“If that “War” was “over in a day” what are we involved in today?”
As military strategist Clauswitz famously said, “War is politics, by other means.”
The Iranian regime hates us (Death to America! has been their signature motto). They have engaged in some level of political contest/warfare against us, since they invaded our embassy and took Americans hostage, as they came to power. They directed the attack on our Marine Barracks in Beirut in 1983, kicking off the modern era of suicide terrorist attacks (they had resorted to extensive suicide operations against Saddam Hussein’s 1980 invasion).
The Shi’ite Twelver Cult that runs Iran, believes that the prophesied apocalyptic final battle to achieve their final victory, establishing Islam (their kind) throughout the world, is now at hand. The highest calling of the faithful during these end times is to initiate the events that will bring about the return of the Hidden Imam (the Mahdi, or Messaiah) from occlusion. They fill bookshelves writing about it.
They continue to develop terrorist capabilities, and nuclear weapons capability - and target them at the USA, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
There is a saying: You can refuse to loan someone money, but if they really want to fight, you have to oblige them.
Ah, someone (you!) finally mentioned the nukes angle. Thank you!
That’s a major driver in all this. I suspect that Pres. Trump used the Bolton dismissal as “bait”. That is, DT knows the Iranians must eventually be dealt with, as Iran MUST NOT be allowed to acquire nukes. But despite sanctions, the Iranians seem determined to tough it out, and even ramp up their misbehavior. (It doesn’t help that there are apparently too many sanctions waivers and the Euros are only partially cooperative.)
We likely had intel that a new Iranian backed strike at SA was in the works, although what might get hit apparently was unknown, as there seems to have been no attempt to defend the Saudi oil processing plants, or even warn of a strike. So... Fire Bolton now, instead of keeping him on indefinitely and giving little weight to his input. See how the Iranians react. Do they make at least conciliatory noises since a major US hawk is “out”? Or do they perceive weakness and attempt to rachet up the pressure from their side? Recent history says they’ll do the latter, and that provides a reason to whack ‘em hard, allowing us to undermine them far more than they can pressure us or our allies. (My suggestion is to hit their refineries and refined product import terminals, NOT their export capability. If they repair them, hit ‘em again, as often as needed. This can be done with little threat to our forces, if handled correctly.)
The real objective is surrender, or at least a major Iranian retreat from their present course of developing nuclear and medium & long range strategic capabilities. IMO, only this prevents a ME nuclear arms race and almost certain disaster.