Fascinating look into easily the worst decision in the Mad King's second tenure. Per Whitehouse journalists Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman....
Netanyahu sold a dream. On February 11, in the Situation Room, the Israeli Prime Minister presented a four-act scenario: kill the Supreme Leader, destroy the Iranian army, spark a popular revolution, install a new regime. He even showed a montage video featuring the "future leaders" of Iran. Trump responded: "Sounds good to me." In one sentence, he had just sealed the fate of the region.
The next day, the CIA said it was hot air. Parts 3 and 4 of Netanyahu's pitch—the popular revolution and regime change—were labeled a "farce" by Ratcliffe himself. Rubio translated: "In other words, it's bullshit." General Caine added: "It's the standard Israeli procedure. They oversell, and their plans aren't always well developed."
Trump heard. And he still said yes.
Vance saw it all. The vice president was the only one in the room to outright oppose it, warning that the war could "destroy Trump's political coalition," that the Strait of Hormuz was the real vulnerability, that no one could predict Iranian retaliation when a regime's survival was at stake. He said: "You know I think this is a bad idea. But if you want to do it, I'll back you."
This isn't political courage. It's deference.
Susie Wiles watched. The chief of staff, who had concerns, felt it "wasn't her role" to voice them on a military decision in front of the others. She "encouraged the advisors to share their views." She stayed silent.
General Caine never said no. He laid out the risks: depleted munitions stocks, Strait of Hormuz, no clear path to victory. Then he said: "If you order the operation, the military will execute."
Trump, meanwhile, "only heard what he wanted to hear."
And Trump signed off aboard Air Force One, 22 minutes before the deadline set by his own general: "Operation Epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck."
That's how you go to war in the 21st century. Not with solemn deliberation. Not with a congressional vote. Not with an exit strategy. With a Netanyahu slideshow, a "sounds good to me," and a note sent from an airplane.
In The Puppet of the White House, I write that the real decision-makers are those who prepare the presentations Trump watches. Netanyahu understood that better than anyone. He staged an hour of visual spectacle in the Situation Room with Mossad as the backdrop, videos of "future leaders," a promise of quick and clean victory.
And Trump said yes. While Vance, Rubio, Wiles, and Caine watched."
When the last people left on your side are Mark Levin, Laura Loomer, Randy Fine, Ben Shapiro, Ted Cruz and the worst; Lindsey Graham, you need to take a good look around and say, “wow, I’m a fucking retard”.
Godspeed all.
Excellent post
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