After a recent battle with serious illness, historian Victor Davis Hanson has returned to offer his sharp analysis of global events, focusing now on the increasingly precarious situation with Iran.
Hanson argues that traditional negotiation with the current Iranian regime is fundamentally impossible. He contends their worldview is rooted in a dangerous fantasy, a belief that they are divinely favored and operate outside the bounds of conventional diplomacy.
This isn’t simply stubbornness, Hanson explains, but a core tenet of their ideology. He recalls a chilling statement attributed to a former Iranian president, suggesting Israel could be neutralized with a single weapon, highlighting a willingness to inflict catastrophic harm.
According to Hanson, Iran’s recent strategy hinged on a calculated gamble – a “Rope-a-Dope” tactic reminiscent of Muhammad Ali. They anticipated weathering the storm of Donald Trump’s presidency, hoping for a more pliable leader in the future.
The regime, Hanson suggests, believed a future administration led by figures further to the left – individuals like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gavin Newsom, or Kamala Harris – would offer them the opportunity to pursue their nuclear ambitions unchecked.
However, this strategy appears to be failing. Hanson points to a critical difference between the current situation and past American military engagements in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Unlike those conflicts, Iran currently lacks any significant external support. They are actively expending their military resources with no reliable means of replenishment, a situation that severely weakens their position.
If the current approach proves successful, Hanson believes the consequences will be profound, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape for the better and demonstrating the effectiveness of a firm, unwavering stance.
