Donald Trump’s decision on Iran will define his presidency

The parallels between George W Bush’s war in Iraq and the decision President Trump faces in Iran are hard to miss, says Vanessa Marsh.

Comment: History will remember Donald Trump for countless reasons but as he sits in the Oval Office pondering whether to join the war on Iran to end its nuclear aspirations, the President must be keenly aware this decision could very well be the defining one of his political career.

His Republican predecessor George W Bush achieved many great things in his eight-years occupying that same office – he raised living and education standards for school children, he was the reassuring voice millions of Americans listened to after the World Trade Towers were felled, he presided over 52 straight months of job creation and saved millions of lives through his global HIV and malaria programs.

But the decision he will most be remembered for is the disastrous invasion of Iraq to end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein, invading under the guise of destroying Baghdad’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).

After more than eight years, trillions of US dollars and the deaths of more than 4400 American troops, Operation Iraqi Freedom concluded having not found a single WMD.

During the Iraqi war, Bush’s historic high record rating plummeted to levels of disapproval not seen in 70 years.

All eyes are on President Donald Trump. Picture: AP

For a man obsessed with image and legacy, that parallel will not be lost on Mr Trump who campaigned on a platform of achieving peace through strength.

In his inaugural address he told those gathered at the Capitol: “My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier”.

He vowed to “restore world peace” and boasted that he would end the Russia-Ukraine war before he had even returned to the White House.

Five months after his arrival at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, bombs are still falling on Kyiv and Vladimir Putin has continued to string along Mr Trump and his attempts to broker a peace deal in an increasingly embarrassing charade.

As he bailed on other world leaders at the G7 to return to the White House to deal with the Middle East conflict, a tough talking Mr Trump demanded Iran’s unconditional surrender and warned he knew where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding but had mercifully chosen not to kill him – yet.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Picture: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP

“Iran should have signed the “deal” I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!,” he wrote on social media.

White House sources and military experts speculated the President was preparing for imminent strikes within hours, saying America’s lauded “bunker buster” bombs were the only munitions capable of wiping out Iran’s underground uranium facilities crucial in the development of nuclear warheads.

America’s potential involvement in yet another costly and deadly Middle East conflict has bitterly divided Trump’s MAGA fan base.

One camp is advocating for continued trust in the 47th President.

The other believes it would be a betrayal to voters who trusted him to follow through on his promise for peace, and for prosperity that would inevitably become impossible if billions of dollars were pumped into another war.

Amid the furious debate, Mr Trump softened his stance on Friday Australian time, saying he would not make a final decision for two weeks while there was still a chance for diplomacy.

No matter what, Donald Trump will be remembered as a highly consequential president.

The decision he makes in the next fortnight will help determine whether that is for better or for worse.

Originally published as Donald Trump’s decision on Iran will define his presidency