Trump just assassinated the second most powerful man in Iran, Qassem Soleimani, head of the dreaded Quds force. I think this is Trump's declaration of war against Iran. Do we expect Iran, of all countries, to be diplomatic in its response? or rather to fly into a blood-lust frenzy instead? Not really that hard to figure out.
Is it good that the horrible Soleimani is dead? Sure. Was he working to attack Americans in the Middle East? Probably. Was he a primary force in the brutal expansions of Iranian power in the Middle East? Yes.
But, how does the leader of the free world respond to that? By assassinating him? George W Bush said no. Obama said no. They didn't want to start a war with Iran. They countered Soleimani's moves with U.S. moves. That is the level headed and responsible approach. The approach of grown ups. The approach based upon the interests of America rather than the political interests of a childish president needing to distract from his impeachment.
Did Trump consult with Saudi Arabia's leader, MBS? I expect that is very likely, as Trump immediately sided with Saudi Arabia against Iran as soon as he took office - remember him standing with a ridiculous grin on his face as Saudi warriors danced around him swinging swords?
Why? Even though you can find Republicans and war hawks agreeing with this assassination as justified, the support rings hollow to me. They keep being forced to defend the egotistical impulses of the child at the head of their party. When will they speak out?
Why? This nitwit, whose only concern is himself, needs big headlines to distract from his impeachment. I have long feared just this - a war to pull the headlines away from his exposed corruption and to capture the headlines.
He is a danger, not only to American democracy with his authoritarian attacks on our democratic institutions (free press, neutral judiciary, fair Justice system, Constitutional congressional powers, etc.) but he is a danger to the world with his bloodthirsty need to prove his pathetic notion of manhood.
I do hope and pray that this does not escalate into a war the way Iraq did, because I fear it could actually get worse than Iraq.
