What Really Matters with Walter Russell Mead Trump and the Israel-Iran War
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Jun 19, 2025 Explore the complexities of military and diplomatic strategies in the Israel-Iran conflict. Discover how Israel's air superiority contrasts with Russia's challenges in Ukraine. Delve into Iran's push for nuclear negotiations amidst deep mistrust. Uncover the divided stance within the MAGA coalition over U.S. support for Israel and how Trump's decisions are shaped by competing political factions. Finally, compare past presidential successes and failures in Middle Eastern diplomacy, shedding light on the enduring challenges in the region.
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Trump's Strategic War Signaling
- Trump signals reluctance to attack Iran by imposing a two-week decision window and emphasizing a desire to avoid war.
- This approach attempts to unite his coalition and pressure Iran towards nuclear program abandonment.
Israeli Air Superiority in Iran
- Israel's control of Iranian skies allows precise strikes unavailable to other powers like Russia in Ukraine.
- Superior intelligence and air superiority give Israel a significant tactical edge against Iran's military.
Iranian Military Weaknesses Exposed
- Iranian military shows significant weaknesses due to corruption and incompetence, exposed by Israeli intelligence.
- Despite setbacks, Iran remains large and hard to conquer by Israel's limited military size.
