When I was growing up, there was a song by Stonewall Jackson with the lyric, “Everybody has to meet his Waterloo.” I’ve personally had a few. Now it’s Donald Trump’s turn.
His Waterloo is the mess he created in Iran — for no apparent reason other than he thought that the bombing would bring forth an Iranian Delcy Rodriguez (male, of course). Then he could expand his empire, just as Napoleon tried to do before he met his Waterloo.
At the United Nations yesterday, Trump threatened Iran with “annihilation” if it didn’t agree to his plan for the country, which is now focused on preventing the Islamic Republic from ever developing a nuclear capability. Today, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian shot back, claiming his people had become the “victims of terrorism” at Trump’s hands.
Pezeshkian did say that Iran is open to a brokered end to the war, but Trump must first stop the aggression. He also canceled out Trump’s prima facie case for the war — he said Iran has the right to develop nuclear power.
“Iran does not accept for nuclear technology to be at the exclusive disposal of some, of a handful. We will not bow our head and give up the right that is inherently ours,” he said.
There goes Trump’s last rationale for the war — ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions. With that off the table, the president would appear to have two basic options: carry out the annihilation, or sign a deal without a nuclear bomb provision.
I’m sure Sir Donald is waiting till after the midterms, thinking that Iran’s leaders will then come to their senses and realize that Trump means what he says about massive destruction.
The problem with this scenario is Trump’s looming Waterloo in November, when he loses control of the House of Representatives (that one is guaranteed) and potentially the Senate as well. The House will impeach him repeatedly if he carries on with the war.
Indeed, “Everybody has to meet his Waterloo,” Mr. Trump, and yours is nigh.
