
Trump bombs Iran, raising the ghosts of Iraq
You're reading an excerpt from the WorldView newsletter. Sign up to get the rest, including news from around the globe and interesting ideas and opinions to know, sent to your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
History doesn't repeat itself, but it can rhyme. There are many obvious reasons why 2025 is not 2003, but the specter of the invasion of Iraq still hangs over President Donald Trump's decision to launch targeted strikes on Iran this weekend. Then, as now, the intelligence assessments underlying U.S. strikes didn't quite match the claims of U.S. politicians. Then, as now, European governments called for restraint, though Britain seemed more supportive of aggressive action. Then, as now, many Western pundits (and the Israeli prime minister) exulted at the prospect of successful regime change in the Middle East.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Bloomberg
8 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Bolton Says the US Mission in Iran Is Not Done Yet
John Bolton, former National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump, talks about the attack against Iran, how Iran could respond and the prospect of a wider war in the Middle East. He is on a special edition of "Balance of Power." (Source: Bloomberg)


Fox News
15 minutes ago
- Fox News
Trump hints at regime change in Iran while declaring 'MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN' after US strikes
President Donald Trump on Sunday said there may be a regime change if Iranian leadership cannot "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN," following strategic U.S. strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday. In a post to Truth Social, the president questioned why there would not be a leadership shift following the devastating blow to the country's nuclear program. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???" he wrote. "MIGA!!!" Earlier in the day, Trump announced the B-2 stealth bombers credited with strategic attacks landed safely at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, applauding their efforts. "The GREAT B-2 pilots have just landed, safely, in Missouri," he wrote. "Thank you for a job well done!!! DONA[L]D J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!" The president added that the damage to the sites was "monumental," pushing back on skepticism from critics about the success of the operation. "The damage to the Nuclear sites in Iran is said to be 'monumental,'" he wrote in a separate post. "The hits were hard and accurate. Great skill was shown by our military. Thank you!" More than 125 aircraft were involved in the strikes in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, including seven B-2 stealth bombers, multiple fourth and fifth-generation fighters, dozens of air refueling tankers, a guided missile submarine and "a full array" of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.


Bloomberg
18 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
US Joins Israel's Attacks on Iran
Welcome to Monday, it's Carmeli here in Sydney with all the latest news you need to start your week. Today's must-reads: • US strikes Iran's nuclear sites • Australia calls for de-escalation • Australia's defense spending The US joined Israel in its war against Iran, carrying out airstrikes on three nuclear sites over the weekend despite President Donald Trump's longtime promises to avoid new foreign conflicts. Trump said Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities had been 'totally obliterated' and warned of 'far greater' attacks unless the Islamic Republic agreed to make peace.