Trump’s Endgame Is Surrender

Sunday, May 24, 2026

The outlines of President Trump's endgame in the Iran war are now emerging. In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Trump reportedly explained that the United States was negotiating a "letter of intent" with Iran that would "formally end the war and launch a 30-day period of negotiations" on Iran's nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The purpose and effect of such an agreement should be clear: The United States is walking away from the crisis. Trump may launch another limited strike to look tough and satisfy the demands of the war's supporters, but it would be a performative gesture. Endgame in this case is a euphemism for "surrender."

Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 06:42 AM | 5 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Will Israel go gentle into this good night? That is the wild card that may disrupt the financial markets' dreams of a new stability in the Gulf. A stronger, richer, more influential Iran will mean new life for Hamas and Hezbollah. It will mean the end of the Abraham Accords, as the Gulf States will have to make their own peace with Tehran so that their economies can survive. Trump says that Netanyahu "will do whatever I want him to do." But can Israel stand by while Iran replaces the United States as the arbiter of power in the region?

Most likely, the new normal in the Persian Gulf will be chronic instability and frequent disruptions in shipping. That's what happens when the hegemon cedes hegemony.

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Bottom line, according to the author? "He seems to hope to slip away without Americans noticing the magnitude of this defeat."

#1 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2026-05-24 06:44 AM | Reply

#2 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-05-24 07:39 AM | Reply

Endgame in this case is a euphemism for "surrender."

Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Trump the Coward showed up for Iran, just like Trump the Coward showed up for Xi.

Problem is: When Donald does these things, he always needs to compensate his ego by way of some fresh aggression.

Frustrated on the international stage, that means aggression towards us.

#3 | Posted by Zed at 2026-05-24 07:52 AM | Reply

"the new normal in the Persian Gulf will be chronic instability and frequent disruptions in shipping"

The argument that Trump is incompetent and crazy was won in 2016.

If American voters won't pay attention to competence and sanity, then that says something bad about them.
some.

Something very bad.

None of us, stupid or not, will stop suffering until Donald Trump is gone.

#4 | Posted by Zed at 2026-05-24 07:55 AM | Reply

Should've left Obama's agreement in place

#5 | Posted by hamburglar at 2026-05-24 08:01 AM | Reply