Iran 062119

With the exception or the four “Rs” (radical, raving, racist, right) believers, few can doubt that the present war crisis is the result of Trump’s blundering electioneering. 

It is possible that the administration now sees more election opportunities, war demands flag rallies, and everyone knows how Trump loves a good rally.   A sure vote getter, war worked four times for Democrat FDR.  War as a political tool in America has historical precedent that dates at least as far back as the Lincoln administration.  It was proposed that the United States declare another war on Mexico so the south would rally around against the common enemy. 

American problems with Iran date back to the fall of the British Empire and assumption of world power in the 1940s.  By the 50s the United States over threw the only democratic elected government in the Middle East, returning a despot to the throne of Iran.  U.S. responsibility for their suffering was not lost on the Iranian population.  Continued exploitation led to revolution and eventual seizure of the American Embassy.  A failed rescue attempt greatly embarrassed America to the point of continued conflict by supporting regional proxy wars.

While Americans don’t remember last week, Iran and the rest of the Muslim world have very long memories.  Minor slights don’t go away they just pile higher and higher.   The Rumsfeld/Chaney plan to take over mid-east oil by control of Iraq and Afghanistan and threatening Iran with a two front invasion has spectacularly failed, resulting in regional instability.  The GOP hard-liners still holds on to the hope of revenge for America’s embarrassment and pushes mindless Trump into a no-win confrontation.

Shots have now been fired and its string of blunders isolates America.  There is no question of the shot heard around the world but where the drone fell is immaterial.  It was there to intimidate Iran.   It’s possible it was American armed drones creating provocations that damaged tankers.  It is also possible that any number of regional dissent groups damaged the tankers.  The administration blames every incident on Iran, which are denied so whom to believe? Should we believe an administration that has never told the truth or its demonized Muslim foe with a motive to tell the truth?

This is a clash of cultures: one embracing game theory of win-win  (can’t lose) with Christian calls for holy crusades, the other who believes win-win means no loser with Islamic values of defense of the faith.  Thump who has no ethics or integrity probably still believes he can bully Iran into a subordinate American colony.  Iran reflects regional history, occupation is not surrender.  The Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, Russians, British, French, and Soviets were defeated and ejected from the region.  Trump is hoping to arm Saudi Arabia as an ally after losing influence not only in the region but also the world.  America will never recover and Iran will never surrender.

It may become known as the 2020 hindsight war, but Trump will finally get his military parade, Caissons slow march rolling into Arlington.