Plan B

 

Credit: Charles J Sharp

Does Trump even have a plan concerning the Iran situation? Believe it or not, I think there is one. Indeed, it´s the same plan (or "plan") Trump has used in many other situations before: a version of the "madman strategy" associated with Tricky Dick (you know, Nixon). First, hit them hard (or pretend you´re going to do it). Next, sit down and negotiate. Presumably, you´re battered opponent will then give you what you want. Trump has used this tactic over and over since 2016. The art of the deal, baby!

There are two problems with this kind of plan, however. First, Trump uses it indiscriminately against both friend and foe. Second, there doesn´t seem to be any plan B! If the ploy fails, Trump has a tendency to simply drop the issue and threaten somebody else instead. 

It´s also interesting to note that Trump, as far as I recall, never used this strategy against Russia and China. Even he isn´t *that* crazy. And at some point, somebody Trump thinks is weaker will call his bluff. The tactic can´t possibly work forever. Maybe we are there now. The "weaker" party calling it is, of course, the current Iranian regime. Which is backed by Russia and China. 

I suppose we are about to find out...