Readers discuss military action against Iran, who Australia needs to be protected against, and family-friendly policies
As a former US Army sergeant who served in Iraq, I’ve seen first-hand what happens when the United States enters a war without strategy, purpose or public consent.
There was no clear or imminent threat to US national security. No congressional vote. No public debate. Bombing a sovereign nation should never be this easy – and it is wrong. We’ve condemned Russia for violating Ukraine’s sovereignty. Yet now, we’ve done the very thing we claim to oppose.
This strike does not represent the will of the American people. Trump ran on a promise to end endless wars. Many Americans supported him for that reason. This decision contradicts that commitment – and it’s the American public, military families and civilians abroad who will bear the cost.
Trump’s strike on Iran has already set off consequences. Iran is a nation of more than 90 million people – students, workers, families – who will bear the burden. The attack has damaged infrastructure, emboldened hardliners and increased instability. American personnel across the region now face greater danger. This wasn’t a defensive measure – it was a calculated escalation against a country with real military capabilities and powerful allies.
