Anti-War President Starts New War. Again.
The Reason Roundtable
War, Politics, and Public Sentiment
This chapter examines the disconnection between public opposition to war and presidential actions that lead the U.S. into conflict. It highlights the importance of voter engagement and the need for political accountability, while exploring the contrasting views among libertarians, anti-war advocates, and recent military decisions.
This week, editors Peter Suderman, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Matt Welch examine the latest U.S. military strike on Iran, unpacking the bipartisan pattern of anti-war campaign rhetoric followed by hawkish foreign policy once in office. They debate whether intervention is ever justified, what escalation might look like, and why Congress keeps abdicating its war powers. The hosts also tackle a listener question about public land sales and libertarian principles. Finally, they survey the baffling state of big city governance and the New York City mayoral primary battle between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.
00:22—President Donald Trump abandons "no new wars" promise
9:11—Vice President J.D. Vance kisses the ring
13:28—Are there any good arguments for war with Iran?
19:57—Israel set off a ticking clock
23:22—Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contradicts Trump's narrative
26:27—What Congress should do now
36:24—Listener questions: public lands selloff
43:41—Big city governance and the NYC mayoral primary
55:32—Weekly cultural recommendations
Mentioned in this Podcast
"Just Don't Call It a War," by Christian Britschgi
"The Attack on Iran Is Unlawful," by Eric Boehm
"Trump Shreds the Constitution By Bombing Iran," by Matthew Petti
"Now Let Us Give Thanks for War," by Nick Gillespie
"Is Trump's America a Reliable Ally?" by Open To Debate
"The Federal Government Owns Too Much Land. Selling It Helps Rural Communities," by Jack Nicastro
"Utah Tells the Feds To Pound Sand," by J.D. Tuccille
"28 Years Later Is Terrifying and Life-Affirming," by Peter Suderman
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- Producer: Paul Alexander
- Video Editor: Ian Keyser
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