A Briefing on the War in Iran
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Deadline Poet
/ March 10, 2026
A Briefing on the War in Iran
Calvin Trillin
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A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (Atta Kenare / AFP via Getty Images)
In case the briefer really knows,
There is a question I would pose—
A single question, if I dare:
The question is, Why are we there?
This article appears in the
April 2026 issue.
Keep Reading
Submit a correction
Send a letter to the editor
Reprints & permissions
Support independent journalism that does not fall in line
Even before February 28, the reasons for Donald Trump’s imploding approval rating were abundantly clear: untrammeled corruption and personal enrichment to the tune of billions of dollars during an affordability crisis, a foreign policy guided only by his own derelict sense of morality, and the deployment of a murderous campaign of occupation, detention, and deportation on American streets.
Now an undeclared, unauthorized, unpopular, and unconstitutional war of aggression against Iran has spread like wildfire through the region and into Europe. A new “forever war”—with an ever-increasing likelihood of American troops on the ground—may very well be upon us.
As we’ve seen over and over, this administration uses lies, misdirection, and attempts to flood the zone to justify its abuses of power at home and abroad. Just as Trump, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth offer erratic and contradictory rationales for the attacks on Iran, the administration is also spreading the lie that the upcoming midterm elections are under threat from noncitizens on voter rolls. When these lies go unchecked, they become the basis for further authoritarian encroachment and war.
In these dark times, independent journalism is uniquely able to uncover the falsehoods that threaten our republic—and civilians around the world—and shine a bright light on the truth.
The Nation’s experienced team of writers, editors, and fact-checkers understands the scale of what we’re up against and the urgency with which we have to act. That’s why we’re publishing critical reporting and analysis of the war on Iran, ICE violence at home, new forms of voter suppression emerging in the courts, and much more.
But this journalism is possible only with your support.
This March, The Nation needs to raise $50,000 to ensure that we have the resources for reporting and analysis that sets the record straight and empowers people of conscience to organize. Will you donate today?
Calvin Trillin
Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”
More from The Nation
The “Rules-Based Order” Is Gone
The “Rules-Based Order” Is Gone
Trump has destroyed a …
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
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A Briefing on the War in Iran
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Current Issue
Deadline Poet
/ March 10, 2026
A Briefing on the War in Iran
Calvin Trillin
Share
Copy Link
X (Twitter)
Bluesky Pocket
Ad Policy
A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (Atta Kenare / AFP via Getty Images)
In case the briefer really knows,
There is a question I would pose—
A single question, if I dare:
The question is, Why are we there?
This article appears in the
April 2026 issue.
Keep Reading
Submit a correction
Send a letter to the editor
Reprints & permissions
Support independent journalism that does not fall in line
Even before February 28, the reasons for Donald Trump’s imploding approval rating were abundantly clear: untrammeled corruption and personal enrichment to the tune of billions of dollars during an affordability crisis, a foreign policy guided only by his own derelict sense of morality, and the deployment of a murderous campaign of occupation, detention, and deportation on American streets.
Now an undeclared, unauthorized, unpopular, and unconstitutional war of aggression against Iran has spread like wildfire through the region and into Europe. A new “forever war”—with an ever-increasing likelihood of American troops on the ground—may very well be upon us.
As we’ve seen over and over, this administration uses lies, misdirection, and attempts to flood the zone to justify its abuses of power at home and abroad. Just as Trump, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth offer erratic and contradictory rationales for the attacks on Iran, the administration is also spreading the lie that the upcoming midterm elections are under threat from noncitizens on voter rolls. When these lies go unchecked, they become the basis for further authoritarian encroachment and war.
In these dark times, independent journalism is uniquely able to uncover the falsehoods that threaten our republic—and civilians around the world—and shine a bright light on the truth.
The Nation’s experienced team of writers, editors, and fact-checkers understands the scale of what we’re up against and the urgency with which we have to act. That’s why we’re publishing critical reporting and analysis of the war on Iran, ICE violence at home, new forms of voter suppression emerging in the courts, and much more.
But this journalism is possible only with your support.
This March, The Nation needs to raise $50,000 to ensure that we have the resources for reporting and analysis that sets the record straight and empowers people of conscience to organize. Will you donate today?
Calvin Trillin
Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”
More from The Nation
The “Rules-Based Order” Is Gone
The “Rules-Based Order” Is Gone
Trump has destroyed a …
A Briefing on the War in Iran
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
Log In
Email *
Password *
Remember Me
Forgot Your Password?
Log In
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A Briefing on the War in Iran
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Subscribe
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Magazine
Latest
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Books & the Arts
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Current Issue
Deadline Poet
/ March 10, 2026
A Briefing on the War in Iran
Calvin Trillin
Share
Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky Pocket
Email
Ad Policy
A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (Atta Kenare / AFP via Getty Images)
In case the briefer really knows,
There is a question I would pose—
A single question, if I dare:
The question is, Why are we there?
This article appears in the
April 2026 issue.
Keep Reading
Submit a correction
Send a letter to the editor
Reprints & permissions
Support independent journalism that does not fall in line
Even before February 28, the reasons for Donald Trump’s imploding approval rating were abundantly clear: untrammeled corruption and personal enrichment to the tune of billions of dollars during an affordability crisis, a foreign policy guided only by his own derelict sense of morality, and the deployment of a murderous campaign of occupation, detention, and deportation on American streets.
Now an undeclared, unauthorized, unpopular, and unconstitutional war of aggression against Iran has spread like wildfire through the region and into Europe. A new “forever war”—with an ever-increasing likelihood of American troops on the ground—may very well be upon us.
As we’ve seen over and over, this administration uses lies, misdirection, and attempts to flood the zone to justify its abuses of power at home and abroad. Just as Trump, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth offer erratic and contradictory rationales for the attacks on Iran, the administration is also spreading the lie that the upcoming midterm elections are under threat from noncitizens on voter rolls. When these lies go unchecked, they become the basis for further authoritarian encroachment and war.
In these dark times, independent journalism is uniquely able to uncover the falsehoods that threaten our republic—and civilians around the world—and shine a bright light on the truth.
The Nation’s experienced team of writers, editors, and fact-checkers understands the scale of what we’re up against and the urgency with which we have to act. That’s why we’re publishing critical reporting and analysis of the war on Iran, ICE violence at home, new forms of voter suppression emerging in the courts, and much more.
But this journalism is possible only with your support.
This March, The Nation needs to raise $50,000 to ensure that we have the resources for reporting and analysis that sets the record straight and empowers people of conscience to organize. Will you donate today?
Calvin Trillin
Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”
More from The Nation
The “Rules-Based Order” Is Gone
The “Rules-Based Order” Is Gone
Trump has destroyed a …
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