The debate over a U.S role in Israel's war with Iran raises two big questions: 1) Should the U.S. intervene? 2) Who gets to make that decision? At stake are human lives, expense, and potential repercussions. The second question also involves constitutional responsibilities long neglected by Congress in favor of letting presidents take credit, or blame, for military actions. While President Donald Trump seems inclined to continue the tradition of unilateral warmaking, lawmakers skeptical of U.S. intervention are asserting themselves. They're right that the legislative branch should have a say.
An 'Existential Threat' to Israel
Last week, Israel attacked Iran because its security agencies believe the country is poised to build nuclear weapons—an existential threat in their eyes given the many promises Iran's rulers have made to destroy "the Zionist regime." While Israelis have long fretted about Iran's nuclear ambitions, they've also done their best to slow their progress; those efforts have reached their limit, they say.
