"Slouching toward another Middle East war has been a disgrace, shot through with the twisting of truth or outright lies. This is what happens when you take a serious subject, treat it with farcical superficiality, believe braggadocio will sway a proud and ancient civilization, approach foreign policy like a real estate deal, defer to advisers with Iran Derangement Syndrome, refuse to read any briefing papers and confuse the American national interest with the Saudi or Israeli." Now Trump has approved, only to reverse, a retaliatory strike for the Iranian downing of an American drone... The U S does not need the war with Iran that Bolton & Pompeo seem determined to deliver. It would be a war of choice, illusion and irresponsibility. It would place Americans at risk across the Middle East, with no benefit to the United States or its allies. "
At www.nytimes.com
