How Trump Decided to Go to War

An intelligent, calculating leader with a plan and a goal manipulates a vain leader with no idea of logistics or an endgame?

Exclusive | Trump won’t rule out sending US troops into Iran ‘if necessary’— tells The Post war is progressing ‘way ahead of schedule’ “I have to do the right thing,” Trump told The Post. “I have to do the right thing. This should have been done a long time ago.”

Troubling? Trump: “I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground — like every president says. 'There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it."

How the Iran war set off a MAGA fight over Charlie Kirk’s legacy | CNN Politics Many outspoken conservative opponents across social media have rallied around the words of one influential figure to express their concern: the late activist Charlie Kirk.

MAGA spat.

Opinion | How to Think About Trump’s War With Iran

(Free access) A comprehensive must-read analysis. One key point: The timing of the end of this war will be determined in large part by the oil markets and the financial markets. A sustained burst of inflation fueled by higher energy prices would anger Trump’s base, prompting an end of hostilities.

Trump pursues Iranian decapitation without a plan for what comes next The U.S. has a fraught track record of toppling autocratic regimes and securing peaceful democracies — even when it has vision for the day after.

Conflicting signals. Trump vows regime change. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said today it's not about regime change but that the regime has changed. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, followed up indicating the Pentagon's goal is limited to destroying Iran's military.

When democracy dies. Otto Dix’s “Bilderbuch für Hana” (1925). Popular during the Weimar Republic, Dix was declared a degenerate artist when the Nazis took power. He was dismissed from his position at the Dresden Academy and briefly imprisoned in 1939.

Cartoonist Viacheslav Shilov on who rules the roost.

Austrian editorial cartoonist Sinisa Pismestrovic illustrates Trump’s evening activities: typing racist comments, while sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein's ghost resides under his bed.

Indian editorial cartoonist Sajith Kumar questions how the self-proclaimed “peace president” asserts U.S. power.

German editorial cartoonist Paolo Calleri takes a dim view of Melania Trump presiding over a U.N. Security Council meeting.

Dutch editorial cartoonist Tjeerd Royaards mocks Trump’s repeated claims he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, and the meaningless awards he has received, which were created to stoke his embarrassing and transparent vanity.

Swedish editorial cartoonist Hanif Bahari weighs in on Iran’s response after the death of the supreme leader. The regime has lashed out in panic and rage, spraying attacks across the region and treating Arab neighbors as convenient targets, turning grief and a power vacuum into reckless escalation.

Italian editorial cartoonist Emanuele Del Rosso weighs in on Trump’s debris field, which includes his next target.

Push from Saudis, Israel helped move Trump to attack Iran President Trump launched a wide-ranging attack on Iran after weeks-long lobbying by an unusual pair of U.S. allies in the Middle East: Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Trump: “No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight." Did this come down to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu playing on Trump's vanity, seducing Trump by telling him the attack will guarantee his name a place in history?

Trump’s Iran strikes risk hitting American pocketbooks if they last Oil supplies are vulnerable if conflict escalates.

The conflict’s consequences will depend on how long it lasts and how far it spreads. Oil prices are likely to rise and shipping disruptions could make other goods more expensive, too, hitting American pocketbooks and derailing expectations of an acceleration in U.S. economic growth.

When democracy dies. Fritz Grewenig’s “Masks” (1932). Popular during the Weimar Republic, Grewenig was declared a degenerate artist when the Nazis took power. His work was confiscated and he was removed as director of the State School of Art and Decorative Arts in Saarbrücken.

A timely image. Photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “After the War” (Dessau, Germany) (1945).

Editorial cartoonist Dennis Goris questions the motivation behind Trump’s attack on Iran after a few months ago declaring Tehran’s nuclear facilities had been “obliterated” and U.S. intelligence agencies determining that Iran’s ballistic missile program couldn’t reach the U.S. for at least a decade.

German editorial cartoonist Paolo Calleri fears what comes next after Trump’s attack in Iran.

Iman Rezaee, an Iranian editorial cartoonist living in the Netherlands, celebrates the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ukrainian editorial cartoonist Andryi Petrenko laments Trump beginning a new war as he abandons Ukraine, a victim of Russian aggression.

Editorial cartoonist Clay Bennett notes that Trump has gone back on nearly all of his campaign promises, the ironic result being his base suffering the biggest financial hit.

Editorial cartoonist Mike Luckovich weighs in on how Trump has enriched his family by a reported $4 billion since returning to the White House.

Editorial cartoonist Jeff Danziger raises concerns over the mysteriously missing Epstein files that reportedly contain allegations of Trump sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

For Trump, the Iran Attack Is the Ultimate War of Choice

(Free article) Unlike past presidents putting U.S. forces at risk, Trump did not spend months building a case for war. He never presented evidence of an imminent missile threat, or explained how a nuclear program he declared he had “obliterated” eight months ago was now on the brink of revival.

Image of Melania Trump pole dancing for Epstein isn't real. Here's the proof Melania Trump has been the subject of frequent suspicious “photos” claiming to connect her to Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Criticizing the Trumps is fair game. Posting fake images, however, only undermines credibility, which is the aim of the misinformation and lies emanating from the White House. The goal is to leave Americans not believing anything, especially reporting by legitimate news organizations.

Opinion | Why Have You Started This War, Mr. President?

(Free access) Trump made it clear that the aim is regime change and that U.S. casualties are expected. This is a developing situation, with the outcome far from certain. Nevertheless, the New York Times editorial board brings up questions and context that should be on every American's mind.

Editorial cartoonist Allan McDonald weighs in on the growing disparity of wealth.

Belgian editorial cartoonist Luc Descheemaeker: No caption necessary.

Editorial cartoonist Clay Bennett finds Trump’s claim that he has been exonerated by the Epstein files ludicrous. In fact, the files contain multiple allegations of Trump molesting underage girls.