Let's indulge in a little wishful thinking, shall we? The killing and bombing taking place between Washington, DC and Iran does offer up a great opportunity to the Trump administration. He probably won't cash in on this opportunity, but he could.
For the president to look tough during an election year, killing Soleimani is drastically more important than killing bin Laden by the Obama administration. Bin Laden was essentially a lame duck leader when he was killed. Soleimani was at the top of his game.
Therefore Trump has secured his bragging rights. He could claim this represents closure or 'mission actually accomplished'.
There is another argument for 'mission accomplished': the USA was supposedly trying to bring self-government to the region. And now the parliament of Iraq has ordered the USA to leave. Shouldn't this be seen as a demonstration of a certain amount of success in bringing democratic self-government to Iraq?
Therefore Trump could withdraw troops from Iraq (and probably stuff them into Kuwait or Qatar), and claim he is living up to his campaign promise of ending useless wars in the Mideast. The people of American and the Mideast would be relieved.
Ahh, but two powerful groups would not be happy: the Pentagon and Israel. The Pentagon needs a fresh new war every few years to keep the gravy flowing. And Israel was hoping to use its big, dumb (goy) pit bull (aka, the USA) to supply the aerial firepower to pulverize their regional rival, Iran.
My guess is that these two groups will have their way. But it is a pity, because Trump, America, and the Mideast really could get out of this rather easily right now.
For the president to look tough during an election year, killing Soleimani is drastically more important than killing bin Laden by the Obama administration. Bin Laden was essentially a lame duck leader when he was killed. Soleimani was at the top of his game.
Therefore Trump has secured his bragging rights. He could claim this represents closure or 'mission actually accomplished'.
There is another argument for 'mission accomplished': the USA was supposedly trying to bring self-government to the region. And now the parliament of Iraq has ordered the USA to leave. Shouldn't this be seen as a demonstration of a certain amount of success in bringing democratic self-government to Iraq?
Therefore Trump could withdraw troops from Iraq (and probably stuff them into Kuwait or Qatar), and claim he is living up to his campaign promise of ending useless wars in the Mideast. The people of American and the Mideast would be relieved.
Ahh, but two powerful groups would not be happy: the Pentagon and Israel. The Pentagon needs a fresh new war every few years to keep the gravy flowing. And Israel was hoping to use its big, dumb (goy) pit bull (aka, the USA) to supply the aerial firepower to pulverize their regional rival, Iran.
My guess is that these two groups will have their way. But it is a pity, because Trump, America, and the Mideast really could get out of this rather easily right now.
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| britannica.com |
Comments
I agree with the premise that the current Iran War "does offer up a great opportunity to the Trump administration. He probably won't cash in on this opportunity".