So we have awoken yesterday morning to the news that at practically the eleventh hour, a cease fire deal between the USA and Iran was put into effect giving a two week pause. The deal appears to have been brokered by Pakistan and a key element of the deal is that the Straits of Hormuz are to be immediately open to world shipping, thus relieving but not eliminating, the threat to the world’s oil supplies. For his part, Donald Trump will no doubt claim that his draconian threats to end civilisation in Iran have had the desired effect but the truth of the situation is that all sides needed some kind of resolution to the conflict and Trump, in particular, was in need of some kid of resolution even though it can be argued that a two week ceasefire merely means that the ‘can as been kicked further down the road’ Calls were growing from within the US that Trump be declared not for office via invocation of the 25th amendment and the very evident fact that Trump appeared to be claiming for the end to ‘civilisation’ in Iran was going beyond rhetoric. So we have a situation in which both sides can claim victory, Iran not least for just having resisted the might and the power pf the strongest military regime on earth (with the possible exception of China) Interestingly, the Israelis have not been part of the negotiations although there is a plausible argument that they dragged America into this conflict in the first place. The Israelis are saying that they are going to pursue the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon although this conflict ought to be covered by the cease fire agreement. The USA could force its client state to stop the conflict in Lebanon but the Israelis are going to pursue their own war aims, regardless of the USA. I think the world as a whole is just relieved that the Straits of Hormuz be reopened and the immediate conflict between Iran and the USA put on hold without worrying too much about what Israel is doing. The American liberal media podcasts are already of the view that Trump is suffering a ‘de facto’ defeat but the growing opposition to the war in general, and to Trumps announcements in particular, means that ‘middle’ America is probably relieved that a cease fire means that the boil of the Iran conflict as been lanced. It will be interesting to see what more informed opinion has to say during the course of the day. Meanwhile the day as it unfolds today will be a more domestic one. I thought that in the course of the afternoon, I may start packing my case in preparation for the holiday and this evening I am due to join 19 the members of the U3A group who are attending a very high status Indian restaurant for a ‘Curry Club’ meal which looks as though it is going to be very popular. The weather is positively spring-like at the moment and I am hopeful that the high pressure system persists for a few more days yet. The longer range forecast for Scotland is that it will be rather cloudy with isolated spots of rain possible but should brighten up later, while England and Wales will see the most sunshine.
Later in the morning, after I had tried to digest some of the political news of the morning, I took the car into town as far as the Methodist Centre. Here, I myself and some others had forgotten that in this post-Easter week, the centre was actually closed. So leaving the car parked where it was, I decided to call in at the ‘Gifts of Love’ which I normally frequent on a Friday morning but this too was closed. I did a tour of the charity shops and Poundland, buying some more leather insoles to line the inside of my new trailers. I did feel this morning as though I was wearing a completely different outfit as, in view of the fine weather, I put aside my thick leather Korean cowhide jacket and put on a summer-weight gilet which wear in the summer. This complete with mu UMIST scarf and new looking trainers made me present a new image to the world. When I got home, I cleaned up a set of wheels which I noticed the other day in the garage and which Meg and I used to convey heavy suitcases from to and from airport carparks. I have in mind to take a slightly larger suitcase than I had originally intended but to alleviate the stain on myself to utilise the wheels to trundle my suitcase down the hill to the bus station on Friday morning. On my return the following Tuesday, I shall certainly use a taxi from the taxi ranks but getting a taxi first thing in the morning is always a little problematic in view of the near traffic jam down the Kidderminster Road. I prepared a simple lunch for myself of some cold chicken breasts, some slices of ham and an avocado and this was more than enough considering I am going out for my ‘Curry Club’ meal later in the evening. As I watching the news before lunchtime, I thought I would seize the moment and sew on a button which was missing from my shirt front. Meg used to keep all of her sewing things for decades in a big old plastic container previously used for ice cream. It actually took me longer to find a needle, thread it with white cotton and find a suitable button than the actual sewing job itself so I may put needle, thread and suitable buttons in another location as I will be doing this more regularly in the future. The possible end to the conflict in Iran is difficult to comprehend at the moment. It looks as though America originally put forward a 15-point peace plan to Iran which was, in effect, a surrender document and which Iran immediately rejected. Iran then responded with a 10 point peace plan of its own including such things such as complete control of the Straits of Hormuz and it appears that the Trump regime have accepted most of these in essence anyway. A first sight, it appears to be an abject humiliation and climb down for Donald Trump but the full story is still yet to unfold. There are calls for the impeachment of the USA secretary of State for ‘War’, Pete Hegseth, which might gain some traction within the Congress as his complete lack of any substantial military experience rankles with many old- school Republicans with extensive family history within the Armed Services.