We do this, we fail, then do it all over again

Bloomington, Ind.: The Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961 was orchestrated with the intention of toppling Fidel Castro’s Communist regime in Cuba. This operation, conceived by the CIA and sanctioned by President John F. Kennedy, depended on Cuban exiles trained by the United States to land in Cuba and spur a nationwide revolt. U.S. officials believed that with the right provocation, the Cuban populace would rise against Castro, thereby diminishing Soviet influence in the region.

However, that anticipated insurgency never materialized.

Time and again, U.S. strategists have banked on the notion that oppressed populations would rally if given the right impetus. Yet, historical evidence often contradicts this assumption, as revolutions rarely unfold as predicted. The political aspirations held in Washington or other Western capitals frequently do not align with the objectives or methods of those living under authoritarian regimes.

In the context of Iran or any other nation, history serves as a stark warning. The U.S. has a track record of international interventions aimed at dismantling hostile governments, but such efforts seldom result in a more stable nation. Despite noble intentions, successful outcomes are not guaranteed, and the Bay of Pigs stands as a testament to how foreign expectations can clash with on-the-ground realities. Scott Thompson

War on a whim

Woodland Park, N.J.: Rather than relying on the daily intelligence briefs provided to the president, Donald Trump claimed to trust his instincts. He sensed an imminent threat from Iran and decided to act preemptively. Now, the U.S. finds itself embroiled in conflict, with no clear resolution in sight. While the path forward remains uncertain, Trump likely has some vision of a plan. John Dent

Unceasing siege

Manhattan: To Voicer Thomas Bell: What objectives did the U.S. and Israel aim to achieve, as you stated? Was it to engulf the Middle East in chaos with drone strikes and missiles that devastate innocent civilians and claim the lives of numerous children? How has the ayatollah’s animosity posed a threat to anyone? Perhaps his resentment toward the U.S. stems from our long-standing economic sanctions that have crippled the nation’s economy and the welfare of its citizens. Do you honestly believe that our president, with his questionable leadership, has the capability to bring democracy to Iran? If you do, I have a bridge in New York to sell you. Enrico Rizzo

Warmongers of the world

Manhattan: I have lived my entire life with my country being involved in one war or another for one supposedly good reason or another. We all feel the pain of Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts, including the horror and pain of 9/11, Oklahoma City and Jan. 6. Now I’m reading that the CIA will recruit Iranian Kurds, with special training from elite U.S. military factions, to enter this conflict. Does this sound familiar? Is the music on repeat? I can’t see this ending well for anyone. Peace. Don Cerrone

In violation

Brooklyn: If the Trump administration was so sure that attacking Iran was the right thing to do, why didn’t they bring it before Congress for approval as the Constitution requires? This is an illegal war, the perfect opportunity for our servicemen and women of conscience to reassess their obligation to follow illegal orders. If, as Marco Rubio suggests, Israel was about to act unilaterally, why didn’t we stop them? After all, we fund and arm them. The conflict is spreading across the region and will get worse before it gets better. Could this become Trump’s Vietnam? Will his son serve alongside yours? Ilsa Ruthen

Moronic

Whitestone: Oxymorons can be funny, brilliant and even moronic, especially when they are unintentionally witless. Let’s compare two. Funny and intentional is Dolly Parton: “You’d be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap.” Witless and unintentional is Rubio (on the attack on Iran): “We work proactively — in a defensive way.” Michael J. Gorman

Plenty to celebrate

Chicago: There’s good and bad news to report, depending on one’s perspective. For starters, Trump’s big, beautiful ballroom is on schedule, as is the delivery of all his Baroque accoutrements. On the other hand, his jumpstart of World War III has commenced, causing the stock market to tank, oil prices to go through the roof and a level of anxiety gripping the nation as never before. But cheer up. It is, after all, our country’s 250th anniversary year. To celebrate, our leader is considering renaming the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and the FDR statue to honor the contributions made by himself. I gladly remind myself that with the president’s approval ratings at their lowest and the November election lurking, a third impeachment is a real possibility — if we can stay alive long enough to vote. Bob Ory

Incentive inaccuracy

Scarsdale, N.Y.: To S.E. Cupp (“Republican scheming backfires in Texas election,” column, March 6): You are correct that Republicans did want to face Jasmine Crockett in the general election for the Senate because they believed that it would be easier to defeat her. Therefore, it makes no sense for them to sabotage her against James Talarico. It would make more sense for them to help make her the Democratic nominee. Stephen Colbert had a dispute with his network about allowing equal airtime to Talarico under the rules established by the FCC in the 1930s. The GOP had nothing to do with it, and neither did Trump. Peter McCarthy

Urgent priority

Brookfield, Wis.: Climate tipping points, such as when the melting of West Antarctica or of Greenland’s mile-deep ice sheet becomes irreversible, will have wide-ranging, catastrophic consequences. Those tipping points won’t take centuries. Not even decades, given the extent to which we’re combusting fossil fuels. Once they kick in, the climate as we know it is toast. Given all this sobering news, how can your governor throw herself and her fossil fuel friends up against the best, if not first, comprehensive climate-supporting law in the land, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and do so by crying “unaffordable”? C’mon, governor, stop your denial of the magnitude and imminence of our climate’s breakdown. Mary Pat Dries

Fireable offense

Manhattan: WABC should fire Sid Rosenberg. He viciously spews hate-filled rage disguised as patriotism. Most recently, it was “cockroach” Mayor Mamdani. This anti-Muslim trope follows a tradition of anti-Irish, anti-Italian, anti-Jewish and, of course, anti-Black sentiment. Doesn’t he understand that hate knows no bounds? Fire him, pronto. Neil J. Pollicino

Local contest

Manalapan, N.J.: The World Baseball Classic is underway, with teams from around the globe participating. This fall, the World Series will be played by U.S.A. teams or perhaps a Canadian one. Maybe time for a name change. Joe Fontanelli