Last Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a meeting with a group
of “community leaders” during which he said that the US was not seeking
to impose regime change in Iran through direct military intervention.
Though the US has been threatening Iran pretty regularly for years, and
particularly since President Trump took office, Pompeo claimed that he
was “careful not to use the language of regime change” because they
didn’t intend to force the issue militarily if it didn’t happen on its
own from sanctions and US pressure.
That said, Pompeo said that the administration would’ve handed the 2009
Green Movement “differently” from the Obama Administration, without
specifying how. He also joked with the audience about a possible Iran
coup, saying even if the US was planning one, they wouldn’t admit it.
The “community leaders” also asked about the administration’s ties to
the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), a terror organization in Iran, which the US
de-listed in 2012. Pompeo insisted that he and Trump had never spoken
at MEK rallies, though John Bolton had.
We may not officially plan on it, but I’m SURE we’ll ultimately be “forced to take action.”
Also: Sanctions and pressure aren’t going to make anyone overseas suddenly pro-American. It’s incredibly easy for sanctioned leaders to correctly place the blame for food shortages squarely on the shoulders of the US of A.
The current administration doesn’t show any desire to become or remain loved abroad. And that’s only a continuation of a steady erosion, although G.W. Bush accelerated it. If it would mean remaining inside ones own walls, to become the most powerful pariah state in the world, so be it. Although in this case it will surely destabilize internal politics even further, unless some perpetual enemy at the gates can be constructed, like Mexicans lobbing projectiles over the southern walls.
No direct action, doesn that mean there will be indirect action??
Israel acts for the US.
He also joked with the audience about a possible Iran coup, saying even if the US was planning one, they wouldn’t admit it.
That wasn’t a joke. It was a confirmation of policy.
If he’s saying they don’t intend military intervention, you can take it to the bank that they do intend exactly that.
Their problem, as I’ve said often, is that Israel can’t afford to attack – or let the US attack – Iran as long as Hezbollah can rain 6,500 missiles a day on the length and breadth of Israel, forcing the electorate into bomb shelters 24×7 and thus trashing the Israeli economy.
Therefore the immediate intentions of Israel is to convince Trump to attack Hezbollah in Lebanon along with Israel – because Israel can’t do it alone. In fact, it’s not clear that Israel can do it even with US help. But Israel will try to get the US to join it because that’s the only way they can get the Iran war started – which is critical for Israel’s longer term intentions in the Middle East.
As for a “coup”, there’s no chance the US can arrange one. Iran isn’t ethnically or religiously divided as Iraq was, and there is no party in Iran capable of a coup which would be supported by the population if it was backed by the US.
There’s also no country in the vicinity likely to attack Iran other than Israel. Saudi Arabia can’t feasibly do it without direct US support. Pakistan is unlikely to do so given its issues with India over Kashmir. Neither will Turkey.
So the situation remains a stalemate unless the US and Israel can figure out how to degrade Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Best course, however, is to leave Iran alone. Iran’s a peaceful country that hasn’t attacked its neighbors in over 400 years. However, the Islamic Republic does have the wherewithal and the will to defend itself if either the US or Israel – or even both – are stupid and suicidal enough to give aggression against it a go.
And, don”t forget, Iran has two powerful allies – China and Russia – who’d quickly come to its aid, and a 3rd World War would be the consequence. None of these idiots has ever read “The Art of War” written centuries ago by the ancient warrior/philosopher Sun Tzu .. In fact, Pompous Pompeo and Bonkers Bolton haven’t the understanding and/or ability to read such a book .. And POTUS Trump doesn’t even read any of the written briefings, much less, “The Art of War”. He just doesn’t have the patience to read anything thoroughly.
“He also joked with the audience about a possible Iran
coup, saying even if the US was planning one, they wouldn’t admit it.”
Well, that was indeed reassuring-pompeo was bragging last week that as cia director, lie, cheat, and steal was the mantra-nothing changed as secstate.
Basic question is why does anyone listen to him.
To state the obvious, pompeo credibility=zero.
Hey, Mike, let me fix that message to Iranian “community leaders” for you: The US is not seeking to impose regime change in Iran through direct military intervention. “The process of transformation, even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event – like a new Pearl Harbor.” That’s right out of your PNAC play book from 1997. Remember? That’s when you, Bolton, and the other neocons were eagerly looking forward to 9/11.
False-flag event in the Persian Gulf, coming right up, folks.
Strait of Hormuz. 3-2-1…
Mike,
You’re full of it. We all know for a fact that you have multiple plans to invade Iran and the only reason you haven’t yet is because you don’t have the balls.
This is just like a drug addict who’s still in denial. Go away you effing crackhead. Die in a car fire.
I always prefer ass cancer for his type. Might as well feel some pain like the pain his kind inflicts on others.
Maybe not direct…but covert and trough US proxy armies….ISIS, Al-Qaeda, HTS and other Jihad fanatics.
Every time the fat man opens his mouth I find myself loathing him even more.
I’m right with you, Solly. Every time the fat pompous man opens his mouth, I nearly puke, as well as loath him more and more. I’d like to see Pompous Pompeo behind bars, along with Bonkers Bolton.