Donald Trump's self-love, not Iran, is global enemy number one, according to a scathing opinion piece by Simon Tisdall, a Guardian foreign affairs commentator. Tisdall argues that Trump's leadership renders US forces ineffective and has dragged the world into an economic quagmire.
Trump's Iran War: A Limitless Fiasco
Tisdall describes Trump as feckless and clueless, lost in Iran and unable to find a way out of the disastrous war he started. The US military is pummelling the country and increasingly its civilian infrastructure, which strengthens the resistance of a hardline regime that cares little for its people's suffering. Trump claimed this week to be "winning big," but no one believes him.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz, closed due to Trump's belligerence, is now the White House's limited, elusive objective. The grander US and Israeli war aims—eliminating Iran's nuclear programme, degrading its regional militias, and regime change—are less attainable than ever.
A Pattern of Presidential Stupidity
Tisdall notes a familiar pattern: Trump went to war without consulting Congress, US allies, or the American public. He had no clear plan or long-term strategy. He swallowed dodgy assurances of speedy victory from Israel's prime minister. His profound ignorance of military and regional risks was undisturbed by expert assessments he reportedly ignored. Trump was expecting Iran to capitulate before closing the strait and was "shocked" by its retaliatory attacks on US bases in Gulf states. No one else was.
This same arrogance characterised last year's grandiose 20-point Gaza "peace plan." None of the key elements—reconstruction, an international stabilisation force, demilitarisation—have advanced, and Trump has mostly lost interest. Hamas has not disarmed, Israeli forces refuse to withdraw, humanitarian aid is still disrupted, and more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since October's "ceasefire."
Trump's Unhelpful Interventions in Ukraine
A similar critique applies to Trump's interventions in the Ukraine-Russia war. He never concerned himself with root causes or Vladimir Putin's dishonourable motives. He favoured what he perceived to be the stronger party and tried to bully Volodymyr Zelenskyy into quasi-capitulation. When that failed, he petulantly turned his back on Kyiv, while still trying to appease the intransigent Putin.
The Flawed Memorandum of Understanding
At the heart of this week's escalation is June's "memorandum of understanding," which supposedly froze the conflict for 60 days pending substantive negotiations. Trump hailed the MoU as a personal triumph, but it is fatally flawed. Its fifth paragraph appeared to legitimise de facto Iranian control over the strait. Desperate for an off-ramp, Trump agreed to it. Now, as the consequences become clearer, he jibs. Little wonder Tehran doesn't trust him.
Global Consequences and US Reputation
The damage caused by Trump's Iran fiasco appears limitless. Trump has resumed daily bombing even though all previous onslaughts failed. The more he bombs, the more immoveable the regime becomes, the more conflict intensifies, and the more remote is any chance of resolving the nuclear issue.
Trump, vowing to impose maritime tolls in the strait and then reversing himself within 24 hours, overseeing attacks on civilian infrastructure that could amount to war crimes, and facing the economically dire prospect of a Red Sea blockade by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, has no clue how to escape this deepening quagmire. European allies look askance, Washington's enemies chortle with glee, global markets take fright, and the oil price rises again. The US's reputation and influence in the world diminish with every missile fired.
Who Will Stop Trump?
Congress has told Trump to halt the war or seek official authorisation. He's ignoring it. Polls show a majority of Americans are against the whole $100bn, inflation-fuelling mess, yet Trump refuses to listen. Appalled allies, licking their wounds after another tongue-lashing at Nato's Ankara summit, dare not check him for fear of permanent rupture. Pope Leo tries his valiant best. Prayer may be the only thing left.
Vladimir Putin is only too happy to watch the Americans channel scarce missile interceptors, treasure, and energy into another Middle East forever war, far removed from Ukraine. The greater the strains within the western alliance, the better he likes it, especially if Russia plans a large-scale hybrid warfare provocation in Poland or the Baltic republics. China is already a huge beneficiary, economically and in terms of soft power leverage. Sooner or later, Xi Jinping will cash in militarily.
The Trump conundrum is ultimately one for the American people to resolve. They elected him. They saddled the world with this dangerous monster. It's they who may ultimately pay the highest price for his depredations. Urgently needed now: a 2026 declaration of independence from Trump.
