Good Faith David French on The Iran War: If It's Illegal, Is It Just?
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Mar 12, 2026 
David French, NYT columnist and constitutional commentator, weighs in on the U.S. war with Iran and the moral limits of presidential power. He breaks down just war theory versus legal authority. Short takes cover congressional abdication, strategic risks of escalation, evangelical views on Israel, and the danger of widening conflict.
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Just Cause Exists But Legal Authorization Is Missing
- France argues America's actions versus Iran have strong just-war reasons but weak legal grounding due to lack of congressional or UN authorization.
- He says attacks against Iranian-backed militias, attacks on Israel, and crimes against humanity provide just cause but not legal cover.
Personal Memory Of Iranian-Backed Attacks On Americans
- French recounts Iran's long history of hostile acts including kidnapping diplomats and sponsoring attacks that killed U.S. service members.
- He personally served in Iraq near the border and says Iranian-backed militias killed hundreds of Americans over years.
Get Congress And The UN On Board Before Major Strikes
- Seek congressional and UN authorization before major military action to preserve constitutional norms and public support.
- French notes prior presidents secured AUMFs or UN resolutions for Kuwait, Afghanistan, and 2003 Iraq, and Trump could have done the same.