International crises often lead, at least initially, to surging support for a country’s leadership. And that’s clearly happening now. Just weeks ago, the nation’s leader faced public discontent so intense that his grip on power seemed at risk. Now the assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani has transformed the situation, generating a wave of patriotism that has greatly bolstered the people in charge.
Unfortunately, this patriotic rallying around the flag is happening not in America, where many are (with good reason) deeply suspicious of Donald Trump’s motives, but in Iran.
In other words, Trump’s latest attempt to bully another country has backfired — just like all his previous attempts.