[dazilcher]

> It assumes the situation in the Gulf is finalized, calling the current situation "checkmate".

To be fair, the article does not assume that: it analyzes potential next moves and concludes that a certain outcome is inevitable.

To harp on the chess metaphor, most games are conceded when the result becomes obvious, before reaching literal checkmate.

Whether the analysis is accurate is a separate conversation.

[tristanj]

The article's conclusions are bunk. It's too US-centric and does not consider the political stances of other Gulf states. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have all explicitly rejected the toll as a political position. The article claims (without evidence) that all these countries will roll over and accept Iran's demands.