This story was originally published in the Jan 7 edition of CNN's Meanwhile in America. Sign up here to receive it every weekday morning.

(CNN) Surely a truly stable genius would not destroy priceless shrines, mosques or architectural gems. Probably not. But then again, maybe he would.

In some extreme attempt to rekindle the madman theory of international relations , the US President's recent threat to bomb Iranian cultural sites might make sense: As the Iranian regime plots its revenge for the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, it suits Trump to seem like he might react in a disproportionate way. Plus his supporters love a tough rule breaker.

But as with many of Trump's knee jerk proclamations, his threats satisfy short-term political goals but appear to contradict long-term concepts of US interests.

For 40 years, the clerical regime in Iran has anchored its legitimacy on the idea it faces an existential threat from the United States. Not much that Trump could say would substantiate that claim more perfectly than a vow to desecrate ancient treasures of the Persian civilization.

To the rest of the world — and to critics inside the US -- his rhetoric is abhorrent. Even Trump's own defense secretary has disavowed the threat. And the President might change his tune once he learns that any attack on cultural sites could expose him and US soldiers to war crimes charges.

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