Trump himself said that he was surprised by the intensity of Iran's retaliation! On March 2, Trump said, "The biggest surprise" was Iran's attacks on Arab countries in the region. We were surprised; we had told them, "We're here," but now they are deliberately provoking a conflict. Arab country leaders are "strong and shrewd," and Iran's attacks "hit a hotel" and "a residential building," which completely enraged them. This is probably the biggest surprise.
Trump says he was surprised, but what does this essentially indicate? In one word, it shows that the United States has made a clear miscalculation regarding the direction of the conflict and the intensity of Iran's retaliation. The United States likely expected a script where the US and Israel would launch a fierce bombardment against Iran, and then Iran would quickly surrender and go to the negotiating table. However, things did not develop in this direction at all; instead, Iran's retaliation has become increasingly intense.
Trump praised Arab country leaders as "strong and shrewd," and Iran's attacks "hit a hotel" and "a residential building." What is the purpose of this? On one hand, it is to comfort Arab countries, and on the other hand, it is to rally Arab countries to turn their attention toward Iran together. But the problem is, the main demand of Arab countries is that the war should not spread to themselves.
Therefore, the spillover effect of Iran's retaliation makes Arab countries uncomfortable, but if they move towards full-scale confrontation with Iran and bring the war to their own doorstep, the losses will be even greater. Trump's surprise essentially indicates that the situation is no longer under American control. Iran's attack hitting targets of Arab countries further shows that America's umbrella is full of holes, which is a problem that the United States will have to face. Facts prove that America's umbrella is no longer reliable.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858568335177803/
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