Friends, today Congress passed a (legally and constitutionally meaningless) resolution limiting President Trump's authority to resume hostilities with Iran. The only people impressed by such a resolution will be the mullahs, who will interpret it as a sure sign that their intransigence has worn down American resolve, and that the danger of future bombings and/or blockades is minimal. Alas, this conclusion might be reasonable, under the circumstances -- not because of Congress, but because Trump himself seems to have no appetite for further military action and, more importantly, for the attendant disruptions to the world oil supply. Long story short: Congress may get its way, and the war with Iran may indeed be definitively over. Partly as a consequence, our leverage over Iran in the all-important talks now taking place in Switzerland may be more modest than we would like. The wildcard here, as usual, is Israel, which can (and will) do as it pleases.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: I am no expert on judo or jiu-jitsu but I understand that part of one or both of these disciplines is to allow the opponent to advance and then take advantage of the opponent's forward momentum and presumptuousness to deal them an even more effective setback.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is a useful tactic in diplomacy or war and an hombre like DJT knows it. I think it likely he will ring the Iranian bell when their certain overreach and disingenuousness gives him an opening. Israel of course has the highest stakes of all in this continuing fight for its life against murderous barbarians. I'm confident we'll work out any differences in views with them. Our support for Israel graces our foreign policy, I think.
Dr. Waddy from Jack: But the GOP majority in Congress is no doubt greatly concerned about losing its majority in Nov. Its a hard thing to call off a creditable strategist who has a long term plan which requires patience. It may be, though, that the GOP thinks it best in the long run to continue to favor diplomacy in order to advance developments like precipitate drops in the price of gas. Such relief in a factor glaringly visible to all may redound to the GOP's advantage in Nov." If that succeeds, then back to hardball with Iran " may be the GOP strategy for now.
ReplyDeleteToo, this apparent "national "surge in enthusiasm by and for the DSA in down home places like NY must still be closely considered. Looks right now like a decisive push by the DSA to confirm their capture of the once loyal Dem party and the novelty of that may be attractive to the credulous among the "independent" and undecided. But a midterm takeover of one or both of the Houses could make the DSA a viable national party. And '28 could consequently give the radicals inspiration to " way" overreach and get McGovernized . JD could put any of the emotionally dominated adolescent DSA/Dem possibilities to shame on a debate stage.
There is of course as always with the "American" far left the distinct possibility of them overreaching. Why to them it is unquestionably just that they ascend; after all, they know best what America needs even if America does not know. An early manifestation of this may be seen in the "oh so vindicated" festivities celebrated on the obsequious MSM over DSA victories in the primaries. "Today NYC, tomorrow the world. . . !"