I thought we might need a topic on US Middle East policy, A lot has happened in a few short days regarding the US, Iraq and Iran. The storming of the US embassy in Iraq and the killing of general Suleimani has shaken up the entire world it would appear.
After monitoring the news this morning I am sensing a dramatic shift has taken place.
Almost the entire coverage on news channels has focused on what has happened in Iran and Iraq, the killing of Suleimani, why people stormed the US Bagdad Embassy, , the US strategy (including if said strategy has even been thought out) and the consequences to the US and the region. Much talk is also focusing on the dangerous ramifications for US citizens across the world and the likely continuation of "forever wars" in the region.
Honestly, I can't remember the last time such coverage was devoted to any issue other than Trump and American politics relating to Trump. (Yes, this relates to Trump as his orders have set off a powder keg, but again, something huge appears to have shifted. here). I think Pandoras Box has just swung wide open and the fear of many appears to be that there is no plan in place to deal with any ramifications of our actions.
Annalists such as Ret. 4 star General Barry McCaffery are predicting the Persian Gulf War will begin anew.
Democratic Candidates all seem to have weighed in with grave concerns over the matter. The Gang of 8 was not briefed ahead of time. Republican leaders and Reps seem to be very supportive of the action.
European Partners were also not notified ahead of the airstrike and many were angered.
"The purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other," Tom Tugendhat, the chairman of the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, told the BBC.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/03/qassem-suleimani-iran-death-middle-east-us-trump
The United States is sending nearly 3,000 additional troops to the Middle East from the 82nd Airborne Division as a precaution amid rising threats to American forces in the region, the Pentagon said on Friday.
(Reuters) - Wall Street fell from a record high on Friday after a U.S. air strike in Iraq ratcheted up tensions in the Middle East, while a bigger-than-expected contraction in the U.S. manufacturing sector again fanned fears of slowing economic growth.
Demand for safe-haven assets soared as Iran vowed revenge for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, head of its elite Quds Force, in an air strike authorized by President Donald Trump.
“The sharp escalation in tensions related to the Middle East is certainly driving the trading narrative for U.S. stocks,” said Peter Kenny, founder of Kenny’s Commentary LLC in New York.
I guess Trump needed a distraction and needed to let some friends know to short the market and get into gold and other safe havens. Being that Eric Trump tweeted about "opening a can of whoop ass" on Dec 31, I'm guessing he gave these friends the day of Jan 2 to make their moves.
Sorry so cynical.
Iran launches missiles into US air bases in Iraq: US official
“This morning, courageous fighters of the IRGC's Air Force launched a successful operation called Operation Martyr Soleimani, with the code 'Oh Zahra' by firing tens of ground-to-ground missiles at the base of the terrorist and invasive US forces," the country's state-run news outlet ISNA reported.
All part of the plan. The Dominionist/Cryptofascist/Apocalyptic plan.
May our troops be safe and may our response, ( you know we will have a response) ...dang. I don't even know what to hope our response will actually be. I just want this stupid and dangerous pissing match war to be over.
As predicted on this site, the US will end up much weaker on the world stage. Ultimately it may be for the best.
I have a friend who's an Iran expert and he told me that idiot trump and his ilk are so ignorant they don't understand that you don't mess with an ancient culture. trump may think Iran is a shithole country, but they think (rightly) that he's a barbarian.
Trump Twitter
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.
All is well and So far so good. Perhaps you should make those statements AFTER assessments have been made
And starting your Tweet with "all is well" makes you sound like the Town Crier of Twitterland.
Here's the genius of the Iranians attacking US bases in Iraq: Under international law, we cannot fire back from those bases because they are within another sovereign nation. Remember, the Persian Empire lasted millenia...