War in the Middle East: “it is urgent that Trump ends Iran in a way that is satisfactory for him” says André Kaspi

Donald Trump dreamed of a peace agreement with Iran on his 80th birthday on June 14. Finally, the announcement was made on the 15th. As the mid-term elections approach, it is becoming urgent for the American president to move forward on this issue, but also to make an impression, explains historian André Kaspi, specialist in the United States and guest on the Radio Classique morning show this Monday.

 

Trump used this formula “que le pétrole coule à flot”which recalls another, drill, baby, drill. It’s a phrase from Trump that sounds like a slogan – Trump all spit – but it’s also a phrase that resonates in the America of yesterday and today.

ANDR KASPI: Yes, when Trump engaged in this war against Iran, he announced that it would last a few days and that of course Iran would give in. These few days became a few weeks, then a few months, which became extremely urgent because we must not forget the political calendar in the United States which is a very demanding calendar. There is in particular the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but above all the midterms which are looming on the horizon, on November 3.

In the American tradition, they give the advantage to the opposition party, which means that if the Democrats obtain the majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate, they could possibly put Donald Trump in difficulty and perhaps in some way obtain his impeachment, that is to say his impeachment. the gap.

It is therefore extremely dangerous for him, and it is urgent that he ends Iran in a satisfactory manner. The signing will take place on Friday and between now and then a lot can happen, especially with the Iranians. But once again the main thing is to make this announcement, and to make it the day after the president’s 80th birthday.

Regarding this announced agreement with Iran, it is a protocol intended to resolve problems subsequently. Does this agreement still mark an important stage in the history of relations between the United States and Iran, relations which, in a certain way, were interrupted in 1979?

A.K.Â: Basically, we are still dealing with the consequences of Imam Khomeini’s decisions, which resulted in a sort of submission of the United States to the wishes of Iran.

We must not forget that at that time, around fifty American diplomats were taken hostage in Tehran, and Iran played with President Carter. The hostages were not released until the arrival of Ronald Reagan. This is a double humiliation for the United States. And since then, relations between Tehran and Washington have not been good.

“Ronald Reagan had a huge advantage over Donald Trump: he had a sense of humor.”

You quote Ronald Reagan – everyone sneered, at least on this side of the Atlantic, when he came to power. Ultimately, Reagan was a great American president. People sneered because he had been a supporting actor in westerns. Trump, for his part, celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday When your name is Donald Trump and you are 80 years old, which America are you the child of Reagan’s America?

A.K.A: Yes and no. We must not forget that Ronald Reagan, before being President of the United States, had been governor of California, elected and re-elected – he therefore had political experience. As for his acting career, it is still very limited: seconds roles, he wasn’t really a Hollywood star.

But what must be remembered is that Reagan, with his humor and his desire to make clear decisions, left his mark on the history of the United States. […] Ronald Reagan nevertheless remains an example: that of a Republican president who knew how to resist the Soviets, obtain results, and who is part of the legend of American presidents.

Is it this legend that inspires Donald Trump today, in the way he displays his gigantism, particularly in his way of redesigning Washington and its places of memory?

A.K. : From my point of view, I find that Ronald Reagan had a huge advantage over Donald Trump: he had a sense of humor. I haven’t yet noticed that Trump really has any. And Ronald Reagan remains in the American imagination as the one who resisted the Soviet Union, who obtained results, and who would ultimately be largely responsible for the fall of the USSR, even if this fall occurred after his presidency.

For his 80th birthday, Donald Trump offered himself a major global spectacle

Trump chose a birthday program worthy of a Roman emperor, with MMA fighters as gladiators and motocross bikes as chariot races. What does that say about the America he wants to seduce?

A.K. : What he wants to show is strength, determination in short – that’s MMA. It’s a sport that dates from the beginning of our century and which brings together all forms of sport: wrestling, boxing, etc. Anything goes. What is surprising, despite everything, is that Trump plays golf instead — a quiet sport, a character sport that doesn’t want to put in too much physical effort.

But he likes to watch MMA and he also likes to give his compatriots the feeling that they are very strong, that they are ready to use all the resources of the body to impose their will. MMA plays a particular role from this point of view. For his 80th birthday, Donald Trump is putting on a big world show.

A word on Franco-American friendship, which will perhaps manifest itself these days since Donald Trump is invited to Versailles to participate in the G7. Does this Franco-American friendship still have meaning?

A.K. : What is very curious is that it was King Charles III who alluded to the role of the French in the War of Independence during his visit to Washington a few days ago – basically saying that without the English, Americans today would speak French.

Was he right?

A.K. : Yes. The French have been present on the American continent. In 1776, they were much less so, having been separated from Canada by the Seven Years’ War, which ended in 1763. In 1776, the French were still the enemies of the English and came to the aid of the Americans to help them gain their independence. Without them, the Americans would certainly not have succeeded, at that time at least, in becoming independent of the Kingdom of England.

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Is this Franco-American friendship dead today?

A.K. : I don’t think there is any friendship between the states. There are common interests, but no friendship. There can be friendships between men, between statesmen perhaps – and again I am not sure, but between states, certainly not. Today, the Americans of Donald Trump consider that France no longer plays a global role and that consequently the The United States has no reason to be particularly interested in it, since it has become a second-rate power.