Now What?

Iran called the bluff. Here is the test that should come before any war.

The path forward

Make a clear war test public. Bind every candidate to a written Contract scored on results. And for the lame-duck years, choose merit over loyalty through 2028.

The tables have turned

Iran held out until the election. Trump said it's "largely true" that the war cost Republicans the midterms, then said he'd do it again (Mediaite, ABC News). Politically, that midterm loss is the outcome Iran needed. Trump's leverage is broken.

My Vietnam-era rule

During the Vietnam years, when I was still in school, I adopted a rule for political arguments. Before committing troops and putting American lives at risk, a President must ask and answer one question: "Are our objectives worth nuking the adversary and killing millions of innocent lives?" If the answer is yes, send the troops and go to war.

It is a test of what American lives, our troops, are really worth. I never believed Trump had what it takes to say yes. Iran called his bluff, stood its ground, and outlasted him.

Feared, loved, never hated

Trump wants to be loved, and uses fear to get it. It's an odd habit, but it has often worked for him. Machiavelli wrote that it is safer to be feared than loved, but a prince must never be hated (The Prince, Chapter 17). A bluff only frightens until someone calls it.

Now what?

  • Make the war test public. Every candidate should answer it before voting to send troops.
  • Sign the Contract. Written, dated promises, scored in public every quarter.
  • Score results, not loyalty. See Loyalty vs. Merit.

~ge~

From Cricket: Every quote above links to its source. Gary brings the rule; I bring the receipts.

~cricket~

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