War on Iran - Why, Update, Options.

By one account in the media, President Trump gave 10 different justifications for attacking Iran in 6 days. Whether it is winding down or winding up - or both as Trump said just today! - we should have plenty to discuss four weeks from now.

Note: Things are moving way too fast – and way too erratically – to use background readings to keep current on the war. And any deep background dives into the long, tortured U.S.-Iranian relationship would be long, tortured reads.

So, the links below discuss Trump regime’s motives for starting the war, all that we have lost (and gained?) so far, and the permanent changes the war may have brought to the region and U.S. global leadership.

In my lifetime I have never seen any American government make such stupid, ill-informed decisions or act with such disregard for consequences or global or the U.S. national interest. YMMV. Maybe these optional backgrounders will shed some light on what we have done and why. It is Thursday and I will add a few 3 more optional links as important developments happen, or I find great insightful commentaries.

Optional background readings -

o Negotiations: They start tomorrow, Friday 4/10. But the two sides are very far apart on dueling peace proposals. BBC. Recommended.

o Why did Trump take such a risk?
-- Talked (lied) into it by Gulf countries, Netanyahu, corrupt insiders, etc. (no links, widely covered)
-- Sociopathy or just plain love of violence. Or Hegseth’s cruelty.
-- Republican lawmakers chose Armageddon over checking Trump. They just got lucky (so far).

o Long term consequences of this war:
-- Short-term, but under-covered: Diesel fuel powers the world and a massive shortage begins very soon.
-- Hormuz strait is now a toll road, forever changing global economy. Recommended.
-- The New Balance of Power After the Ceasefire. Or: The empire that destroyed itself over nothing. Recommended.