Dem
47
GOP
53
Yesterday, the House finally managed to pass a resolution condemning the Iran War, and directing Donald Trump to bring the conflict to a resolution. The vote was 215-208, with all Democrats joining four Republicans in voting for it. The four Republicans were Tom Barrett (MI), Warren Davidson (OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) and Thomas Massie (KY). Barrett and Fitzpatrick represent districts that are EVEN and D+1, respectively, Massie has already lost his primary and Davidson, while he represents a ruby-red R+12 district, is a former Army Ranger who does not like it when American troops are deployed casually and carelessly.
Either this measure, or a similar measure, is going to be taken up in the Senate, and will probably also pass there. However, none of this will carry the force of law unless the resolution is signed into law by Trump, which is obviously not going to happen. So, if you think it's important that a few Republicans are defying Trump these days, on some things, then that's really the main story here.
That said, there has been some movement on the war front. Earlier this week, it was reported that Trump had a screaming match on the phone with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump's anger was a product of the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, between Israel and Hezbollah. The President reportedly told Netanyahu that he (Trump) has single-handedly kept the PM out of prison, and that he (Trump) is sick of the PM's lack of gratitude, and that everyone hates Israel these days and that Netanyahu is "fu**ing crazy." Presumably as a result of this phone call, Israel and Lebanon announced a ceasefire yesterday.
This may seem like progress toward peace, and it certainly could be. However, we must point out the many reasons for caution. The ceasefire is predicated on certain steps being taken by Hezbollah; Hezbollah is not known for doing what they've been told to do by the Lebanese government. Further, the ceasefires in this war seem to be curiously thin on, you know, actual cessations of fire. Also, even if the Israel-Lebanon peace is for real, that only removes one of several obstacles to peace. Most obviously, Trump still wants a 20-year moratorium on Iranian nukes, a commitment from the entire Middle East to join the Abraham Accords and, more broadly, a "better deal" than the one Barack Obama hammered out. So, don't make your Tehran travel plans quite yet. (Z)