In my last post I wrote that by striking Iranian nuclear sites Trump had engaged in a bold gambit.  He was trying to shock Iran into agreeing to peace terms without protracting the air war or putting American troops on the ground.  At this moment, the gambit appears to have worked.  Iran and Israel have agreed to a cease fire.  Now comes the critical part, the quest for real peace.

Can Trump persuade the Iranians to abandon their nuclear program and seek to develop as an economic rather than a military power?  If they do so, Trump will assist them in every way possible.  If they reject Trump’s blandishments, he will surely exert maximum economic pressure on Iran while ensuring that they will never have atomic weapons.  Iran’s choice is between prosperity and poverty.  Will its theocratic rulers make the right choice?  If not, can the Iranian people overthrow their repressive overlords? 

Meanwhile, Trump has several other critical issues to deal with.  Can he get Congress pass his great big, beautiful bill and enable him to realize his plans for America’s industrial rebirth?  Can he promote healthy and mutually beneficial world trade while ending America’s dependence on possibly hostile foreign competitors for certain essential products?  Lastly, in combination with a revitalized North Atlantic Treaty Organization, can he exert sufficient pressure on Vladamir Putin to cause him to abandon his plan to recreate the once great Russian Empire?

These are interesting times indeed. If Trump is successful, begin carving his image on Mount Rushmore.  I’d be pleased to provide a chisel.