When there is a pretense of democracy, leaders try to persuade the public to express agreement with whatever it is they're going to do. This time, they didn't bother.
Jared Yates Sexton writes:
"Having cut my political teeth during the run-up to the Iraq War, there’s something truly awful to all of this. Back then, we had to listen to Colin Powell lie about weapons of mass destruction. Dick Cheney made the rounds on all the shows. We were fed one piece of propaganda after another. The Bush Administration at least went through the process of telling us Saddam Hussein had helped al-Qaeda and that any failure to act would lead to a “mushroom cloud” erupting over the American homeland. The air was thick with drumbeats and it felt, maddeningly, like we were being marched toward an illegal and catastrophic war.
Now, it’s just kind of happening.
This is a taste of the peasant life. Living like an ant under the shadow of an elephant that moves and sits and attacks without so much as warning. Leadership and the population completely removed from one another save for the consequences and violence visited upon the population at the leadership’s behest. You might wake up one Saturday morning and find that the U.S. has kidnapped the President of Venezuela and then watch a disorienting and frankly embarrassing press conference where the President of the United States tells you in strange, bored language that America now controls the country. No one particularly asks follow-ups. There’s no clarification. Rather, everything becomes more confusing until it just isn’t talked about anymore. A story might get published revealing that money from Venezuela is being held in shadowy accounts in Qatar, but that doesn’t get much attention either."
— Jared Yates Sexton, The American Religion: Imperialism and the Next Step of Modern Fascism: As we stand on the edge of war with Iran, a new phase of authoritarianism rears its head. Dispatches From a Collapsing State, Feb 19, 2026
In 2003, writes Philip Bump, President Bush
"had spent months trying to convince the country that the nation of Iraq posed such a dire threat to American security that an invasion aimed at ousting its leadership was warranted. There were hearings and speeches and rallies, debates in newspapers, all the sorts of things you might expect before putting numerous soldiers, sailors and airmen in harm's way.
At the time, it seemed rushed and superficial. But history will show that it was, in fact, thorough and well-crafted — at least compared to the action against Iran President Donald Trump initiated this morning.
In 2003, Bush spent a big chunk of his State of the Union address arguing for the need to strike Iraq. During his SOTU speech this week, Trump mentioned Iran only briefly, including commenting that the nation's ability to build nuclear weapons had been "obliterated" during strikes last year. But, uh, they are still/now/again a threat!"
— Philip Bump, This way madness lies, but you knew that, How to Read This Chart, 28 Feb 2026
(Background: Why Did the US Invade Iraq in 2003?: For no good reason)
‘Peace President’ Trump Floats ‘Friendly Takeover’ of Cuba While Preparing to Attack Iran: “Trump ran on an explicitly anti-interventionist platform when he ran for president,” noted one critic. “He lied to the American people.” Brett Wilkins, Feb 27, 2026
For what it's worth, every criticism Trump ever launched about other people's warmaking has only ever been a pretext to insult them. He was never anti-war. He was waiting for the moment to make his own war.
— Ayman Makarem (@aymanmak.bsky.social) February 28, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Oman’s Foreign Minister Said US-Iran Deal Was ‘Within Our Reach.’ Then Trump Started Bombing: “The Omani FM decided to go public,” suggested one observer, “so that the American people knew that peace was within reach when Trump instead opted for war.” Jake Johnson, Common Dreams, February 28, 2026
‘Bombs Will Be Dropping Everywhere’: Trump Launches Illegal Regime Change War Against Iran: “The US once again used the veneer of negotiations as a cover to bomb Iran.” Jake Johnson, Common Dreams, February 28, 2026
U.S. And Israel Launch Major Attack On Iran And Trump Urges Iranians To 'Take Over Your Government': Some of the first strikes appeared to hit areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Jon Gambrell, Konstantin Toropin, Josh Boak and Aamer Madhani, Associated Press, Feb 28, 2026
1440 Media sent in an email on February 28:
Pakistan Declares War
"Pakistan yesterday proclaimed an "open war" against Afghanistan's Taliban government after the neighboring nations (see map) exchanged fire overnight Thursday [Feb 26].
The South Asian nations have been embroiled in conflict since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan after NATO forces withdrew in 2021, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban of harboring anti-Pakistani militants. The Taliban denies the allegation and, in turn, accuses Pakistan of attacking civilians. The Taliban launched the first strikes Thursday in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes last weekend that it claims killed or wounded dozens of civilians. Pakistan disputes that account, saying its military carried out a targeted operation that killed at least 70 militants. As of this writing, the extent of casualties and damage from Thursday's strikes is unclear.
Pakistan is believed to have the world’s sixth-largest nuclear arsenal, with an estimated stockpile of about 170 warheads. Its nuclear program was developed in the 1990s as a deterrent against rival India, which has recently strengthened ties with the Taliban."
