ROME

UH, OH, IS America on the verge of losing another war because the enemy just won’t give up?

Market-calming surrender claims, followed by threats to re-run the opening of the movie, Gladiator, are stumbling over apparent refusals by Iran to concede to its own pleas for peace.

“This war is essentially a siege,” insists Dr Paris Troy of the Byzantium Institute based in Istanbul (not Constantinople). Iran is the city, or castle. Up to now, the Americans and Israelis have caused huge damage inside the walls but they have not forced a capitulation and have not tried, or been able, to break in. As long as the inhabitants of the castle can hold out, the besiegers must decide whether to try and break in, or eventually withdraw.”