The David Frum Show Why Britain Is Saying No to Trump’s Iran War
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Mar 18, 2026 
Alastair Campbell, writer, broadcaster, and former communications director to Tony Blair, discusses the fraying US–UK relationship. He and David Frum examine Britain’s legal caution over strikes in Iran, Trump’s public attacks on UK leaders, basing and alliance strains, Brexit’s costs, and the risks of improvised US military action. Short takes on postwar planning, NATO anxieties, and domestic political fallout.
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Funding Later Does Not Excuse Absent Oversight Now
- Frum emphasizes that even if stopping the war now is impractical, constitutional norms require Congress to assert authority during conduct, not only at funding.
- He warns acceptance of results after the fact is not a substitute for present constitutional oversight.
Starmer Blocks Immediate UK Participation Over Legal Basis
- Alastair Campbell recounts Keir Starmer initially refusing UK participation because there was no UK legal base for the Iran attack.
- Within 24 hours limited defensive use of two bases was allowed after perceived Iranian threats to UK assets like Cyprus.
Diego Garcia Permission Shapes US Operational Reach
- Frum highlights Diego Garcia as a critical British base whose availability to the US can be withdrawn by Britain, affecting US force projection.
- He notes Starmer tied base permissions to legal and diplomatic negotiations, complicating US operational options.
