Many of President Trump's critics are unable or unwilling to understand his multi-dimensional thinking. Instead, they become fixated on individual components of his Iran policy instead grasping the strategic concepts involved.
For example, the timing of his attack was not solely based on a precise calculation of threat level. Although Iran's persistent production of offensive weapons made armed intervention inevitable, it did not lend itself to a specific date for the attack. Just like with the D-Day invasion, other factors (e.g., weather) had to line up to maximize the probability of success.
These factors included a general assessment of Iran's negotiating position and specific information about the whereabouts of Iran's top leadership. Taken together, these factors led to a rational conclusion as to when the attack would be most propitious. So far, this was a brilliant decision.
For example, the timing of his attack was not solely based on a precise calculation of threat level. Although Iran's persistent production of offensive weapons made armed intervention inevitable, it did not lend itself to a specific date for the attack. Just like with the D-Day invasion, other factors (e.g., weather) had to line up to maximize the probability of success.
These factors included a general assessment of Iran's negotiating position and specific information about the whereabouts of Iran's top leadership. Taken together, these factors led to a rational conclusion as to when the attack would be most propitious. So far, this was a brilliant decision.
