I am still waiting to hear a clear explanation from the Trump admin. on why they (with Israel) attacked Iran recently. There's no denying Iran's connection with terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, nor that they've been a bad actor in the region for decades, but . . . what else is new? Nothing, it seems:
- they were not planning an attack on the U.S. or allies;
- their nuclear program had supposedly been "obliterated" by the U.S. in attacks during June 2025;
- there was no emergency triggering the action;
- Congress had not authorized any attack;
- negotiations were ongoing.

Iran is not Venezuela! Their political system isn't based on loyalty to a dictator, but is founded in theocratic ideology. That's different from Iraq, too, Iran's neighbor; toppling Saddam was the easy part, establishing new political leadership took years and hundreds of American lives (hundreds of thousands of Iraqis as well). Iran most likely has layers of plans for leadership and response already in place. While a high percentage of Iranians support regime change, they will meet with fierce resistance, as they did in January, when over 38,000 were killed for protesting against the government. Remember, people danced in the streets when Saddam was chased out as well. Then came the chaos.

Those of us who lived through the Viet Nam war years will also recall the changing justifications for the war, and the promise that it would be short-lived. Violent conflagrations have a way of spreading and getting out of hand.

Time to pray, pray, pray -- for wise leadership, and courage in Congress.

https://www.americamagazine.or...s-catholic-just-war/

Good reflection on whether the U.S - Israel attack of Iran satisfies the criteria of the "Just War Theory" developed by St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas to evaluate circumstances for Christians going to war.
- The U.S. action fails on every point!
- The article explains why. See what you think and post a comment.

"America" is a magazine published by the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order of men and founders of universities like Creighton, Georgetown, Fordham, Loyola, Xavier, Marquette, St. Louis, Boston College, and many others.

It goes without saying that many Christians won't care about Just War principles. For them, patriotism means supporting the leaders, right or wrong. That's not Christianity.

- Keep in mind: neither the war in Viet Nam nor Iraq satisfied just war theory, and the consequences were catastrophic.