One would imagine that the United States of America should be quite familiar with Catch-22, since it was coined by the author and novelist Joseph Heller to denote absurd and paradoxical conditions in which a person gets trapped due to limitations or rules. For example, in the novel, the character Doc Daneeka explains that any pilot or bombardier who requests a mental examination for insanity, hoping to be found insane enough to avoid flying dangerous missions, builds a case for his own sanity by demonstrating that he cares for his safety and thus cannot be declared insane.

The situation is developing fast, but as I am writing this, President Donald Trump has painted himself into a corner by issuing an ultimatum to blockade and seize any ships originating from Iranian ports. If the Americans follow through on the threats, then Iran will retaliate by........

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