America is Winning the War … But Not Quite Won, Yet.
President Trump has said that America has already won the war. His never-Trump critics claim America is losing – or has lost – the war.
The first assessment is driven by Trump’s propensity to use hyperbole and provocative statements. The second assessment is driven by an irrational and obsessive desire to demonize Trump – and make everything he says or does wrong and evil. It is that old phenomenon known as Trump Derangement Syndrome.
I find the best information comes from the uniformed generals, who are commissioned to play and carry out the conflict. I found one of the best assessments comes from CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, who said, “Iran has suffered a generational military defeat. Its 40-year military buildup was crushed in under 40 days.”
He then gave a detailed accounting of the damage Operation Epic Fury inflicted on Iran – and it is truly astounding,
The joint mission between the United States and Israel launched more than 13,000 targeted strikes on Iranian military targets. The Iranian navy lost approximately 150 war ships – including every submarine.
While mining the Strait of Hormuz has been a concern, it is reassuring to know that more than 95 percent of Iran’s naval mines have been destroyed. All 28 of Iran’s mine-laying ships have been sunk – and mine productions facilities have been destroyed.
In addition to Cooper’s report on naval operations, other American military leaders have noted that Operation Epic Fury produced similar results. U.S. and Israeli officials have described a near-total degradation of Iranian air capabilities, declaring that Iran “no longer has an air force, air defense, or comprehensive radar/air detection system” and that the U.S./Israel “own their skies.” The few remaining operational aircraft (aging Soviet-era and limited indigenous types) have been rendered largely ineffective.
American and Israeli military forces have destroyed or rendered inoperable more than 130 Iranian air defense systems (including surface-to-air missile batteries and associated radars). This includes key Russian-supplied S-300 and S-400 radars, which were “blinded” early in the conflict.
The evergreen Trump critics point to the downing of a single fighter jet (one mission out of 13,000) – as if that balances the scale against the overwhelming success of the American/Israeli military operations. It is more like the adage: Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally. Obsessive Trump hatred once again drives them to such absurdities.
Rarely has a military conflict been so successful in decapitating the leadership. Among those killed are:
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — Supreme Leader of Iran.
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour — Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC.
Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi — Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces
Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh — Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.
Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi — Head of IRGC Intelligence.
Commodore Alireza Tangsiri — Commander of the IRGC Navy).
Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani — Head of the paramilitary Basij forces.
Brig. Gen. Esmail Dehghan — Senior IRGC Aerospace Force commander.
Mehdi Qureishi — Senior IRGC Aerospace Force commander.
Ali Larijani — Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
And the list goes on — but does not include the many Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Qada leaders assassinated prior to the war.
The son of the deceased Supreme Leader is said to have assumed his father’s position, but he is said to be severely injured (face disfigured and a lost leg) and has not been seen or heard from since the February attack. It appears that Iran is operating from centers of power – more like a committee than under a Supreme Leader.
Though not well covered in the press, there has been a quiet war on Iran’s money. Dozens of Iran’s financial operative tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp in the United Arab Emirates have been arrested – effectively cutting off one of Tehran’s most critical money sources.
With all this devastation, why has the war not ended in surrender?
The main reason is that we are not dealing with conventional warfare between nations. It is an asymmetrical conflict between two militaries and zealotry of a maniacal religious cult. The regime’s followers see death as martyrdom – a worthy calling. It is the reason so many have been willing to wear body bombs. In a sense, the world is dealing with a pack of rabid dogs leading Iran. The danger will not be completely ended until they are all put down.
Another reason is that Iran still has sufficient resources and opportunities to fight back. Their minimal and diminishing arsenal –and the ability to use it – gives Iran the ability to attack and inflict damage. Iran remains a still dangerous wounded bear.
Iran’s other remaining power is control of the Strait of Hormuz. It does not take enormous military power to protect and mine the Strait – afflicting enormous economic damage to the world economy. It is a last ditch desperation effort, to be sure. And it will have a short-term impact. But it is not a winning strategy.
No, America has not won the war – nor have we lost it. The United States definitely winning – big time. If the U.S. follows through, we can and will win in the true meaning of the word. That means the regime in Tehran (whoever it is) gives up its nuclear ambitions – and in the tradition of “trust but verify”, there will be a permanent international corps of observers on the ground.
