When someone coined the phrase “forever wars,” they certainly hit a nerve with the American people. Engaging in conflicts that drag on with no end in sight is anathema to the citizens of this country, and for good reason. Just one word is all it takes to give us the shakes: Words like Vietnam and Afghanistan come easily to mind. This is perhaps why, from the outset, President Donald Trump has been crystal clear about US objectives in this military engagement with Iran. However, he has not specified an exact timeline because war is unpredictable, and the president is smart enough not to pin himself to one. But make no mistake, timing is everything in this conflict.
The US is a little more than one week into Operation Epic Fury, and in that brief amount of time, American and Israeli forces have been able to take out over 3,000 missile sites in the former Persian empire. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the US/IDF military tag team has initiated a tidal wave of bombing operations across the Islamic Republic by air, land, and sea. It is in no way a fair fight, nor was it meant to be, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
The simple fact is that the world is a safer place without Iranian mullahs running terrorist enterprises at will around the globe. Democrat, Republican, or neither – everyone knows Iran is a bad actor, whether they say that quiet part out loud or not. But time is of the essence, and the Trump administration must reckon with America’s short temper when it comes to war.
Iran War: How Long Is the Rope?
Bzzzz, Iran’s time is up, but so will be CENTCOM’s unless they continue full throttle. Right now, the administration is in the honeymoon stage of this operation. US and Israeli Defense Forces are pounding missile and drone launch sites, Republican Guard command and control facilities, and military arsenals.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is blustering and bloviating on American news channels, saying Iran “is waiting” for the US ground troops to arrive. But that may be a very long wait. It’s doubtful the president would put boots on the ground until every last shred of Iran’s military armaments is decimated.
Friday on Fox News, former US Ambassador to the UN Kurt Volker uttered those frightening words: “The war is dragging on.” This comes only one week into the conflict and demonstrates just how little patience America has for war.
Here in the Good Old USA
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the price of gasoline has risen an estimated 11%, settling in at $3.32 a gallon since the US began Operation Epic Fury. According to Forbes Magazine: “Several oil analysts have said the commodity could trade at or above $100 per barrel if the war drags on.” It’s been hovering in the mid-80s as of late.
President Trump has thrown around the timetable of four to six weeks to bring the former Persian empire to its knees, and that’s likely about all the time he has before the American public starts to get antsy. Even with the overwhelming firepower of the US forces, it’s going to be tough sledding to wrap this up in a neat little package by then.
On Friday, March 6, in an effort to move things along, the president took to Truth Social and called for the “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” of Iran:
"After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).” Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Whether Iran will be great again is anyone’s guess, but it’s clear the US will need to make it snappy if the administration doesn’t want a ton of blowback. Many Americans have Vietnam flashbacks, remembering thousands of people chanting in front of the White House: “Hey, Hey LBJ, how many kids did you kill today?”
Thus far, CENTCOM has been rocking this effort, but there’s no time to waste, and this war cannot end soon enough for the public. Americans have very little patience when it comes to watching their fellow citizens come home in flag-draped coffins, as six of them have so far. The clock is ticking.
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