On the evening of June 5, 1944, the tension was so thick in the command
headquarters of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower…well, it was tense.
The Supreme Allied Commander in Europe was weighing weather reports and
the analysis of the generals around the table. The launching of Operation Overlord, the
invasion of Europe, hung in the balance. Allied troops were waiting on the docks in
southern England and Ike was well aware that delaying again could be catastrophic.
He sat looking at the table top. The consensus wasn’t really consensus; some
still wanted to wait—the weather had been terrible, but a sliver of a glimmer had just
opened up. Finally, the future president spoke.
“Okay. I believe we go.”
The room emptied suddenly as orders had to be delivered. Later, Ike would go
visit the airborne troops as they prepared to board gliders and planes.
We all know how that turned out. The existential war against the evil Axis Powers
was won by the good guys.
We could be forgiven for thinking today that another D-Day moment is upon us.
The “radio traffic” is indicating that President Trump has made a decision to attack Iran
and change that devilish regime. The Americans are coordinating with the Israelis, and
let’s hope this time, the mullahs will go into the swine and over a cliff.
Since last Wednesday’s meeting in Washington between Trump and Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, there appeared to be some daylight between the leaders.
The Israelis, rightly, believe Iran is merely using “negotiations” as a delaying tactic and
playing the Americans, as they’ve done for decades.
But now, the USS Gerald R. Ford has joined the USS Abraham Lincoln off Iran’s
shores, reports Middle East correspondent Brian Schrauger. B-52 bombers are in Qatar,
and B-2 stealth bombers are on alert. In addition, and this is not widely reported, 50,000
U.S. troops are in the region, including special forces.
While Trump has used negotiations as perhaps window dressing, he has taken a
markedly different approach from his predecessors. No enrichment, and a deadline on
negotiations. Remember, last summer Trump gave Iran two weeks to come to their
senses, then attacked three days later. Make no mistake: the Ayatollah and his minions
are truly fearful.
The potential is that Israel will be the target of the Iranians, with perhaps 2,000
missiles headed west.
“A U.S. military operation in Iran would likely be a massive, weeks-long campaign
that would look more like full-fledged war than last month’s pinpoint operation in
Venezuela.”
In addition to the carriers, Trump has sent a dozen warships, hundreds of fighter
jets and multiple air defense systems. Some of that firepower is still on its way.”
Satellite images show that Iran is strengthening various sites ahead of an
expected attack, and the U.S. has imposed visa restrictions on Iranian officials and
telecommunications leaders.
As The Post published in its op-ed section this week:
“If Iran’s behavior looks reckless right now, that’s because we are misreading its
goal. The Islamic Republic is not trying to win a war with the United States: It is trying to
survive President Donald Trump.” It’s a valid thought, especially since they seem to
have lost their minds in recent weeks.
“In recent weeks, the Iranian regime has escalated its rhetoric in ways that
appear almost suicidal. Iran’s spokesmen and diplomats have been talking tough,
seemingly taunting the Americans.
“For example, at a public event marking the anniversary of the 1979 revolution,
they displayed coffins draped in American flags, bearing the names of senior US military
commanders. Meanwhile, just as negotiations with the Americans were about to begin,
Iran’s regime mouthpiece, Kayhan, published a front-page editorial titled ‘The Response
to a Threat Is Another Threat – Not Negotiations,’ rejecting negotiations with
Washington and openly threatening regional war.”
Whatever is brewing, it seems likely a seismic change in the Middle East might
be in the offing. We’ve heard that before, but in the previous decades, Donald Trump
wasn’t sitting in the Oval Office.
It looks like he might go.