Rubio told the media yesterday morning that Israel was going to attack Iran, and we had to join in to minimize the damage that would come to American bases in retaliation from Iran. Trump had told us on Saturday we were attacking Iran to stop their path to nuclear weapons and other aggressions on their part. By yesterday afternoon, Trump was contradicting Rubio, claiming Iran was ready to attack.
Most analysts give credence to General Caine's briefing, which indicated that it was a planned, coordinated joint effort with Israel. They conclude that Rubio's Israel version is to help Republicans in the midterms with voters upset with the new war.
In a more studied administration, the President and Secretary of State would have the same story. Trump described his negotiators as people doing this their whole lives. I know that Witkoff and Kushner have a background in real estate, it was news to me that they also were experienced diplomats. Move over Henry Kissinger.
In reality, both Witkoff and Kushner are acting as trusted messengers at key discussions being held overseas. Liaisons to President Trump who is the actual and final decision maker of how to proceed, according to the confines of our nation’s Constitution, as has always been the case.
ReplyDeleteMarco Rubio, so far, has been doing an outstanding job. His version of the story (as on actual transcript) includes suggesting a pause in planned hostilities by Israel until the United States successfully concludes its preparation of that battlefield, therefore making it less likely our personal assets get caught in a crossfire. Sounds like good advice to me.
While many can disagree with Kissinger, he was real diplomat, much like Lavrov of Russia. He was able to secure the trust of his adversary or the other side. The U.S. has repeatedly used negotiations as a tool to gain time to attack even while negotiations are underway. While some believe that is smart, it will have long range consequences. I suspect that negotiations with the U.S. are dead by much of the world.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a negotiator under these terms, I would publicly quit.
I suspect that there will be few new negotiations.
Ray@6:14: I agree, but that is the good news. The bad news is that there is nobody in the administration, including Trump, aware enough to realize that consequence. Trump blames everything on Biden, but in reality the next president will have his hands full repairing the damage from this administration.
ReplyDeleteThis is Trump's war, he succumbed to the pressure, he sacrificed his second term in a war that had all the predictable risks.
DeleteHegseth may have been used to reform the Pentagon, but was never up to managing ww3. It appears they are searching for plan b.
Mike, stop rejoicing in Trump's failures, WE are all going to suffer and the democrats are just as incapable.
Trump should have stayed focused on domestic policy.
I wasn’t a Rubio fan, but he’s surfaced as this administration’s only adult in the room. I do think he’s doing a good job. Remember he wasn’t Trump’s first choice. Rubio is keeping his head down enough to keep Trump appearing involved, but Rubio is doing the footwork.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me, all negotiations come to an end. This one, I believe ended for now, because Iran was not being honest, upfront, nor serious. So, I ask, who really decided to walk away here and risk the consequences. Israel or Iran? I saw United States as a mediator between those two parties.
ReplyDeleteRay@7:30: I assure you that I don't rejoice at all. However, I'm not a Republican sycophant as anon5:50. I'm an independent, and as a blogger, I say it as I see it.
ReplyDeleteJust don’t expect anyone from this administration to reach out to you for expert military or geopolitical advice!
DeleteYes, everyone who disagrees with you (which seems to be a majority on your own blog) HAS to be a “Republican sycophant”. Only an independent such as yourself can have a valid opinion.
DeleteThat’s a pretty interesting way to view the world.
Perhaps you should offer your services to a university psychology program. You’d be useful when they hit the chapter on self-delusion.