New Delhi, April 16 -- George R.R. Martin offers an insightful verdict on leadership through Tywin Lannister of Game of Thrones. His grandson King Joffrey, seated on the Iron Throne, screams in frustration: "I am the King. I will be obeyed." Unflinchingly, Tywin looks at the boy and says: "Any man who must say 'I am the King' is no true king."

There is a war being fought right now where this distinction matters more than any weapon system.

The mirror-image trap: US President Donald Trump has declared victory in this war. Several times. We won in the first hour, on the very first day, etc. Their navy was destroyed, missiles degraded, army broken and leaders eliminated.

While this destruction is not a lie, he seems to be making a more fu...