The Bite of the Rattlesnake

The killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani is consistent with US President Donald Trump's doctrine of “strategic realism.” Nevertheless, the mullahs of Tehran were caught off guard. Friend or foe, the Trump Doctrine is now, more urgently than ever, required reading.

Commentators across Europe are in a panic, issuing dire warnings: “Donald Trump acts without any sense of proportion” blares the Swiss “Tages-Anzeiger.” The “Neue Züricher Zeitung” lectures its readers: “A drone is not yet a strategy.”

Critics chastised the American leader as he withdrew troops from the Middle East. Now, they warn that he might send in new forces. They ducked for years as then-President Obama escalated the drone war and wiped out entire wedding parties. Now, they raise concern when Trump eliminates Iran's strategic ace with a direct hit — without, it should be noted, any civilian collateral damage. Given ...