We stand today facing consequential, perhaps even existential, questions about the war in Iran. Yet instead of finding unity, we see a country increasingly fractured. It is a subject close to my heart, as it may test the resolve of this great nation and mark a turning point for our America.

A good friend of mine, deeply troubled by current events, recently expressed sharp criticism of the war and questioned its prospects. She is someone I respect; a principled advocate for causes I strongly support. Her concern echoed the prevailing media tone over the past few weeks. In our conversation, I found myself pushing back on one key idea: that the immediate outcome  should not be the primary lens through which we judge the ongoing war.

Outcomes matter, but they should not be the sole yardstick by which one measures a military conflict.

There are moments in history when the reason for going to war is of historic consequence. At such times, the immediate outcome is less critical. History reinforces this idea. In the early months of World War II, The United States suffered devastating losses: from the attack on Pearl Harbor to the fall of Guam, Wake Island, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Judging from those early months, the war effort appeared doomed. And yet, those early setbacks proved nothing about the eventual victory.

What ultimately mattered was something deeper: the commitment and the unity of the nation behind the war effort. When a society stands behind its armed forces; when it........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)