If the latest reports from the New York Times and the Washington Post are to be believed, since the ceasefire, the Iranians have managed to replenish their missile arsenal to such an extent that the Americans and Israelis are once again at the forefront of their efforts. To put it somewhat exaggeratedly: they are back to square one.
Donald Trump is responsible for this disaster. His narcissism, his malicious joy in confusing, interfering, mixing sense with nonsense, his changeability, his limitless trust in his own mind with very little trust in his advisers and independent experts – all this combined made the attack on Iran one of the greatest military and political defeats of the Americans since the beginning of the Vietnam War in the mid-1960s.
Believing that the regime in Tehran would disappear from the face of the earth like a gust of wind and acting similarly to what happened in Venezuela, the blind man in the White House opted for quick action and, despite the warnings of his generals, planned a military operation as if it were one of his election speeches.
Troops from the Far East were hastily sent to the Strait of Hormuz without any training. Key missile defense systems needed to deter the People's Republic of China have been taken away from Asian allies. Voices that insisted that a land offensive should at least be considered were also ignored.
For comparison: when Iraq under Saddam Hussein attacked and occupied Kuwait in August 1990, US President George HW Bush gathered over 500,000. American soldiers, included them in the international coalition and had them practice attacking Iraq for many months.
Only five months later – in January 1991 – perfectly prepared soldiers under the command of General Norman Schwarzkopf, a veteran as experienced as he was prudent, entered the war. At the end of February it was all over. Of course, a victory.
Trump's long list of mistakes
Nothing similar can be said about the current conflict. Iran's will to fight remains unchanged – the US deterrent potential has shrunk to a minimum. Yet everything started well. If the Americans had followed up their rapid air successes with a coolly planned ground offensive, the Iranian regime, hated by its own people, would have found itself in a difficult situation.
Perhaps there wouldn't even be a need for a significant American intervention group. Before the attack, the head of the Israeli secret services suggested arming the Kurds and sending them to Tehran. Trump refused. It was unclear what war goals he was pursuing. Sometimes he defined regime change as his main goal, and sometimes it was striving to secure enriched uranium.
Then it was necessary to rush to the aid of the Iranian population, only to announce a moment later that the target was only the supreme religious leader. With such amateurism, Iran's leadership, focused solely on survival, had an easy game. To this day, the impression remains that the American-Iranian war is a rebellion against the water by those who cannot swim.
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The high price of war
The West can only despair over the weakness of the Americans. On the one hand, Europe is also interested in Tehran losing its nuclear capabilities, but on the other hand, every European can feel uneasy seeing how strong China has become in just a few weeks – even without their own involvement.
Jay Hurst, responsible for the Pentagon's finances, announced on Tuesday during a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on the Allocation of Resources that the current costs of the operation amount to $29 billion. (at the current exchange rate PLN 105 billion).
During a later meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hurst clarified that the reported total did not yet include all losses. The bill does not include expenses related to damage to US bases in the Middle East.
— I don't think about the financial situation of Americans. I don't think about anyone. I only think about one thing: we cannot allow Iran to have nuclear weapons, and that's all,” Trump commented on the reports.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
