Free Republic

Donald Trump’s apparent interest in regime change in Iran is a welcome development. The opening days of the US-Israeli military campaign against the ayatollahs and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”) have proceeded beyond expectations, although harder days undoubtedly lie ahead. The Pentagon’s planning and professionalism are on full display. By contrast, the political side of this politico-military assault on the Tehran regime is hurting.

Missiles streaked across the skies of the Middle East on Saturday morning as the United States and Israel began “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint operation targeting the Iranian regime—and one that President Donald Trump hopes will not only destroy the Iranian ballistic missile and nuclear program, but deliver regime change itself. After months of moving American military assets into the region, the Americans and Israelis began their attack by striking regime infrastructure. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s Tehran palace was turned to rubble, killing the Supreme Leader, according to officials. Additional reports said that the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, had been targeted....

Bolton says he is pleased Maduro has been captured but stresses that Maduro alone does not represent the full regime. He says Trump’s team must remove other who control the weapons, the courts, and the Cartels. ...