History As It Happens

Bonus Ep! Iran War Madness

Host: Martin Di Caro
Guest: Justin Logan, Director of Defense and Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute
Release Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This bonus episode of History As It Happens dives into the US’s seemingly imminent military action against Iran—possibly without congressional or public debate. Host Martin Di Caro is joined by foreign policy scholar Justin Logan for a probing discussion of the long, troubled history of US–Iran relations, the problem of the “imperial presidency,” and the disturbing patterns of war-making in contemporary American politics.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: War Without Debate

• Host (00:00): The episode opens with concern that the US could be at war with Iran again—without a congressional vote or public debate.
• Archival Context: Clips from Ronald Reagan and recent White House statements are played, illustrating decades of justifications for confrontation with Iran.

2. The Historical Context: Decades of US-Iran Tension

• Ronald Reagan (00:16, 00:49): Denies arms-for-hostages during the Iran-Contra Affair, emphasizing Iran as a state sponsor of terror.
• Justin Logan (00:58): Points out Iran’s occasional constructive engagement and the historic US-Iran nuclear agreement.

3. Diplomacy vs. Military Action

• Host (01:49): Frames the period as both the “age of Trump” and the “age of the imperial presidency,” in which war decisions are made unilaterally.
• Host (03:15): Highlights that even Reagan, Obama, and Bush sought diplomatic engagement with Iran, despite ruptured formal relations since 1979.

4. Quiz Segment: Which Statesman Said It?

• Host (01:49): Asks Justin Logan to identify the American statesman who recognized the Iranian Revolution as “a fact of history,” with no need for permanent conflict.
• Justin Logan (02:42): Guesses Bush, then Reagan.
• Reagan Clip (02:49): “The Iranian revolution is a fact of history. But between American and Iranian basic national interests, there need be no permanent conflict.” (November 1986)

5. Contemporary Crisis: Lack of Transparency and Debate

• Host (03:37): Critiques the absence of any case made to the public or Congress for renewed war, despite recent “devastating strikes” (Operation Midnight Hammer).

6. Trump Administration’s Approach

• Justin Logan (04:01):
  • Notes administration’s lack of clarity or justification: “They’ve said that they want a deal. They’ve said there’s a big or else... and they’ve shoved a bunch of materiel into the Persian Gulf.”
  • Critiques sidestepping not only Congress but also public explanation, stating, “To not make a case for what by all lights looks to be a quite substantial large scale military undertaking is striking even for a hardened cynic like me.”

7. Imperial Presidency and Congressional Irrelevance

• Host (04:54): Brings up patterns of regime change attempts and questions the failure to learn from history, highlighting the lack of both congressional and public debate.
• Justin Logan (05:30):
  • Notes Trump’s talent for exposing “just how irrelevant the Congress is in so many different contexts, this being one of them.”
  • Points out the paradox of Congress only considering war powers debate after military action, epitomizing executive overreach.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ronald Reagan (00:16): “We did not, repeat, did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages, nor will we.”
• Justin Logan (04:01): “To not make a case for what by all lights looks to be a quite substantial large scale military undertaking is striking even for a hardened cynic like me.”
• Host (01:49): “It is the age of Trump. It is also the age of the imperial presidency, an anti democratic, dangerous development that continues to sink the United States into one unnecessary war after another.”
• Ronald Reagan (02:49): “The Iranian revolution is a fact of history. But between American and Iranian basic national interests, there need be no permanent conflict.”
• Justin Logan (05:30): “This is one thing that Trump is excellent at doing... bringing into stark relief just how irrelevant the Congress is in so many different contexts, this being one of them.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:16 – 00:58: Reagan’s archival remarks on Iran and US policy
• 01:19 – 01:49: Host recaps US-Iran history; presents quiz to Justin Logan
• 02:42 – 02:52: Reagan’s quote identified in historical context
• 04:01 – 04:54: Logan analyzes Trump’s ambiguous policy and executive secrecy
• 05:30 – 06:00: Discussion on congressional irrelevance and unchecked executive war-making

Tone & Language

• The tone is urgent, skeptical, and critical, with a historian’s commitment to context.
• Justin Logan’s contributions are analytical, slightly sardonic, and concern executive overreach.
• Host Martin Di Caro foregrounds historical lessons and underscores the dangers of repeating past mistakes.

Summary

In a moment where the US teeters on the edge of renewed conflict with Iran, this episode interrogates how presidential war powers and historical amnesia perpetuate “war madness.” Drawing on both contemporary events and the long sweep of US–Iran relations, Martin Di Caro and Justin Logan deliver incisive commentary on the dangers of an unchecked executive—and America's failure to learn from its entanglements in the Middle East.