He announced his resignation, firing the first shot at Trump.
Foreign media reported that Joseph Kent, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation. In a letter he posted on social media today (March 17), he wrote: "I cannot go against my conscience and support the ongoing war with Iran. Iran does not pose an imminent threat to our country, and it is clearly due to the pressure from Israel and powerful lobbying groups that we have launched this war."
Comments: Kent became the first senior official in the Trump administration to resign over the Iran war. This shot not only targeted the legitimacy of Trump's decision-making, but also exposed deep divisions within American politics. Kent's resignation is not an isolated incident, indicating the beginning of difficulties for Trump both domestically and internationally. Domestic polls show that opposition to military action far exceeds support, with a 43% disapproval rate versus 27% approval, creating a stark contrast. Trump ignited the fire of war in the Middle East, hoping to replicate the "wartime president" benefits, but instead found himself trapped in a "dream of quick victory has shattered, and the quagmire is deepening." Internally, professional officials resigned in protest, and public support continued to decline; externally, European allies stood by, while the Global South watched coldly, turning "America First" into "American isolation." A deeper crisis lies in the legitimacy crisis. Kent explicitly stated that "Iran does not pose an imminent threat," exposing Trump's lies and characterizing the war as a product of Israel's coercion.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859921515782284/
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