I’m sure most of us recall the promises Donald Trump made while campaigning to be president. He’d end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours and he’d make sure Iran never got nuclear weapons. Okay, Sir Donald, where do we stand?
Today, Monday, May 12, is the day that European leaders and Ukraine President Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy have set as the start date for a 30-day ceasefire, after which peace negotiations can commence. Trump is on board, but he also confides, via Truth Social, that he doesn’t think Ukraine is up to the task of securing a deal.
In private, according to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has also expressed frustration with Putin, saying about Ukraine that Putin wants “the whole thing.” In other words, Putin will not be satisfied with securing permanent rights to the territories he’s already militarily taken. Bring back another piece of the Soviet Empire, and let’s move on to other conquests.
Meanwhile, negotiations continue with Iran to secure a deal over their potential development of a nuclear bomb. To do this, the Iranians must agree to give up enriching uranium. Enirchment of uranium is a key to building nuclear weapons. However, the country has said it will never concede its right to enrichment.
“Holy Cow,” as legendary Cubs sportscaster Harry Caray used to say. Unfortunately, this expression of glee, or of frustration, applies in the frustration sense to what’s going on in the two negotiations — Ukraine/Putin and Iran/the World.
From my perspective, the problem is that Donald Trump is trying to ge The Great Statesman route, probably to silence his critics and go out with a positive “Holy Cow.” The larger problem lies in the fact that both Putin and Iran’s leaders know this, so they’re taking Trump and our country for a ride.
This would not have been a problem during Trump 45 from 2017 to 2021, when he was known as unpredictable, a gunslinger to be wary of. That Trump is now no longer to be found. He thinks posts on Truth Social will move the world and get him what he wants.
My suggestions are to a) equip Ukraine with the deadliest weapons known to war outside of the nuclear type and b} join with Israel in bombing the Holy Hell ouit of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Noble Peace Prizes be damned (they’d never give one to Trump anyway). Let’s get some results.
PS Just learned that Iran has threatened to bomb Saudi Arabia if Israel and/or the U.S. strike its nuke facilities. I’m no expert, but take out their missile sites before hitting the nuclear facilities with bunker busters. Then use warships to take down any remaining missiles headed toward Israel, Saudi Arabia, or elsewhere. I make it sound so simple, huh? Which is why no one in the Trump admin has asked me to be an advisor. LOL