We are here again. Twenty-three years after the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the entire Middle East has exploded into a fury of fire and missiles centered on Iran and Israel. We as a nation find ourselves yet again staring down the barrel of sending our nation’s finest to fight a war in the region.

However, this time feels markedly different. I was a high school freshman when 9/11 happened in 2001, and the collective injury endured by the United States of America brought us together as a country, and we engaged in a lengthy national dialog surrounding the military action that ensued in Afghanistan and Iraq. Whether any of that was legitimate or ultimately justified is another matter, but we at least felt a part of the national conversation.

The war in Iran broke out overnight with the President of the United States posting a video on Truth Social at 1am, with no real indication of planning or even an attempt to sell it to the American people. The stakes have been unbelievably high, as the war quickly spilled out into neighboring countries and immediately caused chaos in global markets with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Even today, the overarching objective seems elusive, confused and shifting.

As a veteran of the Iraq war, I can do nothing but hope and pray that cooler heads ultimately prevail, and the Marines and other service members being deployed to the region stay safe. There is no doubt in my mind that the US military is professional and capable of handling anything thrown their way, but it requires strong strategic leadership to navigate the rough waters.

I wish I could tell you more. But, like you, I also have no idea how this whole thing plays out.