Op-Ed: U.S. Should Cut Losses in Iran War and Restore Constitutional Balance

This Op-Ed by Ivan Eland argues that the United States should immediately end its involvement in the conflict with Iran, citing prohibitive financial and political costs. The author highlights that U.S. military spending already exceeds one trillion dollars annually, with President Donald Trump proposing increases to $1.5 trillion, alongside underestimated war supplemental costs that independent estimators place much higher. Beyond monetary expenses, the article emphasizes the human toll and the domestic erosion of democratic institutions. Eland contends that perpetual warfare has fostered an "imperial presidency," shifting power from Congress to the Executive Branch since the Truman era. This trend has accelerated under the War on Terror and continues with the current administration's use of military forces against civilians and political opponents. The piece urges Congress to overcome political fear and utilize the War Powers Resolution to terminate the Iran War and the broader War on Terror, warning that failure to act could result in electoral consequences for lawmakers who prioritize party loyalty over constitutional duties and public interest.