Initially announced weeks ago, the US withdrawal of troops from western Iraq and concentration in the east looks more and more like preparation for another confrontation with neighboring Iran. Recent reports suggest that is one policy being advocated.
On Friday, reports suggested that the Pentagon had been ordered, by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to start planning to wipe out certain Iraqi militias which they believe are Iranian proxies. Officials say the administration is increasingly divided on the plan.
Lt. Gen. Robert White was very averse to this idea, saying it would require the US bring in thousands of more troops, and divert from existing missions. He also warned it risks starting a war with Iran, which at least some of the proponents consider very much the point.
Indications since then are that the militia in question is likely Kataib Hezbollah, one that the US has repeatedly attacked. The militia has retaliated from past US attacks, and that seems to be putting them on track for endless escalation.
The officials advocating an attack want to present this offensive campaign as “retaliation,” but are leaving other US troops in the area to be targets for further militia retaliation. President Trump has yet to decide if he will approve the attack, but is letting planning continue.
Trump has opposed attacks on Iran recently, believing the world would be critical of the US for starting a fight during the coronavirus. Pompeo and others have argued that the coronavirus may make it impossible for Iran to respond, and give them the opportunity to attack with impunity.
Iran is seen again as not wanting a big fight with the US, but is also seen to be watching US troop movements very carefully, fully aware that a US attack is at least a possibility, and certainly one that is up for debate.
GTFO
Trump would only attack Iran after a false-flag attack on US troops or ships in the region. There are plenty of trip-wires in Iraq and Syria, or Israel for that matter, that would lead to an all-out attack using tactical nukes. The resulting conflagration would justify martial law in the USA and the cancelation of this years presidential election.
The pandemic was always a cover, either by design or not, for a total reset of the world’s economy and to short-circuit the Belt and Road Initiative. The Empire will do anything to prevent that from happening, even nuclear war.
Well said. I hope both of us are wrong, though. Right now we have to protect ourselves and our interests, the government we hire has other interests than the people now.
As far as declaring martial law, it will happen whether or not the US attacks Iran. Yes the pandemic is a cover for other shenanigans by the US government, but martial law will come when the food riots begin, which will be not too long from now. As Thomas Knapp points out in a comment in another thread, the crops in California and Florida this year will likely rot in the fields due to the imposition of closed borders. Once martial law is declared, that will put the last nail in the coffin of both liberty and prosperity.
What a shit show Iraq is. The objective changes daily and no one seems to know the enemy.
The real shit-show is the USA. Hands down!
And what do we think the Iraqis will do while we attack Iran from within Iraq? We’ll be getting it from all sides. And so will Israel. Have at it.
Nothing. Iraqis are powerless, defenseless and all their “wealth” is in a U.S. impound account.
They don’t need wealth. The US will be fighting a war with Iran while trying to protect their rear from the pissed off locals. Good luck with that.
Trump has opposed attacks on Iran recently, believing the world would be critical of the US for starting a fight during the coronavirus.
What he ought to be worried about are desertions and mutiny.
As I’ve said for the longest time, war with Iran is inevitable – Trump or no Trump.
The threat of restarting the Iraq war is just another move in the slow-motion “boil the frog” approach of increasing US forces in the Middle East in preparation for the war. The US has been slowly increasing forces in the Middle East for the last couple years. A few thousand into Syria…a few thousand into Iraq…a few thousand into Saudi Arabia…a few thousand on ships in the Med…etc., etc.
You can’t fight a war with Iran without a hundred thousand troops in Iraq. That’s what the 2003 Iraq was supposed to be about – the neocons assured Israel that “Iran would be next” after the “cakewalk” Iraq was supposed to be. So the plan now is restart that war as “justification” for increasing the number of troops inside Iraq – regardless of whether they come under attack by Iranian militias or the Iraqi army itself. The other advantage to that is that when those troops come under fire from “Iranian proxies” – you can blame Iran and start the war.
Win-win for the neocons.
UPDATE COMMENT: I see the cognitive dissonance is as strong as it’s always been… No one wants to believe this war is possible, let alone inevitable…so they don’t. They’re going to be get a surprise.
By the way, coronavirus doesn’t change anything in this regard. The virus will be contained at some point, or the warmongers will just wait until there is a vaccine in a year or two.
richard, Covid 19 changes all of that!!! War will not come for that reason and also for the reason we are now totally blown out economically. Covid 19 is the game changer, and the Gov. putting millions out of work and then not supporting the people as well as they do the Corps. is going to have the potential of complete insurrection within the USA borders, “insurgents” we all may become. Armed and angry beating on the doors of DC and the State Houses, is that the future??
I don’t know Jay. Maybe, since Iran has been hit so hard by the virus, we think this will be the ideal time for an attack. We are that sick and I don’t mean from the virus.
Saddam used similar calculus to attack Iran after the revolution.
With “our” help, remember.
No, it’s not.
Coronavirus changes nothing with regard to foreign policy. The virus will be contained within a year, or a vaccine will be developed in a year or two. Then things will proceed as the warmongers have planned.
There isn’t going to be an “insurgency” because no one has the brains to organize one. It’s that simple.
You really believe that propaganda?! Dont’ those dumb Trotskyists aka neo-cons know that a war with Iran would spell disaster for the US, that would bring in Russia and China into the war to finish off the US and Israel?
DJT’s too smart to make that disastrous mistake, and Fat-face Pompass would be dumped right on the spot if he tried to launch this war .. The same would also happen to SecDef Mark Esper if he tried to launch such an attack on Iran.
