Let us examine the continuity of US policy through two
priorities: favouring Israel and maintaining an uncompromising posture toward
Iran. I tend to believe that business will continue as usual, with Trump still
enjoying the blessing of what I call “The Syndicate”—powerful interests
sustaining this strategic orientation.
The two failed attempts to impeach Trump also invite
scrutiny. In my view, they have not succeeded without The Syndicate’s tacit
blessing. Another attempt may emerge, but the probability of success remains
low. Congressional opposition alone may prove insufficient to reverse the
administration’s course.
One possible source of pressure is the diaspora, which could
take the lead in mobilizing domestic constituencies in the name of protecting
the “have-nots.” Such mobilization could compel Washington to reconsider the
resources and political capital being expended on overseas conflicts.
Yet the biggest challenge is restoring the tarnished image
of the United States as a superpower. Ending the US-Israel war on Iran is not
an easy task. It requires accepting the reality that Washington has not
succeeded in bringing Tehran to its knees. An overt retreat would be portrayed
as defeat; an outcome the administration would be reluctant to acknowledge.
Here lies a possible way out: The Syndicate has to find a
scapegoat. A senior official, military adviser, or policy architect could be
held responsible for misjudgment, flawed intelligence, or unrealistic war
objectives. This would provide the administration with a political mechanism to
recast a negotiated settlement as strategic correction rather than an admission
of defeat.
However, scapegoating alone cannot end the conflict. A
mediated ceasefire, reciprocal security assurances, and phased de-escalation,
with Iran’s sovereignty respected, must form the foundation of a durable
settlement.
Washington could claim that its strategic objectives had
been achieved, while Tehran would avoid the humiliation of capitulation.
Ultimately, the challenge is not merely to end the war, but
to create a narrative that allows the United States to retreat without
appearing defeated. Can The Syndicate engineer such an exit, or will America’s
quest for strategic dominance further tarnish its global image?
