Our Days of Infamy

Over the weekend, I visited the WWII Museum in New Orleans. The examples of leadership, unity, strategy, and deep alliance building you see in that museum stand in such sharp contrast to this American moment, dominated by what I described last week as the Trump Doctrine, which combines amorality and incompetence to empower enemies and betray allies, as it dilutes American power in a Dunning-Kruger stew of bluster, arrogance, and stupidity. It’s hard to imagine FDR feuding with an ally over a lie he told about a photo request or interrupting negotiations led by an already in-over-his-head vice president with threats to start bombing again. “If it works out, I’m going to take the credit,” Mr. Trump said of the peace deal last week. “If it doesn’t work out, I’m blaming JD.” Not exactly the day of infamy speech there. As Vance Leads Iran Negotiations, Trump Creates Disruptions in His Path.

+ So far, we’re getting conflicting details from Iran and the US when it comes to control of the Strait, frozen Iranian assets, and nuclear inspections. So basically everything. Here’s the latest from the NYT.

+ All Trump’s bluster aside, it’s hard to envision an outcome in which Iran’s monstrous regime isn’t more monstrous moving forward. NYT (Gift Article): Iranian Singer Sentenced to 74 Lashes for Performing Without Hijab.