Let's give Trump the benefit of the doubt and assume his claimed negotiations are not only real, but they will end this conflict, pending Netanyahu's compliance. So what do we have to show for this war of choice? -The US stockpile of tactical weapons is drastically reduced. -THAAD and Patriot systems are short of missiles. -The US has probably spent $75 billion or more, and Hegseth is asking for $200 billion. -8 US Servicepeople are dead, many more injured -An unknown number of Iranians are dead, including 165 elementary schoolgirls -An unknown number of Lebanese are dead, and southern Lebanon looks a lot like Gaza -An unknown number of Israelis are dead. -An unknown number of GCC citizens and/or expats are dead. -The already difficult life of 90+ million Iranians is worse than a month ago -Saudi oil production has been reduced -UAE, Kuwait and Iraqi oil production has been reduced -Qatar gas production has been reduced -It will be months or years before Gulf oil and gas production climbs again to February 2025 levels -The US’ reputation in the world is diminished even more than Trump already diminished it -The quaint notion that the Gulf is a welcoming and safe place for expats has been shattered -As Roger Daltrey might sing, “Meet the new mullah; same as the old mullah” -Iran still has whatever enriched uranium it had back in February -Iran’s navy might be gone, but it was never anything special anyway -Crude oil is 50-60% higher than it was a month ago, and that will be reflected in prices of just about everything On the plus side, defense contractors will see lots of new orders for their killing machines, and “somebody” is richer to the tune of $2-4 billion from front running Trump’s taco Tweet on Monday. Finally, nuclear weapons experts will be in high demand in all developing countries. Looking at all of that, was it worth more than giving negotiations a little more time back at the end of February? Is the world a better place today than 27 February 2025?
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