Thinking on My Feet: Once Again
I am not sure about anyone else, but in my view what began as possible obliteration of Iran’s nuclear programs and the chance for the people of Iran to be free after almost 50 years has become a massive failure. Somewhere in the process of offering hope to the world of a nuclear-free terrorist Iran and proclaiming hope to the beleaguered people of Iran, President Trump has seemed to have lost his moral focus, if not his fortitude. At this moment, he faces the very real prospect of being no different from any other administration, other than having starting a justified effort to make a difference.
Before the IRGC slaughtered as many as 40,000 Iranian citizens, the President had warned the Ayatollah against killing innocent civilians. He publicly communicated that he would have the backs of the freedom-seeking Iranian people. After the atrocity, no one lifted a finger, including the United States and summary executions went mainstream. It took the very real threat of Iran being in the final stages of producing a nuclear bomb, not continued atrocities, that spurred us into action.
After being on the verge of obtaining the total surrender of Iran, ridding her of even a particle of nuclear material, and most importantly enabling the Iranian people to forge their own path toward freedom, the administration opted for a so-called ceasefire that never kept Iran from firing. Admittedly, President Trump did manage to obtain the glory of having “made a deal”, even if it gives Iran everything they want except the Strait of Hormuz, gets no nuclear solution, and keeps the people under the heavy boot of authoritarianism and tyranny.
But wait, as of today (June 20th), it looks like Iran has decided they want the whole enchilada, including the strait. They are unhappy because the leader of one sovereign country (United States) doesn’t have the authority or right to demand another sovereign nation (Israel) stop defending itself. After all, what self-respecting sponsor of worldwide proxy terrorism would idly stand by while its victims shoot back. If Iran has successfully defied the most powerful nation in the world, why not go for the gold?
I am willing to admit that I could be wrong with my observations and analysis so far (but I don’t think so). But there is one thing I am pretty sure about: What I have written is about how the rest of people who care at all in the western hemisphere see things. This is what the situation looks like to the everyday, common, thinking person “on the street”. I don’t think I am the only one tired of the greatest nation Earth kowtowing to a third-rate, stuck-in-the-nineth-century, impudent country that has built its existence on equal parts oil and terrorism.
At this point it’s beginning to look like Iran is another North Korea, South Vietnam, Afghanistan. A mis-managed conflict sabotaged by economics, politics (national and international), and a lack of fortitude. The people of Iran had a chance, an open window, and the President Trump and/ or his advisors have blown it.