If anyone had any thoughts that the US/Israel/Iran conflict would be resolved quickly, those thoughts were stomped when US President Donald Trump announced on social media "There will be no deal with Iran until UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER."
The United States Special Combat Operation in Iran was initially believed to run about 3-4 days. Except Iran had other ideas. Then, Americans were told the operation "may last 4 weeks."
On March 3, we heard "there may be boots on the ground." That night, Trump Administration gave another Briefing to members of Congress. Senator Richard Blumenthal came out and had said: "I am more fearful than ever after this briefing, that we may be putting boots on the ground."
Eight hours later, the very next morning, we started being told publicly the US expects the conflict to last "maybe 8 weeks."
Last night, I spoke with a source in Washington who told me ". . . by September!" Yes, you read that correctly: "By September."
This morning, President Trump demands "unconditional surrender."
Hal Turner Editorial Opinion
Suddenly, a whole slew of people all over the world realize this conflict is simply not going away. The promises by Trump on the Presidential campaign trail wherein he said "no new wars" was nonsense.
I do not profess to be any kind of military tactician or even a historical expert. It seems to me that in order for one country to get an "unconditional surrender" from another country, that other country needs to be completely beaten into the ground and unable to continue in existence unless they surrender. That is not the case (yet) with Iran.
Iran is a huge country - twice the size of Texas and 3.8 times bigger than California. Iran's population is about 90 million people. No rational person could possibly believe a country that large, with that many people, will simply accept defeat after a week, and grant "unconditional Surrender."
Moreover, Russia and China have their own national interests in Iran. Russia and China can supply Iran with an almost endless stream of weapons, ammunition, missiles and the like to keep right on fighting.
Trump's statement about "unconditional surrender" is a staggering blunder.
I fear that Iran is going to become America's "Waterloo."
Whoever is giving President Trump advice on this Iran situation, is either psychotic or so grossly incompetent as to warrant being instantly fired and escorted out the door. My bet: Both.
