During President Trump's first term, Pentagon officials took a highly unusual step to diminish the likelihood of war: They shared their plans for a large-scale conflict with Iran with top White House officials. They reasoned that if advisers saw the risks that the plan entailed, they would choose another path, people familiar with the matter told me. The gambit was successful. At least twice, the president weighed ordering an attack on Iran, only to be dissuaded by aides from moving forward. But America now appears to be on the brink of war with Iran again. And this time, instead of acting as a deterrent, the Pentagon's war plans are being used to draw up options for the president to consider. The United States is rapidly building up its military assets in the Middle East. More than 100 aircraft'including F-18 and F-35 fighter jets, drones, and surveillance planes'are in or near the region. The U.S. also has bolstered its air defenses to protect U.S. troops on nearby bases. The...
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