Actions speak loudly

The president of the United States recently stated that Iran may be confused about high-profile military moves by the United States. Mr. Trump stated, “With all of the Fake and Made Up News out there, Iran can have no idea what is actually going on!”

This reveals, as if we didn’t already know, the president’s shallow thinking. No nation, including Iran, formulates its foreign policy from the popular press. Nations look to the actions of other governments and their leaders.

So what actions has Iran seen from the United States? (a) A unilateral withdrawal from a multination agreement that would limit Iran’s nuclear capability; (b) a re-imposition of economic sanctions; (c) rhetoric by the secretary of state and the national security adviser about “maximum pressure” on Iran, and similar saber-rattling reminiscent of Donald Rumsfeld; (d) orders to non-essential personnel to leave Iraq; and (e) the movement of an aircraft carrier and strike group toward the Strait of Hormuz. Iran isn’t confused: These actions are exceedingly clear, and a nation doesn’t need to read a newspaper to know what is going on.

Leaders of both parties are dismayed at the president’s lack of foreign policy expertise. The Democrats can’t stop this man, and the Republicans won’t. Meanwhile, Iran is making overtures to China, further shifting the balance of world power to that nation. How much more of this can our nation stand? RICHARD CHAPMAN Little Rock