So far… It appears…

We on the couch know nothing. In situations like this, even the Good Guys engage in secrecy and deception. Therefore, the rest of us must place the modifier “It appears…” before every observation.

The current situation is fluid, dynamic, and could change in an instant. Therefore, a second modifier — “So far…” — must also preface everything.

Here are the only facts that are certain. Israel is a relatively small country (bigger than Connecticut, smaller than Massachusetts), and Iran is quite large (much bigger than Texas, slightly smaller than Alaska). Israel’s population is around 9 million, and Iran’s is around 90 million. They are not close neighbors. There are over 600 miles of desert between them that in parts go by the names of Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. No one is going to invade anyone.

So far, it appears:

• • • Israel is kicking Iran’s patootie.
    • After 48 hours, Iran is defenseless. Israel can destroy whatever it wants, whenever it wants, as long as it is above ground.
    • Israel has a robust defense system that repels over 90% of what Iran hurls at it.
    • Iran’s ability to hurl anything at Israel decreases daily. It will likely reach zero within days.

  
  
  
  

• • • All the above has occurred without the USA firing anything into Iran.
    • All the above has occurred without Iran firing rockets in the direction of any location containing large numbers of Americans.
    • In diplomacy, Trump has the role of Teddy Roosevelt. He talks softly while holding the biggest, nastiest stick in the game.

  
  
  
  

• • • Trump is advancing American interests without endangering American lives.
    • Democrats, the media, and other Trump critics are speechless.
    • They got nuthin.

  
  
  
  

We on the couch can predict nothing, we can only hope. We can hope that some obscure Iranian colonel in a small, remote barracks declares he is the leader of a revolution. We can hope he succeeds, and we can hope he views Western Civilization, on the whole, to be a good thing.

G-Pub