Nice bit of Israeli history, although…Zionism ended in 1948. Once Zionism was achieved and the state of Israel was formed, we just have the policies of Israel and the ideologies of its citizens, not something special called Zionism. It doesn’t make sense to have a word that means the ideology to form a particular state for a particular people when that state has already been formed. Other countries don’t have a special term that means people think that that country should continue to exist, neither should Israel.
According to interviews with people who have been in the room with Trump as president, Trump isn’t playing 4D chess or putting on a front. Trump actually has nonsensical economic and foreign policy views. He thinks trade deficits are what determine whether he should be friendly or mean to a foreign country. He believes the US would be strong if not for the huge impact of political correctness holding us back. Trump has limited moral values in foreign policy and just wants to make what he views as good one-on-one deals. Trump seems to be a legitimate Iran hawk. Trump formed his views during his formative years based on what was happening at the time and based on his gut, and he just sticks to that, even if his gut intuitions are nonsense.
When it came to the war with Iran, Trump was convinced that the regime would fall. He was less convinced by Israel’s persuasion and more by Iran’s lack of response after the 12-day war and Israel’s success in that war.
The CIA told Trump that Iranian regime change was not likely, but Trump believed in his gut that it was.
Risks, like the Strait of Hormuz, were presented to Trump, but super softly. Trump was advised by a small group of scared yes men. Only Vance seriously tried to dissuade him.
Iran expert who used to advise the White House thinks Iran was willing to do a deal that was better than Obama’s deal before the 12 day war, but not anymore.
“The Israeli military is quietly but quickly building a giant earthen barrier separating the over 50% of the Gaza Strip it controls from the rest of the territory, according to satellite imagery, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave.
…
Gaza’s population has been crowded into the coastal area west of the yellow line, most living in squalid tent camps and dependent on aid.
On the other side of the line, satellite imagery shows that Israeli forces have leveled the vast majority of buildings using bulldozers and explosives, virtually erasing several towns and Rafah, once home to more than a quarter million people.
They have carved new road networks and erected new bases on the ruins of Palestinian towns. Agricultural land has also been destroyed. The Israeli military says it is demolishing infrastructure used by Hamas.
…
sraeli forces have killed more than 1,100 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, most in airstrikes and drone strikes around Gaza. Militant attacks have killed five Israeli soldiers in the same period.
…
A former U.N. diplomat now in charge of coordinating the ceasefire has blamed Hamas’ failure to disarm. Sporadic talks to reach a formula for decommissioning its weapons appear to have made little progress, and Hamas accuses Israel in turn of violating the ceasefire.”
A regime change war against Iran had a chance of succeeding, but it required both commitment to a longer war and preparing the Iranian opposition on the ground. The Trump administration, despite essentially declaring a regime-change war at the beginning by calling on the Iranian people to soon rise up, did not appear to much help the Iranian opposition and had no stomach for the length of war necessary to give regime change a chance.
At the start of the Iran War, Trump straight up told the Iranian people that the US was here to help the Iranian people overthrow their theocratic government. Trump was either lying, or just gave up on that goal.
“to the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don’t leave your home. It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.
For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny, and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach.
This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.”
Trump acknowledges that Israel has been blowing up apartment complexes to kill some Hezbollah members when there are a lot of other people in those apartments who are not Hezbollah.
Iranian hardline protesters are chanting that their leaders are weak and pathetic if they agree to Trump’s deal, even though Trump’s deal sucks for the United States and achieved nothing that couldn’t be achieved diplomatically.
The chanters are asking what about the blood of their former leader who Israel and the United States assassinated. They are demanding no deals but victory against the countries who assassinated their leader.