We all must reflect on the difference six weeks has made in the state of affairs in the Middle East and the world economy. Since the war of choice was started by the US and Israel on Iran six weeks ago, we have seen a shift in the balance of power in the world and the status of the United States in it. If the American people had signed up for this turn of events, I would say that we get everything we deserve. But it is very clear that the outcomes of this period of our history was not desired by anyone, save the most delusional (who may very well sit in an oval shaped office on Pennsylvania Avenue in our nation’s capitol).

Before the War:

• The US economy was teetering on a cusp – inflation was stuck above the Federal Reserve’s target, with a prospect of lower tariffs as the Supreme Court overturned many of the tariffs irrationally imposed by the President without legislative approval. Employment was virtually stagnant for the full-year 2025 and workers are increasingly giving up on finding a job.
• The US was in direct negotiations with Iran over their nuclear material. Any progress in the negotiations was dependent on US credibility in the talks (as the US had attacked Iran during talks the prior year).
• Hamas was in tatters with little regional support (other than an isolated Iran).
• The Lebanese government committed to disarming Hezbollah, the terrorist organization propped up by Iran in southern Lebanon. Israel committed to assisting Lebanon in disarming Hezbollah.
• The Strait of Hormuz was demilitarized and open to all traffic from all nations in the Persian Gulf, over 100 tankers per day passing through.
• Iran is led by clerics and the IRGC (with a democracy in place, in name only). The people of Iran were terrorized by their government, and protest was exceedingly dangerous (with tens of thousands killed after the last protests).

Six weeks after the war began:

• The US economy is still teetering, with even higher inflation. Gas prices increased 21% in March, and have continued to rise since. March marked the largest monthly spike in overall inflation in 4 years.
• Iranian nuclear material is still in the hands of the Iranian regime
• Israel is viewed as a source of instability in the region, by its current and potential trade partners (Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc).
• The Strait of Hormuz is now militarized by the Iranians and largely closed, with Iran having all of the leverage to negotiate commerce in the Gulf.
• The Lebanese government is angry with Israel, as they were bombarded while they believed a ceasefire was in place (as Israel has struck not simply southern Lebanon but also the capitol Beirut). The US public is also less supportive of Israel than recently, even amongst Republicans.
• Iran is led by clerics and the IRGC (with a democracy in place, in name only). Its a new generation of leaders with more vengeance on their minds than even the last group .

Instead of a weak Iran with no military capabilities, Iran has shot down 2 US fighter planes, continues to enforce a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz (essentially holding it hostage), and Americans are paying for a war that few desired but the most hawkish. Because of the administration’s disregard for its allies in the West, the European countries have largely disregarded the US pleas for help in re-opening the strait (essentially, ‘you broke it, you fix it’). The likelihood of the Strait reopening as it did before is quite low. And while the US is ‘negotiating’ with Iran today (via Pakistan), there can be little reason for the Iranians to believe any agreement with our country. After all, our President declared that he would kill ‘a whole civilization’ – committing to war crimes on our behalf.

So, to paraphrase a very successful political campaign tagline from the ’80s – ‘Are we better off today than we were’ a mere six weeks ago? I can’t imagine how.

And the national disgrace continues…