By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
Every day in recent months we have watched in real time the twists and turns of the war in Iran. You can see it through different prisms. Regardless of your view, the Iran war isn’t over yet. Will it be over soon? That is a question that is waiting to be answered.
The war with Iran began February 28th without a formal declaration of war by Congress. Israel was a partner of the United States in the war effort. There was a time when Israel was taking a more active role. Its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was more visible and giving more directions. This is my opinion.
Now, we are in the month of June. Schools are out and commencements are over, yet the war continues. Families are broken forever with only the memories of loved ones. Heaviness of mind and spirit serves as a constant reminder.
Ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz, pause, negotiating, and nuclear weapons are all words and terms that we know quite well. We, the American people don’t know about troop withdrawals, treaties or permanent solutions because we aren’t at the table. As a result, we have a very limited view of this war’s timetable. We only know what we read and what we hear.
Almost and close are words we hear attached to ending this engagement. Our side says one thing and the other side says another thing. So, we just sit and we just wait.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “The president expressed his desire to make a deal. He’s either going to make a good deal or no deal. But that may take a little while, I mean a few more days.”
He added, “The straits need to be open, unimpeded, without tolls. And obviously that needs to happen immediately as soon as anything is agreed to.”
We know that the country of Pakistan is involved in the peace talks between the countries. Key leaders for Pakistan are Interior Minister Syed Mohsin and Army Chief Asim Munir. So far with Pakistan at the table there was a successful two-week ceasefire and the Islamabad Talks both happening during the month of April.
It appears from reports what the United States wants is for Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program. This was and still is a major sticking point.
Confirmed reports say, “Iran retains enough nuclear material enriched to 60 percent capacity for roughly twelve nuclear weapons if the regime decides to use its remaining nuclear facilities and know- how to sprint to weaponization.”
The citizens in the U.S. are against the war in Iran. Poll numbers say that almost 60% of people oppose it. When it comes to supporting military action, the numbers are lower as only 44% support it. These aren’t good numbers if you are a member of the administration. Will these numbers get better when it comes to supporting war? That is a good question that won’t get a good answer if you are behind the war effort.
Now for those in Iran, the comments are mixed. It simply depends upon who you ask. Some see it as needed to overthrow those in power. During the early stages of the war, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed.
Reports say that over 30,000 people have lost their lives because of bombs and air strikes. This number will climb as the war rages on into another month.
The Iran war to some is both a political war and an economic war. Our nation is facing unprecedented price increases in retail stores and at the gas pump.
Shermichael Singleton, a Republican strategist believes there should be more of a focus on economics. He also suggested on a recent CNN program that the current administration ought to go into stores to better understand the pricing problems that Americans are facing.
It seems to many that we are in a holding pattern. Did we think it would be this way?
