Obama: We’ve learned that war in Mideast isn’t simple

Obama: “There are opponents who accept the price of war. They argue surgical strikes will be quick and painless.”

“If we’ve learned anything from the last decade, it’s that wars in general, and in the Middle East in particular, are anything but simple. The only certainty in war is human suffering. Uncertain costs, unintended consequences. We can be sure that the Americans who bear the heaviest burden are the one percent of us who” serve in the military, “not those of us sending them to war.”

“I’ve ordered military action in seven countries. There are times that force is necessary. If Iran doesn’t abide by this deal, it’s possible that we have no alternative. But how in good conscience can we justify war before we have exhausted all other options? To our troops? To our children?”