Reckless, but calculated

Trump’s decision to assassinate the top military leader in Iran is tantamount to a declaration of war in the eyes of the Iranian government. It is incredibly reckless and could easily escalate into another major war in the Middle East as well as endanger the lives of people everywhere. Can you imagine the consequences if this practice becomes normalized?

That it happened comes as no surprise. It’s a continuation of a policy of threats, aggression, economic boycott, and belligerence of Trump and his advisers — not to mention the most aggressive groupings of U.S. imperial capital — against the Iranian people and government with the aim of regaining singular dominance in this region of the world. His decision to withdraw from the joint nuclear accord of the two countries was but the opening of larger goal of regime change.

What also isn’t surprising is its timing. It is hard not to think that Trump who finds himself in the middle of an impeachment process and facing a very challenging reelection at year’s end, hopes to rally the country around and wrap himself up in the flag in the face of these challenges to his presidency.