The Trump administration’s narrative has hit a bump and it’s not taking it too well.
The FCC is threatening to cancel spectrum permits of broadcasters for “pushing hoaxes and distortions”. This is chapter and verse of the standard administration response to any negative news.
Trump wants other countries to help out in with the Iran war. This is somewhat of a contrast to Trump’s unilateral approach a week ago.
Israel’s stock of missile interceptors has been depleted by Iranian attacks.
The Times of Israel doesn’t agree and says the “unconfirmed US report” doesn’t reflect IDF interception operations”.
If you happen to be pondering the total contradictions between stated policy objectives, ongoing news, media spin, and what’s being said, you’re not alone.
Let’s start with the FCC. The FCC had no problems with pet-eating Ohioans, bogus information about crime waves in DC, California, and Minnesota, and yet seems to think that it alone can decide what are permissible facts.
Brendan Carr, FCC chair, says, “The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.” You can look forward to massive retaliation and huge lawsuits if the FCC tries to suspend licenses. Meanwhile, facts don’t need “approval”.
The demand for other countries to help the US in Iran is almost laughable. It would be if it were funny. Having spent years antagonizing NATO and just about all other US allies, suddenly there’s a problem?
Military experts worldwide have stated unanimously that the Iranian war would be a challenge for the US. The Straits of Hormuz are effectively closed, as predicted. The Iranians are ramping up their attacks as predicted.
Simultaneously, the administration has rejected Ukrainian help with drone defence. The one country on Earth that can definitely do the job to stop Iranian drones isn’t welcome? Nobody else has their level of expertise on fighting Shahed drones.
It’s unlikely that Israel is running out of interceptors, but there will be a constant drain on their stocks. Interceptors don’t grow on trees. They’re expensive, and they need reserves.
Iran can’t “win” a war with Israel with drones and missiles. It can be a significant problem if the grinding Ukrainian type of missile trench warfare goes on, though. Israel would have to duplicate Ukrainian results to shut down that problem.
It’s also highly debatable exactly what Israel expects to gain from this engagement with Iran. Widening the frame of reference and enlarging the scale for Middle East combat could be a costly move, not producing results in any short time frame. I’d say Israel is more likely to run out of patience than interceptors.
We have another issue here, and it’s glaringly stupid. What the hell kind of inept, indiscreet, information security releases information like this? Does the world need to know that the US is floundering? That news is being threatened simply because it doesn’t fit the administration’s narrative? That never works.
The tantrums tell the tale.
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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
