Can We Ever Trust the Government To Be Honest About War?
The article examines the U.S. government's historical lack of transparency in justifying and managing foreign wars, citing the Trump administration's conduct in the ongoing conflict with Iran as a continuation of this pattern. It highlights how misleading narratives, restricted press access, and delayed casualty reporting have distorted public understanding of the war's progress and costs. The piece suggests this conflict could serve as a turning point in forcing national reckoning with the realities of military intervention.
- ▪President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed 'victory' in the war with Iran despite ongoing combat and no clear endgame.
- ▪The Trump administration restricted press access and delayed reporting of U.S. military casualties during the conflict.
- ▪An F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, contradicting claims of total U.S. air dominance.
- ▪Trump threatened to jail a journalist over a leak concerning a rescue mission and a missing pilot.
- ▪Iran killed six U.S. service members in Kuwait who were operating an inadequately protected mobile command center.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Foreign Policy Can We Ever Trust the Government To Be Honest About War? Trump joins a long line of presidents unwilling to be transparent about the causes and goals of their adventurism abroad. Alexander Langlois | 5.5.2026 12:27 PM Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google Media Contact & Reprint Requests <img src="https://d2eehagpk5cl65.cloudfront.net/img/c800x450-w800-q80/uploads/2026/05/05.05.26-v1-800x450.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto" width="1200" height="675" title="A silhouette of Donald Trump, with the Iranian flag and the aftermath of war behind him" alt="A silhouette of Donald Trump, with the Iranian flag and the aftermath of war behind him | Credit: Jim LoScalzo-Pool via…
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