We have the two “bros,” Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth, playing at war as if it were a video game, unimpeded by Congress.
Trump has threatened to “annihilate” Iran. Hegseth made a series of bloodthirsty remarks, including a threat to “offer no quarter to our enemies” (The New York Times’ Opinion section, April 12), contrary to the International Court of Justice’s rules of engagement. As a result of our attacks, Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Perhaps most importantly, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, clearly surprised, blockaded its blockade. Trump and Hegseth have managed to upend the world order, in that no one is able to ship cargo through the strait. Barges delivering oil, fertilizer and helium (used in the manufacture of microchips) are stalled under threat of attack both by the ayatollah and by Trump. Billions of funds unappropriated by Congress have been spent on this war, while prices go up, especially for gas, diesel and fertilizer, at home and abroad. In spite of a supposed cease-fire to allow the two parties to work out a peace deal, Trump can’t decide whether to send or not to send his two real estate moguls to Pakistan to do the job.
All this to distract Americans from the Epstein files. Time to grow up, boys. There are too many lives at stake.
Julia Sperry
Hockessin
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