In addition, the United States would take control and remove the enriched uranium from Iran. Any facilities that could produce more uranium would be shattered and demolished. The Strait of Hormuz would be reopened under the control of an international body.
The regime in Tehran would be required to undertake a number of reforms to end the oppression and murdering of the Iranian people –and the institution of democratic policies.
Yes, that is a lot to ask. Perhaps more than possible, but that is what total victory would look like.
That victory – or any level of viceroy would not be possible is the old-style regime is allowed to remain in power. If the Strait remains in the exclusive control of Iran. If the enriched uranium remains in Iran. And if the Iran problem returns to endless diplomacy and negotiations that would allow Iran to return to its old ways.
Based on Iran’s initial demands, I suspect the negotiations will fail – as will the ceasefire. The war will likely commence – and this time may require a more aggressive approach with … (I dare say) boots on the ground.
Democrats – except Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman – have sided with the enemy, echoing the propaganda lines originating in Tehran. They all it an illegal war – a war of choice. It will take the Supreme Court to decide if Trump exceeded is power – not a deranged bunch of Democrat politicians. And this is not a war of choice. It is a war of necessity – and long overdue.
Whether America wins this war is in the hands of the United States, Israel and our major allies in Europe and in the region. We cannot afford to follow the left-wing strategy that has resulted in unnecessarily prolonged – and ultimately failed – wars of attrition in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. It is time for the good guys to actually win a war.
One can call the war over and won. One can call for an immediate end to the conflict. But regardless, the mission is not yet accomplished … the goal has not been achieved.
So, there ‘tis.
Larry, I have issues with your opinion here starting with your claim: “It is a war of necessity.” While I understand the need for justice for our 1,000 fallen Americans, many patriots in service to America. Even if it’s really far less than that due to DOD “estimates” without a report or sourcing info, and in addition well after the fact and the earlier estimates, much lower; I do not see that as an “imminent threat” which is the standard for war. Nor do I see any other imminent threat until we, with Israel, launched our sneak attack.
It’s also not a war, but an “excursion,” which every day looks like a more remote reality, but seems to negate your premise. That one is semantics but seems to me the rules are different for a war versus a conflict, as much as we try use them interchangeably. To me, a conflict has strictly rules of engagement, and war has few bounds. Conflicts rarely result in unconditional surrender; wars should, and do.
On your so called “imminent threat:” Trump’s folks themselves admit no imminent threat of a nuclear device a number of times. Noem said so to Congress at the end of March. Trump fired her. Trump’s folks admit the nuclear production facilities and enriched uranium were “obliterated” six months ago, suddenly it’s two weeks to a bomb, plenty of enriched, no missiles until 2035, but who cares. Then in April Hegseth the drunk says the enriched uranium is far underground, we know where, and we are watching. So who is on first and what’s the truth? Seems like 2 weeks to a bomb is a fiction and no imminent threat.
Plus, IF they test a bomb, we will know. Nobody has built a nuke without a live test. After the test, they still need to perfect, get a missile, or suitcase it in, that’s a more imminent threat but not necessarily even then. One test by US, India, and Russia. Multiple for Pakistan and North Korea. And Russia and US have done maybe thousands of tests since the first bomb in order to hone our art since the original proof-of-concept creating bigger bombs in smaller packages, tactical mistake bombs, and even on that saves buildings while killing humans.
We seem to not believe an Iranian suitcase bomb is an imminent threat. Cash Patel fired the entire Iran domestic terrorist analyst team which means all of their Confidential Informants are gone so he sees no imminent threat.
I am therefore not sure what you are talking about imminent threat.
You say: “the goal has not been achieved.” I say what goal, or goals are you even talking about.
You say: “generational military defeat,” “decapitated the leadership,” “war on Iran’s money,” I like the last one but Biden last froze 6B in 2023, due to be released, but doubtful: I don’t know of any other war on money, except in concept.
Then you say total victory looks like:
“Until they are all put down” as in leaders and supporters and “There will be a permanent international corps of observers on the ground.”
“In addition, the United States would take control and remove the enriched uranium from Iran. Any facilities that could produce more uranium would be shattered and demolished.”
“The Strait of Hormuz would be reopened under the control of an international body.”
“The regime in Tehran would be required to undertake a number of reforms to end the oppression and murdering of the Iranian people –and the institution of democratic policies.”
