Support CreatorsThe Strait
Tue, May 19, 2026 • 12:35 AM
President Trump would love to take a mulligan on this ill-conceived war in Iran, because he so obviously can’t find a way out of this mess. Instead, his Iran policy has fallen into a predictable rhythm now; a kind of call-and-response.
First comes the threat.
“The clock is ticking.”
“There won’t be anything left.”
It’s bold. It’s dramatic. It sounds like the trailer for a summer blockbuster… deep voice, ominous music, things exploding just off-screen. And then, almost on cue, comes the sequel:
Actually, let’s hold off.
Let’s give negotiations more time.
Let’s pause. Reassess. Extend the ceasefire.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
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