Claims that Trump privately opposed striking Iran but went along anyway point to influence over US policy that voters never chose — bad news for anyone who thinks elected leaders are actually in charge.

• There is no negotiated settlement, and the blame is being placed on Israel's refusal to deal.
• Trump reportedly showed no enthusiasm for the war, only dread, yet backed it anyway.
• A brief moment when JD Vance was sent to criticize Israel raised hopes of a shift, but policy snapped back to where it started.
• The core question is who really sets US foreign policy, and calling that question a conspiracy theory is treated as dishonest.

Outlook: Expect the fight over Trump's Iran and Israel policy to stay inside his own coalition rather than between parties.