OPINION: Trump’s Over a Barrel

In brief: What began as a strike to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and terrorism has instead left Tehran controlling the Strait of Hormuz and global oil markets. The fallout has forced a yen bailout, drained Pentagon stockpiles, and pushed Saudi Arabia toward its own nuclear program. Now negotiating from weakness, Trump faces emboldened demands from Iran – while Russia escalates in Ukraine, calculating that depleted US arsenals mean less support for Kyiv.

Aug. 10, 2026

US President Donald Trump (R) speaks to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as they watch the Army 250th Anniversary Parade from the Ellipse in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. Trump’s long-held dream of a parade will come true as nearly 7,000 troops plus dozens of tanks and helicopters rumble through the capital in an event officially marking the 250th anniversary of the US army which also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

Donald Trump launched his latest war a few months ago with Israel to stop Iran’s terrorism and its nuclear development.

Instead, Tehran now holds hostage the Hormuz Strait as well as oil markets and America’s Arab allies.

Even more dire, Trump’s war has shaken up the world economy, forcing him to bail out Japan’s currency; he has depleted the Pentagon’s arsenal, and also allowed Saudi Arabia to go nuclear, spawning another potential nuclear threat in the Middle East.

Now Trump negotiates from weakness, and Iran makes bold demands.

So does Russia, which has safely ratcheted up attacks on Ukraine, safe in the knowledge that Trump cannot provide more self-defense weaponry for Kyiv.

This is not just about military defeat. Trump’s war against Iran is one of the greatest blunders in history.

How did this happen and what’s next?

Reprinted from dianefrancis@substack.com – Diane Francis on America and the World.

The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post. 

https://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/82087

5 comments

  1. The dumbest idiot to ever live in the White House started a moronic war, which is being led by a drunk bimbo who would lose a wargame with GI Joe figures in a sandbox. Both monkeys are in the same predicament as their mafia buddy in the terrorist russian state. Both wars are at a dead end, and both wars are a catastrophe to the civilians in Ukraine and Iran and for the world economy.
    When will Congress do its damned fucking job and remove this stupid fat prick from office?

    • When? I think after the midterm elections. It’s practically guaranteed that democrats will take control in the House, they might even get a majority in the Senate. The House will impeach. Back-stabbing Vancekov will make deals with his buddies in the Senate and trump will be removed. It seems pretty obvious. I think even trump knows this scenario is likely. The only problem: it leaves the US with a president that is potentially an even bigger turd.

        • True. The Senate elections will be a test of Taco’s influence. If Republican seats are lost in South Carolina, Nebraska, and others, it will be a flushing of Taco’s influence down the toilet. For Vancekov, removing trump will be imperative if he wants to make a legit run for the White House in 2028. And to your point OFP, Vancekov may not be capable of a legit campaign at all. This administration is a mess.

          • Only the insane and brainless will vote for something so bad as Vance. So, I hope the former GOP will let him run in the next presidential elections. He is sure to lose.

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