I disagree slightly with “Israel cannot possibly genocide every single last one of them” as their “peace plan”, and world doesn’t sit back if US bribes them to sit back.

There would be considerable US expense to it, and geopolitical scorn to it.

The election losing, from inflation consequences, dementia of instigating a war on Russia does create a warmongering opportunity to shift to a war on Iran where both sides can keep high weapon sales profits, and constrain Russia from directly nuking US aircraft battle groups or Israel. This requires a far better deal for Russia than the one Musk proposed last week, but that would have happened anyway on just the Ukraine basis. Sweeteners to allow Russia to tolerate a war on Iran, are likely above the non-starter provisions I highlighted in that thread.

US policy is always for endless war. Winning means ending war, and weapons sales, and oil price uncertainty premiums.

Not mentioned in Wolf’s piece is the current high debt burden of US government. Projected tax cuts, with empire overextension, leaves little room for dealing with more climate disasters, terrorism, or outright nuclear strikes, or unlimited weapon donations.

Failing to show Russia the respect it deserves is a risk of the warmongering cabinet picks so far. Trying to catch up to Russia’s military production value for Ukraine donation purposes is a risk to US solvency. Trump will also need to show respect for China to avoid nuclear strikes in Israel theater, IMO, though China’s winning patience is equally probable.

The main reason empires crumble is the hubris that they are still doing awesome right before collapse. The elites are all thrilled with the most corrupt election in history. “Finally the rest of the world will respect our diaper Don” optimism.