What you described may prove to be Trump's greatest accomplishment as POTUS: Undoing The One's fundamental transformation of our nation. No more leading from behind.
★ THERE IS ZERO EVIDENCE that the CM-302 Chinese missiles were ever sold or transferred to Iran.
GROK: “China did not sell (or complete the delivery of) CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles to Iran before the current war escalated primarily due to a combination of strategic caution, international obligations, and risk assessment. While negotiations reportedly advanced significantly in early 2026 (with some sources claiming the deal was “near completion” as of late February), no confirmed transfers occurred pre-conflict, and China has repeatedly denied any such agreement or even active negotiations.”
The cattle graze peacefully under the old rancher's wise governance. But his tenure wanes and his inheritors have adversarial intentions; a land developer makes makes an alluring offer. The fire usually starts inside the house.
pleased Trump pulled the trigger if for no reason than to denuclearize Iran. The next non kinetic phase might not be as quick or easy. At some point the rank and file Iranians have to organize, overthrow, and create a stable government.
“These developments raise an uncomfortable question: how many crises might have been avoided if the credibility of American power had been demonstrated earlier? For three decades after the first Gulf War, American military policy often emphasized restraint, incremental escalation, and restrictive rules of engagement designed to minimize political risk. In Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. forces frequently operated under conditions that prevented them from exploiting their overwhelming advantages to achieve decisive outcomes. Wars became prolonged, objectives blurred, and deterrence weakened. Our adversaries did not necessarily grow stronger, but they did grow more confident that the United States lacked the will to finish what it started.
What appears different now is not simply the quality of American weapons or training—both of which remain unmatched—but the clarity of leadership. When a president signals that commitments will be enforced and military commanders are given authority to prosecute operations decisively, the strategic environment changes quickly. Allies gain confidence. Adversaries reassess their assumptions. The tempo of events accelerates.”
The enemy is inside the wire. They’ve breached the perimeter. Inside the Beltway. They’ve always been there, but it’s so much worse now.
Is it too late?
The fact that I even have to ask, sincerely, is disturbing.
Suppose Carter had not supported deposing the Shaw? Suppose Carter had stood up to the Mullahs and initiated a true military response to their war declaration? Suppose Clinton or Bush had done anything besides pontificate? Suppose Obama and Biden had not shipped billions in cash?
Suppose we stop sowing seeds of future war by taking a strong stand in American interest?
While I agree with you most of the time, your celebration is likely very early. There are an unknown number of attack drones in Iran. Shooting down a 20-50k drone with a 4 million dollar anti-aircraft defense system is very unfavorable math. We have a limited amount of said defense systems and production is limited, even if the “money is not a constraint.” I’m not saying this was a good military move or not, I’m just very concerned it is far from over. I personally have not forgotten GW Bush and his Mission Accomplished party? And since I spent ample time in the region on active duty I can speak from experience there is a lot of crazy in the water. In this case I hope I’m incredibly wrong and it’s better in a hurry.
I acknowledged that in the essay. I understand what I wrote is a projection of a future that may not come to fruition, but this time is different, different mission set, different prosecution. I think its is the same for Iran as Trump is doing in Venezuela - you can be a communist state if you want, but you are not going to repress and oppress your people, and eventually they get to choose. We aren't going to force the change, your people will.
I know you acknowledged this situation in Iran is far from over, and I appreciate that and my apologies for not mentioning it in my reply. I just think the Revolutionary Guard is much stronger than thought, and that they are loyal to a fault to the regime. I am a Trump supporter and trust this is working as expected until evidence shows it isn’t. I’m not nearly as confident the Iranian people will have the strength or power to shape their own future. I pray they can do it, if so the world should be far better off.
Trump has places the future of Iran in the hands of the Iranians. If they pick up the opportunity, they can assist in utterly destroying the IRGC and reclaim their country. If not, they will live with another class of mullahs who will treat them with more disdain than the last bunch.
Insightful, eloquent, and inspiring.
What you described may prove to be Trump's greatest accomplishment as POTUS: Undoing The One's fundamental transformation of our nation. No more leading from behind.
Excellent summation. Your analysis offers not just information, but hope, which is sorely needed in these times.
excellent.
imagine if our own CONGRESS WOULD be just as capable to assert these truths???
Excellent!!!
I hear great gnashing of teeth from the America-hating Obamarrhoids ... and I'm good with that.
