17th Day and Third Week of Trump’s War With Iran

Here is a quick overview on this 17th day of Trump’s war with Iran.

• Cost of war — it was estimated that in the first 6 days of the war, it cost the U.S. nearly $2 Billion a day. The Pentagon reported that the first week cost us $11.3 Billions, not counting the expenses of the build-up. Tomahawk cruise missiles, like the one the U.S. military used in that deadly strike on an Iranian girls’ primary school, cost $2.2 million each. It may be worth keeping these figures in mind as the Trump administration argues it doesn’t have enough money to make health care more affordable.
• Cost of gas — since the war started on Feb. 28, the average cost of gas has risen 25%; the cost of oil 40%.
• The war is unpopular with Americans; only 1 in 4 support it. A good portion of the MAGA base is seething over the war, since their guy ran against “endless wars.”
• US and Israel war has spread to a regional conflict — and is affecting the world economy.
• Chaos and unplanned consequences; Trump and the US military cannot control everything, despite the seeming “success” of US operations. That’s why on the very first day of the war, we bombed a girls’ school thinking it was a military target; out-dated plans and maps cost lives.
• Lack of planning; it’s now clear what with no explanation to the US public of the goals of the war, the unpreparedness of getting US and other citizens home to their countries, and the simple lack of cohesion to the US war aims and projects, Trump is winging it; things go as he “feels it.”
• The blockade by Iran of the Straits of Hormuz was totally predictable, yet the US appears incapable of dealing with it.
• There has been no “up-rising” as Trump and Stephen Miller and their GOP allies in Congress hoped there would be among the Iranian people.
• No regime change. This needs no explanation. It hasn’t happened.
• Lack of allies; as has been evidenced by the lack of response from Trump’s latest demands that NATO and China help with escorting ships through the Straits of Hormuz. The Prime Minister of Britain said he would not support this “illegal war.”
• The U.S. and Israel have different war aims and goals. Israel is now invading southern Lebanon with ground operations. This is NOT in America’s interest.
• Iran gets a vote. Trump claims he alone can end the war. That obviously is not how wars go. Both sides have a vote and Iran appears ready to keep fighting despite Trump’s claims of ending it if he felt like it.
• White House and Pentagon are downplaying American casualties in the conflict. Look how long it took for Americans to learn about the 150 military wounded and injured — many very serious (one included an amputation).
• There are indications that Trump is planning a ground invasion and operation. Marines are coming from Asia trained in amphibious landings. There were rumors the 82nd Airborne Division was mobilizing.

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