Resumption of the Iran war... Disagreements between Congress and the Pentagon

The current developments in the Pentagon and Congress on the one hand, and some power centers and decision-making institutions, led by the US administration, on the other hand, indicate a debate about the style of managing the war in Iran, the amount of defense spending on it, oversight mechanisms, and the limits of the powers granted in managing military operations. The differences regarding the war moved from the leaders of the “Democratic” Party to the leaders within the “Republican” Party, most of whom were supporters and supporters of Trump, which actually indicates the nature of what is happening inside America, and includes military and political leaders and even at the level of the Secretary of Defense personally, Pete Hegseth. It is clear that the nature of the disputes already links the cost of the war and the continuation of operations, which already amounted to 43 billion dollars as of last September, and the figure includes additional costs and close to 28 billion to buy back ammunition and other allocations that were requested.

This development has led to leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties getting on the line and demanding complete data on the cost of operations, in addition to the damage to American bases and the repair of aircraft, ships, and others, which expands the area of tension between the two parties, especially with the Congressional Budget Office providing estimates of the cost of the war, its impact on military stocks, and others, which complicates the matter and halts the US administration’s recent proposal for more additional funding to finance the war with Iran by providing at least an additional $67 billion in parallel with the defense budget request. Which may reach one trillion by 2027, which will open the door to more money if the all-out war begins. The discrepancy lies in the fact that the War Department seeks additional funds, while Congress focuses on determining the goals to which funds can be directed and setting restrictions in dealing with and within the framework of comprehensive military needs, the dimensions of which congressional representatives from both parties may not understand. Certainly, the War Powers Act of 1973 will remain a source of ongoing and ongoing disputes in the event of a renewed war on Iran, and the need for Congress to grant approval and acknowledge a declaration of war or grant direct authorization to use military action. There will remain fear of the impact of any potential action on the military course and what may happen in the military institutions with a general revolution and the performance of the Minister of Defense and senior military leaders, especially since the recent changes within the military institution indicate this matter, as many dismissals and resignations have taken place, and the process of military nominations has already been disrupted, which may happen in the short term. Confusion and even chaos within the most important sectorStrategist in the United States. That is why members of Congress are quick to emphasize serious and decisive engagement with more consultation instead of turning to the confrontational option, and in light of the real and direct challenges facing the United States that are not limited to the Middle East, but extend to other regions in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, for example, and the extent of the US administration’s readiness to deal, and the gradual transition to confronting all possible options, and in the event that the United States engages in other confrontations at the same time, and in accordance with the challenges it faces from China and Russia, and even in direct European areas. Hence, Congress’s move is in the direction of rebuilding A system of understandings with the American administration, and without waiting for the results of the renewal elections for Congress, some military priorities seem important, including investment in completing strategic projects, including the missile defense project, for example, in addition to investments in missile interception systems, early warning, space technology, etc., which will be important in any dealings, and Congress will soon open the file of the size of the military deployment of American forces in the world. Therefore, the opening of all military files is possible and strong, and Congress is moving with an urgent strategy to confirm its political role in decision-making institutions, and in the face of the Pentagon, which is moving with the direct support of President Trump, which will have consequences on the amount of funding allocated for operations and war powers. This is confirmed by the increases proposed in the 2027 budget, which are concentrated in research and development, procurement, and other items that were initially submitted to Congress.The current confrontations between Congress on the one hand, the Pentagon on the one hand, the US administration, and the centers of military influence on the other side will continue, and will not stop. Perhaps all current parties will also be working to wait until the mid-term elections for Congress are held to review the overall policies that are being implemented, and each party will remain its own priorities in dealing, which is something that will also need more consensus, frankness and transparency in light of the continued American military involvement in the Middle East and the possibility of a resumption of the Iran war, which will mean that most of the proposed policies will remain subject to political controversy. An academic specializing in affairs. Strategy.