For months we have seen this Israeli inspired war with Iran go back and forth….on again, off again and back on….basically it was an ill-conceived conflict that has become a logjam.
It looks like this is an unwinnable war….but what to do?
In an interview with Australian journalist Tom Switzer, Mearsheimer was asked why Trump seemed willing to accept an arrangement in which Iran is able to demand fees from transport ships in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been almost entirely shut down since the US and Israel began bombing Iran in late February.
“It’s very simple… he has no choice,” Mearsheimer replied. “He lost the war. This is a devastating defeat for the United States. Can you tell me what the United States should do to regain leverage over Iran? I actually think you can’t tell me because we have no solution.”
Mearsheimer then explained why Trump’s threats to escalate his assault on Iran ring completely hollow.
“One, he’s out of munitions,” the political scientist said. “Number two, our Gulf allies have told him, in no uncertain terms, that is unacceptable because the Iranians have made it clear that if we escalate, they will escalate, and they will destroy oil facilities, desalination plants, and so forth.”
https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-iran-war-defeat
Believe it or not from time to time I do read the American Conservative and they have a take on Donny’s problem with Iran….
Time to face an uncomfortable truth: America lost the Iran War. It’s a development not only discomfiting but world-historical, marking the pitiful conclusion of American primacy and the “U.S.-led international order.”
President Donald Trump is in a bind. Escalating the war in hopes of changing the outcome would worsen its deleterious effects and almost certainly fail to force Iranian capitulation. But reaching a peace agreement is difficult, thanks to a near-total absence of Iranian trust in any commitments that Trump might make.
The solution to Trump’s predicament, I’ve come to believe, can be found in an unlikely source: a little-discussed work of political psychology published more than a half century ago. More on that anon but, in short, Trump should initiate a “peace race” with the Islamic Republic: unilaterally make a bold concession, invite Tehran to reciprocate, and continue the cycle until the U.S. and Iran have transformed mutual antipathy into constructive relations.
But before I get to the “call to action” portions of this column, let’s take stock of the stunning defeat America has suffered.
Indeed an interesting thought….but I do not see Donny throwing up his hands and trying to solve the problem he is having with Iran.
Do you?
His hubris will not allow such a move…he still thinks he can bomb Iran into submission….he cannot….but Israel keeps egging him on and he gleefully does as he is told.
Maybe it is time to let reality in and face the ugly truth/…..
Hope is scarce now. The war begun by the US and Israel on 28 February has brought death but not regime change. Iran’s theocrats look more determined than ever to cling to power. Politicians who pass for moderates in Tehran have been sidelined. Iranians who dared to dream are crushed. The Strait of Hormuz is blocked. Oil and food prices are up around the world. The US has depleted its stockpiles of air defence interceptors, leaving few for Kyiv, Moldova, Taiwan or anyone else who wants to buy them. Washington has misjudged its adversary, squandered international respect and handed Tehran, which controls the strait, a strategic weapon more powerful than anything it could have mounted on a missile.
President Trump has claimed 38 times, by CNN’s count, to be close to a deal with Iran and turned out to be wrong. Seven times he has called off major attacks in the hope an agreement might finally be signed. His outriders are left to make fools of themselves. On Tuesday his treasury secretary claimed the US was in talks with Iran and a deal could come within hours. Iran retorted that the only talks in progress were with Oman. Trump has said of Iran’s leaders: “They just make me angry.” He just makes them more determined to cling to power.
https://observer.co.uk/opinion-and-ideas/leaders/article/trumps-war-in-iran-has-been-an-epic-failure
This is a failed endeavor that will not be acknowledged.
Plus the idea of claiming the Strait of Hormuz will not bring this stupidity to an end.
While Donny tries to focus on the dilemma the death and destruction continues…his brain farts are doing no one any good with the except of M-IC whose profits are soaring.
When will ever learn?
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
Meanwhile, in the real world outside of Trump’s head, MAGA lunacy, and his insider trading, the price of petrol and diesel in the UK has increased again this week.
Thanks for nothing, Mr Shit-your-pants.
When he won the election, there were widespread reports here that America would become ‘isolationist’, and withdraw into itself. That can’t happen soon enough for me.
Best wishes, Pete.