[Looking at history and our area’s unique political and religious attitudes.]

War is about people. The conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the rest of the world impacts real people. One of our archaeology research friends was in Tel Aviv when Iran reacted to the initial Israeli bombings. Families of long time Iranian friends live in Tehran. Both ends of the spectrum have shared harrowing experiences. The people are not enemies, but their governments have created enemies.

We tend to look at war as existing between government leaders. They have issues and challenges. Would you want to make the decisions they must, which impacts so many? But the trauma of the people is greater. They are subject to the bombings in their neighborhood, but they have little information, and can do nothing about the greater conflict. Such is the making of a population, which seeks regime change, if for no other reason than to stop the horrendous noise of bombs awakening your sleep. At least you awaken.

The problem with writing articles about current events is the events frequently change between the time we write the article and the four days until it is published. Although this one is current, the events have been going on since Abraham slept with Hagar, 3800 years ago. Apparently there was not really much sleeping during their tryst. She gave him a son, who is the progenitor of the Arab nations, which Iran is not, and the Islamic religion, which Iran is. His next son is the progenitor of the Jewish nation, which Americans and Europeans are not, and the Jewish-Christian religion, which most of the world is. There is the root of the animosity of the Middle East and the alliance between Israel and America.

Besides our friends on location, we derive our information from a variety of sources. You can get on-site and relevant reporting from Times of Israel, JFeed, and others. Citizens Free Press is an aggregator that reviews massive data to identify relevant articles. Since we live in rural Oklahoma, most of our neighbors and people we know are politically right of center. Being a Professor Emeritus, I have adequate exposure to the other end of the spectrum to realize the vast difference. The same data is translated very differently.

How did the world get to a place that Israel is supported, appreciated, or tolerated to destroy Iranian targets, while surgically avoiding the populace. Iran was a monarchy until 1979, when Islamic mullahs enforced a religious autocracy. Long term successful governments have forged a balance between political governance and religious autonomy. Social freedom suffers without that separation but cooperation.

Strident Muslims have had an avowed hatred for the Jewish people since 600 AD, and their predecessors since Abraham. After the Iranian autocracy mercilessly seized power, the leaders have advocated literal “death to Israel, death to America.” In a sequence of indecision, complicity, and influence, world leaders including U.S. Presidents have permitted, encouraged, or tolerated Iran developing nuclear capabilities. Then, when Iran may well have the nuclear bomb, Israel alone decided to stop the looming fiasco.

What is the response? Isolationists and anti-Trump politicals have said it is Israel’s war, the U.S. should stay home. That sounds holier than thou, but Israel is a nation less than the size of Eastern Oklahoma. There are more Jews in New York City than in Israel. It is a miniscule country which has fought for its survival since its ancestral homeland was reestablished by the United Nations from its British mandate in 1948. Because of our common religious heritage, the United States has been the primary supporter and ally, with Britain and France less so. Without U.S. support, Israel cannot accomplish the task at hand.

In an earlier regime, Germany tried to decimate the Jews. Last week, German Chancellor Merz stated the obvious out loud. “This is the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us. We are also victims of this regime. This mullah regime has brought death and destruction to the world.”

President Trump, the inveterate deal-maker, has tried negotiation. But that takes two willing parties. His requirements were ‘total surrender and no nuclear.’ Iran has responded they will not negotiate with Europe, they will not negotiate with the U.S. until attacks stop, and they will not give up nuclear. Is that called a stalemate or posturing? The President has provided whatever Israel requested, almost. He has stated he wants to avoid U.S. boots on the ground, That does not mean navy at sea or air force in the air. Two naval carrier groups are deployed to the region. B2 heavily loaded bombers are deployed from Missouri along with over a hundred other aircraft.

Based on the Iran leader’s own decision, total surrender means a new government. Success in establishing those in the region has not been great. The people of Iran themselves are asking why has Israel not eliminated the top of the government, so there can be settlement. Replacing a government requires new leadership. That is a difficult transition in an era when trust and normal relationships are non-existent.

Think about it. Negotiation is preferred. But sometimes forceful intervention is required when evil opposition to societal, political, and religious norms looms over the planet. It is sooner or later.