Trump's War(p)

Ayatollah Khameini (left) was a fundamentalist theocrat, a dictator who tolerated no dissent and who effectively controlled ruthless forces of might, repression and corruption. He will be missed by some but was loathed by many.

American presidents have learned, as Trump will, that it’s easier to start a war than to end one. Aside from extinguishing his demand for the Nobel Peace Prize, always a non-starter, Trump’s reckless, illegal exercise of  American power has, since February 28th, killed hundreds of Iranians, at least four US service members that we know of, driven up the price of gas at the pump, put the stock market in a downward drift, stimulated inflation, stranded thousands of American travelers abroad and hyper-magnified the cowardice of congressional Republicans, almost all of whom continue to bend the knee to DJT!

Iran has been a regional troublemaker since the Shah was overthrown in 1979— abetting and arming proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and elsewhere. Why does Iran need nuclear weapons? For what useful purpose? It has summarily slaughtered thousands of its citizens and shown the world the horrors of government by theocracy. Its denial of the right of Israel to exist and its support of Hamas in the 2023 attack on Israel has so far insured the survival of Netanyahu and his right wing regime. Likely, nothing else could have.

Goosed by Bibi, and typical of Trump’s talent for agitprop, a first strike by Iran on Israel and other mideast countries but was, he alleged, imminent but he has produced no supporting evidence. Sending in the bombers has taken out the current group of Iran’s top leaders but, as we have seen with Hamas, bodies regenerate; new leaders will be announced. As the war grinds on, most of them will die as well. Khomeini’s son may try to replace his father as supreme leader; Trump will not permit that. He insists on having a "say" in selecting the next head of Iran.

The son of the Shah, who has lived in exile since the removal of his father, has offered to head a new, likely submissive Iranian, government, a la Delcey Rodriguez in Venezuela. Reviving the monarchy, even in a watered down format, would be a huge error and an even greater risk. Apparently, no one has yet publicly entertained the idea of  a a provisional Iranian government followed by an open election, admittedly a tall order for a country that moved from a corrupt monarchy to a corrupt theocracy — a significant concession for Trump who is most comfortable with autocracy.

The post World War II wars the US has gotten into have, for the most part, not ended well, viz. Korea, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan. Quick wins in Grenada and Panama don’t compare. Iran is a vast country, of 90 million people. If Trump puts boots on the ground, we could be there for years, as we were in Korea, costing the lives of 54,246 US soldiers and 103,284 wpunded.

Here at home, the long overdue and long awaited dismissal of Kristy Noem as head of Homeland Services is welcome news. It has also been said that she was  shtupping her high-level aide, Corey Lewandowski -- a reliable Trumper; he is departing as well. Her replacement, Oklahoma Republican senator Markwayne Mullin, is a known brawler; how he will run the agency remains to be seen.

Trump could keep up the roll and also get rid of that pomaded phony, Pete Hegseth, who is demonstrably incompetent despite a well-cut suit and patriot’s tie. He is not fit to sit at the table when Trump and Iran, inevitably, will sit down and end another misbegotten American war.

If Trump has an end plan he should let in the sunlight.

Photo: Jerusalem Post