Dispatches Mailbag: What's Next For Iran/Israel, The Historical Present, Anxiety, and More

We've got a full, full mailbag this time. Much to discuss.

One of my favorite things here at Dispatches From A Collapsing State is opening up the mailbag and answering questions from subscribers. This edition is…jam-packed. We’re going to talk about Iran’s retaliation and where we go from here, how history will view this moment, get into the danger of JD Vance and A.I. as a tool of state power, discuss the (de)evolution of the Republican Party, and then there are some more personal questions revolving around my tattoos, my work, and anxiety and depression.

I’m pretty happy with how this turned out. The focus on Dispatches is giving historical/psychological/socioeconomic background that helps to explain exactly what’s going on in these strange times, but your questions always give me a chance to kick around some ideas and also delve deeper into topics. So. Thank you for that. And, for those of you who subscribe, thank you. Those who don’t, please consider jumping on board.

Kenny: I know this is probably late for the mailbag, but I really need to know how you feel about today’s events. What are your feelings about Iran retaliating against Israel? Is this thing going to spin out of control or is done? I can’t get a read on it. Thanks, so much, for all that you do!

I mean, that’s the question we’re all wanting to know. Last night Iran launched hundreds of drones and hundreds of missiles at Israel in retaliation for the April 1st attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria. Like so many things, the U.S. wasn’t given advanced warning and Israel once more escalated a tenuous situation. Iran’s response was telegraphed, slow-moving, and it seems, according to what I’ve heard and seen, they more or less back-channeled to the U.S. how things were going to play out, giving everyone ample time to prevent the attack from doing much damage.

Of course, watching American media, we were all treated to one Israeli defense advisor and former general after former general salivating over retaliating…for the retaliation. Instead of leaving the “matter concluded,” there’s a very real possibility this thing could escalate. President Joe Biden has reportedly told Benjamin Netanyahu he will not support further action against Iran, but when’s the last time Netanyahu gave a damn what Biden had to say?

In my own thinking, and in conversations with others, I’m more convinced than ever that Netanyahu wants this thing to spiral into a regional war in order to save his own skin. The Israeli people have completely turned on him, the international community recognizes that what is being done to Gaza is nothing short of genocide, and there are a whole host of legal consequences waiting for Netanyahu when he loses power. To be clear, Netanyahu and the criminals he associates himself with don’t care about Israel or anything else besides their own power. They’re willing to sacrifice anything and anyone, which is why they are so comfortable associating with other authoritarians around the world.

Now, in a situation where we’ve already avoided incredibly awful consequences - it’s not just Iran, it’s Iran’s partnership with the China/Russia axis - it’s time to move beyond Netanyahu and end the brutality in Gaza.