America First Means Israel’s Wars Come Last

There are growing calls for the United States to go to war as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies. America is already involved in the current round of violence, providing logistical, ammunition, and intelligence support to Israel. This has not been sufficient, however, for Israel and its supporters. The “ask” now is for the American military to finish the job, from destroying nuclear facilities with B-52s to the decapitation of the regime itself.

The answer must be a resounding “no”. President Trump himself should reject that option forcefully and fully. If the United States joined Israel’s war for regime change in Iran, it would be the ultimate betrayal of the America First agenda.

History will judge his legacy by the decision he makes in this very moment. 

MAGA against foreign wars

The MAGA coalition’s strongest pillars stand against foreign wars. This has been widely reported in the mainstream media and has been apparent on X. In addition to figures such as Stephen Bannon and Tucker Carlson, even more militarily inclined individuals such as Erik Prince have come out against American involvement.  

Some analysts dismiss this digital pushback as “isolationism.” This overlooks deeply rooted motivations. The rank-and-file of the MAGA base includes many veterans disillusioned by the war on terror and workers from southern and midwestern states left behind by the war economy. They do not want to expend American blood and treasure for interests abroad and Beltway bandits. 

Polling numbers bear this out. Support for Israel is cratering, and the appetite for American military engagement is at record-low levels. In a recent Pew Research Center survey, more Republicans under the age of 30 identified with the Palestinians over Israel, which itself is a first. 

American intervention is not the answer

From a policy perspective, there is also a near-zero case for American involvement. Hamas may be evil, Hezbollah a force for destruction, the Houthis a terroristic threat, and the Islamic Republic a tyrannical regime inimical to U.S. interests. However, none of this is new; it has been this way for decades, and America has survived.

There is a view that strategic threats can only be eliminated through invasion and regime change. American security has been most at risk, however, when the government has overextended itself abroad through war. 

Whatever gains Israel made through its initial strikes last week on Iran have in many ways dissipated. Similar to the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, the longer the conflict continues, the more the tide will turn both strategically and morally.

Most countries sit firmly on the side of de-escalation. Popular support worldwide for Israel had already dropped to historic lows due to the conflict in Gaza. It could collapse irreversibly due to an extended war with Iran. None of this would compare to the fallout should President Trump greenlight direct American engagement. 

If American B-52 bombers took flight to help overthrow the Iranian regime, it would mark the beginning of a generational quagmire. It would make the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq look like a walk in the park and shatter the prospects for American renewal. The economic consequences within the US would be severe, opening a new backdoor to kleptocratic interests and war dogs - the same ones that almost bankrupted the US over the last quarter century. 

Where is the off-ramp?

It is not enough to keep America out of war. There needs to be a U.S.-led offramp. That responsibility cannot be outsourced to other geopolitical actors. It would consist of a clear ceasefire and a broad alignment around two principles:

1. Israel commits to avoiding regime change, and
2. Iran commits to avoiding nuclear enrichment.

There is an overt attempt to draw the US into a full-blwon conflict. Each day that passes, the possibility of a U.S. installation in the region being hit rises, which would create a pretext for U.S. engagement. The offramp would thwart the runaway escalation underway. 

President Trump’s moment

A strategic win is still possible – for Israel, Iran, and the United States – but not for long.

Many of the loudest voices calling for American engagement represent hidden interests. Some crave war, and others the wealth it brings. They must be ignored.

Israel first means America last. 

Fighting a war for a foreign power, in a foreign land, would be the ultimate betrayal of the MAGA agenda. President Trump must reject it. Today. 

Tomorrow is too late.