Trump Iran Strikes: Political Repercussions

THE MOST important military decision undertaken by President Donald Trump was, fittingly, one of opportunity and instinct. During his first term in office, hawkish advisers like John Bolton counselled the president to bomb Iran’s nuclear-enrichment facilities. But Mr Trump did so only after a successful Israeli campaign left Iran severely weakened, with few air defences and diminished proxy forces. It was an operational success, executed faultlessly. Stealth bombers flew undetected into Iran and dropped “massive ordnance penetrators” on three nuclear facilities. Not a shot was fired against them. The diplomatic coup came not long after. After a face-saving salvo against an American base in Qatar—telegraphed in advance and easily intercepted—Iran agreed to an American-brokered ceasefire with Israel.