We’re beginning to lose the people because we’ve been boxing ourselves in with self-denying, “no doing this, no doing that” slogans and refusing to win for real.

A month ago, the Iranian people were overwhelmingly on our side. Now they’re not so sure, as they wonder if we’re refusing to actually overthrow the regime, but meanwhile seem in effect to be punishing them for its sins.

Fortunately it’s not too late to win the people back, if we get real and go for a full win.

Why have we boxed ourselves in with “no this, no that” slogans that keep us from even thinking about annexing Kharg Island? Bombing and destroying it is a net cost. Annexing it is a net profit. It’s much better for us all, Americans and Iranians alike.

Don’t bomb the Gulf shoreline and port cities and then defend the Gulf, imperfectly, against drone attacks and mines from behind their lines. Take over the port cities and shoreline. Annex the land and set up air defenses on it, for US and global security. Another net gain, waiting for us to notice it.

Don’t bomb the oil infrastructure. That just punishes the people. Take it over instead.

Don’t limit ourselves to killing regime leaders and bombing cities. That’s not enough to end the regime, and it punishes the people. Instead, knock opposition heads together to set up a replacement regime. Install it in liberated areas. Then we can put the war on course for a real end.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)