Trump Administration's Incompetent Leadership is Undermining the Iran War Despite Military Excellence
Source: Eliot A. Cohen. "Lions Led by Donkeys - The Atlantic." April 1, 2026. www.theatlantic.com
The Gist
The author argues that while America may be fighting a justified war against Iran, Trump and his team are doing such a terrible job leading it that they're undermining their own cause. He says they're failing at basic wartime leadership tasks like explaining the war to Americans, working with Congress and allies, and providing competent military oversight.
Conclusion
The United States is fighting Iran with the worst wartime political leadership America has ever had, which undermines what could otherwise be a just war effort
Premises
- Trump has failed to explain the war to the American people, providing only an unserious presentation while wearing a baseball cap
- The administration has failed to bring Congress into wartime decision making or secure its approval for the war
- Trump has failed to build allied support through proper diplomatic engagement and consultation
- Trump continues to pick internal political fights during wartime, including over DHS funding and election administration, rather than fostering national unity
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is incompetent, belligerent, and has lost the respect of senior military leadership
- Key advisers (Vance, Rubio, Colby) are avoiding leadership responsibilities due to their non-interventionist orientations
- Diplomacy has been handed to unqualified real estate associates rather than experienced professionals
- Trump and Hegseth use inappropriate rhetoric that advocates war crimes and degrades the seriousness of military action
Assumptions
- Effective wartime leadership requires clear communication with the public and Congress
- National unity and allied support are essential for successful war prosecution
- Military leaders need competent civilian oversight and mutual respect with political leadership
- War objectives can be legitimate even when political leadership is incompetent
- Historical comparisons to previous wartime leadership provide valid benchmarks