The New York Times reporter Anton Troianovski drew a ghastly parallel between the declarations of Russian officials on the invasion of Ukraine and of US officials on the attacks on Iran. As a background for the lack to a long term strategy behind these attacks and the highly unlikely emergence of an Iranian democracy…
“[the United States] didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it.” — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
“We didn’t start the so-called war in Ukraine. Rather, we are trying to finish it.” — President Vladimir V. Putin
“This is a special military operation. If Russia had started a full-scale war, it would have been over long ago.” Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin
“I think it’s an operation.” — Speaker of the US Congress Mike Johnson
“We haven’t even yet started anything in earnest.” — President Vladimir V. Putin
“We haven’t even started hitting them hard.” — President Donald Trump
“I am appealing to the military of the armed forces of Ukraine. Do not allow neo-Nazis and Banderites to use your children, wives and elders as a live shield. Take power into your own hands.” — President Vladimir V. Putin
“I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment to be brave, be bold, be heroic, and take back your country” — President Donald Trump
“the leaders of France, Germany and the UK (…) are the ones that are wrong by refusing to come to the Iranian people’s aid and adding insult to injury, you’re suggesting we should continue to negotiate with religious Nazis.” — US Senator Lindsay Graham
While the NYT article does not get into a similar mirroring with Israel official statements on their attacks on Iran and Lebanon, they also follow the very same warlike rhetoric…
