s as if the only way to prove one’s patriotism is to cheerlead for military action, no matter the cost or the consequences. That’s not the kind of critical thinking or principled leadership that made the America First movement resonate with millions of voters.
Let’s not forget: Iran’s leadership has a long history of anti-American rhetoric and destabilizing behavior. However, the narrative that Iran is on the brink of deploying nuclear weapons is more complicated than the mainstream media or political hawks would have you believe. While vigilance is necessary, conservatives should remember that the goal is peace through strength, not war for war’s sake. The left’s soft approach to Iran during the Obama years only emboldened the regime, but that doesn’t mean the answer is to rush headlong into another conflict without a clear strategy or exit plan.
The American people are right to be wary. We’ve seen the cost of interventionism—both in lives lost and in the erosion of trust at home. The same establishment voices that led us into Iraq and Afghanistan are now clamoring for action in Iran, hoping we’ve forgotten the lessons of the past two decades. Conservatives should demand a foreign policy that is strong, smart, and unapologetically focused on the national interest, not one dictated by the latest media frenzy or political pressure.
As this debate unfolds, it’s crucial to remember what made the Trump doctrine appealing in the first place: a willingness to challenge the status quo, reject endless wars, and put America first. That means holding our leaders accountable, asking tough questions, and refusing to be swept up by emotional appeals or partisan groupthink. America’s strength lies in its principles and its people, not in reflexively reaching for the sword every time tensions rise abroad. Let’s keep our focus where it belongs: on peace, prosperity, and the security of the American homeland.
