THE LIBERTARIAN CASE FOR TRUMP’S IRAN WAR: PERSIANS HAVE NATURAL RIGHTS, TOO

Second, they have not been willing to provide any military assets to open up the Strait of Hormuz, upon which they depend in great part for their oil supplies.

Third, they have adamantly refused to join the United States and Israel, and now the UAE, in ensuring that the madmen in the Iranian regime unconditionally surrender, such that never, ever, will they be able to threaten the world with nuclear weapons.

Fourth, they have not given permission for the U.S. and Israel to utilize their airfields or even to fly over their territories. This is perhaps the most egregious of all. The first three on this list require them to actually get off their rear ends and engage in costly and inconvenient actions. This latter one demands only passivity — that they merely allow others the use of their territory.

As a result, the Trump administration is seriously considering trying to withdraw from NATO. I oppose this for two reasons. First, this entirely justified step is exceedingly unlikely to be met with success. In order to do so, the Senate must approve by a two-thirds vote, or the entire Congress must do so. The Democrats, suffering under Trump Derangement Syndrome, would see this as support for the U.S. and would bitterly oppose it. They seem to be rooting for Iran in this campaign.

Second, merely threatening to do so, rather than actually severing ties with our long-standing allies, would be beneficial. Perhaps, then, they will come to their senses and act like adults for the first time in this confrontation with the “middle-sized Satan.”

How best can this be done, without any support from Democrats? Consider the table below. It offers the best estimates now available as to how many service members are at present stationed in NATO countries. Trump cannot withdraw from this organization without congressional approval, but he can certainly, gradually or not so gradually, reduce the U.S. military presence all over Europe.

(All of these numbers are the best estimates for 2025 now available. Note also that some of the most vociferous opponents of the U.S. and Israel in this battle — Italy, Spain, England, Germany — are the ones with the most American soldiers presently protecting them.)

THE LIBERTARIAN CASE FOR TRUMP’S IRAN WAR: ANSWERING THE CRITICS

Will bringing these troops home create domestic unemployment? This is economic illiteracy writ large. These soldiers bring mouths with them, not only arms, legs, and heads. The experience after World War II ought to put to rest this fallacy once and for all.

On the other hand, and there is indeed another hand, which countries would take the most joy from the U.S. resignation from NATO? We do not have to go too far afield to conclude: Russia and China? Is this, then, something to which Americans can look forward? Not a bit of it. It is sad that we should have been brought to this imbroglio by the malign behavior of these Europeans.