White House Warns Iran Amid Stand-Down Agreement
The White House has issued a warning to Iran against escalating violence. This comes as U.S. and Iranian forces agree to a temporary stand-down ahead of discussions in Qatar. Former Navy fighter pilot Matthew ‘Whiz’ Buckley shares insights on CENTCOM’s recent strikes.
For many, especially those who have served, war remains a constant fear. After 22 years in the Army with global deployments, the tension with Iran commands significant attention.
Reflecting on history, the so-called “War to End All Wars”—World War I—did not conclude future conflicts. Instead, it led directly into World War II, resulting in millions of deaths and altering global power dynamics. George Orwell’s “1984” suggests that continuous war becomes a normalized state, akin to a persistent illness that defies complete resolution.
In my first year in Congress, I proudly voted to repeal the 2002 authorization for military force in Iraq. Congress successfully retracted this authorization nearly 17 years after my return from deployment in that conflict.
Earlier this year, I proposed a bipartisan plan to further reform military engagement authorizations. This plan would mandate the reapproval of authorizations every five years while equipping Congress with tools to define missions after presidential use of military force against urgent threats.
Our Constitution clearly states that only Congress has the power to declare war. The 1973 War Powers Act allows the president limited authority for military action, requiring Congressional consent after 60 days.
For the conflict in Iran, I felt a strong need to uphold this timeline. Decisions regarding war are among the government’s most consequential choices, involving life-and-death situations.
It’s imperative that Iran never acquires nuclear weapons, and the American people, through their representatives, should influence decisions involving national safety and finances.
We’ve not had a military draft for over 50 years, which might contribute to a disconnect from the war’s realities. However, Global War on Terror veterans understand war’s true costs. Friends lost, either in combat or to post-service struggles like suicide, remind us of these harsh realities.
A memorable loss for me was Staff Sergeant Duane Dreasky, a friend and roommate during Operation Enduring Freedom at Guantanamo Bay. He was killed in Iraq by an IED and now rests in Arlington National Cemetery, close to my current Congressional voting site.
Other friends have been lost to suicide or substance abuse. I often reflect on the total human cost of warfare as I carry these memories along with others from the War on Terror.
Although my military service concluded, I owe current warfighters clearly defined missions, protection against mission creep, and avoidance of endless engagements. When military action is necessary, a well-defined mission should ensure decisive and swift victory.
Congress must engage in debates on military force to prevent repeating tragic past mistakes.
Tom Barrett serves Michigan’s 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. His military career spanned 22 years, including deployments in Iraq, Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay, and the Korean DMZ.