I’ve been thinking about nuclear war A LOT recently. One, because we’ve gone to war with Iran. And two, because I’ve been listening to the album Fields of Gold by Sting every morning on my way to the dog park. The thirteenth track is titled Russians and the song is about the Cold War.
It is a banger.
I find myself singing bits of the song throughout the day. I’ll even turn it up a little louder when I enter a parking lot and stare at people ominously as the lyrics roll out my windows.
In Europe and America
There’s a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
And the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
The writing is fantastic. The ticking sound in the introduction is dramatic. Sting is a lyrical and rhyming genius. He encapsulated the global fear of the nuclear arms race way back in 1985 and it is absolutely still relevant to this day.
We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
What might save us me and you
Is if the Russians love their children too
Americans don’t want this war. Public polling shows the least amount of support the public has ever had as the U.S. enters a conflict. And that means something because Americans love war! In our 250 years history, we’ve NOT been at war for less than twenty years.
Mr. Khruschev says we will bury you
I don’t subscribe to his point of view
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too
In case you weren’t aware Iran says Russia and China are providing it with ‘military cooperation.’ Russia is helping with drones and military intelligence. China sold Tehran hundreds of ballistic missiles last year and the three countries recently held joint naval drills in the Persian Gulf.
Who had World War III on their 2026 Bingo card? Actually and unfortunately, I did.
There is no historical precedent
To put the words in the mouth of the president
There’s no such thing as a winnable war
Its the lie we don’t believe anymore
We entered this war conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump and senior administration officials claiming that Iran’s nuclear and missile programs posed an imminent threat to the United States.
Despite those claims Iran’s nuclear facilities were not targeted in the initial round of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. And two days earlier the U.S. and Iran were in negotiations with Omani mediators.
During the third round of Omani talks, Iran proposed a years-long pause on enrichment, broad verification measures, and a pledge not to stockpile enriched uranium. The United States reportedly proposed a longer pause followed by a limited “token” enrichment program and permanent nuclear fuel supplies.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi said the talks made “substantial progress” and that a deal was “within our reach.” However, President Donald Trump said Feb. 27 he was “not happy” with Iran’s negotiating approach. The next day the United States and Israel struck Iran.
Mr. Reagan say we will protect you
I don’t subscribe to his point of view
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too
Nuclear armament watch groups fluctuate on their assessments of whether Iran has the capabilities (post summer 2025 bombings carried out by the U.S. and Israel) to enrich their 60% uranium to the required 90% in a timeline deemed imminent.
Regardless the munitions capabilities of the United States and Israel cannot penetrate to the depths where Iran stores their enriched uranium. Boeing’s Massive Ordnance Penetrator (new favorite phrase to say btw) is simply not penetrative enough to get to the goods; in their gas form, in canisters really, really far underground.
How can I save my little boy
From Oppenheimer’s deadly toy
There is no monopoly on common sense
On either side of the political fence
Unexpected voices like Tucker, Rogan, and Kelly all questioned Trump’s war plans around the time a senior member of his administration defected. Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation in March, citing his concerns about the justification for military strikes in Iran.
Kent wrote “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,”
President Trump himself seems to have fluctuating thoughts on the war.
Trump said in late March, “You could make the case that maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all, because we don’t need it. We have a lot of oil,”
Trump continued, “But we do it. It’s almost like we do it for habit.”
Today Trump advances. He announced the U.S. will blockade the Strait of Hormuz. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
As the U.S. Navy begins interdicting vessels in the strait, I’ll keep blasting Sting and hoping we can circle back to negotiations. We’ve already ramped up past a certain point of no return and frankly it is a new kind of scary for even the eldest of millennials.
We share the same biology, regardless of ideology
But what might save us, me and you
Is if the Russians love their children too
Once the song ends I’ve been adding my own lyrics:
I hope the Iranians love their children too
I hope the Chinese love their children too
I hope the Americans love their children too
I hope the Russians love their children too
Predictable end of days we’re having.
All my love,
All my light,
All my best,
Jess