I’ll be the first to admit it: I’ve got a much better handle on domestic politics than international affairs. So when Trump started posting threats to Iran on Truth Social—talking about “unconditional surrender” and basically declaring himself wartime commander via social media—I had to do a deep dive. And now I’m here to walk the rest of us through it, because what’s happening is serious, and also seriously weird.
So here it is: a step-by-step breakdown of how we ended up watching a former president try to launch a war on his own—without Congress, without allies, and without a plan.
He really wants the wartime powers as part of his grab at king/dictatorship. I’m not absolutely certain the Republicans will deny him that, regardless of what their constituents think. I really think they’ll go along with it, although the majority are old enough to remember what this kind of war accomplished last time. Wait and see.
Here's a more thorough primer if anyone is interested in a deeper dive. I'm am also quite ignorant about global politics. I lived through Iraq but still know nothing about it. Thank you for helping us all learn more, Rosie.
For someone who thinks he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize he sure has a funny way of going about it.
He gets more delusional and unhinged with it every day. I have thought from the beginning that this is all a GOP plan - use him and his cult of personality (to say nothing of his former buddy Elon Musk's manipulative efforts) to gain the White House, since they have no one else who has near the popularity (god knows why he does), let his lunacy be a distraction while they put their Project 2025 crap into effect, then let him go full on demented so they can eventually remove him (because he's useless to them now) and have the younger Vance who is a complete lackey and will do everything they want with no pushback. I bet they are dreaming of keeping Vance in the White House for 10 years.
I’ve always said this, but JD Vance is probably the one the Republicans want in the White House. Donald Trump is just their puppet. Also, on a side note, it’s funny how delusional Trump declared himself a “wartime commander” on social media!
Thank you for always doing such a brilliant job of breaking down situations like this for us, Rosie! Your deep dives are super insightful and thought-provoking, and incredibly appreciated!
I’ll be the first to admit it: I’ve got a much better handle on domestic politics than international affairs. So when Trump started posting threats to Iran on Truth Social—talking about “unconditional surrender” and basically declaring himself wartime commander via social media—I had to do a deep dive. And now I’m here to walk the rest of us through it, because what’s happening is serious, and also seriously weird.
So here it is: a step-by-step breakdown of how we ended up watching a former president try to launch a war on his own—without Congress, without allies, and without a plan.
He really wants the wartime powers as part of his grab at king/dictatorship. I’m not absolutely certain the Republicans will deny him that, regardless of what their constituents think. I really think they’ll go along with it, although the majority are old enough to remember what this kind of war accomplished last time. Wait and see.
I expect a few will turn, but not as a whole. That won’t be until there are trials when they’ll try to claim they were clueless.
Here's a more thorough primer if anyone is interested in a deeper dive. I'm am also quite ignorant about global politics. I lived through Iraq but still know nothing about it. Thank you for helping us all learn more, Rosie.
https://open.substack.com/pub/dissentinbloom/p/the-bombs-fall-the-lies-remain-how?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1r9beh
For someone who thinks he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize he sure has a funny way of going about it.
He gets more delusional and unhinged with it every day. I have thought from the beginning that this is all a GOP plan - use him and his cult of personality (to say nothing of his former buddy Elon Musk's manipulative efforts) to gain the White House, since they have no one else who has near the popularity (god knows why he does), let his lunacy be a distraction while they put their Project 2025 crap into effect, then let him go full on demented so they can eventually remove him (because he's useless to them now) and have the younger Vance who is a complete lackey and will do everything they want with no pushback. I bet they are dreaming of keeping Vance in the White House for 10 years.
I’ve always said this, but JD Vance is probably the one the Republicans want in the White House. Donald Trump is just their puppet. Also, on a side note, it’s funny how delusional Trump declared himself a “wartime commander” on social media!
Great Article.
For a man who hates war so much. He is trying to get us into on and he loves to take credit where it is not do.
Thank you for always doing such a brilliant job of breaking down situations like this for us, Rosie! Your deep dives are super insightful and thought-provoking, and incredibly appreciated!
Impeach! He has shown he believes the rule of law and our constitution are below him. He’s not presidential, he’s a mad hatter.
Very helpful. Thanks 🙏🏼