While the United States has issued only eleven formal declarations of war since 1776, it has engaged in more than four hundred military interventions. This staggering disparity underscores a pattern: the country’s most consequential conflicts rarely pass through constitutional channels but emerge from executive prerogative, shifting geopolitical anxieties, and the entrenched interests of its security establishment. The attack on Iran fits squarely within this tradition.
Sign up for our newsletter to get notified on the latest blog posts.
Unwritten Lives uses only essential cookies required for basic functionality.
We do not use analytics, tracking, or advertising cookies.