Has Trump Lost Control to Netanyahu? - Paul Craig Roberts

 https://www.lewrockwell.com/2026/02/paul-craig-roberts/has-trump-lost-control-to-netanyahu/ 

The question boils down to how capable American, Iranian, Russian and Chinese leaders are in recognizing reality. So far, none have shown capability at recognizing reality. When Iran had the strategic advantage, it backed off, leaving itself in its currently exposed position. The Russians, Chinese and Iranians never halted the escalation toward war by forming a mutual defense agreement that would have ended the problem before it could begin. Now that Netanyahu has brought the problem close to the wire, neither Russia nor China have done anything to deter an attack on Iran.

It would be simple to do so. Russian S-500 air defense systems manned by Russian troops could be set up in Iran. Squadrons of the latest Russian jet fighters could be stationed in Iran along with Chinese squadrons. Russian submarines could be deployed to the area. Russia could shut down Ukraine, something that should have been done four years ago, signaling Russia’s attention to a much more serious conflict. These measures would prevent war, not cause war. War will result from their absence.

A show of force would help those in the American military, who realize that the risks to the US and humanity are far greater than Israel warrants, to help American skeptics of Israel’s influence over US policy to find their voice and to speak out. But Russia and China have taken no actions that would provide evidence for those American military officers who see the danger of the situation to break ranks with the totally unrealistic consensus.

It is an extraordinary thing that the advent of nuclear weapons has been accompanied with a growing inability of western leaders to understand reality and the unintended consequences of their actions and inactions.