Prediction: by the time you read this, the joint US-Israeli operation in Iran will be all but over. In fact, it had mostly ended by the start of April. The Kool-Aid-dispensing press has been telling us since the conflict began that Iran was winning. They wanted it so badly to be true. Being adept at magical thinking, they also believe that what they wanted to be the case would suddenly, hey presto, become the case. A cover story in the Economist declared “Advantage Iran.” “A month of bombing Iran,” that once-sober publication announced, “has achieved nothing… For now, at least, the advantage lies with the Islamic Republic.”

Not to be outdone, the Financial Times weighed in with “Iran could emerge from the war stronger and more dangerous.” Right. Iran’s navy? Sunk. Its air force? Destroyed. Its stockpiles of missiles and drones? Incinerated. Ditto its military infrastructure. Its leadership? Eliminated down two or three levels, not just the turban-sporting mullahs but also the IRGC commanders, Basij thugs and senior scientists: all gone to their 72 virgins.

I loved this exchange between Donald Trump and a reporter:

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REPORTER: “The Iranian government threatened a bunch of US companies in the region today.” DJT: “With what? What did they threaten them with? BB guns? They don’t have much left to threaten.” REPORTER: “My question for you is –” DJT: “You made a statement. What did they threaten them with? I don’t know. Tell me. How did they threaten them?” REPORTER: “All I know is that they threatened them, sir.” DJT: “They said something nasty?”

REPORTER: “The Iranian........

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