Saturday, July 18, 2026

D.L. Gardner: The Nuclear Nine

 Nine nations have nuclear weapons: USA, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel. Some federal sources claimed Iran was within a few months if not days before it would have a nuclear weapon. That was the justification President Trump used to order Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22, 2025, to attack three Iranian nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – with overwhelming munitions to destroy Iran’s cache of nuclear material. 

Eight months later, on February 28, 2026, the US and Israel began attacking Iran as a means of ending US-Iran negotiations that had begun the year before in April of 2025. We’re now five months into an on-again-off-again shooting war with Iran with little hope of concluding military operations. 

Some American politicians and their media cousins have downplayed threats of Iranian nuclear weapons. Even if Iran were unable to make their own weapon with their own stockpile of nuclear dust, they could conceivably still get a weapon from their allies. Iran promised not to buy a nuclear weapon, but Iran has a long history of defaulting on promises. 

Pandora’s nuclear box has already been opened and shared with nations around the world. What will eliminate the further spread of nuclear weapons?  

The USA celebrated our 250th birthday last week. Persia, the forerunner of Iran, stopped having birthdays after two or three thousand years of history. Their leaders have always played the long game in negotiations with adversaries. And they’re still here today.

Last week Yaroslav Trofimov began an article in the Wall Street Journal writing, “New outbreak of fighting over the strait [of Hormuz] comes as Tehran sees itself as a winner in the war that would establish a new Pax Iranica in the Middle East.” How could this be? Haven’t the US and Israel practically destroyed any military Iran had? Leadership in Iran, whoever they are, weigh winning and losing differently from how the West sees winning. 

Trofimov quotes Karim Sadjadpour, Iran expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, writing, “The Islamic Republic will become even more of a gangster regime. Its takeaway from the war is that concessions are won through coercion—by attacking its neighbors, threatening the Strait of Hormuz and driving up the price of oil.” He explained, “Like Putin’s Russia, the Islamic Republic believes that its security depends not on the prosperity of its people, but on the insecurity of its neighbors.” 

To achieve US objectives of no nuclear weapon for Iran, and peace and prosperity among neighbors in the Middle East, we must think differently. Blasting Iran and their proxies continually until they surrender is not likely to end, much less end well. 

The US faced similarly minded enemies in WWII. That’s the only time nuclear weapons have been used in warfare. At the time, the US was the only nation that had nuclear weapons. After Russian developed their own nuclear weapons, “mutually assured destruction” became a new international military strategy.

II Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

The USA just celebrated her 250th birthday guaranteeing citizens the free exercise of religion and speech.


Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad somebody finally acknowledged the fact that it is easier for Iran to buy a nuclear weapon than to make one. This "war" is all about control of oil commerce and Israel's desire to destroy it's enemies.

Anonymous said...

So, how does one deal with terrorists? Certainly not by negotiating with them and giving in to their demands.

Anonymous said...

11:35, I’ll acknowledge something - you get all of your news from Tok Tok. For almost 80 years, Israel’s neighbors have tried to push it out or destroy it. Most have now come to the conclusion that ain’t happening and learned to live with Israel. Iran and its proxies are the exception, yet when Israel fights back they are called genocidal war mongers. Life’s not as simple and cut-and-dried as you think it is (you will realize that as you age and become wiser) and you can’t base a position on 30-second videos and ten-second sound bites. Educate yourself then come back here to comment.

Anonymous said...

If France and the UK are fully Islamized, then it won’t matter what Iran does

Anonymous said...

Not according to Former President Joe Biden laughing & saying Iran did not have the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

Anonymous said...

12:06 What is Tok Tok? Netanyahu is not the first national leader who decided that peace can be obtained when his remaining enemies are destroyed. It's not the desire that counts it's the ability to execute and now he can execute....with the help of the U.S. And if you don't believe we would not be doing this war but for the control of oil it's YOU who should educate yourself.

Anonymous said...

@12:06 and 12:14 - These 2 comments prove that one does NOT have to be educated to comment here.

Anonymous said...

2:59, please enlighten us


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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