Center for American Progress

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Trump’s War of Choice

By striking Iran on February 28, President Donald Trump launched the United States into war without any meaningful justification, strategy, or exit plan. This war follows a pattern for Trump’s second administration, where it has sought to use military action as a first resort, trampling the Constitution and sowing instability in new theaters seemingly every few months. From the Caribbean to Venezuela to Iran, Trump seems only interested in furthering narrow interests at home and abroad, while the American people are left with rising costs, greater insecurity, and moral outrage at the loss of service members and civilians.

Motorists drive along an expressway as plumes of smoke rise after a strike in Tehran.
Motorists drive along an expressway as plumes of smoke rise after a strike in Tehran on March 5, 2026. (Getty/AFP/Atta Kenare)

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy, Defense, Foreign Policy, International Issues, Iran, Middle East, National Security, Trump Administration

CAP’s National Security and International Policy department has been following events closely since brave Iranian protesters first came to the streets in January 2026, and with the start of military engagements, CAP has been holding weekly virtual briefings for the public. Whether giving up-to-the-minute status reports on the bombings or providing a deeper dive into the diplomatic, economic, and human rights issues at stake, this series of briefings makes one thing plain: This is not a war to protect U.S. interests; it is not a war that will leave the world safer or more free.

This is Trump’s war of choice.

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An Update on Military Actions in Iran Past Event
President Donald Trump tours the assembly line at the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan.

An Update on Military Actions in Iran

CAP experts are ready to fill you in on the details and repercussions of military actions in Iran.

Online via Zoom

Making Sense of Iranian Protests and U.S. Response Past Event

Making Sense of Iranian Protests and U.S. Response

Please join the Center for American Progress for a discussion that will explore the significance of the protests and assess the implications of potential U.S. responses.

Online via Zoom

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