You goals do not seem to fit with Trump’s objectives.
We really don’t even know your goals and the ones you state are ridiculous pipe dreams. Trump has listed a half dozen, many of yours and his are different, no clue to priority, or even mandatory nature. And the thought of putting all supporters down, getting international help, removing the uranium, and reopening the Strait seems a wish list; I see NO actions leading to that necessarily, no plan, not even clear objectives. And to expect Tehran to install democratic policies is a war you have claimed in your own mind —- you have no support for that except your dreams.
Dunger is rooting against America again
Haroldunger: actually I am rooting for America. Trump’s America in this case as in No New Wars. It’s you that reneges on his campaign pledge you voted for. It’s you that accepts being led by the nose by Bibi. And it’s you that defunds Ukraine where they actually want democracy and a US style democratic republic.
And still waiting for you to prove a lie from your last false accusation that you cannot back up. Such cowardice over mere words. Not smart enough to prove it, not man enough to admit your mistake. Deplorable actions IMO.
We have been at war with Iran for over 40 years. But now we have a president who is dealing with the problem So Dunger you must remove your head from your ass
Harold-Sorry, but it is your head that is up in the ass. We had a deal worked out, along with a large group of our Allie’s, to monitor the nuclear issue in Iran. The idiot that you voted to send back to Washington (the one whose head is also up his ass) pulled us out of that so we had no insight into their activities. Due to influence from his partner in crime netanyahoo, he bombed the shit out of their nuclear complex in June and declared ‘problem solved’. His partner netanyahoo came back to the well in February and told trump “we really need to deal with Iran”. So bring a good little toady, trump complied, without consulting our traditional Allie’s. The result is that 1000’s of Iraqi and Lebanese civilians have been killed, significant infrastructure destroyed by two blood thirsty criminals-both of whom wish to take the focus off of their political crimes in their respective countries. The majority of the problem in the Middle East is due to Israel being a corrupt country, that refuses to live up to the agreements made in the ‘90’s which was to return the land they seized in the past and allow a Palestinian state to be formed. None of you idiots study history (of course including Larry) so you don’t understand the underlying problem, which is not the Jewish people, but the government they continue to elect (of course we have been just as ignorant by re-electing the worst President ever..)
Mike f … Once again you are the one who does know facts and history. (And of course, the usual childish name calling.) The Obama/Iran deal was only for 15 years. If that had remained in place, Iran would be less that four years away from having nuclear weapons legally — and the ability to deliver them internationally. And that is assuming the did not cheat — which only an idiot would believe. Even now, Iran is calling for a five year moratorium on nukes — putting them in about the same time frame as the old deal. That is why they have bee working on enrichment, ballistic missiles and production capability. The Trump position is no nukes ever — the only sane position. And the dismantling of their of their ability to wage and finance international terrorism. You seem to favor an anti-American, antisemitic, and anti world democracies appeasement policy.
Gee Larry, you say: “If that had remained in place, Iran would be less that four years away from having nuclear weapons legally — and the ability to deliver them internationally.”
Isn’t that a vast improvement over Trump’s imminent danger of having the bomb in two weeks? And we lost 13 patriots over his decisions on that “deal.” And where are we at: $30B spent? $50B spent? Removing oil sanctions on Russia and Iran so they can profit off Trump’s war? Inflation where? Hope the GDP at end of month is better than this, but I worry.
The JCPOA was agreed upon by the UNSC (China, France, Russia, UK, and US) and Germany, 5+1, it was opposed It was criticized and opposed by Israel, Saudi Arabia, some Iranians, and the Republican Party in the United States; I guess you are in great company.
It was not perfect: it is the most expansive non-proliferation nuclear agreement in history.
Trump replaced it with maximum sanctions; how did that work out?
You are correct that it was 10 years before Iran could resume it’s nuclear program and enrichment although monitoring was slated for 25 years. I think you understand that really means we had 10 years to renegotiate and extend.
One last point: we have no proof that Iran cannot continue it’s terrorist proxy war. Not yet. Given the Bush/Obama going after terrorist dollars post 9/11, and ISIS subsequently focus on hard cash in brick and mortar, would love to see how Trump seized more dollars than have already been frozen for a decade or more. There’s even rumor of Trump allowing QATAR to release $6B. But, let’s see your proof on this one, I cannot find any.
