We seldom delve into international affairs because motives, objectives, cultural viewpoints and a host of other factors are always part of the decision equation. But today we stand on the precipice of a very foreboding abyss. President Trump has vowed to support Israel as it wars against Hamas. This week Israel attacked Iran on the assumption that Iran was very close to developing a nuclear weapon. Our president–in an incredible move–has sided with Netanyahu of Israel in that belief despite ALL of our intelligence that denies Iran’s nuclear threat. To add to this recipe for disaster, China and Russia are aligning with Iran and rattling their military sabers. This is clearly a big picture situation. The US is rounding up all pro-Palestinian advocates while denying them due process. This week a pro-Palestinian speaker was released via court order after being held 105 days. Other such demonstrations have been harshly handled….all in the name of supporting Israel. To us it’s clear that Trump wants something for his efforts for backing Israel. Maybe he thinks Palestinian genocide (which is in progress despite on-going peace talks) will gain him his Gaza Strip Riviera property and a lucrative resort site. Or maybe he fears the loss of the Jewish mega donors that fund the GOP–like for the 2026 elections. Whatever Trump’s reasoning you know he has a financial angle and if Netanyahu is willing to do his dirty work by killing a few hundred thousand people–well that’s just collateral damage. But now–with Russia and China in the fray–he needs two weeks to figure out how to proceed. It is noteworthy that Trump does not have the authority to declare war. The US Constitution, Article I, Section 8, reserves that right to Congress. So his casual “I might or I might not” attitude has no legal basis. But–beyond that minor point–the China/Russia coalition is cause to pause. It might even result in “backdoor diplomacy”–a step that should have preceded all the big macho talk from Washington. But now the die is cast. Trump will need some face-saving ploy to maintain his Jewish support but not join their war. He needs to do this without appearing weak in the eyes of the world. The China/Russia/Iran issue is a deal breaker. If Trump is unwilling to face facts that nuclear war is a bad result and, as such, he tries to double down on his threats we have a major problem. Our view is this: If Trump had just allowed the Biden-negotiated Iran Agreement to continue–which required periodic nuclear site inspections–this whole situation might have been avoided. But, just like the unnecessary tariffs that are destroying our healthy economy Trump acted foolishly and we will all pay for it. Let’s hope he’s learned enough to stop the arrogant bluffing attitude and will walk away from Iran as he has walked away from Ukraine. Otherwise….
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