Forget Iran. Trump Is at War With Himself.
Trump’s real enemy is the puffy orange grandpa in the mirror.
1. Iran, Again
David Frum often says that Trumpism holds many secrets, but no mysteries. Generally this is correct. But Iran presents us with the first genuine mystery of Trump’s presidency:
Why didn’t Trump just leave?
He got his Memorandum of Understanding. He semi-promised to give Iran what they demanded in order to let him out of the war. But then, instead of walking away, he tried to renegotiate. And now the war is back on, American soldiers are dying, and—even worse1—the price of gas is rising.
I am genuinely mystified by Trump’s conduct here.
Would it have been irresponsible to simply pull assets out of the region and move on as if the war never happened after the MOU was signed?
Sure. But not any more irresponsible than starting the war in the first place. Trump does irresponsible things all the time. Why was this decision point different?
I have a theory.
Iran has vexed Trump because it brings into conflict his two controlling impulses: