Remember when McCain Sang “Bomb Iran”?

You may remember in 2007 when Sen. John McCain, foremost of America’s elected neocons at the time (except perhaps Dick Cheney, who was VP), was running for president himself. When asked how he would deal with Iran, McCain parodied the Regents’ (and later the Beach Boys) hit, Barbara Ann. But instead of singing “Barbara Ann,” McCain sang “Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.” It was the perfect encapsulation of McCain’s foreign policy, bomb anyone who disagrees with the idea of a hegemonic United States. Now, years after McCain passed away, his neocon acolytes are still spoiling for a war with Iran, and it looks like they may have finally gotten it. At the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, former congressman and presidential candidate, and long-time foe of John McCain, Dr. Ron Paul explains that the brewing war between Israel and Iran will give the neocons what they always wanted. He writes:

Over the weekend, the Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael Kurilla, arrived in Israel to “coordinate” with the Israeli military and plan a military strike against Iran. Think about that for a moment: one of the highest-ranking officers in the US military is planning a war in a foreign country against another foreign country which will be fueled by American weapons, American intelligence, and American tax dollars.

Did that foreign country – Iran – attack the United States or threaten Americans? No, it did not. What did Iran do to warrant a CENTCOM commander bringing the weight of the US military into play to plan a war – possibly WWIII? It retaliated against Israeli airstrikes including the assignation of a Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.

It was the Israeli missile attack on Tehran – an unprecedented event – that set off this chain of escalation, but few would know if from media coverage. This war fever between Israel and Iran not only has nothing to do with us, but our increasing involvement actually hurts our national interests in the region.

After a deadly and futile three-year proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the last thing we need is another war in the Middle East, especially against Iran. But make no mistake, war is what we are getting. This Administration has even offered to “compensate” Israel with even more weapons and diplomatic support if they hit targets of the US choosing and avoid others in Iran.

Imagine if China sent military officials to Iran to pay Tehran to make sure some US targets were struck and others avoided. Would we consider it Iran’s war against us, or China’s war against us? Both?

Has Congress declared war on Iran or even authorized the war? No. Has this Administration explained to us why Americans suffering after the catastrophic Hurricane Helene are on their own because we need to spend billions on a war that is none of our business? No. The neocons have wanted this war for decades and for them it’s always America last.

This war will make us less free, less safe, and much poorer. There will be no benefits at all, only downside.

Read more here.