Washington Post Opinions

"This much is certain: Donald Trump is making history," Marc Thiessen writes.

"If he succeeds in defeating Islamic radicalism in Iran, Trump will take his place alongside them as one the most consequential presidents in U.S. history." https://wapo.st/4u7gvN4

"Iran’s minorities — with their organization, resilience and commitment to an integrated Iran — are essential to their country’s future," Aram Hessami writes. https://wapo.st/4aLh9bs

"Public health infrastructure, already fragile before the pandemic, is being steadily eroded," Dr. Leana S. Wen writes. https://wapo.st/4bh2qFj

Opinion | Remember the Department of Homeland Security? The agency remains mostly unfunded despite a heightened terror threat.

"As the U.S. deals with the uncertainty of conflict abroad, it’s crucial that we boost security at home," the Editorial Board writes. https://wapo.st/4aKvJzX

Opinion | Wall Street’s AI panic is real. The predictions probably won’t be. The warnings are coming from inside the industry, but that doesn’t make them right.

"I think we can say this much with confidence: Panic rarely yields positive results, and doomsayers are almost always wrong," Zachary Karabell writes. https://wapo.st/4cfJ1Wl

Opinion | The fundamental problem with data center alarmism It’s becoming fashionable for pandering politicians to call for “moratoriums” on new construction.

"What’s needed now are leaders willing to make the affirmative case for American leadership on innovation," the Editorial Board writes. https://wapo.st/4aTww0b

Opinion | Gen Z instinctively understands something that everyone else misses Advice for young people on improving government, retiring and singing along to “Mamma Mia!”

"The future will be shaped by people who refuse to accept 'that’s just how things are' and instead ask, 'Why should it be this way?'" a reader writes in Post Letters. https://wapo.st/3OEClaq

Opinion | The ‘God Gap’ in politics is a symptom of a deeper problem The decline of mainline churches has left us more polarized.

"The decline of moderate congregations is not only hurting American religion; it’s also hurting American democracy," @ryanburge.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/46sveIm

Opinion | The long, sad history of U.S. regime change promises From FDR to Bush, pledges to support freedom in the Middle East have proved hollow.

"One can only hope the story ends better for the citizens of Iran than it did for those in earlier episodes," Robert Satloff writes. https://wapo.st/476DwFS

Opinion | Iran is the sound of another president becoming a hawk Campaign promises often confront the reality of constant global threats.

"Would you rather be the president accused of being a warmonger, or be remembered as the president who hesitated as the threat grew closer?" Jim Geraghty writes. https://wapo.st/4cTTZRt

Opinion | Cartoon by Joe Heller Joe Heller cartoon on winter weather and high energy bills.

An editorial guest cartoon by Joe Heller 🎨 https://wapo.st/3OFNgR9

Opinion | Targeting this $2.8 trillion tax shelter could solve a big U.S. problem Only good can come from taxing these “nonprofits.”

"The Congressional Budget Office’s latest economic report offers a bleak forecast of the U.S. government’s fiscal health."

The latest from Scott Hodge:

Opinion | This comic book artist shows humanity’s superpower Jack Kirby’s legacy shows how AI can’t mimic the creative power of human imagination.

Jack Kirby’s legacy illustrates how AI can’t mimic the creative power of human imagination, writes Brandon Beck, co-founder of Riot Games and co-creator of “League of Legends.”

Opinion | These diseases could be consigned to the dustbin of history — thanks to the U.S. With new funding, America can continue to lead the historic effort to eliminate ancient scourges.

"Washington finally agrees on something — and it’s good news for the United States and the world."

The latest from Stewart Simonson and Tim Ziemer:

Opinion | Parental sponsors needed Michael Ramirez cartoon on kids and social media addiction.

"Parental sponsors needed," as drawn by Michael Ramirez 🎨
https://wapo.st/3OwkXon

Opinion | Answering your questions about aluminum in vaccines Here’s what could happen if aluminum-containing vaccines were taken off the market.

