After nine nights of bombing Iran, Marco Rubio comes out with a convenient line about the U.S. being “open to diplomacy.” Isn’t it just rich? This has become the quintessential duality of U.S. foreign policy: war drums thumping while whispering sweet nothings about peace. Corporate media, particularly heavyweights like CNN and MSNBC, are spinning this as a brave step toward engagement. Really? They’re glossing over the fact that diplomacy is usually the last act after the military stage has been set—like a show where the main act is a disaster waiting to happen.

Meanwhile, Fox News chimes in with its own slant, waving the American flag while ignoring the swathes of destabilization left behind. They never fail to blend patriotism with jingoism. It’s all about promoting the narrative that we’re the righteous saviors of the world, even if that means wreaking havoc overseas. But can we talk about accountability? Where’s the critical lens on the potential humanitarian fallout? Only crickets from the mainstream crew.

Let’s be clear: this is not about diplomacy. This is about creating a crisis and then pretending to offer a solution. The empty rhetoric from our leaders continues to be bolstered by media that is either complicit or too distracted by drama to focus on the substance. So don’t buy the illusion that this is a route to peace; it’s a cover-up for aggression, and it’s high time we wake up to the game being played.