Just Asking Questions Paul Pillar: America Should Not Fight Israel's War
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Jun 19, 2025 Paul Pillar, a former CIA analyst with extensive expertise in military intelligence, delves deep into America’s complicated role in the Israel-Iran conflict. He warns of unsettling parallels to the Iraq War, emphasizing the dangers of misinformation. Pillar discusses the implications of recent Israeli military actions, the significance of Iran's nuclear ambitions, and the potential for regime change. He critiques the oversimplified narratives surrounding Iran’s influence, advocating for careful diplomacy and bipartisan unity in U.S. foreign policy to navigate these tensions.
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U.S. Knowledge of Israel Strike
- The Trump administration likely had advanced knowledge of Israel's strike on Iran but did not explicitly greenlight it.
- The U.S. has not directly participated in offensive operations but heavily supports Israel militarily and politically.
U.S. Responsibility to Influence Israel
- The U.S. has provided over $260 billion in aid to Israel, creating significant responsibility for Israel's actions.
- Despite this leverage, successive U.S. administrations have chosen not to influence Israel's policies effectively.
Condemn Illegal Wars of Aggression
- The U.S. should condemn wars of aggression to uphold international norms and prevent global instability.
- Supporting Israel’s illegal aggression threatens U.S. interests and damages its global reputation and influence.