Do you not think people who are placed in positions of leadership gradually grow into making these kinds of decisions? They may genuinely believe that doing nothing will cost more lives, especially their own people’s lives, and that action today could prevent something worse in 10, 20, 30 or even 50 years. It is also about protecting the economy, controlling resources and trade routes, maintaining military influence and keeping the empire intact. Leaders have countless advisers, intelligence reports, economic forecasts and military assessments telling them what could happen if they lose control or appear weak. Those capable and willing to lead probably become comfortable making these decisions, especially when the consequences normally fall on soldiers, civilians and families rather than themselves. But the US - Israeli assault on Iran during Ramadan crossed another line. It was not simply a few military targets being removed. Iranian leaders were killed together with family members, while civilians were also caught in a massive attack launched during the holiest month for Muslims. Trump later claimed that dozens of Iranian leaders had been killed. Now Trump may face the kind of personal consequences that Western leaders normally avoid. Once you assassinate another country’s leaders and kill relatives around them, you cannot act surprised when your own leaders and families are considered legitimate targets by the other side. It does not make retaliation right, but it makes it predictable.
