Strange Trip — The U.S. war against Iran hasn’t ushered in American decline. It’s exposed China’s weakness

“…Trump’s tariffs have forced China to find alternate markets for its goods. “But the Iran war,” said the trade analyst, “has stalled the growth of the economies in all of China’s replacement markets, especially Southeast Asia and Europe. All of which means the notion that Trump and the U.S. hold little leverage in their relations with China is complete nonsense.”

Given the damage Trump has inflicted on not just Iran but also China, he could walk away now and declare victory. Together with Israel, the United States has decimated Iranian leadership, destroyed its navy and air force, and collapsed most of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles facilities. Trump could withdraw forces and promise to return if the regime tests his warnings, or he could leave it entirely to the next administration to stop what he’s described as an existential threat that plagues not only Israel and other U.S. regional allies but also Europe and soon the American homeland. But Trump says he isn’t leaving until he gets all the uranium Iran has enriched and dismantles all its nuclear facilities. It seems he really doesn’t care about the polling, gas prices, or even threats to his future freedom, because he’s not budging. The American president Xi is meeting in Beijing is dug in…”