LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Iraq War veteran James Gilyard has been glued to the tv ever since President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Iran General Qasem Soleimani last week.
“I hope somebody steps in, and is able to turn this thing around before it gets really bad,” he said.
He feels for the thousands of troops now on standby, and is reminded of when he was called up to go to Iraq.
“It was a job that we had to do, and we did it. And thank God we came back home,” he saiid.
He said although Solemani has done some awful things like order ruthless murders, he doesn’t think the president should’ve ordered to have him killed without Congressional approval. He said he’s not considering the military families.
“It’s very sad, and hurtful - not only to the soldiers who are out there, but to their families that they have to leave behind,” he said.
Gilyard believes another war is imminent, but Florida Gulf Coast University political science professor Peter Bergerson has his doubts.
“I personally do not see us moving to WWIII at this stage. Clearly, there’s going to be retaliation.,” said Bergerson.
He said if President Trump follows though on his promise to target Iran’s cultural areas, which its considered a war crime, things could get uglier.
“It’s one thing to be involved militarily. It’s another thing to try to destroy their cultural area,” he said.
Gilyard offers advice for the soldiers on their way to possible combat zones.
”Do what you have to do. Nothing more, nothing less. And make it back home,” he said.
Bergerson said he sees European countries, and maybe even Russia or China diffusing the conflict between the U.S. and Iran to protect their economic interests.
