One is hard pressed to find a similar example of such fits and starts of both conflict and diplomacy as we are seeing in the war with Iran. So, what’s going on? Reality and fantasy are colliding.

Meet Dr. Delusional

Major moments in history are often determined by the individuals who find themselves in places of power when said moment comes.

Abbas Aragachi has been the Foreign Minister of Iran for nearly two years. Perhaps the most impressive thing about his career is that he’s lasted this long, having first joined the government (of terrorists and murderers) in 1989.

That he wasn’t purged during nearly four decades working for the Islamic Republic is impressive – dark, but impressive. Likewise, the man holds a PhD from Kent University (a rarity in Iran for leaders to hold western degrees) and served in Japan and Finland during his time with the Iranian foreign ministry.

Seems like a fairly normal diplomat – at least Wendy Sherman and co. certainly thought so as under President Obama, Araghchi, and his buddies at the time in Washington, negotiated the very Iran nuclear deal that (predictably) brought us to this point. 

Aragchi is the guy Tehran tapped to tell the world “there’s nothing to see here” way back in 2003 when news of Iran’s clandestine nuclear program became public.

Aragchi is a professional liar, who’s so good at his trade that he’s both seduced the strongest government in the history of the world to kowtow to a middling regional bully, and survived nearly four decades in one of the most immoral, cutthroat political environments (if we can call it that) in the modern era.

Meet the Commander in Chief

But…. the “rules” that the Islamic Republic has spent decades exploiting in pursuit of murder and imperialism, do not apply under President Trump. On any given day, it is easy for the headlines to sway one into thinking things are on the brink of victory, disaster, or something in between.

And every single time the predictions seem to be wildly off. That wasn’t on my bingo card is no longer a thing we say. There are no bingo cards, and that is upsetting to everyone who’s relied on the “rules,” their entire careers.

Some of those people live in Tehran - others, in Paris and Rome. Regardless of your address, the main rule that has changed is no, that will not be the next guy’s problem.

Reality Check

For years, endless negotiations were used by western enemies to train, arm, equip, and murder westerners. As it stands, Washington is unwilling to simply let things drag out until a new administration capitulates to Tehran’s demands.

Likewise, Jerusalem continues to embrace her sovereign right and responsibility to defend her citizens from any and all of Iran’s tentacles. Israel’s actions in Lebanon indicate that Hezbollah will be disarmed – it’s simply a question of when.

For the moment, the IDF has engaged in Rafah-style operations to rid southern Lebanon of the numerous Hezbollah nests dotting the local villages and towns. Jerusalem has also expanded the zone of conflict, conducting air strikes on Hezbollah targets in areas not yet attacked in the current war.

Iran, among its other futile demands, seeks to include Israel’s operations against Hezbollah in its cease-fire negotiations. But, as noted earlier, no, that will not be the next guy’s problem.

It’s been over 100 days since this war began. It appears that reality is indeed setting in capitals across the globe, including our own: we must, can and will win this war.

Sincerely,

The CUFI Action Fund