US ‘prevent defense’ aims at playing the long game against Iran

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PLAYING ‘PREVENT DEFENSE’: In football, the “prevent defense” is a game plan that is focused on playing not to lose. It usually involves adding an extra cornerback to prevent the opposing team from completing the long bomb. It’s a strategy only employed when your team is winning and the clock is running out.

On Friday, President Trump decided against a military strike to punish Iran, which the United States says is certainly behind the attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure. “Going into Iran would be a very easy decision. As I said before, it would be very easy, the easiest thing,” Trump said at a news conference with Australia’s prime minister. Instead, he said, “I’m showing great restraint,” which he says “a lot of people respect.”

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