Curt Mills on the Iran War

 

Curt Mills on the Iran War

Curt Mills, the executive director of The American Conservative, has emerged as a prominent critic of the 2026 Iran War, describing it as a "voluntary crisis" and a "betrayal" of the voters who elected Donald Trump on an "America First" platform.

 

Core Arguments and Perspectives

Political Betrayal: Mills argues that the war shatters the "pro-peace" coalition Trump built during the 2024 campaign, potentially alienating "podcast bros," political independents, and core MAGA supporters who are wary of "endless wars".

Foreign Influence: He asserts that Trump has been "conned and bullied" by "Israeli hawks" and neoconservatives, suggesting the conflict serves foreign objectives rather than American interests.

Electoral Consequences: Mills predicts "blowback" in the 2026 midterms, stating that the war is "two-to-one unpopular" and could lead to low voter turnout among those who feel disillusioned by the administration's shift toward interventionism.

"Imperial Presidency": He has characterized Trump's current leadership as an "imperial presidency" that serves wealthy interests and foreign countries, contrasting it with the anti-globalist message of the 2024 campaign.

Context of the Conflict

The war began on February 28, 2026, with coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on various sites in Iran, reportedly aimed at regime change and degrading nuclear capabilities. While some allies like Michael Waltz have supported the action, it has caused a significant rift within the Republican base, with figures like Tucker Carlson also condemning the strikes as "disgusting and evil".