Today, we seem to be living through a “Phony Ceasefire.”
It’s Sunday, April 12, and after Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, Britain and France responded with a declaration of war—and then proceeded to wait for eight months. Commenting on the inactivity, a U.S. senator famously remarked, “There is something phony about this war,” lending the period the title the “Phony War.”
Today, we seem to be living through a “Phony Ceasefire.” Following the supposed halt in hostilities with Iran, nations including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain reported attacks on their territory, with one impact in Bahrain reported as recently as yesterday. The Strait of Hormuz, while no longer actively engulfed in flames, remains largely closed. Meanwhile, both sides quietly prepare for another round.
This fragile state of affairs is unlikely to persist. Negotiations in Pakistan appear to be in a slow process of collapse. Following a 21-hour marathon session in Islamabad yesterday, Vice President J.D. Vance emerged without an agreement.
