The location was steeped in history. The Treaty of Versailles of June 28, 1919, formally ended the First World War. Negotiated by the Allies as a dictated peace, it compelled the German Reich to acknowledge war guilt (Article 231), make massive territorial cessions (approximately 13% of its national territory), undergo demilitarization, and pay heavy reparations. It paved the way for the rise of Adolf Hitler, his Nazi party, the NSDAP, and ultimately WWII.

One hundred and seven years later, when President Donald Trump sighed, yesterday in Versailles signing the Memorandum of Understanding, “This was not easy!”, it was supposed to indicate a victory. The “boss” has spoken, and those at the table offered friendly applause. But everybody who reads the final text of the memorandum gets nothing but the feeling the United States surrendered to Iran.

In psychology, this is called cognitive dissonance reduction. Trump knows that he had made a big mistake out of frustration. He was shouting at Netanyahu, screaming at his military advisors, his plans to nuke Iran were talked out (it might not be true, though).

And finally, he seemingly discovered that his enemies acted much more reasonable than even he himself. They were also unimpressed by his numerous claims of having won the war, that “they wanna make a deal”, that their navy and their air force were destroyed, and all. Unimpressed (at least seemingly) of Trump’s threats to annihilate their civilization.

Trump must have calmly acknowledged that Iran’s smart move to close the Strait of Hormuz (something all advisors have told him would happen, all Presidents before him have known. Something that even the Iranians did not expect in their wildest dreams that I would work so well) had demonstrated its great superiority to the whole world, at least on the chess board.

So, President Donald Trump may have adopted a most unlikely strategy: When you cannot defeat your enemy, embrace him. The most famous historical equivalent is: “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” This may actually be attributed to Trumps great predecessor, President Abraham Lincoln.

Trump now even claims the new leadership of Iran is much more reasonable, acts more rational, loves their country. They are less radicalized. “Nice to deal with.”

18 June 2026 @ 17:18 UTC+2.

Last modified June 18, 2026.