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The United States is not winning the war: Trump's four lies and one truth

3 min read DAE -HAN SONG

DAE-HAN SONG

Trump is known for his careless disregard for the truth. Therefore, we in South Korea must examine his words and claims critically. In fact, many of the claims in his recent April 1st (US time) speech are false and constitute disinformation. So, let's clear up the confusion:

Lie number one: The United States is winning the war against Iran.

The United States may have air and naval superiority, but Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz provides it with a key strategic vantage point from which to pressure the United States and Israel. Furthermore, while the United States is waging a war of choice, the Iranian regime is waging a war for its existence, giving it a qualitatively different level of resolve. Having spent over $38.000 billion in 33 days Because of the war, Trump's approval ratings are falling. 35% as the war affects the economy.

Lie number two: the oil held in the Strait of Hormuz does not affect the U.S.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz doesn't just affect countries that import oil from there. It causes a rise in global oil prices, which contributes to inflationary pressures and reduces growth worldwide, including in the US. War has increased gasoline prices have plummeted the stock market in the U.S.

Lie number three: The Obama-era agreement to denuclearize Iran was a waste of time

The Obama-era agreement would have limited Iran's uranium enrichment to 3,67%, enough for nuclear power, for 15 years. When Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, he ended all those commitments. Today, even as peace negotiations between the US and Iran were underway, Trump attacked Iran in bad faith, accusing it of an imminent attack despite the lack of intelligenceIn any case, Trump's arbitrary actions reinforce the logic thatIf you have the bomb, they won't bomb you.".

Lie number four: Destroying Iran's "power generating plants" would win the war

This would not only constitute a war crime against millions of civilians, but would provoke a massive retaliation from Iran against the region's energy-exporting countries and plunge the world economy into an unprecedented energy crisis.

One truth: countries must guarantee safe access to the Strait of Hormuz

But they must do it. DO NOT Following Trump into war. Even a staunch pragmatist would object to the claim that South Korean frigates can guarantee access by force when even the might of the United States Navy cannot. Indeed, we must distance ourselves from this chosen war with its atrocious war crimes. Japan has rejected Trump's calls to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz and has guaranteed transit through talks direct trade with Iran. Similarly, China, India, and Pakistan have guaranteed access.

Ultimately, despite Trump's claims that this is intended to benefit the people of Iran, his war of choice is simply causing senseless killing and the destruction of the country. Regardless of one's opinion of the Iranian government, bombs and threats will not bring it down. In fact, they fuel it. resistance and martyrdomThus, despite Trump's claim that the initial decapitation missions were successful, Iran had prepared for this with a four-tiered leadership structure. If one head of government is assassinated, another immediately takes over. The people of the United States are rising up against Trump's white supremacy both at home and abroad. Now is the time for people around the world to demand that their governments stand against Trump's military adventurism. For us in South Korea, that should begin with a resounding "no" to sending Korean frigates to join Trump's war.

Dae-Han Song He is a South Korean writer and researcher. Member of the International Strategy Center,  of the collective No Cold War and collaborator of Korea Policy Institute.
This article is published in collaboration with Globetrotter
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