Allison Hillman
There is a saying in Spanish which sums up the reasons why many arguments begin; Quien es mas macho? It translates to; Who is more macho? Sometimes, often men, humans have a tendency to get stuck in a cycle of trying to one-up each other. The “winner” is the person who proves themselves to be braver.
While this behavior often begins fights, it can also have the opposite effect of preventing them. People who can project a strong enough façade are often avoided as being too much trouble to make it worth it.
It was that aspect of human nature that kept Russia and the United States from engaging in nuclear war during the Cold War era.
Between 1945 and 1991, the two superpowers did fight a war but not one that involved bombs. The war they waged was one of threats, tension, competition, and displays of power. Almost 50 years of bravado kept both countries from doing the unthinkable, but why?
Both countries had the capabilities of nuclear war. Civilians of these nations lived in fear of the war they thought could start any day. With air raid drills, fallout shelters, and the media’s coverage of military strength, it was natural to be afraid.
What most people were incapable of understanding, and what officials could not admit to, was that all of that was part of the act. In order to be “mas macho,” both countries had to put on their best show, convincing everyone that they were not only capable but ready to go to war on a minute’s notice.
Each nation goaded the other, testing weapons, pushing to see which would be the first to break. The goal of both was to not be the first to engage but to be the cause of the engagement. The secret that both Russia and the U.S held tightly was that neither wanted nuclear war.
The results of that kind of conflict would have been devastating, war always is. But a nuclear war would have caused new levels of destruction, affecting not only the two opponents but also the entire world. The widespread carnage would ensure that nobody would emerge as a winner.
So they demonstrated their competency, taking turns at displays of power, the conclusion being that no true war with worldwide consequences was ever begun.
The same type of psychological warfare is taking place right now, and Democrats would prefer if Americans didn’t know that.
President Trump and his team, including General Mattis, are employing Cold War era tactics with countries that seek to take advantage of the United States. A victim of 8 years of Obama treason has left America looking weak and depleted to our enemies.
Iran is a good example. Not only did they convince Obama to lift sanctions but they were able to get away with crossing his “red line” multiple times. There were no consequences, Obama did not have the strength or desire to enter into a conflict with the Iranians.
The new leadership style of President Trump has probably come as a shock to countries that assumed our nation had lost its super power designation. A strong capable leader is not what they have come to expect.
Iran has been forced to confront the new administration, testing the waters to see if the strength is real. They must quickly be realizing there are no more idle threats coming from the White House.
The recent tests of ballistic missile systems in Iran have not been well received by President Trump and his staff. They have chosen to respond, Cold War style, with a display of power of their own.
According to the Department of Defense, “At approximately 10:30 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time, Feb. 3 — 3:30 a.m. EDT, Feb. 4 — a medium-range ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai, Hawaii.”
Describing the test, “The crew of the John Paul Jones detected and tracked the target missile with its onboard radar using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 weapon system. Upon acquiring and tracking the target, the ship launched an SM-3 Block IIA guided missile, which intercepted the target.”
Missile Defense Agency director Vice Admiral Jim Syring expressed his pleasure with the success; “Today’s test demonstrates a critical milestone in the cooperative development of the SM-3 Block IIA missile. The missile, developed jointly by a Japanese and U.S. government and industry team, is vitally important to both our nations and will ultimately improve our ability to defend against increasing ballistic missile threats around the world.”
Never once was any country, even Iran, specified in the statements, it is unnecessary. In this modern day battle of wills, the message of what is not spoken is the important one.
The Democrat need this to remain unknown. They cannot portray Trump as a war-mongering psychotic if the public understands that he is actually intelligently using war tactics that have been around for decades.
Iran is not Russia, we cannot be completely sure that they will respond in a similar way. However, avoiding a war while not looking weak is a reasonable solution. The tactics are sound, have been very successful, and are being used now to prevent a war, not start one.
