SAN DIEGO− President Trump threatened to bomb Iran’s cultural heritage sites as reprisals for its anticipated revenge attack for Qasem Soleimani’s assassination. Iran considered strikes on Trump golf courses, resorts, and towers as an equivalent response.
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Although President Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed the briefings given to Congress this week disclosed credible intelligence that Soleimani was planning an imminent attack on the American embassy in Baghdad, many of the senators and house representatives disputed that characterization of the briefings. I have obtained a leaked copy of what they were told: “Top Secret-CIA operatives stationed in the Embassy Suites in Baghdad intercepted communications between Soleimani and Iraqi Shiite Militia leaders about a future plot to bait the United States into an overreaction resulting in Iraq requesting the removal of American troops and undermining popular support for protest movements in Iraq and Iran.”
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John Bolton announced he would testify at Trump’s impeachment trial if subpoenaed by the Senate. Perhaps then he will explain why he called the President’s withholding of military aid to Ukraine for investigations of Biden and Ukrainian election inference in 2016 a “drug deal.” Rudy Giuliani purportedly has offered to deliver him a shipment of cocaine to remain silent.
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Nancy Pelosi continued to refuse to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate. Mitch McConnell criticized her for delaying the trial. She retorted, “Remember Merrick Garland.”
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Donald Trump Jr. blames the bush fires ravaging Australia on arson rather than on the long-term effects of climate change. Though some arsonists have been arrested, Australia’s refusal to curb coal production, the President’s withdrawal from the Paris Accords, and his easing of domestic environmental regulations plays with fire too.
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Baron is professor emeritus of history at San Diego State University. He may be contacted via lawrence.baron@sdjewishworld.com. San Diego Jewish World points out to new readers that this column is satire, and nothing herein should be taken literally.