For nearly 30 years, I wore the uniform of the United States Army. I’ve led soldiers in combat, confronted America’s enemies overseas, and seen firsthand what happens when deterrence fails. Weakness invites aggression. Strength intimidates it.
For decades, Iran’s regime has done nothing but sponsor terror, arm proxy militias, threaten our allies, and pursue nuclear capability in open defiance of the civilized world. Tehran has operated under the assumption that the United States would continue to sit back and let it continue.
President Donald Trump just proved them wrong.
Peace does not come from press releases, empty threats, or strongly worded letters. It comes from strength — demonstrated strength. The president’s decisive military action sends a clear message: America will not tolerate attacks on our people, our allies, or our interests. When red lines are crossed, there are real consequences.
As a retired Army Colonel, combat veteran, former Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy in the Trump administration, and someone who was involved in the planning of Operation Midnight Hammer last June, I understand how deterrence actually works. Our adversaries must believe we mean what we say and know that when America speaks, America acts. That credibility is earned — and it must be maintained.
Under President Trump, our enemies understand that America is serious again.
For too long, Iran’s leadership believed it could bankroll terrorism, race toward nuclear capability, and threaten regional and global stability without paying a price. That calculation has now changed. Strength restores deterrence. Decisive leadership prevents larger wars. History proves it. And now we have a President who understands that.
I have spent my career confronting threats before they reached our shores and know the cost of hesitation against our enemies. I also know the power of resolve, and President Trump’s action reinforces what every adversary must understand: attacking Americans and our allies will never come without a price.
This is not about seeking conflict. It is about preventing it. It is about protecting American families, safeguarding our allies, and ensuring that the world’s leading state sponsor of terror never obtains a nuclear weapon.
American resolve is back. Our military remains the strongest in the world. And under President Trump’s leadership, our enemies are being reminded of a simple truth: peace through strength works.
May God protect the brave servicemembers carrying out this mission — and may America never apologize for defending itself.
Laurie Buckhout is a retired Army Colonel and decorated combat commander who follows a long line of combat veterans, including her Infantry Colonel father, her Army Air Corps Flight Nurse mother, her grandfather, her uncles and multiple other relatives. Laurie’s husband Paul, a West Point graduate and Army Infantry Airborne Ranger who served with Delta Force, is also a retired officer from a family of combat veterans stretching back to the French and Indian Wars of 1754-1763. Laurie is also a committed constitutional conservative who proudly cast her first vote for Ronald Reagan in 1980. President Trump recently appointed her as Acting Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy, where she focused on strengthening America’s digital defenses.
