Right, so Donald Trump's conflict with Iran was meant to show that America still dominates the region.

He is of course also still deluding himself that the US controls the Strait of Hormuz. He says it's complete control.

And yet as seemingly sure as night follows day, something else comes out to remind us as if we need it, that his grip on reality is a slippery one. American embassies are now getting ready to work with reduced staff, as more Americans say enough is enough and pack their bags. Diplomats who left may not finish their terms, and families who thought their absence from the region would be short may now have to accept they might never come back.

Same war. Two quite different ideas of victory then.

So much for the big, beautiful victory Trump keeps promising. Turns out, you cannot tweet your way out of a diplom ...