As in Venezuela last month, as in Iraq in 2003 — as in so many places for thousands of years — and as appears to be unfolding in Iran now, the leader of a major power weighs an attack and adjusts his reasons to justify the war rather than making the war depend on the objectives. There ought to be a law against shifting war aims and all other forms of mission creep, the costs of which are tallied in the blood of innocents.

The leader in question right now is Donald Trump, the American president, as he contemplates striking Iran for the second time in less than a year. In his mind, his recent attack on Venezuela, which culminated in the capture of its dictator, was a success not just militarily (which it was) but strategically (which is not at all clear). Just as Trump massed a huge armada near Venezuela last fall, he has now concentrated U.S. forces near Iran and again talks a confident game.

It’s worth revisiting his stated reasoning as it evolved in these two situations.

© The Japan Times