Trump's newest focus is Iran. Although he claimed last year's strikes had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities, his administration now insists that additional attacks are needed to stop the country from becoming a nuclear power.
Without explicit congressional approval, Trump has deployed the military, but has not quickly accomplished his objectives. The conflict threatens to become another prolonged entanglement. The consequences extend beyond the conflict itself, as Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global oil markets. Foreign"'policy experts warn that the conflict is also further eroding America's credibility and influence abroad.
Beyond making the world more dangerous, Trump's war may also carry political consequences for his party. The Trump campaign had falsely framed the economy as being in free fall and argued that only he could save it. But with gas prices rising and inflation again a threat, the decision to launch another long, open"'ended conflict risks undermining Republican candidates as they head into the November elections.
The war also highlights a major failure of Trump's first term. Having established his political career on the foundation of the birther movement, Trump entered office with a mission of overturning everything his predecessor had accomplished. If the presidency were a DC comic, Trump would be Lex Luthor to Obama's Superman, minus the genius and the earned wealth that define the fictional supervillain.
Obama had negotiated an agreement with Iran that had significantly restricted Iran's nuclear program. Despite verification that Iran complied with their obligations, Trump withdrew from the agreement, insisting that he could negotiate something better. The self-declared master of the Art of the Deal came up empty, and, freed from the limits Obama had negotiated, Iran reinvigorated its nuclear program.
A hallmark of Trump's second term has been the limited oversight exercised by the other coequal branches of government. His open"'ended war may prove different. With 13 service members killed and the price tag already exceeding $25 billion, questions about how the conflict began are not going away. Trump used America's weariness with war to win the presidency. Ignoring those concerns now may carry political consequences he cannot easily dismiss.
Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections at TheDifrntDrmr.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Post Article Comment and Rate This Article
