The war in Iran has escalated quickly, with the US, Israel, and Tehran pursuing diverging strategies. As the conflict intensifies, the chance of a short, clean exit for President Trump is slowly slipping away, with munitions stretched thin, oil prices spiking, and no clear path forward.
Thomas Wright, former Senior Director at the US National Security Council, calls it “by its very nature… a war of choice. There was no reason necessarily to do it.” He notes that while the US hopes for a pragmatic partner in Tehran, Israel seeks full regime change. Wright warns that attempts to fragment Iran could backfire, creating a “much bigger headache than managing a regime that was already at its weakest point since 1979.” While strikes have weakened Iran’s nuclear program, further action risks regional chaos.
Looking ahead, Wright outlines potential outcomes, from the best-case scenario of a more legitimate, if not democratic, regime, to the worst-case scenario of a fragmented Iran. For now, Trump faces a far more complex and dangerous environment than he may have anticipated.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 