President Trump’s go-to policy on Iran, the “maximum pressure” campaign, has been based on blaming Iran for every single thing that goes wrong in the region, and threatening to make them pay, as Trump put it today, “a very BIG PRICE!”
The threats hadn’t accomplished anything, despite confidence from the administration that they eventually will. Instead, they seem to have brought US ties with neighboring Iraq to the verge of collapse, with the US attacking Iraqi militia Ketaib Hezbollah, presenting them as “Iranian,” and then threatening more attacks.
Sunday attacks on bases inside Iraq led to protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad. The embassy was stormed, and the US responded by blaming Iran some more, and threatening to make them pay. Because that’s the sum total of the maximum pressure campaign.
But that campaign against Iran is bringing US ties with Iraq to the brink of outright collapse, with influential Iraqi politicians at the protests and warnings that US attacks and sovereignty violations are forcing Iraq to revise the relationship.
Making America’s policy around the Middle East so Iran-centric, and making the Iran policy so one-note and bellicose, they have made relations and interests across the Middle East vulnerable not just to thinks Iran actually did, but to anything that officials perceive as Iran’s fault.
It is also exposing the US position in the Middle East as hollow and surprisingly unable to adapt to even minor issues. There are troops in Syria trying to steal oil, troops in Turkey facing the risk of expulsion, and Iraq’s parliament is probably going to be addressing kicking the 5,000 US troops out of there before long at this rate.
All the US has to show for it is the hostility to Iran that they’ve always had, and threats to escalate that into another disastrous war. Everything else in the region is tenuous, and as shown in Iraq can be mucked up by a long weekend of bad policy decisions.
One of the most beautiful sights of 2019: Amerikastani war criminals cowering on the roof of the Amerikastani Viceregal Palace, also known as the “embassy”, in Baghdad, depending on the very Iraqi security forces whose members they’d just murdered to protect them from being torn limb from limb by the Iraqi people. Beautiful! The world needs to see this more and more often, until not one Amerikastani dares to leave its borders with a gun.
Just as Iran, China and Russia are holding naval drills in the Gulf of Oman. And on a equally sour note, France and Japan announced their naval security operations in the Gulf, but pointedly not joining US led effort. That follows Rouhani’s visit to Japan. Saudis simply want to be safe, and other then echoing US grumbling. Is careful not to give wrong impression of being eager.
To make sure it is understood — Saudis have just requested Russia to join investigation into September’s attack. This gesture is telling the world that Saudi Arabia did not accept American conclusion that Iran is responsible.
American policy has started to resemble Israeli style — in a very uncomfortable way. There is a one track mind — one target. Quite pagan ethos — expecting that Gods will provide.
US knee jerk policy is to try stirring up evil spirits in Iraq — again. I guess if nothing else worked — not red flag attacks on tankers, not even bombing Saudi oil facility — stirring up some Sunni-Shia problems — and hoping for the best.
But here is a problem. Shia in Syria have support from Sunnis and Christians now. US used Kurds to fight ISIS, and at the same time, oppress Sunnis of the region. Not a smart move. Then Kuwait has over 40%of Shia population, Iraq 70%, Bahrain 80%. In Lebanon 1/3 Shia population is aligned with Christian 1/3, and many Sunnis are now in their camp. Considering that Oman is not in anti-Iranian camp, while Qatar is Iranian ally. What remains is UAE, living and acting very much above its dwindling oil reserves. In fact, trading with Iran substantially.
What is US trying to accomplish? Wait for some opportunity to attack Iran? But region is not divided as it was during Saddam era.
And neither Russia nor China want to see Saudis dragged into conflict, or even less allow US to drag Iran into chaos, endangering their lifelines in Central Asia.
For Trump, even his flip flipping skills will not be enough to get out of the conundrum. He may have to consult the mood of the electorate — and it is not optimistic. Certainly not enough to want a war. So, unless a war can “ just happen” and Americans pushed into it — he has no support. Especially, as it may turn out to mean a wider war with many things at state.
