Some things never change. The same rationales. The same rhetoric. The same early-war boasting of success. And one other thing about the ongoing Iran War compared to the start of the Iraq War in 2003: the same contradictory feelings, i.e. an intense dislike about how we got into this war and at same time rooting for U.S. military success. … I’ll bet there’s more than a few people with similar contradictory feelings. 

Update – Speaking of contradictory feelings and views, from Tom Friedman at the NYT: “To think clearly about Middle East wars, you need to hold multiple thoughts in your head at the same time. It’s a complicated, kaleidoscopic region where religion, oil, tribal politics and great power politics interweave in every major story. If you are looking for a black-and-white narrative, you might want to take up checkers.”

Update II – It seems many Dems and Republicans prefer playing checkers. Via NYT and NBC, respectively.

Update III — 3.3.26 – The Herald’s Joe Battenfeld is blasting the all-Dem Massachusetts congressional delegation’s extreme preference for checkers.

Update IV– 3.3.26 – As military veterans, these local Republicans aren’t following a black-and-white narrative. Via GBH: “Mass. GOP candidates call for Trump to talk to Congress about Iran strikes”

Update V – 3.4.26 – This is the type of success I’m talking about now that we’re in this war. From the Globe’s Jeff Jacoby: “When a tyrant dies, decent people rejoice.” … But decent people also want leaders to follow the constitution and most want this unwanted war to end ASAP.