★ THERE IS ZERO EVIDENCE that the CM-302 Chinese missiles were ever sold or transferred to Iran.
GROK: “China did not sell (or complete the delivery of) CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles to Iran before the current war escalated primarily due to a combination of strategic caution, international obligations, and risk assessment. While negotiations reportedly advanced significantly in early 2026 (with some sources claiming the deal was “near completion” as of late February), no confirmed transfers occurred pre-conflict, and China has repeatedly denied any such agreement or even active negotiations.”
That was one of the data points used to set the time for attack, thing were going to get more dofficult later
The cattle graze peacefully under the old rancher's wise governance. But his tenure wanes and his inheritors have adversarial intentions; a land developer makes makes an alluring offer. The fire usually starts inside the house.
Wow, this is a high dose of intelligence here. Thank you for YOUR clarity.
Good, optimistic piece. And I’m
pleased Trump pulled the trigger if for no reason than to denuclearize Iran. The next non kinetic phase might not be as quick or easy. At some point the rank and file Iranians have to organize, overthrow, and create a stable government.
So much is said here:
“These developments raise an uncomfortable question: how many crises might have been avoided if the credibility of American power had been demonstrated earlier? For three decades after the first Gulf War, American military policy often emphasized restraint, incremental escalation, and restrictive rules of engagement designed to minimize political risk. In Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. forces frequently operated under conditions that prevented them from exploiting their overwhelming advantages to achieve decisive outcomes. Wars became prolonged, objectives blurred, and deterrence weakened. Our adversaries did not necessarily grow stronger, but they did grow more confident that the United States lacked the will to finish what it started.
What appears different now is not simply the quality of American weapons or training—both of which remain unmatched—but the clarity of leadership. When a president signals that commitments will be enforced and military commanders are given authority to prosecute operations decisively, the strategic environment changes quickly. Allies gain confidence. Adversaries reassess their assumptions. The tempo of events accelerates.”
The enemy is inside the wire. They’ve breached the perimeter. Inside the Beltway. They’ve always been there, but it’s so much worse now.
Is it too late?
The fact that I even have to ask, sincerely, is disturbing.
Heaven, help us. Come, Lord Jesus.
Suppose Carter had not supported deposing the Shaw? Suppose Carter had stood up to the Mullahs and initiated a true military response to their war declaration? Suppose Clinton or Bush had done anything besides pontificate? Suppose Obama and Biden had not shipped billions in cash?
Suppose we stop sowing seeds of future war by taking a strong stand in American interest?
Excellent. Thank you.
While I agree with you most of the time, your celebration is likely very early. There are an unknown number of attack drones in Iran. Shooting down a 20-50k drone with a 4 million dollar anti-aircraft defense system is very unfavorable math. We have a limited amount of said defense systems and production is limited, even if the “money is not a constraint.” I’m not saying this was a good military move or not, I’m just very concerned it is far from over. I personally have not forgotten GW Bush and his Mission Accomplished party? And since I spent ample time in the region on active duty I can speak from experience there is a lot of crazy in the water. In this case I hope I’m incredibly wrong and it’s better in a hurry.
I acknowledged that in the essay. I understand what I wrote is a projection of a future that may not come to fruition, but this time is different, different mission set, different prosecution. I think its is the same for Iran as Trump is doing in Venezuela - you can be a communist state if you want, but you are not going to repress and oppress your people, and eventually they get to choose. We aren't going to force the change, your people will.
Imo Venezuela is a push over, Iran not going to be anything like Venezuela.
I know you acknowledged this situation in Iran is far from over, and I appreciate that and my apologies for not mentioning it in my reply. I just think the Revolutionary Guard is much stronger than thought, and that they are loyal to a fault to the regime. I am a Trump supporter and trust this is working as expected until evidence shows it isn’t. I’m not nearly as confident the Iranian people will have the strength or power to shape their own future. I pray they can do it, if so the world should be far better off.
Trump has places the future of Iran in the hands of the Iranians. If they pick up the opportunity, they can assist in utterly destroying the IRGC and reclaim their country. If not, they will live with another class of mullahs who will treat them with more disdain than the last bunch.
I hope you’re right!!
Attaboy Michael, great write!
Incredible piece! Your writing both informs and inspires us, Michael Smith. Thank you for the time and thought you put into your work.