An Update of the Iran Front

Before I go on with my observations, this is today, Talking Feds with Ann Applebaum. As I usually do, I try to share my expertise. Her take is far more comprehensive:

Now, with no further, as we all know, Donald Trump backed down at seemingly the last minute of carrying out an attack. As always, Trump Always Chickens Out, aka TACO. This has significant consequences for the country’s standing after Trump leaves office. And I do have my doubts that his MAGA base fully grasps these effects. On the other hand, China does. And what China perceives will matter for the next two generations. After all, China is a country that has a long view of history. Not unlike Iran, by the way. Both are old civilizations, and that matters when you are looking at this at a policy level. However, more proximally, Trump is now concerned about the strait, which, I will remind you, was open before the first bombs fell. And anybody with a modicum of experience in the area was expecting Iran to close. So it is no longer nuclear policy, just open the damn straight. And in a way, Iran (and Oman) will do this, for a price:

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei:

«Iran’s role in managing the future of the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring its security, including measures…