Larry,, I thank you very much for the compliment “once again you are the one who knows facts and history”, while I’ve been aware of that for a long time, I never thought I’d get an asshole like yourself to say that. While yes, the treaty was for 15 years, I suspect if we had a deal maker President ((instead of an international criminal) they could have renegotiated a treaty that would continue into the future. Instead you elected an idiot who listens to the criminal prime minister of Israel (how about that CPAC funding?) resulting in thousands more people being killed, billion of dollars wasted and infrastructure destroyed. You people who support this carnage and waste are indeed trash, just like the idiots you elected in 2024… Thanks again for the compliment though!
Mike f … I should have known you would not catch sarcasm. I will try to be more literal with you in the future.
Mike F: that cpac funding from Israel is weird; they took it from Hungary too, must be hungry for cash. CPAC has been going international since 2019 and today includes Japan, Korea, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Poland, and Brazil; they pay dues, may directly contribute, host conventions, and buy space at US conventions. CPAC revenues went from 3.3M in 2018 to 20M in 2020.
I blame the internet.
Funny how these conservatives readily grab cash from countries they term as “shithole” countries. Well, girls just gots to have fun. pssst: larry alert, sarcasm.
Our “idiot “ is doing what we elected him to do. What would your cackling cunt have done? Or how much cash money would the bitch have given to the ragheads to keep them from kicking America’s ass? People like you and Dunger were born stupid. But your commie mulatto gave them money to use against us. We should bomb the bastards off the face of the earth. Remember that peanut jimmy carter couldn’t handle them during the 1070’s hostage situation but they changed their attitude when Reagan was elected. Hmmm. Maybe the republicans are better than the democrats for national security. That’s my guess.
Harry Whitesheepledung: Still waiting for you to prove a lie from your last false accusation that you cannot back up. Not smart enough to prove it, not man enough to admit your mistake. Deplorable actions IMO. What pussies these racist pig white supremacists be.
You’re just not man enough to stand up for the words out of your own mouth.
Dunger you lie when you pass along the lies of the democrats. And I will stand by my words. So stop lying and tell us why you hate Trump so badly. Your party thinks that America is an arrogant country and should be brought down. And since they discovered lawfare your party is leading us into a civil war. I hope not, but I’m constantly hearing about conservatives being attacked. I stand by my beliefs And I’ll tell you all. Don’t fuck with a truck or you will get ran over. Don’t fuck with the bull or you will get the horn. Don’t poke the hornets nest or you will get stung. And I have more. And the name I post is my own
Paul Dungoff: I get it that you think I am a liar. Now you say your proof is that I “pass along the lies of the democrats.” And you will stand by your words.
BUT YOU HAVE NOT SHOWN PROOF OF A SINGLE LIE.
I do not hate Trump, I pity Trump. I hate what Trump does and have so for decades before his taking the throne.
As to the rest of your rant of violence. So what?
Until you either prove the lie, or apologize, you are a lesser man. Even with your trucks, bull and hornets you would like to see hurt liberals like me.
HE HAS NO ACTUAL PROOF OF AN ACTUAL LIE. AGAIN. THINK HE’S TRIED THREE TIMES NOW.
perhaps you could google “proof,” “evidence,” and lie. I know you can figure this out.
So you would like heels up the ho better?
Ben, you need to show proof of the lies you accused me of. Or apologize.
Larry notes: “Whether America wins this war is in the hands of the United States, Israel and our major allies in Europe and in the region. We cannot afford to follow the left-wing strategy that has resulted in unnecessarily prolonged – and ultimately failed – wars of attrition in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq.”
His first false contention that the war is “in the hands” of our major allies in Europe and in the region” is laughable. We didn’t include our European allies and IF that’s what Larry is depending on, he screwed the pooch on day one. As to “in the region,” yeah, didn’t tell them either, we dragged them in by necessity as our war of choice became the war in their backyard. This war is in our hands, for us, and following Israel leads to GAZA in Iran, not the best outcome, IMO, to let Bibi have his way as he already opened up another theatre in Lebanon without even consulting us.
As to blaming Democrats alone for every US unending conflict and the stupidity of forced democracy on sovereign nations, this does not even pass a basic sniff test for logic as in: it stinks.
