Trump is stepping back from war with Iran, but he isn't any closer to peace

Reuters

• Iran's decision to stand down after casualty-free strikes on Iraqi bases housing US troops and the US's decision not to respond to those strikes were both positive steps amid rising tensions.
• But averting a shooting war doesn't put US-Iran relations back on the right path, and there's more the US could do to avoid escalation and more needless violence, writes Defense Priorities fellow Bonnie Kristian.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

"The American people should be extremely grateful and happy no Americans were harmed in last night's attack by the Iranian regime," President Trump said in his Wednesday speech from the White House. "Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world."

It is indeed, and so was Trump's decision to take the out offered by Iran's casualty-free retaliation for the US assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. The worst scenario — a shooting war — has been averted, at least for now.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

NOW WATCH: A law professor weighs in on how Trump could beat impeachment

See Also:

SEE ALSO: Trump's 'maximum pressure' on Iran is at risk of backfiring — here's how to fix it