The world is witnessing a steady escalation in tensions playing out in the Persian Gulf. Regional experts are debating the drivers behind this conflict and the prospects of future lethal entanglements. Many on the Left blame Trump’s National Security Advisor, John Bolton, and his “war-monger” tactics, as the root of rising tensions. In the past two weeks, mainstream media outlets have attempted to disconnect Bolton’s hardline anti-Iran policy recommendations from those of the president. This tactic to disassociate Bolton’s views from the president’s views is clearly meant to undermine the administration’s Iran policy.
Those who are blaming Bolton as the sole arbiter for rising tensions are actually emulating the rationale behind the Iranian leadership. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has recently coined the “B”-team narrative, which refers to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince bin Zayed, Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman, and U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton. Zarif’s strategy to shift the world’s attention off Iran’s own aggressive actions and onto John Bolton is simultaneously sly and obvious. However, many on the Left are employing this exact strategy. During an interview with MSNBC, Bernie Sanders stated, “The architect of the effort right now to get us into war in Iran was the architect to getting us into war in Iraq. That is John Bolton. I worry about provocations on the part of the U.S. against Iran.” This declaration followed reports in which State Department officials confirmed threats in the region were in fact credible and based on intelligence that Iranian-backed militias were pursuing aggressive actions against the U.S. throughout the broader region. This tactic of ignoring Iranian belligerence and pointing the finger at Bolton instead is a common trend among the American Left today.
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