The world is a dangerous place, but it’s a lot safer when the American Commander-in-Chief is President Donald J. Trump! When Trump started his second term, the world was a mess with wars all over the globe, Hamas still causing trouble in Gaza, turmoil in Latin America, Russia snubbing their noses at the west while trying to plunder Ukraine, China threatening its neighbors especially Taiwan, and Iran exporting terrorism with near impunity. In just his first year, Trump negotiated a cessation of hostilities in over half dozen conflicts, brought Hamas to heel, restored order in Latin America, brought Russia to the negotiating table, isolated China, and close to ending the radical Islamist Iranian regime from wreaking havoc in the Middle East.

No matter where anyone stands on President Trump, no one can deny he is a man of bold action. He said he would secure the border, and it was closed within months. Venezuelan kingpin Nicholas Maduro would not stop flooding America with drugs and harboring our enemies in the western hemisphere, so Trump took him into custody. Last summer, Iran was perilously close to producing a nuclear weapon, so Trump destroyed their nuclear weapons program with flawless spectacular precision bombing.

Despite comprehensive sanctions, exhaustive diplomatic efforts, and pointed warnings, Iran unfortunately resumed their ballistic missile and nuclear weapons program. They were again getting close to a nuclear weapon, but the more imminent threat was the accelerating ballistic missile capability that could target the entire Middle East and soon threaten Europe and specifically American military forces in all those regions. Even before having a nuclear weapon, Iran could have tremendous leverage with a robust ballistic missile program pointed at their neighbors.

No matter what, the Islamic Republic of Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon because they have shown and stated repeatedly that they WILL use it against Israel and the USA. We can never allow them that opportunity; we must defend ourselves. If your neighbor repeatedly told you that they would kill you as soon as they got a gun, you don’t endanger your family by waiting for them to get gun. The only prudent and sensible thing to do is never let them get a gun. That’s exactly what Trump did.

After diplomacy failed, Trump was decisive when presented with an opportunity to take out the crazy Iranian mullahs and so ordered an overwhelming attack to hopefully defeat them swiftly. Furthermore, his decision to strike was extremely courageous because he could have easily kicked the can down the road like every president since Jimmy Carter. Moreover, he campaigned on no new wars, so he could have been partisan and hid behind that campaign promise, but Trump realized and accepted the best thing for American security was to end this half century reign of terror. So, he acted for America first!

Trump promised no new wars, but this is not a new war. Iran has been at war with the USA since 1979 when they took our embassy personnel hostage for 444 days. Shouting “Death to America” daily, Iran has been attacking, torturing, and killing Americans for almost a half century. Iran bombed our Beirut Embassy in April 1983 killing 17 Americans and bombed the Marine Barracks in Beirut in October 1983 killing 243 Marines. Over the years, Iranian backed groups have attacked thousands of Americans from the Khobar Towers to the USS COLE to proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan. President Trump is not starting a new war; he is finally taking long overdue action to end a brutal 47-year-old war.

It’s still early, but the first few days of OPERATION EPIC FURY have been spectacularly successful. The top leadership, including the cruel Supreme Ayatollah, were eliminated in the first few hours. The Iranian Air Force and Navy have already been essentially neutralized. Over half their ballistic missile capability has been destroyed or expended. At this rate, Iran will run out of leaders and weapons sooner rather than later. Then, the Iranian people will finally have an opportunity to reclaim their country.

As expected, Democrats are howling all manner of objections for apparently no other reason than they oppose anything Trump does even when they agree Iran is the top exporter of terrorism. They sputter that Iran didn’t pose an imminent threat, but they would wait until Iran has nuclear weapons and the price would be much higher – that’s why cowardly Democrats can’t be trusted to protect America. Moreover, Democrat hypocrisy is off the chart. Fifteen years ago, Democrats insisted Barack Obama didn’t need any Congressional authority to bomb Libya (that operation went on for 7 months), but now they are screaming to stop Trump and again, like Hamas, side with the terrorists.

As usual, Trump and his cabinet are all over media constantly updating the public and providing information; and as usual, Democrats are not listening and still whining that Trump can’t do this and he has no plan. Trump and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, have been repeatedly telling everyone our goals are to 1) eliminate their nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, 2) eliminate their radical military units that repress their people, and 3) eliminate their capacity to export terrorism. Simple goals and watching the stunning military operations, it certainly appears Trump has a darn good plan.

Taking out the number one exporter of terrorism will be a huge achievement and catalyst for bringing peace to the Middle East, but wait there is more! The geo-political strategy is brilliant. Both Russia and China are being pushed out of the Middle East. Russia is losing their main supplier of drones and with peace in the Middle East, international focus will turn intently to Russia’s war on Ukraine. China is being isolated, but worse for their economy, China just lost their other source for cheap oil after losing Venezuela a couple months ago. Trump is reshaping the international order with the USA clearly on top and our enemies substantially weakened.

Trump is absolutely making America safer and stronger, but he must stay the course and finish the job. Stop all the debate about “regime change.” Successful military actions have always included regime change. Recall the last time we won an unconditional victory, Hitler was not allowed to stay on. The Islamic Republic of Iran must be put on the ash heap of history next to Hamas, or this will all be for nought.

President Trump is taking great political risk to take out the Iranian threat in an election year. He could have played the safe partisan card and kicked the can down the road like every other administration, but he courageously chose to put American safety and security first. Remember this in the midterm elections. Trump put America first and Democrats pursued only their self-serving partisan goal. They are so obsessed with power they cannot give Trump a win even if it’s a huge win for the American people. Again, Democrats are siding with our enemies, doubting our military, and just hoping they can embarrass Trump. None of their arguments or hypocrisy show any concern for Americans.

President Trump is without a doubt the most consequential president of our lifetimes. His coalition of Israeli and Arab nations working together is already historic, but when he succeeds in vanquishing the Islamic Republic of Iran, he will give Americans at least a generation of relative peace. Trump may very well earn a spot on Mount Rushmore.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Pete Riehm is a Navy Veteran, conservative activist, and columnist in south Alabama. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.