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Why Trump could not bring Iran to its knees

Editorials

Iran, a second-rate power in a state of economic collapse, just fought the U.S. to a standstill in a major military conflict. The disappointing outcome has echoes of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, in that a major world power hasn’t been able to impose its will on a militarily inferior foe. The problem comes when we run into an enemy that has a high threshold for pain and is determined to outlast us, while we make what we hope will be a time-limited commitment, seek to avoid escalations that carry unpredictable risks and operate from a tenuous base of domestic political support in ...

On oil, China far outsmarts US

Editorials

We can thank China that gasoline prices aren’t higher than they are. By last month, China had cut imports of oil by 3 million barrels per day, the daily consumption of Italy and France combined. China’s economy, meanwhile, hums along. Americans agonize over how the price of oil affects gas at the pump. Were it not for China, a tank of gas would cost considerably more. “China is Propping Up the World Economy by Importing a Lot Less Oil,” reads a Wall Street Journal headline. There are several reasons China has been able to cut oil imports, but one is its move away from ...

Suspect’s family saw something, said something

Editorials

Most Americans have the idea of “if you see something, say something” burned into their minds. But acting on it — especially when what you see is a family member behaving worryingly — can be a little tougher. Family members of Tycen Proper, of Danville, Ohio, made the right decision and had the courage to follow through with it. In doing so, they may have saved many lives. Proper was allegedly part of what the U.S. Department of Justice has described as a plot to attack the Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 on June 14. He is 19 years old and facing charges of ...

Trump’s deal with the devil unfolds

Editorials

President Trump’s interim peace deal with Iran, which the U.S. maintains has partially opened the Strait of Hormuz and sent oil prices tumbling (but not yet gas prices), may be good for the short term — meaning the November elections — but long term it is not in the best interests of the United States, Europe or the rest of the civilized world. The reason is, to paraphrase stock disclaimers — Iran’s past performance on keeping its word is a guarantee of future performance. And what about those proxies Iran has been supporting? If Iran doesn’t cheat on the deal, which is a ...

Orchids & onions

Editorials

ORCHID: To clergy and parishioners at St. Patrick Church of Youngstown for reaching their milestone 100th anniversary earlier this month. Hundreds of current and past congregation members and former pastors gathered for a special Mass and celebratory lunch to mark the proud achievement. The Gothic-style Oak Hill Avenue structure has been a landmark on the city’s South Side for 10 decades now. More importantly, the faithfulness of its members and their dedication to community involvement and betterment of it have long been trademarks of the institution. While throngs of other churches ...

State lawmakers must act promptly on 3 critical issues

Editorials

The official start of summer this weekend also ushers in the end of state lawmaking in Columbus. Yes, the long summer recess gives our technically part-time state legislators time to relax and regroup in their home districts while gathering constituent input on a wide swath of crucial unfinished business that awaits them in the fall. Much of that unfinished business centers on controversial issues that require closure by the end of the year. Placed high atop that action agenda must be property tax reform, data center regulation and the death penalty. To its credit, this session of ...