Trump-Style Escalation Push: Forbes Calls for Renewed Bombing in Iran War

The latest hawkish rant from Forbes’ Steve Forbes calls for a full-throttle return to war with Iran, pushing the very Trump-style escalation that has brought us to the brink before. His argument? Ceasefires and negotiations have only emboldened Iran’s regime, so the quickest path to peace is to double down on bombing, tighten blockades, and seize Iranian officials’ bank accounts.

Forbes paints the mullahs as irrational fanatics who “care not a whit” for their own people, dismissing any chance for diplomacy or negotiation. Instead, he demands the U.S. stop all talks, resume hostilities, and support disaffected elements within Iran’s military to overthrow the government—if only Washington can convince them it won’t “abandon them.”

This is a familiar script from the Trump playbook: escalate foreign conflicts to distract from domestic scandals and consolidate power through fear and nationalism. The op-ed ignores the devastating humanitarian impact of war, including soaring oil and food prices hitting vulnerable populations globally. It also whitewashes the U.S. role in prematurely halting military operations, which Forbes claims allowed Iran’s regime to regroup.

The call to “take out all of the intended targets” echoes reckless military adventurism that risks wider regional instability and civilian suffering. It also sidesteps the complex reality that Iran’s government is deeply entrenched, and that military force alone is unlikely to produce a stable or democratic outcome.

For those tracking Trump-era authoritarian tactics, this Forbes piece is a stark reminder: hawkish voices continue to push for war as a blunt instrument of foreign policy, prioritizing regime change over human lives and democratic principles. The real quickest way to end conflict and suffering would be to reject these dangerous escalations and pursue genuine diplomatic solutions that hold regimes accountable without resorting to endless war.