"Why curtail access to vaccines that have been shown to save lives?" Dr. Leana S. Wen writes. https://wapo.st/4aFr964

Opinion | A wolf in Los Angeles County shows the promise and peril of conservation Conservation works best when the U.S. government treats private landowners as partners.

"Conservation works best when the federal government treats private landowners as partners, not obstacles," Jonathan Wood writes. https://wapo.st/4sisNk1

Opinion | RFK Jr.’s war on vaccines is coming for the elderly The miseries of aging are more linked to late-life infections than was previously understood.

"In his relentless undermining of vaccines, Kennedy is working to make our lives shorter and harder," Donald G. McNeil Jr. writes. https://wapo.st/4rHkbUa

Opinion | How to make NATO great again Burden sharing can take many shapes, and benefit both domestic industry and allied economies.

"Convergence will come only if European allies focus less on the old order and engage seriously with the new one," Paula J. Dobriansky and Paul J. Saunders write. https://wapo.st/4l0BJIj

The Supreme Court can declare change, but it cannot deliver it, @drtedj.bsky.social writes.

Only politics can do that. https://wapo.st/3MKAzE8

Opinion | At last, the credibility of U.S. deterrence is being restored The perhaps 30,000 protesters who perished in Iran’s streets in early January did not die in vain.

"The at least 30,000 protesters who perished in Iran’s streets in early January did not die in vain," George F. Will writes.

Opinion | To ‘supercharge’ defense, use extra funding outside the Pentagon Readers on defense spending, public golf in D.C., home rule and more.

"We can easily invest more in the military by remembering that there are many agencies outside the Pentagon that contribute to national defense," a reader writes in Post Letters. https://wapo.st/4tSWTMm

To appreciate the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson’s place in history, let photographs be the starting point, Eugene Robinson writes.

Consider three indelible images of Jackson, who died on Feb. 17 at age 84, captured over a span of 40 years. https://wapo.st/46Q4Vvx

Opinion | The ‘People Power’ myth endures. But guns still decide. The Philippines’ uprising 40 years ago has been romanticized. But Tiananmen Square is a better guide.

"The late 1980s saw several unhappy counterpoints to the Philippines’ example," Keith B. Richburg writes. https://wapo.st/4rfNAnv

Opinion | Roundup needs legal protections. This is the wrong way to do it. Glyphosate’s link to cancer has long been tenuous at best.

"No one wants America to become overly reliant on foreign pesticides, but this is the wrong way to go about ensuring stability for American agriculture," the Editorial Board writes. https://wapo.st/3ZRlkfF

Opinion | Who is really driving ‘driverless’ vehicles? Edward J. Markey on self-driving vehicles, parents on snow days and more

"I’m not looking for excuses to oppose self-driving cars," Sen. @markey.senate.gov writes in Post Letters.

"I’m looking for transparency from Big Tech companies experimenting without guardrails on our public roads." https://wapo.st/4tP66Wh

Opinion | Will Trump’s Iran strikes end the regime — or put more time on the clock? Khamenei may be dead — but war with Iran isn’t over.

"What worries me most is that the conflict may put more time on the clock of an Iranian regime that was about to expire," David Ignatius writes.

Opinion | Thanks to President Trump, the hour of Iran’s freedom is at hand Our path forward is a new constitution followed by free elections under international oversight.

"For years, my compatriots have called on the free world to stand with them. Now President Trump has answered their call," Reza Pahlavi (@pahlavireza.bsky.social) writes.

Opinion | This Minnesota wilderness is the wrong place for a copper mine A Senate vote could endanger some beautiful American backcountry.

"The Boundary Waters deserves to be kept wild, clean and exactly as it has been for thousands of years," Brad Gausman, executive director of the Minnesota Wildlife Federation, and Collin O’Mara, CEO of @nationalwildlife.bsky.social, write. https://wapo.st/4aUl70f

Opinion | Cartoon by Matt Davies Matt Davies cartoon on snow and energy bills.

An editorial guest cartoon by Matt Davies 🎨 https://wapo.st/4s7scl1