“…The mounting absurdity of Trump’s War on Iran has entered a new, more rarefied phase with the announcement of the Blockade on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman by the Trump administration. As with all of Trump’s actions, particularly in recent weeks, the rationale is hard to discern. It is supposed to be a counter what it sees as Iran’s blockade, or rather control, over the Strait of Hormuz. It is an open question whether the US has the means to impose it and exactly how that is going to ease the supply of oil is anyone’s guess.
No wonder the goalposts keep shifting. Initially announced as a blockade on all traffic, it was then restricted to Iranian ports, all to be enforced by US military assets a thousand miles away. No wonder there are reports emerging of ships, including those linked to Iran, transiting through the strait, making the blockade laughing stock of the world. No wonder oil prices are not exactly leaping up. And no wonder that there are new reports emerging of another set of talks between the US and Iran taking place this weekend. Trump’s search for an off ramp continues.
While few other things are clear, one thing is: Trump has lost control over the war, over his MAGA base and, most meaningfully, over the prospects of his party in the mid term elections due in November. Israel is getting more and more unruly. Iran won’t budge. US allies are refusing his demands and requests. In his desperation, Trump has now been reduced to having rows with, of all people, the Pope. This makes one recall Stalin’s pertinent question: How many divisions does the Pope have?
With me to make what we can at this present stage of Trump and Netanyahu’s war on Iran is a regular and a favourite on Geopolitical Economy Hour, Michel Hudson…”