Pagans don’t have a one-track mind. If we must point a finger at a religion, evangelicals with their focus on the end times, rapture, and Israel seems like a more appropriate direction.
Quote: “Saudis have just requested Russia to join investigation into September attack” (you mean 9/11 Inpresume) . Lawyers/Architects of 9/11 are striving to have a Grand Jury hearing and are asking for donation to fund the project. I suggest SA supports them financially.
I took it to mean the recent Yemeni/Houthi attack on Saudi oil fields, blaming Iran.
Under the current regime, Institutional Iranophobia has taken on a more overtly pro Israeli dimension. It’s actually quite humiliating to sound like Adelson’s bitch anytime they open their mouths regarding the Middle East.
US Military=The Israeli Foreign Legion.
Top US General Says American Troops Should Be Ready To Die For Israel
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-03-19/top-us-general-says-american-troops-should-be-ready-die-israel
“with influential Iraqi politicians at the protests and warnings that US attacks and sovereignty violations are forcing Iraq to revise the relationship”.
Even the most corrupt US puppets in Iraq are starting to revise the relationship.
Relationship?….are you kidding, it`s a occupation, with bases to supply their mercenaries in Syria and attack Syria.
In the Middle East, it’s always about oil & Israel, not necessarily in that order.
When it comes to the M.E. Prez. Trump is mostly a blathering idiot with sore knees from being on them so much before Adelson and BiBi!!
It’s time for DJT to get up some courage (which he now doesn’t have) and kick out every single Trotskyist aka Neocon out of the White House, He already dumped Nutty&Yahoo a couple of months ago over his threats to nuke Iran. He and the most corrupt Israeli PM never really got along – especially when Bonkers Bolton was National Security Adviser (he fired Bonkers around 2 months ago).
It’s the Trotskyists who’ve been behind these recent incidents in Iraq. Unfortunately, DJT’s just a mere puppet .. This is why I stated it’s time he gathers up enough courage to kick out every single Trotskyist out of the White House and honor his pledges of 4 years ago. Let the ME handle its own affairs .. It’s none of our business anyway,
he can’t they promised him ego building on a daily basis. his head is too far up their butts to breathe.
President Trump has said he does not want war with Iran (and I’m not calling his a liar). But events suggest things are moving inexorably towards that fateful confrontation; and as a consequence unstoppably towards confrontation with Russia.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/
Then, I will call him a liar for you.
No surprise to me. That is what happens when you let a child play with matches.
“The president struck a bellicose tone Tuesday, but it’s unclear what moves he will make next as he feels the tug between taking a tough line with Iran and trying to avoid getting more involved in the region.”
Seriously? The man drops out of the JCPOA, imposes killer sanctions, floods the region with military assets, threatens obliteration on several occasions and that is TRYING TO AVOID GETTING MORE INVOLVED IN THE REGION.
Tulsi Gabbard on Twitter:
“The problems created by Trump’s impulsive, erratic military action/foreign policy are again on display, this time in Iraq. Trump’s military strike against Iranian militia was impulsive, short-sighted, and lacked strategic purpose. It has led to our embassy being besieged and undermined our relationship with the Iraqi government and people. Serving the interests of Saudi Arabia and Jihadists like AQ [Al-Qaeda], Trump is taking us deeper and deeper into mid-east quagmire,”
“As president, I will end our servitude to Saudi/AQ and will provide the experience & sober, thoughtful, strategic leadership to the job of commander-in-chief that our country so badly needs.”
https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1212126850517856257?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Too bad she called out only SA, but then again she is just as much an Israeli puppet as any Dem or Repub so its not surprising. Maybe one day Americans will stop rallying around false ‘hope and change’.
Tulsi is building a political career. Not genuflecting to Israel is dangerous enough, criticizing Israel or speaking on behalf of justice for the Palestinians would terminate any hope for her future in politics. She needs to survive if she is to continue the fight.
She appears to be smart enough and strategic enough to pick her fights carefully. “Discretion is the better part of valor.”
she caved to isn’treal long ago. she is backed by sheldon adelson. smh. people never research.
