As rescue crews sift through the rubble in Haifa, Israel, after an Iranian missile struck the area, attention swiftly turns to the White House. President Trump is dangling the possibility of a diplomatic solution with Iran, while simultaneously setting a mysterious two-week countdown for a potential military response. One can only wonder if this is a carefully calculated strategy or merely another theatrical Trump tactic. After all, keeping enemies and occasionally allies guessing seems to be a favored Trumpian approach.
Debates swirl around whether military action is inevitable or if there’s any room left for negotiation. Trump has been unyielding on his core objective: dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. The clock ticked down on a previous 60-day deadline, resulting in Israel’s decisive bombing on what felt rather poetic — day 61. Could it be a mere coincidence, or perhaps it was penciled in on the planner all along? Regardless, the negotiation window feels as narrow as ever, with the B-2 bombers waiting not-so-patiently in the wings.
For those suspiciously whispering about divisions within the Republican Party, you’d need a microscope to see them. Comments from Marc Thiessen make it clear that rumors of disruption in the ranks of the MAGA movement are greatly exaggerated. A new poll from the Reagan Institute paints a clear picture: a vast majority of MAGA Republicans stand firmly alongside President Trump, particularly on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Turns out, bombs over Fordow have solid bipartisan appeal — who knew?
Meanwhile, the “Axis of Resistance” once feared by many seems to have all but evaporated. Mark Thiessen points out that since Trump’s decisive action in taking out Soleimani in 2020, supposed allies of Iran in the region appear to be missing in action. With Hezbollah’s rockets no longer raining down on Israel and Hamas similarly disrupted, Iran’s inner circle of troublemakers seems to be shrinking by the day. Notably, Russia is entangled with Ukraine, hardly a distraction they need right now, and China appears content watching from the sidelines.
Ultimately, skeptics suggest reluctance for another full-blown conflict. Yet Trump’s past behavior, executing precision strikes without deploying US troops to occupy foreign lands, may serve as a more likely blueprint. While others bat around worries over retaliatory strikes, Thiessen assures us that Iran’s bark is far more menacing than its bite these days. With half its ballistic missiles already taken out and defense systems demolished, Iran’s bluster seems more akin to a whimper. The narrative is clear: the stage for Trump’s next act appears set, and critics best prepare themselves for a continued display of his signature resolve.
