Pittsburgh City Hall.
Leo's thoughts were still fixated on that red line in the Hormuz Strait.
He had deduced the outcome, but instead of bringing him relief, the conclusion only plunged him into deeper confusion.
"Why?"
Leo asked the empty room, as if the master of the White House were sitting right there.
"Why would the President choose to go to war now?
"The general election is less than half a year away! It's the most critical sprint of the campaign.
"Starting a war will bring immense uncertainty. International oil prices will skyrocket, domestic inflation will spiral out of control, and the stock market will experience violent turbulence."
Leo's tone was filled with bewilderment.
"In peacetime, even the slightest fluctuation in economic indicators can cost the ruling party an election.
"To willingly ignite a powder keg right now—is he insane? Isn't he afraid that the voters' fury will drive him out of the White House?
"This is nothing short of political suicide."
