THE WAR NOBODY WANTS

The U.S. is creeping toward war in the Middle East. A drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan on Jan. 29 killed three American troops and injured 34 others. A militia supported by Iran claimed responsibility. In retaliation, President Joe Biden ordered 85 strikes in Iraq and Syria and promised more to come, a dangerous escalation that could spiral out of control. Are Americans ready for war? Not at all.

- WILLIAM WALLDORF

Pro-Israel sentiments aside, the U.S. public and its leaders are deeply divided today about Middle East policy. War will not only lead to recession and drain U.S. resources to the benefit of China, but rifts at home could also do harm to U.S. foreign policy for years to come. It's time, then, for Biden to de-escalate tension and push Israel toward peace.

Each major U.S. war since 1900 was buoyed at its outset by a big story that research shows galvanized national consensus and buy-in to the costs of war. A story about the existential danger of Soviet expansion and stopping communism brought robust initial support for wars in Korea and Vietnam. In the 2000s and 2010s, the big story was about Sept. 11 and defeating terrorism. The "war on terror" narrative helped generate strong initial public support for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan (88% in 2001) and Iraq (70% in 2003).