Who’s ready to get drafted? After tensions heightened between the United States and Iran, daily conversations and tweets revolved around the apparently imminent World War III. At Archmere, lunch table conversations included ironically light-hearted jokes about fears of a potential draft and the start of a major World War. Although nothing to such a degree has actually occurred, conditions can not be considered peaceful between the two countries.

It all started on January 3, 2020, when Iranian General Quasem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. drone attack at Baghdad International Airport in a decision ordered by President Trump. The U.S. Government accused Soleimani of past terrorism and of plans to attack American troops in Iran/Iraq. Soleimani was the second most powerful leader in Iran, next to their President, Hassan Rouhani. Soleimani was very well respected with the Iranain people but has also been responsible for the death of hundreds of American soldiers. Soleimani’s death provoked previously dormant tensions between the two military powers. Iran did not respond passively. Large protests, chants of “death to America,”and periods of intense mourning for the late general were just a few of the statements made. The Iranian government warned America against any further attacks and vowed to retaliate. Rudolph Matthee, Professor at the University of Delaware and “Middle East expert” strongly believes that Iran will not hesitate to seek revenge. He claims that Soleimani was too highly regarded by the country for attempts at retribution not to be made. Since the execution, Iran has launched missiles onto a U.S. base in Iraq. Luckily, there were no casualties. And, initially, no injuries were reported either; however, after further investigation, it has been discovered that fifty United States troops have been diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Some American citizens argue that killing Soleimani was the wrong move and that it poked the bear of a potential World War. Others however, stand with the decisions made by the U.S. government. They claim that America is safer now with Soleimani dead and that a major war is not in the future. Either way, United States government officials have made it clear that the United States will remain safe and protected from harm.