The Preamble

The Preamble

How War with Iran Would Impact the US

Escalating the conflict might not make Americans any safer

Elise Labott's avatar
Elise Labott
Feb 26, 2026
∙ Paid

The United States spent 20 years trying to end one Middle East war. It may now be drifting toward another — this time with Iran — without the debate the American people have come to expect when their country takes up arms.

Historically, presidents have understood that war requires persuasion and public buy-in. Franklin Roosevelt addressed the nation befo…

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Elise Labott's avatar
A guest post by
Elise Labott
Global affairs journalist. I write Cosmopolitics on Substack.
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