
<p>President Trump has said that America has already won the war. His never-Trump critics claim America is losing – or has lost – the war.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.”</p>



<p>He then gave a detailed accounting of the damage Operation Epic Fury inflicted on Iran – and it is truly astounding,</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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 &#8220;no longer has an air force, air defense, or comprehensive radar/air detection system&#8221; and that the U.S./Israel &#8220;own their skies.&#8221; The few remaining operational aircraft (aging Soviet-era and limited indigenous types) have been rendered largely ineffective.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Rarely has a military conflict been so successful in decapitating the leadership. Among those killed are:</p>



<p><strong>Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</strong> — Supreme Leader of Iran.</p>



<p><strong>Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour</strong> — Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC.</p>



<p><strong>Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi</strong> — Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces</p>



<p><strong>Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh</strong> — Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.</p>



<p><strong>Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi</strong> — Head of IRGC Intelligence.</p>



<p><strong>Commodore Alireza Tangsiri</strong> — Commander of the IRGC Navy).</p>



<p><strong>Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani</strong> — Head of the paramilitary Basij forces.</p>



<p><strong>Brig. Gen. Esmail Dehghan </strong>— Senior IRGC Aerospace Force commander.</p>



<p><strong>Mehdi Qureishi </strong>— Senior IRGC Aerospace Force commander.</p>



<p><strong>Ali Larijani</strong> — Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.</p>



<p>And the list goes on &#8212; but does not include the many Hezbollah, Hamas, Al Qada leaders assassinated prior to the war.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>With all this devastation, why has the war not ended in surrender?</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>Yes, that is a lot to ask. Perhaps more than possible, but that is what total victory would look like.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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 &#8230; (I dare say) boots on the ground.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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 &#8230; the goal has not been achieved.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

America is Winning the War … But Not Quite Won, Yet.
