Article by Harley Schlanger
President, The LaRouche Organization

Trump's Desperate Search for an "Exit Strategy"

by Harley Schlanger, President, The LaRouche Orgnanization

How does one create an exit strategy from a trap of one's own making, which has resulted from miscalculation, hubris and blunders, while bringing the world closer to nuclear war, and still put a positive spin on what is recognized by most as a humiliating defeat for oneself?

This is the task now facing President Donald Trump, as his decision to ally with the sociopathic war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu to start a war against Iran has backfired. The goals he enumerated at the outset, of unconditional surrender by Iran, regime change, no nuclear program nor stockpiling of ballistic missiles, are more remote with each day, despite spending $1 billion on a daily basis. Within the United States, the spike in oil and gas prices as a leading item in overall inflation is adding to a drop in support for him in polls, as the midterm elections in November may deliver a larger defeat to the incumbent party (that is, the Republicans) than usual.

Trump was hit with two more shocks in the last three days. His demand that NATO join him in a military deployment to reopen the Strait of Hormuz was rejected by all members, increasing the tension between Trump and the U.S.'s former allies. And the resignation of former Trump loyalist, Joe Kent, who was appointed by the President to head the National Counterterrorism Council, was a slap in the face. In his letter of resignation, Kent unambiguously stated, "I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war," provoking Trump to say in response, "It's a good thing he's out."

Add to these setbacks the decision by the administration to ask for $200 billion more to finance the war and one can expect a sharp upturn in domestic opposition to the war. In his usual Crusader warrior mode, Defense Secretary Hegseth rationalized the increased demand for funds by saying, "It takes money to kill bad guys." Total U.S. debt raced past $39 trillion, and is now expected to reach $40 trillion by the end of the summer.

So much for the Trumpian promise to reduce the deficit!

Underestimating Iran's Resilience

Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender was rebuffed by Iran's leaders, who presented their own demands to the American team. As presented by Ali Larijani, Tehran’s top National Security official (who was killed some days later in an Israeli strike), they include recognition of Iran's rights, including to construct nuclear power plants and enrich uranium; removal of U.S. military bases in southwest Asia; reparations for damages inflicted in the war; and binding international decrees against future attacks.

A final demand demonstrates why an early exit is unlikely: Iran will not accept a "premature" ceasefire, meaning it has no intention of allowing the Americans to stroll away and declare victory.

One very real danger that persists is of “false flag” operations, that is, of military or terrorist attacks in countries considered U.S. allies purportedly conducted by Iranians, but in fact by U.S. or Israeli forces. Tehran has warned that the United States and Israel have been “replicating" the Iranian-made Shahed drone to authenticate the claim of a false flag attack.

Adding to this danger are reports of a "split" between Trump and his partner Netanyahu about how and when the war will end. Trump complained that Netanyahu acted on his own, without U.S. approval, when Israel attacked the South Pars natural gas field. Trump protested that he wants to end the war and stabilize oil markets, while “Israel has other focuses and we know that.”

He continued, stating that “Israel is going to try to kill their new leader. They’re much more interested in that than we are,” concluding his attempt to put some distance between himself and Israel's war criminal-in-chief, asserting, “Israel doesn’t hate the chaos. We do. We want stability. Netanyahu? Not so much….”

This has led to speculation that President Trump has three options. First, he can declare victory, point to the damage done to Iran thus far, and walk away. Second, he can blame the allies, and walk away. The third option is the most dangerous: walk away and leave Netanyahu to "finish the job", possibly with the use of nuclear weapons. It is rumored that if he does exit, his parting words would be to condemn subordinates in his administration for providing him with a series of bad decisions and Netanyahu for dragging the U.S. into this war.

Whatever his decision, America's leadership role has been badly damaged, and his presidency, which was supposed to inaugurate a generation of peace -- at least according to him -- may not even survive a full term.