Go from worst to first amongst all the candidates running and she still comes out first. By far.
why is it that americans readily accept these empty caricatures of “candidates” that are not the least bit in touch with real people?
As compared to the utopia you live in?
can’t stay on topic can you?
You brought up “americans readily accepting these empty caricatures…” I was responding to what you said. I can only assume you must live in some utopian society that has nothing but honest forthright politicians who are completely “in touch with real people”?
you ASSume much as a fool does.
You talked about Americans as if you live elsewhere. What should I have assumed wiseass?
Bullsh**, Trump won because he spoke passionately about what he believed(right or wrongly) and that resonated. Mincing words to be polotic is how Rand Paul managed to get no support at all despite being more anti establishment than all of field combined. Tulsi doesn’t even discuss the CIA arming of Jihadis in Syria in an attempt to overthrow Assad as a reason for the rise of ISIS…instead she just pulls the neocon line and blames it on Obama’s pull out…She doesn’t have the guts it takes to resonate with voters.
Tulsi gets it wrong, using Trump’s lie by calling Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) , for “Iranian militia”
tulsi still pandering for sheldon adelson. shes a zio bitch who would do exactly as told.
I can’t find my car keys, surely the Iranians are behind this. Bastards!
Mmm, try blowing things to pieces, maybe they’ll turn up in the debris…
Always good to get the perspective of a foreign policy professional.
“Making America’s policy around the Middle East so Iran-centric, and making the Iran policy so one-note and bellicose” is simply a direct adoption of the language and policy of Netanyahu as urged by the Lobby here, and further supported by the whole crew of Iraq warmongers.
There are two possibilities that explain why this admin has gotten itself into such a grand cluster-f.
First: as I’ve stated earlier, the President makes decisions based on one guiding principle- what is best for Donald Trump personally. Therefore, Trump must believe chaos, uncertainty and war will further ingratiate him to the individuals and entities that can help his re-election bid and put money in his pocket (through dealings with his many domestic and foreign businesses) – Saudi Arabia, Israel, energy cos, defense contractors, Christian fanatics, etc.
Second: he is just not smart nor experienced enough to realize that he has been played by the neocons, MIC reps, Zionists and other war-minded individuals throughout his administration, the Pentagon and the State Dep that believe war against Iran and a network of forward military bases from N Africa, through the Middle East and into Central Asia is good for Western business, or, in the case of religious zealots, will bring about “god’s armageddon”.
Or maybe its a combination of both.
He also knows, according to your #1, tho he can’t imagine what war with Iran would entail, he is pretty sure it would seriously cut into his “executive time”, golf, and hamming it up.
As I’ve long said, Donald Trump isn’t an isolationist, as his more bellicose critics and defenders alike insist. He is simply just a really, really, really shitty imperialist. Thankfully, the results, while sloppy, are rather similar. Anything that diminishes and weakens the image of the most dangerous empire the world has ever witnessed is a plus in my book. So hears to four more year of epic dumpster fires. MISA 2020! Make Imperialism Suck Again!
I do prefer it to be Trump’s ugly mug representing the empire too the respectable mask of Obama. Maybe he will even to manage to break the Empire by destroying it’s visage and isolating our allies.
Hubris is going to be the ultimate downfall of the ussa! There are some very stupid people running the ussa! They though, think themselves brilliant this is what makes the ussa a warmongering rogue nation! Unfortunately, they have power of which they abuse to the the folly of the world. Nowhere, does this evil country not have its satanic tentacles’ Luckily, we have Russia!
Humm.. It does make sense ?? To protect the US Embassy in Baghdad from enraged Iraqis, you bomb Iranian in Tehran ??
Quite logical in our today’s world ??
trump is a hollow man. he tweets ,he threatens he is impotent. in short he is proving he is nothing but a gas bag.
Earthquake in Japan, Iran did it!
See we knew they had secret nuclear facilities somewhere!
here’s a good one: trump properties that could be ‘targets for iran’.
i bet that the trump has a shitload of insurance policies. what.