Brian Finucane

Waging war on a whim is now doing "everything they can to avoid armed conflict."

Real war is peace stuff.

Exactly -- it's basically "we've used precision in targeting those we stopped regarding as civilians, see our decision to target them." Not the example to lead with.

It is INSANE that SecDef cites the US killing spree at sea as evidence the USG seeks to avoid targeting civilians.

The Trump administration is *intentionally targeting* civilians in the boat strikes.

There is no armed conflict, LOAC does not apply, and all the boat strike victims are civilians.

It is INSANE that SecDef cites the US killing spree at sea as evidence the USG seeks to avoid targeting civilians.

The Trump administration is *intentionally targeting* civilians in the boat strikes.

There is no armed conflict, LOAC does not apply, and all the boat strike victims are civilians.

Iran conflict: Where things stand, global responses — and what comes next The U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran is extending into its third day with each side pledging escalation.

This observation from a week ago holds up.

"Even by the standards of unilateral executive military action of recent decades, President Trump’s unauthorized attack on Iran stands apart due to its scale and likely repercussions, including for U.S. forces in the region."

www.cnbc.com/2026/03/02/i...

Dear Mr. President: I write to apprise you of military action taken on March 6, 2026, against the facilities of narco-terrorists affiliated with a designated terrorist organization. This action was taken at the invitation of, with the consent of, and in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Ecuador. As you know, United States Armed Forces are engaged in operations to protect the United States by combatting extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels designated as terrorist organizations. To combat these organizations and to deny them sanctuary and freedom of operation, we have engaged friendly foreign nations to provide limited operational basing of combat-equipped forces. On March 2, 2026, I separately notified you of changes in the global posture of United States Armed Forces in the Western Hemisphere. At the invitation and with the consent of the Government of the Republic of Ecuador, United States Armed Forces partnered with Ecuadorian Armed Forces to strike on March 6, 2026, the facilities of narco-terrorists affiliated with a designated terrorist organization. United States Armed Forces planned and executed this mission in a manner designed to empower a partner nation, degrade narco-terrorist activities, and minimize civilian casualties. Although present for this partnered operation, United States ground forces did not come into contact with hostile forces. I directed this military action to advance United States national security and foreign policy interests and to fulfill my responsibility to protect Americans at home and abroad. I acted pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and as Chief Executive to conduct United States foreign relations.

I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action. The Honorable Charles Grassley President pro tempore of the Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Sincerely,

New:

Strange war powers report to Congress for the recent partnered US military op in Ecuador.

I interpret this as a hostilities report notwithstanding this disclaimer:

"Although present for this partnered operation, United States ground forces did not come into contact with hostile forces." 1/n

content

This follows the assault on CIVCAS mitigation efforts at DoD

US as a junior partner in this military campaign

Exclusive: Republicans pledge scrutiny of Iran school strike Republicans want answers on the bombing of an Iranian school that killed 175 people, which appears to have been caused by a US Tomahawk missile.

“It’s tragic, it’s sad. It’s the kind of thing that happens in every war. And this is a war.”

And that is why the Constitution and the UN Charter sharply restrict going to war.

This war is illegal for a reason.

And why Congress should pull the plug on this one.

www.semafor.com/article/03/1...

Plan?

Trump’s War in Iran, and Rising Gas Prices, Collide With Midterm Agenda

The affordability agenda is an unnecessary war in the Middle East

www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/u...

Hurricane sharpie but for attacks on civilians

"In fact, Iran has no Tomahawks. Any country the U.S. has sold Tomahawks to would have to obtain authorization from the State Department before transferring them to a third party, like Iran."

Sounds like someone from State/PM needs to explain the foreign military sales process to POTUS...

oh

Early Iran strikes cost $5.6 billion in munitions, Pentagon estimates The figure, accounting for the war’s first two days, is likely to intensify concerns in Congress that U.S. forces are churning through a scarce supply of advanced weaponry.

Might be some good reasons for the U.S. Constitution to require congressional authorization prior to the expenditure of blood and treasure in war—rather than leaving it to the whims of one man.

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Trump's assertion here that the Tomahawk is "generic" and that "Iran has some Tomahawks" is absurd and a lie.

The only party to this conflict that operates the Tomahawk is the United States.

Read our analysis into the Tomahawk strike in Minab here: www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/03...

Hurricane sharpie but for attacks on civilians

Oof. Hope you’re ok!

Iran, War Powers, and the Power of the Purse With America’s war in Iran costing around $2 billion per day, Congress faces a choice: use leverage to force an exit, or continue to fund it.

With #Trump's unauthorized war in #Iran costing around $2 billion per day, Congress will soon face a choice, writes @bfinucane.bsky.social (@crisisgroup.org). Use its leverage to force an exit, or vote to legalize it by funding it?

www.justsecurity.org/133361/iran-...
#IranWar

Like did Ollie North come out of retirement to sell Iran more missiles on the down low?

Good question here

Looking forward to the administration being asked how Iran supposedly acquired these Tomahawks.

That in turn means that the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day clock to remove U.S. forces from hostilities would now be ticking. 5/n

This

Oh great, I see we’ve reached the “fire and fury” posting stage

Wonder how the concept of “heritage American” will come into play in a 2028 primary

The fact that the administration filed this war powers report with Congress suggests to me that US forces themselves took kinetic action, e.g. one or more strikes.

Report is not explicit, but possibly because USG may be trying to manage Ecuadorian sensitivities on that front. 4/n

yes

the fact that they filed a report suggests this was something more