North Korea started by Democrat Truman who also started the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine, and NATO —- probably the father of the cold war, not exactly a “hairs on fire” liberal, but certainly a liberal. NK was attacked by Russia, it’s a righteous war, but a quagmire as Russia/US tangle resulted in a stand-off that neither wished to escalate. Truman also did the Berlin Airlift where my family bravely flew. While he attempted expansion of the New Deal, he did not make giant inroads given Congress at the time. He desegregated the Federal Government and military. When the conflict ended, the stand-off has remained for decades and it’s certainly not just a Democratic strategy, clearly both parties agree on this one.
Eisenhower the Republican closed down the conflict within the first year of his term. It was a three years war, short by modern standards. The conflict itself was a brutal example of “death from above,” where we dropped double the amount of napalm vs. Japan, but only 1/10th of what we exposed Vietnam to. There are still people today wearing the napalm scars on their skin and in their minds twisted against America and Democracy.
By that time, we saw clear examples that wars take minutes to start, but generations, plural, generations to get over. Bin Laden was radicalized by our 1990 Gulf War, a Republican conflict, where we entered on false pretenses, babies being yanked from incubators, a lie. And 9/11, also on the Republicans watch, was 11 years later.
Eisenhower the Republican was the first in Vietnam. Democrats ran it for 8 years, Republicans for 16 years, hard to call it a “left wing strategy.” We didn’t start it, we did expand it, we didn’t expand it to Cambodia and Laos, Nixon that Larry gloriously worked for, did. If he didn’t believe in this stuff, he could quit. The “domino effect” was discredited over time; Johnson’s expansion was due to a false flag in the Tonkin incident. Ho Chi Minh honored our Declaration of Independence. If only Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, or Johnson had read and comprehended the letters Ho sent.
Afghanistan is started by Bush who had it for the first 8 years, Obama for eight years too but he got Bin Laden. Obama did the expansion, then tried to back off and let Afghans handle it. Trump had it for 4 years, announced his schedule for departure sharing our plans, drawing down troops, and allowing the Taliban the time and space needed to prepare and set the stage for Biden’s disaster in his only year there.
Sum total: Republicans for 12 years, Democrats for 9 years
Iraq 1: Bush senior taught us how to do it right although his reason for going proved wrong. The babies being yanked from incubators was the spark that ignited the war. And then we wrapped all those other rationales, as Larry does in his war today. Bush, a greatest generation guy, had a coalition of allies, clear objectives, and did a archetype in n out, with maximum harm and minimum cost to our military men and women. This is a great example of how to conduct a modern conflict.
Iraq 2: — oh come on: Bush, Bush, Cheney, nope, this one is yours and, worse yet, seems to have been started by a Republican with “daddy issues” attempting to gain more praise from Dad than Jeb from Dad (this is complete conjecture on my part, no real support for this supposition, but I like it, it’s as real as the WMDs).
Ukraine — sure, Democrats started it, tis a righteous war, but it’s Republicans to lose and you’re doing your best to lose. Oh yeah, they want a democracy, bad. It’s a righteous war for us and we are standing down. Republicans are standing down. Republicans are defunding this wa since 2025.
In sum, it appears Republicans manage more wars, longer, than Democrats. I think Larry’s opinion is wrong.
Who cares: unlike Larry, I say that wars are not about parties; wars are for defense of the nation. And more often than not, what ignites the war is a lie. Korea was defense from attack. Vietnam — Gulf of Tokin was an exaggeration at best, a “fly attacking the swatter” said one general. Iraq WMDs, lie. Afghanistan was righteous but we changed the mission of getting terrorists to regime change for American democracy and basically lied to ourselves that the Afghans wanted it. Both Bush and Obama can take the blame as they focused on Iraq and ISIS and let Afghanistan languish into one of our longest wars ever, managed badly by both parties and proving the difficulties in regime change.
I will give you shared responsibility, but otherwise, you are just fearmongering based on stereotypes you created and spread. IMO, what’s more important is that wars are for a multitude of reasons, some reaching back generations. But the spark that ignites them is most often, a lie. That’s the case for our current war: many reasons to punish Iran’s government, but the spark that ignites the war appears to be a lie, and worse yet, perhaps the fires were fanned by Bibi whose actions in Gaza are clearly not in America’s interest. We favor the rule of law, domestic and international, justice, punishment, but not annihilation and extermination of an entire country and people. At least we used to before Larry’s guy took the throne.