White House warns Iran about potential escalation
Amid rising tensions, the White House has confirmed a temporary ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iranian militaries ahead of discussions in Qatar. Retired Navy fighter pilot Matthew ‘Wiz’ Buckley shared insights on a recent CENTCOM attack.
As we reflect on ongoing tensions with Iran, the idea of war often weighs heavily on our minds. Honestly, it keeps me awake at night sometimes. Even after spending over two decades in the Army and being deployed globally, my focus on this issue never wavers.
Looking back, more than a century ago, Europe and the U.S. engaged in what was dubbed “the war to end all wars” during World War I. Ironically, that conflict didn’t bring about the peace it promised; it merely set the stage for World War II, with a staggering loss of life and a shift in global power dynamics. George Orwell mentioned in his book, 1984, that once war becomes a constant fixture, it resembles a chronic illness that we can’t completely eliminate.
This is precisely why one of my most significant actions during my initial year in the House was voting to rescind the authorization for military force in Iraq, which had stemmed from 2002. It was a remarkable moment for Congress and me, as it marked the first time we succeeded in retracting such an authorization.
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This year, I put forth a bipartisan plan aimed at eliminating outdated authorizations and ensuring that any future military action by the president is re-examined at least every five years. This initiative would equip Congress with better resources to define future military missions more clearly after any forceful response.
The Constitution explicitly grants Congress the authority to declare war and deploy military force. In 1973, the War Powers Act was enacted, giving the president the ability to act for up to 60 days before requiring Congressional approval to continue.
As that deadline neared due to the situation with Iran, I felt it was essential to uphold it. The matter of going to war is likely the most serious decision any government can make, impacting lives in profound ways.
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We must approach war decisions with the utmost seriousness. While I firmly believe that Iran should never possess nuclear capabilities, the lives of American citizens and taxpayers demand that their representatives have a role in these decisions.
War cannot be trivialized. Unfortunately, I sense a growing mindset among some Americans who think they can send others’ children to fight wars—thanks to technology that distances them from the battlefield. With no draft for over 50 years, many feel detached from the repercussions of war.
However, veterans from the Global War on Terror era often view things differently. We lost friends and comrades, some who never returned and others burdened with physical and mental scars. Tragically, more have died by suicide than in combat, leaving one to question whether the sacrifices made over those 20 years were justified.
Take, for instance, Staff Sergeant Duane Dreasky, a friend and former roommate who served at Guantanamo Bay during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was killed by an IED in Iraq and is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, just a few miles from where I vote as a member of Congress.
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I’ve witnessed friends lost to suicide or overdose. Their sacrifices weigh on my mind as I navigate these critical decisions. The human toll of war is significant, and I will carry their memories forward.
There seems to be an unsettling belief among some Americans that they can leverage technology to wage war, using others’ children to do the fighting.
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Although my military service is behind me, I feel a responsibility to contemporary warfighters to set clear objectives, prevent mission fatigue, and shield us from endless wars and nation-building efforts.
When military action is unavoidable, a precisely defined mission is essential to swiftly defeat the enemy. It’s crucial for Congress to engage in discussions regarding the use of military force and to learn from past errors.
