> the "normie" world has seen just how much power Iran actually has

The weird thing is practically every strategist has known this since the 1980s. Iran's geography means as long as it controls its Gulf-coast border, it can control the Strait.

tbf I think the 'normie' world already believed that given that the president currently in charge ... campaigned on avoiding more wars. Not that anything makes a lot of sense these days but I still remember the atmosphere around the Iraq war when you had the 'freedom fries' and 'if you're not with us you're against us', rhetoric.

Now there seems to be virtually no patriotic sentiment except for the face-keeping from officials and some hardcore supporters who just repeat anything. But many Americans seem utterly confused.