I’m in full agreement with Jay Hall, Richard .. COVID-19 completely changes all of that. In addition, we’re totally blown out economically. As you rightly said, COVID-19’s the game changer, and the Gov. is putting millions out of work and then not supporting the people as well as they do the Corps is going to have the potential of total insurrection within the US borders – “insurgents” we all may become – armed and angry beating on the doors of DC and the State Houses .. Is that the future??
What part of “Trump or no Trump” didn’t you comprehend (not to mention everything else)? Trump isn’t going to be President forever. And Russia and China are never going to directly militarily support Iran against the US – don’t be an idiot.
You seem unaware of what is actually happening across the globe now. Why does the USA never think of peace, of cooperation, of solidarity, of agreements, not conflict and enemies? This crisis needs decisions made on facts and (distanced of course!) interaction among nations, not more war.
Secretary of State ordering military movements?
Why not? We have long since given up even the pretense of Constitutional limits on the government’s actions.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/03/28/we-are-putting-lives-danger-recruiters-urge-boot-camp-closures-amid-pandemic.html
The business of war continues.
You know, just the essential businesses. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and of course boot camps.
“and of course boot camps”
And, of course, military contractors.
There is a real danger here, Trump knows he will probably be a one term president and time is running out for him to do his buddy Netanyahu the one big favor of bombing the hell out of Iran. Netanyahu thinks war is in the best interest of Israel especially when he can get a bunch of dumb Americans to do it for him. With Iran out of the way Netanyahu can start building settlements anywhere in the Middle East he feels like. Sort of like the way the US can build a base where and when ever we feel like it.
Pompeo thinks he’s a player in the second coming of Jesus Christ by destroying Iran and then God will bless the USA. Read up on what he and Spence believes and you’ll be shocked that US foreign policy is being driven by some obscure verses in the Bible.
Much as I would like to see him go, if Trump faces Biden I think Trump wins for discrete reasons (Biden’s “failing” memory regarding his active cheerleading for the Iraq War is his greatest weakness and one that Trump can exploit very effectivey. It’s the main reason Bernie should be the Dem candidate regardless how some might feel about his domestic agenda). But with so much in play now, there’s no guarantee that either of these three men in their 70s will be well enough to run anyway (Covid 19 is a game changer here too, potentially). Trump only just started social distancing yesterday from what I can tell. I’m not sure Biden will remember to stop getting up close and personal with ladies either. God it’s weird how they’re like fun house mirrors of each other in so many ways.
(It’s the main reason Bernie should be the Dem candidate regardless how some might feel about his domestic agenda).
So US people are against any form of solidarity inside the nation too, as well as wanting wars?
I don’t know about the American people. They weren’t given the choice the last time, and if the DNC has it’s way, won’t be again.
It already happened. Bernie was stomping Biden until the democrats decided they needed a more “moderate” candidate. I mean Yang and Gabbard endorsing Biden leaves me to believe that Bernie is doomed. I immediately lost respect for both of them, especially Gabbard.
Yeah that last one was a shocker to me. I assume she’s hoping to be in his cabinet and influence from the inside. Still disappointing.
I guess you have to play the game. Personally, I couldn’t utter the words.
Normal old bastards are playing with their grandkids and drooling all over themselves. Trump and Biden will be making life and death decisions while drooling all over themselves. And I can say this because I’m an old bastard although I haven’t started the drooling all over myself part as of yet. I’m “only” 65.
Give it time. I’ve been drooling in my sleep for decades. And I just turned 49.
Another misleading headline article forcing me to comment… Attacking Shia militias isn’t the same as attacking Iran.
We know. Pompeo doesn’t.
They are part of the Iraq military and Iran is a neighbor with far more rights to be there than the USA has (especially after 17 years plus 13 of sanctions). Go Home Yanks
Withdrawal of some US troops from Iraq is a hoax. The US is rapidly completing the construction of a new mega base near the city of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, which may become one of the largest military bases in the Middle East.
Secretary of war, Pompeo is hell-bent to start a war against Iran.
Yeah, well, here we go again. Iran is suffering under the virus and Americans are distracted with the MSM’s daily infection and body count. What a better time than this to invade another country. Kick Iran in the face while it’s down and lacking medicines and other resources due to the unjust sanctions; it’s the American way, isn’t it? The insanity is spreading and increasing in Washington and the American people are worried about acquiring their TP and are being told to stay inside. Makes sense if you think about it doesn’t it? Goodbye Iran.
“Trump knows he will probably be a one term president”
Only if the Democrats get their shit together in a big way and relatively quickly.
“Trump knows he will probably be a one term president”
Only if the Democrats get their shit together in a big way and relatively quickly.
I don’t think it will matter who is in the White House, the agenda and policy spans all administrations and both parties. War is good for business and keeping the world safe for Zionist plans to dominate the resources in the middle east at America’s expense.
Donald Trump is a morally derelict lunatic but Mike Pompeo is a sinister terrorist without conscience. His approach towards Iran is essentially slit their throats while they’re too weak to resist. This is beyond despicable, and it’s being considered openly and with little criticism. If this is what society has come to then maybe society should be wiped out by a plague. It’s times like these that make the Old Testament appear prophetic. Western civilization couldn’t decline fast enough.
Pompass gives Christians a bad name.
Him and millions of others.
“Pentagon had been ordered, by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo,” the USA’s top diplomat, to ensure that COVID-19, which he calls the Chinese virus, will engulf not only Iran, which is NO THREAT to the USA or anyone else, but the unprepared USA itself.
Iraq, Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, even Palestine are being targeted with even more extreme “sanctions” than the existing illegal lot applied by the USA, while it ignores the plight of the majority of US citizens by throwing a huge gift to corporations to allow them to continue to pillage the lives of the population.