On Thursday, national security adviser John Bolton called a cabinet-level meeting of the Principals Committee on the question of US policy toward Iran. The meeting included a number of top officials, including the secretaries of state and defense.
This comes after President Trump’s Twitter threat against Iran, and subsequent warnings from Iranian officials that they are prepared to defend themselves, warnings that have also been perceived as threats in their own right.
The administration appears to now be asking themselves, after Trump’s Monday threat and Wednesday suggestion that he’s ready to make a deal, that they need to come up with an actual policy on Iran. White House officials aren’t saying what they decided on.
Reports out of the Wall Street Journal suggest that a “limited” military option may have been discussed, though officials continue to insist they aren’t interested in regime change.
Even the possibility of a diplomatic deal needs more fleshing out, as while Trump has said he’s ready to make a deal, officials don’t seem clear on either what the US would expect out of a new Iran deal, or what they would offer in return. That’s going to make diplomacy very complicated.
This is literally the “Committee to Liberate Iran” from the movie Syriana.
Bolton was willing to compromise, at least temporarily, on Korea and other Trump ideas so he could push this, Bolton’s highest priority. Bolton took this job to get a war with Iran, something he has pushed for decades, made the center of his professional life. This is Bolton emerging from the shadows to reveal himself, to make his move, and to put the knife in our backs.
The difference is it’s not just talk now. Iranians and their allies are very serious adversaries. Bolton, think carefully.
Bolton is nobody. He has been the mouthpiece for neocons, then essentially the only game in town. The opposition to neocon policies since Reagan dra has been mostly symbolic. But Bolton has never been trusted or promoted into positions of power — thus, he was free to latch onto another policy bandwagon whrn anf if it emerges. And here he is, saying things not exactly neocon cup of tea. Iran is tied to Israel, and thus — an entirely soecial game with special rules. It is not a coincidence that Trump ditched the deal, essentially not bring beholden to pros and cons, snd fixed debate. He is working on Palestinian- Israeli issue, and Iran is part of it. Israel is trying to provoke trouble, but there are no takers. Trying to bomb Syria, protecting ISIS on the Golan border, annoying Russia, meddling in White Helmets issues. Attacking Gaza, passing weird laws, etc. But no reactions. Putin and Trump talked about Israel and talksd to Nethanyahu. Something is affoot. If Israel does not like what is coming — we eill see weird events pushing US into some kind of war to forestall uf not change the course of events. Here is how it looks like. Iran is strong and protected by China and Russia. Nobody in the neighborhood is agsinst Iran — Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan are supportive of Iran. So is India. Gulf states are vulnerable. Kuwait has over 40% Shia population, Bahrain has 80% Shia population ( our Fifth Fleet stationed there on a barrel of dynamite), UAE have large Iranian trade, Qatar now depends for essentials on Iran and Turkey, has Turkish base, and US air base. Oman is staying away from Saudi posture, has good relations with Iran. Jordan is on the verge of exploding, with over 50% population being Palestinian, and they are having enough of the King’s wishy washy role and depemdence on Saudi money. Lebanon like Syria not in US camp. Lebanon with 1/3 population Shia and 1/3 Christian no longer are seeng US as friend. In Syria, it was Shia population, Shia president, as well as Iran that saved what was left of ancient Christian villages and towns.
So, good luck to Saudi Arabia helping US take on Iran. Everybody else is with Iran openly or staying out of conflict due to self interest.
And Saudi Arabia? Without Russia, it cannot influence market prices of oil and gas. And without China, it loses largest customer. Cannot see them itching for war. They cannot get out of Yemen, as US does not want them to. Bab Al-Mandeb straights is US obsession that can equally hurt Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Egypt. But with Chinese base in Djibuti — it is gettiing more crowded. Let’s do the math. Iran adventure is a risky proposition. Not that some idiots would think otherwise. But it would only weaken US. Let Israel fight its own battles without getting US into trouble.
Well, Mark, Bonkers Bolton and his fellow warmongers had better equip themselves with uniforms, helmets, rifles and parachutes if they really want a war with Iran; the US military doesn’t have the wherewithal to wage war against the Islamic Republic, so, they’ll be on their own.
These lunatics are just mouthing off, as anarticus said; Iranians and their allies are very serious adversaries.
The white house isn’t interested in regime change? If I had been drinking anything it would have come through my nose after reading that. I guess we don’t have a problem with their “mafia” government after all.
Them being a mafia probably would improve the chances of Trump getting along with them! So that makes sense, it was a compliment, at least compared with everything else that was said lately.
The longer the policy remains incoherent, the less we all need to start digging fallout shelters.
>>>”Reports out of the Wall Street Journal suggest that a “limited” military option may have been discussed, though officials continue to insist they aren’t interested in regime change.”
Not correct. In Rudy Giuliani’s recent speech to the terrorist group the MEK in Paris, he bragged that “”our people”” in Albania are fomenting the current protests in Iran for the very reason of regime change. He happily predicted during this speech that next year this time the MEK will control Iran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sWV5tvliI8
Rudy Giuliani’s only mouthing off, just like Bonkers Bolton and the other maniacal warmongers. As I said in another post here, if they want to attack the Iranians, just supply them with uniforms, helmets, rifles and parachutes, and a plane to fly them to the Iraq-Iran border area and drop them off; I bet they’ll all be shaking in their boots and soiling their pants when they see Iran’s elite forces on the other side of the border, weapons at the ready. This only proves they’re cowards, every one of them.
Even Israel’s IDF backed off on attacking Iran when they found out that the Islamic Republic not only has superior weapons, but also superior military forces (the IDF couldn’t even handle Hezbollah). I never thought Israeli PM Bibzy Satanyahoo would back off on attacking Iran, but he did, to my surprise.
Israel doesn’t have the means to attack Iran, at least not with conventional weapons, unless they have access to US aircraft carriers. The Israelis tested this years ago, and found that their planes had barely enough fuel to reach Iran and return. If they got into any action over Iran, they would not be able to come home.
Our best hope for peace is trump. When the generals tell him he won’t have time to golf and watch tv, he may nix the whole thing.
John Bolton is the most dangerous man in Washington, and he has some stiff competition. He should be fired…. ….out of a canon, into the sun.
I can’t wrap my brain around seeing Bolton in a position of power. Didn’t trump say he knew all about Iraq 2, wmd…? wtf