THE FUSE

Several weeks ago, during the latest escalation involving Iran, I found myself on a Zoom call discussing an upcoming speaking engagement. The conversation involved the perfectly ordinary discussions of calendars, travel logistics, and deadlines. At one point, I glanced at my phone and saw a message from a friend in Tehran who had recently been released from detention by the morality police. He began by expressing the hope that the message itself would get through, given the internet blackout and power outages. He wasn't lamenting the war so much as the lack of anything that mattered to our people, even the list of negotiation demands by either side. A few seconds later, I was back to discussing schedules. "What time did you say that Monday morning?" "Oh yes, that can work."