VOX POPULI: Absurdity the only true victor in Trump’s war against Iran – 朝日新聞
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The Asahi Shimbun
Opinion
Vox Populi
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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a daily column that runs on Page 1 of The Asahi Shimbun.
June 16, 2026 at 13:33 JST
A social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump announcing a deal with Iran to end their war on June 14 (Social Media Website/ Handout via Reuters)
Announcing the signing of a “deal” with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on June 15 (Japan time): “Congratulations to all!”
He continued: “Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow.”
Uttered so gleefully upon the conclusion of a conflict he started arbitrarily more than three months ago, the frivolity of his words is beyond belief.
Who won this war?
In the United States, gas prices have skyrocketed and anti-war sentiment has surged, while the Trump administration’s approval ratings continue to languish.
The “deal” with Iran may serve as a temporary distraction from Trump’s scandals. But that’s just about it.
It cannot be considered a victory for the United States.
Then, does this make Iran the victor?
On the opening day of the war, a U.S. missile attack destroyed a primary school in Iran, killing more than 100 pupils. Also, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was assassinated.
The Iranians may proudly declare a “great victory” against America. But the reality must be that the people had already suffered deeply and grown so war-weary that the government had to agree to the deal as the last straw.
Now, how about Israel?
Israel dragged the United States into its own war to do damage to its nemesis, Iran. Seen from a distance, the Israelis appear to have gained the most out of the situation.
However, the people of Israel are apparently unhappy.
Enemies can be beaten over and over, but that only increases their worries instead of bringing peace of mind. And that is a dilemma that military regimes are prone to fall into.
Including Japan, the world has lost a lot from this war. It reminds us anew of how seriously a conflict in the energy-supplier Middle East can imperil global peace and create crises in people’s daily lives.
This war also forced us to look squarely at the arrogance and self-interest of the superpower and the pathetic inefficacy of international law.
The war’s end is to be rejoiced over. But the problems remain unresolved.
If I want to be cynical, could the real winners of this war be people who made a killing in the highly volatile stock market?
No, I don’t think that’s true.
Why were so many lives lost? And what was this war really about, anyway? Talk of bitter lament and anger. I feel indescribably empty and helpless.
–The Asahi Shimbun, June 16
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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
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