US Gen. Jack Keane said Iran could have been defeated - so why did Trump stop? - opinion

One of the most respected political analysts from whom you can always expect to get the truth is Gen. Jack Keane, who served as US Army vice chief of staff from 1999 to 2003.

Appearing on Life, Liberty and Levin, it was what the general didn’t say that seemed more telling than what he actually did say.

On the broadcast that aired August 16, 2026, Keane recounted the events leading up to the war between the US, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28 this year. Boasting the military capabilities of the two countries that took on the Islamic Regime, it’s simply unfathomable that an instant victory was not the immediate outcome.

According to the general, 38 days were devoted to meeting the objectives of “taking away Iran’s military capabilities, destroying its industrial base and infrastructure, taking out the leadership and all of its nuclear potential.”

All that was needed were another two weeks to complete the objectives, which would have placed Iran on a path to regime change – since, at that point, the Iranians, with some assistance, would have been able to take advantage of their weakened state.

But instead of finishing the job, a ceasefire was declared on April 7, leaving the mission incomplete. Since then, there has been a protracted period of time during which negotiations have taken place over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, due to there being an impasse.

What came from those talks was predictable: a Memorandum of Understanding agreement, broken by Iran only days from its signing, resulting in extreme economic pressure being placed against the regime in an attempt to break its will.

But with their belief that “time is on their side,” few are convinced that the dire financial suffering will be enough to get them to cry “uncle.”

Keane deduced that based on Iran’s track record of breaking deals, they will not comply with any deal. Nor does it make any sense to reward them with money, which would enable them to recover and rebuild. That will only result in kicking the can down the road, necessitating a subsequent administration to deal with what could have been brought to an end.

Keane’s closing words were to say that we have got to figure out a way to stop this regime.

While this has represented an accurate retelling of what took place, glaringly absent from the detailed explanation was possibly the most crucial bit of information that would have provided understanding and perspective to a mystery that no one has been able to figure out.

Who decided that a ceasefire was the best course of action, especially as the brutal Iranian regime was about to collapse? If the greatest military minds made their professional assessment that two more weeks were needed to achieve the win, what or who was responsible for ensuring that didn’t happen?

Why was the war stopped? We deserve an answer

It's an important piece of this puzzle, notably because Keane said the goals were doable and would have resulted in a complete regional reset, bringing the possibility of peace and stability between Israel and all of its neighbors – including Syria and Lebanon. Who got in the way of that utopian dream?

That went unsaid by Keane. Not a word nor reference was made to the question that begs to be answered – not even a tiny clue or speculation. It was as if the query was left to the imagination or, in this case, suspicion of the listeners who are scratching their heads as to what actually happened.

According to the Trump administration, the fighting was abruptly stopped in order to resolve the situation with diplomatic measures. But that merely makes us wonder whether US leaders comprehend that they’re dealing with the most masterful liars, manipulators, and bluffers who ever lived.

Why would anyone believe that a deal could be struck or even honored?

Certainly Keane knows that it can’t. Clear-headed and free of illusions, he knows that America is dealing with the best schemers and connivers who will string you along until there is no longer a shred of belief. So why did someone think differently, and who had the power to stop a charging bull that was ready to attack?

There can be only one answer to that question: the man who holds the highest office in the land – US President Donald J Trump. 

Never giving a reasonable and plausible explanation for why he suddenly chose the diplomatic route, the president expected everyone to trust his instincts, concluding that negotiating an agreement would be a better solution than finishing a war that had to be fought, and that Iranian leaders were capable of keeping their word.

As time passed and no progress was made, the folly of Trump’s battle halt, right in the middle of landing the hardest punch, was read as a pointless and ill-advised measure, leading to a much-needed break for the IRGC to regain their strength – which is exactly what happened.

Military rule of thumb always says never retreat when you have your enemy on the run. It was the constant adding of precious time, given to Iran, that now has them “ready to widen the war.” Since then, according to a report, “Iran has ramped up production of missiles and drones and tapped hardline figures to key positions.”

Is anyone surprised? Maybe not by Iran’s golden opportunity to take advantage of a generous offer made by what appears to be a naive US administration, but are they really naive?

Probably not, which makes the question all the more pressing to answer. Why was the war stopped midstream as great strides were being made? No one is saying, and that includes Keane.

But make no mistake about it, there is an explanation – just one to which we are not privy. Almost assuredly, someone will live to regret slamming the brakes on what was about to be an undeniable game-changer for the Middle East.

Perhaps the ugly truth is that someone in charge doesn’t really want things to change in this neck of the woods, and that may be why the general is clamming up!

The writer, a former principal of Jerusalem elementary and middle schools, was a member of Kibbutz Re’im from 1994 to 1999. She is the author of Mistake-Proof Parenting, based on the time-tested wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs, available on Amazon.