On March 21, 2026, Joe Kent, the former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, went to protest the war with Iran. He made his opposition known at an event for prayer in Washington. His resignation from the new U.S. counterterrorism center was largely due to deep moral objections to such a conflict. He articulated his very serious apprehensions with an effective and memorable quote.
Kent emphasized his ethical stance on military engagement, stating that he could not “send young men and women off to die on foreign battlefields” in “good conscience.” His comments highlighted what was resonating with many of the attendees at the event. They highlighted the importance of how unprecedented it was for him to resign from such a high-profile government position.
Community leaders and peace advocates joined us in the prayer vigil. It was this that gave Kent the opportunity to most strongly express his opposition to the colonial implications of war. His resignation was to take effect the day before the event. This was a watershed moment in his career and a dramatic break from the policies he used to advocate for as the head of the counterterrorism center.
Kent’s time in the National Counterterrorism Center was filled with high stakes experiences building a counterterrorism effort to counter today’s national security threats. It was his opposition to the war in Iran that finally pushed him to reconsider his place in the government. In his speech, he highlighted the moral crises leaders encounter when considering interventions overseas.
“I cannot send young men and women off to die on foreign battlefields.” – Joe Kent
By resigning, Kent has now taken the most powerful action possible to make that statement. His choice reflects the growing desire among policymakers and the public for restraint in military interventions. His decision is sure to animate debates about U.S. foreign policy and military involvement in the years ahead.
