Barack Obama just gave the clearest and most powerful explanation of the problems with Trump’s approach to the war with Iran — and he did it all in one sentence.
On the *Today* show on Friday, before the opening of his presidential library in Chicago, Obama showed how bad and pointless the whole conflict was:
“We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, put a huge strain on our military, many people have died — and it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little worse off.”
That’s the whole thing.
Billions spent.Around 150 people killed in the bombing of an Iranian school.American troops stretched thin.Gas prices went up to $6 a gallon.And what did America get for it?Nothing — or worse than nothing.
Obama also pointed out the cruel irony at the heart of this disaster.
There was ALREADY a deal that kept Iran from getting nuclear weapons — the JCPOA, which Obama helped create.Then Trump REPEALED it in 2018.
“There was a deal in place in which Iran agreed not to develop nuclear weapons,” Obama explained.
“This administration, or a prior administration, pulled out of it, which caused Iran to develop more nuclear capacity.”
Read that again.
Trump destroyed a working agreement, which led Iran to expand its nuclear program, which Trump then used as the reason to start a war that ended with…a weaker deal that leaves Iran’s nuclear program UNCHANGED while giving Tehran billions.
Even some Republicans see it.
Mike Pence called Trump’s deal “appeasement.” Sen.Joni Ernst said she doesn’t want “JCPOA 2.0.” A former NATO ambassador called it temporary and meaningless.
Trump’s response?
Just loud talk on Truth Social: “They are FINISHED!They get no money, not ten cents!” — even though his own deal includes a $300 billion reconstruction fund and relief from sanctions.
Obama explained the breakdown of the deal with the calm and clarity of someone who actually fixed this problem before.
Trump created the crisis.
Then messed up the war.Then called it a win.
About the Author
