Reply to He's not playing 3 dimensional chess: WSJ article on Trump's decision-making process related to the Iran War

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[quote=Anonymous]I realize most of us already know Trump's not a brilliant strategist, but this long, detailed article in the WSJ (unlocked) lays out the erratic way he makes decisions. It reinforces what we already know but adds some new details. The only thing I'm grateful about is learning that he really fears American troop casualties and therefore avoids dangerous missions that could put troops' lives at risk.

[i]Behind Trump’s Public Bravado on the War, He Grapples With His Own Fears[/i]
https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/trump-public-bravado-private-fear-59814dca?st=L726X3&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

I read the WSJ article and this summary from the tweet below is good. The only thing I would add that is not covered is that his most explosive Truth Socials posts (e.g., ending a civilization) were intended by him to

[b]He is kept out of his own situation room.[/b]
When two American pilots are shot down in Iran and a high-risk rescue operation is launched, his aides exclude the President of the United States from the situation room. They call him at "significant moments." The stated reason: "his impatience wouldn’t be helpful." The commander in chief of a war is managed like an unpredictable child who’s kept away during critical moments.

[b]His most explosive statements are part of no plan.[/b]
The improvised Easter tweet, the threat to "kill an entire civilization" in 12 hours is improvised too and was in no way part of a national security plan. In both cases: no consultation with the national security team or anyone else. Just Trump, alone, with his phone, reshaping the world order with Truth Social posts. [edited to add that Trump, by his own admission, makes crazy statements on TS to "seem as unstable and insulting as possible, believing it could bring the Iranians to the table, senior administration officials said. It was a language, he said, the Iranians would understand."]

[b]He is haunted by Jimmy Carter.[/b] From the start of the conflict, the specter of 1979 haunts him. The hostage crisis. The helicopters stranded in the desert. The presidency destroyed. He talks about it endlessly to his advisors, to Republican lawmakers. "If you look at what happened with Jimmy Carter... with the helicopters and the hostages, it cost them the election."

[b]He refused a key military operation out of fear of casualties.[/b] His generals proposed taking Kharg Island, the starting point for 90% of Iranian oil exports. He didn’t want to hear about it.

On the other hand, he busies himself with his "ballroom" during crises. While the world awaits his ultimatum to "destroy Iranian civilization," Trump pulls out the plans for his ballroom under construction on the White House lawns. He has meetings on the subject several times a week. He considers himself the "general contractor."

On the evening he threatens to destroy a nation of 90 million people, he shows donors the drawings of the hole they’re going to dig under the White House. He marvels at everything that could be built below.

[b]He’s considering awarding himself the Medal of Honor. [/b]The highest American military decoration, awarded for bravery and sacrifice at the risk of one’s life. In front of donors and staff members, Trump publicly muses that he deserves it. His justification? During a flight in Iraq in his first term, the plane landed in the dark on an unlit runway. He was terrified. The pilots reassured him and they landed. His lawyer present in the room says the rules wouldn’t allow it. Karoline Leavitt insists he was joking.

[b]His own aides filter reality for him.[/b] Susie Wiles, his chief of staff, had to urge her colleagues to be "more frank with the boss" because they were systematically giving him an overly rosy view of the situation to avoid upsetting him.

[twitter]https://x.com/cginisty/status/2045810094575591556?s=20[/twitter][/quote]

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