Standing on the edge of the cliff of the Iranian war

Millions of people around the world were on the edge of their seats over the weekend waiting to hear whether Steve Witkov's indirect discussion with the Iranian foreign minister would curb tensions or break down and cause a major Middle Eastern war.

It's strange if it seems strange that the outcome of a meeting between the US President's designated negotiator and the ministers of foreign governments can determine whether or not it will enter the biggest war since World War II. In fact, this is a great example of why our founders decided to protect their government's authority to fight against government administration. No one – far fewer than his aides – should have the power to bring this country to war.

That is why the Constitution places the authority to go to war in the hands of the people, the US Congress, firmly and exclusively. After all, it is the people of the United States who are expected to fight war, pay for it, and bear the burden of the outcome of the war. When that incredible power is placed in the hands of one individual – even if the individual is elected – the temptation to use it is too great. Our founders recognized this weakness in the British monarchy, the system they rebelled on, so they wisely revised it when they drafted our constitution.

Unless the United States is under direct attack or faces immediate direct attack, the Constitution requires Congress to deliberate, debate and decide, debate and decide whether a potential conflict is worthy of bringing weight to the US military. They wanted us to take us to war rather than more difficult.

If an unauthorized president allowed by Congress can start a war, the outcome could be endless military involvement with constantly changing, unattainable purposes, like we saw in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We are now seeing President Trump's decision to start bombing Yemen last month and another such endless conflict is being fostered. The designated objective of ending Hooti's interference with Israel's Red Sea transport has not been achieved, so bombing usually expands, causing civilian deaths and destruction. Last week or so, US bombs raided water facilities for 50,000 civilians, apparently blowing up gatherings of civilian tribes.

Starting a war with Iran is the farthest thing from the hearts of American voters last November, and certainly those who voted for Donald Trump were motivated by his promise to end the current war and start a new one. However, there is the strange logic that in order to fulfill the promise of a new war, the United States must rattle around the world to threaten others to cross the White House. This seems to mean the recycled phrase “peace through strength.” But the real strength required to create and maintain peace is simply the power to leave. It's the strength to stop interfering in conflicts that have nothing to do with the United States.

That's where the parliament comes out. Except they are not in there. They are not found anywhere. And that's not a good thing.

Ron Paul is a former US lawmaker from Texas. This article was originally published at the Ronpaul Institute for Peace and Prosperity and has been reproduced here with permission.