Gary Franks, syndicated columnist

It is China’s unprecedented presence in our Western Hemisphere, not Iran’s “aspirations” for nuclear weapons, that is the much bigger threat to the United States.

For starters we do not need to be waging a war or continuing a war to stop the “aspirations” of the Iranian people. It was made clear that President Donald Trump obliterated Iran’s capability to launch a nuclear attack against anyone following the massive bombings in October 2025. And we all know Trump is not a prevaricator.

In addition, the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth testified confirming the aforementioned fact and Trump has repeatedly proclaimed this fact; at least he once did.

The Trump administration needs to start to admit that two contrary statements cannot both be true. You cannot say that Iran was an imminent threat to America and the region when you once proclaimed you obliterated their nuclear capacity. Both truths cannot be true. Do not “move the goal post” with the uranium question. It is the primary reason why we are in this position today. And that “problem” can likely be negotiated away with the release of sanctioned assets.

However, the goal post for the Trump administration continues to move. In a recent testimony Secretary of War Hegseth said “the Iranian people still have the’ aspiration’ for nuclear weapons.” OK. But if we go after people with bad “aspirations” toward “2026 America,” we would need to take action against a significant part of the planet. A country’s “dreams” that offend or scare us is no reason to turn the world economy upside down via an energy crisis or bombing a country back to the Stone Age.

Plain and simple, it is what people “can do” to harm you, not what people “would like to do.” Big difference. For example, North Korea has a nuclear bomb and China is in the Western Hemisphere; both should be of bigger concern than a country that does not have nor ever has had any nuclear weapons.

The Trump administration has engaged in more military activity, sanctions, and economic war per tariff than witnessed in recent history, while also having the most anti-America norms president. He appears to be, at times, Anti-NATO, anti-EU, anti-Democracy, anti-United Nations, anti-Congress, anti-SCOTUS, anti-Humanitarian Aid to emerging countries, and anti-anyone of color — domestic or foreign.

Trump has correctly stated at least a dozen times that we have won the war. I believe we reach our main objective in October.

The new problem is the Strait of Hormuz. Trump is correct here as well. This is the world’s problem. Yes, it was created by Donald Trump; but I believe that all the Iranians and the rest of the world want is for the U.S. to get out — leave.

Iran is mainly mad at the U.S. and is doing these actions — restricting access to the Strait because of our previous actions. ‘And we are using a blockade of the Strait because of Iran’s actions. Thus, upon our departure, I believe the other countries in the world would be able to return Iran back to allowing the free passage of ships in international waters.

Then we need to embrace a very nasty word. A word that Kings cannot understand. Compromise. It is not a matter of making folks surrender or capitulate to demands, but instead to be able to allow both sides to benefit to a degree — a win-win scenario.

At this time other countries are reveling over the mess we have gotten ourselves into and they are not going to help us get out since they were not asked to participate in the involvement of the mission. And some relish in seeing Trump go through such bizarre gyrations and twists.

We must be more self-centered — America first. Flash b ulletin: China is our real adversary. China, an economic and military power, is spending billions of dollars in the Western Hemisphere. Yes, in our back yard. Here are just a few of the ways:

One of the ports under the greatest scrutiny in the Caribbean is the Freeport Container Port (FCP) in the Bahamas — which has very deep waters — known as the “transshipment hub of the Americas.” It is currently operated by China’s state-owned company Hutchison Port Holdings.

China’s port presence in the Bahamas is not limited to Freeport. Less than 200 miles from Florida is the North Abaco Port, built by state-owned China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). Added to this is the Airport Gateway Project in Nassau, developed by China Construction America (CCA) and financed by the China Exim Bank.

Infrastructure and investment: China is a major investor in Caribbean infrastructure, with projects like the $700 million highway in Jamaica and port modernization in Cuba and the Bahamas.

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): Several nations — including Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic — signed onto the BRI, facilitating Chinese investment in construction projects.

Maritime/logistics control: Chinese firms manage or have interest in ports near major trade routes and the U.S. coast.

Diplomatic and economic ties: China has expanded its diplomatic presence with embassies across the region, replacing Taiwan as a partner for many, and strengthening trade in commodities.

So, will it be the stopping of the “aspirations of the Iranian leaders” or is it the security and prosperity of the United States? Mr. Trump, the decision is not a difficult one, if you are truly for “America First.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gary Franks served three terms as a congressman from Connecticut’s 5th District. He was the first Black conservative elected to Congress and first Black Republican elected to the House in nearly 60 years. Host: Podcast “We Speak Frankly” www.garyfranksphilanthropy.org.