Yesterday evening President Trump addressed the American people regarding Operation Epic Fury and the prospects for an end to the conflict with Iran. Before we begin a discussion about Operation Epic Fury, let me say that, with certain qualifications, we should support what the US and Isreal are trying to achieve by this undeclared war in the Middle East. It is in our best interest, Israel’s best interest – and the best interest of the entire world.
President Trump's speech outlined the successful achievement of our well defined military objectives. It is truly amazing that we have dismantled a regional economic and military power in such a short time with so few American casualties. It would be remiss, however, not to point out that Israel's contribution to the military effort has resulted in constant arial attacks from Iran. We should recognize the courage that they have shown. They have known from the start that their home land would be attacked and that their casualties would be far greater than ours.
With full recognition and gratitude for the excellent performance of our armed forces, it is necessary to emphasize that the achievement of the military objectives is a measure of success, but they do not constitute victory. We are grateful for the success that has been achieved, and we pray for the safety of our military personnel. We are hoping sincerely that these military successes will compel the Iranians come to the negotiating table in good faith and agree to our conditions for a ceasefire.
Whether victory is achieved by further military action or by negotiations, it will remain elusive if we prematurely abandon our efforts to reach a long-term solution that will make sure Iran will no longer be a threat to the peace and safety of other nations. Victory will be ours when Iran is no longer able or willing to continue to fight. Anything less will only “kick the can down the road.” There is no other alternative that will provide lasting peace.
Therefore, victory must
include an agreement in which Iran will:
1. Promise free, fair and internationally supervised elections that will give the Iranian people a representative government, and which will result in the peaceful transition of power from the radical Islamic theocracy, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IGRC), to the new elected government.
2. Iran must agree to abandon its efforts to get nuclear weapons. We must be able to remove the enriched uranium that is still in Iran, and we must remove the Iranians ability continue enriching uranium … including the centrifuges and nuclear power plants they need to produce it.
3. Iran must agree to stop sponsoring terrorism around the world, and stop funding arming, training, and providing advisors to terrorist proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
4. They must stop persecuting political opponents and other religions. Women must be treated fairly and with kindness and respect.
5. Iran must obey international law by permitting the free use of the international waterway through the Strait of Hormuz.
6. They must agree to unannounced inspections to ensure the world that these conditions have been met.
Given the realities of modern warfare, the President of the United State must have the authority to use military force to respond immediately if the USA is attacked. With greatest respect for President Trump, Operation Epic Fury has demonstrated the need to get congressional approval if time permits, before the President commits American forces to military operations. It is understandable that President Trump was faced with a Congress that might not approve the use of military force in Iran. He is faced by opponents whose hatred of him clouds their judgement, and who oppose his every action simply because he is the one doing it. We also understand that certain members of Congress pose a risk because they may leak classified material to the press or to foreign adversaries.
Nevertheless, by acting without Congressional approval, the President provided the opposition with the means to sway popular opinion against him and Operation Epic Fury. The public is easily led by the constant harangue that the war is illegal and unjust from Democratic legislators and the liberal news media. Congressional approval to use military force might have been a lever to use in the negotiations that preceded the conflict. The element of surprise may have been preserved by couching the approval in general terms – without specifying times, dates, methods, or points of attack
President Trump has not violated the War Powers Act. Not obtaining congressional approval has, however, placed a 60 day time limit on the hostilities, after which they stop if approval from Congress is withheld. If the President choses to violate that limit, Congress may try to impeach him and/or cut off funding for the war.
The 60 day limit also gives the Ayatollahs who are left standing a goal to strive for. They may believe that if they can hold on to power for a few more weeks – they win. That is America will go away without any lasting arrangements that allow the achievement of our goals. In the Islamic world, if they are killed in this attempt they become martyrs who receive special rewards in heaven. If they stand up to the West in a conflict, and they survive, they are heroes, even if they lose militarily.
In short, America is a constitutional republic. That means we need to try to have consensus before we act.
Pray that Iran will capitulate
or be so weakened that they collapse.
Pray For President Trump. Pray
for the people of Iran. Pray for Israel,
and please pray for the United States of America.
