Hmm...the US assassinated a top official in Iran. Iran blew up some seemingly empty military houses in retaliation.
Until more information comes out, I'd say that the US exchanged a weak pawn for a queen. Not even 3D chess, just the regular kind.
Hmm...the US assassinated a top official in Iran. Iran blew up some seemingly empty military houses in retaliation.
Right.
Wrong.Media orgs like Fox News or CNN are not endorsing a political philosophy. They've simply identified markets and doing whatever they can to sell advertising to them.
Agreed. But many ME governments are occupying governments. And do not have the support of their populace. The US (for good reasons) has been a popular scapegoat. Iran is now front in center as the de facto Arabic (even though they are Persian) leader against the US. And what did Iran lose from this? One general...they will continue their war through their proxies and are now justified in even more direct methods. And what credibility does the US have? We just unconditionally surrendered in Syria. How many times has the US betrayed the Kurds? Why would any ME ally to the US believe the US would stand by them?omaniphil wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 9:09 amArab governments have long been skeptical of Iran's imperial tendencies. Arab street was more blasé. There has been a growing appreciation however that Iran, and Soleimani in particular have been responsible for a huge number of deaths in the Arab world - Aleppo in particular, but also the PMF militias have killed scores of Iraqi protesters in the last few months.
I hope so. Is that what is being reported in the Middle East? Because I read Iran was controlling the narrative and reporting huge US casualties. US claims to the otherwise are likely to be seen as lies. Also, Tehran was not popular with Iranians due to the lagging economy. This has given Tehran a huge boost locally.
I agree with this. But, the US will have to overcome this action in the Middle East. Not move forward based on it.
Wow. What a bad take. So bad. Just read more.
I disagree. Plenty of places in the world the US chooses not to meddle. And those places have yet to create terrorist organizations. The only reason the US meddles in the ME dates back to the 1950's and the desire of the US to control the world's oil supply.
The pressure was more from the Shia militia groups than from popular appeal. Also, only 170 members of the Iraqi parliament were present. All of the Kurdish and Sunni members abstained.The Iraqi Parliament, cowing to popular pressure, just passed a resolution for the removal of US soldiers from Iraq.
Thanks for the articles. I will take a look. I hope you are correct that his assassination will have a positive impact on Iranian policy simply by his removal.omaniphil wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 11:09 am I'm not quite sure this is right. Soleimani was more than just a general. He was as close to an indispensable leader as you can get. Have you read the New Yorker's 2013 profile of him? Also, you should read the article in the Atlantic by Andrew Exum, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for ME Policy: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archi ... an/604375/ Yes, he was carrying out Iranian policy - but that policy was largely of his own making and there are few who have the skill or expertise to take up his mantle.
True.
Spot on. The US and UK willfully derailed Iran's nascent democracy, apparently all for the price of oil back then.aurelius wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 10:53 am I disagree. Plenty of places in the world the US chooses not to meddle. And those places have yet to create terrorist organizations. The only reason the US meddles in the ME dates back to the 1950's and the desire of the US to control the world's oil supply.
I think Jon kinda missed your point @aurelius .
Mr. JonA and I don't seem to communicate well.mbasic wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 11:31 am I think Jon kinda missed your point @aurelius .
but yeah Iranian State TV saying there were massive American causalities when everyone else, including al jaazeria is saying 'none'.
... isn't a good look for Iran (well, from their fanatical part of their populace).
So they tried to "take the higher ground" and blow up some buildings or equipment and spare human life?
But then said they spilt a sea of American blood, and cut off our Imperialist feet?
I don't think Iran/Tehran is completely cut off from the rest of the world like North Korea is .... could be wrong.
And far as a threat-see-what-we-can-do, or a distractionary strike, or probe ... IMO that was a lot missiles to expend for 0 American-killed-result.
And Iran just violated Iraqi sovereignty/air space, like the US did, or maybe even moreso (I think the US is there under agreement with the Iraqis....I think). Maybe put Iraqis at risk.
I've heard that there are some people who don't have a sense of humor, but I rarely encounter them.
Yeah, I guess my sense of humor doesn't include bigoted statements targeted toward religious groups that are put out there as "jokes".DoctorWho wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:46 am I've heard that there are some people who don't have a sense of humor, but I rarely encounter them.
But maybe I'm being unfair to you. You might just be seeking superficial approval from anonymous people on the internet so much that it just appears to be brittleness and lack of humor.
Congrats. You told off an anonymous person on the internet on behalf of a third-party groupMkgillman wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 9:11 amYeah, I guess my sense of humor doesn't include bigoted statements targeted toward religious groups that are put out there as "jokes".DoctorWho wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:46 am I've heard that there are some people who don't have a sense of humor, but I rarely encounter them.
But maybe I'm being unfair to you. You might just be seeking superficial approval from anonymous people on the internet so much that it just appears to be brittleness and lack of humor.
I always laugh when I hang with Gillman, and I've never heard him be racist or bigoted, or brittle, fucker is a cube lately.DoctorWho wrote: ↑Thu Jan 09, 2020 6:46 amI've heard that there are some people who don't have a sense of humor, but I rarely encounter them.
But maybe I'm being unfair to you. You might just be seeking superficial approval from anonymous people on the internet so much that it just appears to be brittleness and lack of humor.