Following Thursday night’s US attack that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, it has been considered a foregone conclusion that Iran is virtually obliged to retaliate in some way. President Trump, however, believes he can threaten Iran enough to preclude any retaliation.
Trump has now announced, via Twitter, that the US has singled out 52 Iranian sites, which he says represents the 52 hostages from the 1979-80 hostage situation, that the US will attack if Iran strikes “any Americans, or American assets.”
Trump was vague on what he intended to attack, saying they were “important to Iran & the Iranian culture.” It is noted that deliberate attacks on cultural heritage sites is illegal under international law.
Trump’s announcement is likely mostly about Iranian Gen. Gholamali Abuhamzeh saying there are 35 US targets in the region, and Trump wanting to have even more targets. It makes sense that more Iranian targets would exist, the US threats centering on Iran.
Iran is in a difficult position on potential retaliation, given the high-profile nature of the US attack, and Soleimani’s importance within Iran’s military. The US and Iran have hit each other in small ways for years, with bigger attacks deterred by the threat of equally damaging retaliation.
Avoiding full war is always an Iranian priority, but the US attack throws their deterrence into doubt. If Iran does not work something out, or carry out a commensurate measure, the risk would be that the US believes they can carry out attacks of this level with impunity.
Trump has been egged on by the usual suspects who need a war. A substantial war in order to have an opportunity to unwind financial dead weight, and relieve stress on privately owned Fed.
It is a dangerous gamble. It is clear that US has gotten nowhere with attempts to isolate and weaken Russia, and gotten nowhere with attempts to contain China. In case of Russia, its defense capabilities outpaced US, and self-sufficiency in food and energy provided foundation for industrial growth. Their markets show the desirability of Russian investments. China has now moved ahead in telecom industry, and has become market for South Korea and Japan. India, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey — all showing signs of distancing from
US desire to contain China. US has had visible failures in its space program, just as it announced Space Force. In October , Saudi Arabia hosted Putin in style — and requested Russia join investigation into September bombings of Saudi oil facilities. This is clearest sign yet that Saudi Arabia has not accepted US accusations of Iran. And just concluded naval drills in the Gulf of Oman between Iran, China and Russia must have been a bridge too far for US warmongers to take.
But wars are risky. This is not your Saddam Hussein war. Iraq was exhausted from the war with Iran, and weak economically, politically and militarily. Today’s Iran is a different story.
Trump’s lack of regard for cultural heritage— threatening destruction — might unite world against us. This may not influence our president — it is clear that he is very susceptible to ego bruising. When happy, he loves everyone, when unhappy or enraged — he wields the thunder of pagan gods.
And this is his weakness. And our liability. Somebody better be an adult inside the corridors of power today.
An hot war with Iran would push the deficit into the $30 trillion range, unprecedented and very dangerous territory.
So money is the main issue?
Silly rabbit, deficits don’t matter.
missed what iran did this summer? this was retaliation for irans deeds.
Me miss anything?
Bianca, you are very intelligent,,but I think you are wrong on a few of your points, and that surprises me. Please keep in mind that the USA may have an arsenal and technology that no one has ever seen, and will not see until it needs to be seen to counter a serious situation, event. I may be wrong, but for sure someone has the technology, and when they show their hand they will rule.
Ah, the “wunderwaffe” you mean? Something that will take out whatever enemy the jour, whatever people and their leader US and Israel deems the “new Hitler” and cure all diseases for the goodies? If Israel hasn’t tested it on the Palestinians yet it probably don’t exist.
You should wish for peace and a better democratic US government for all its citizens instead. A government that’ll ease the unspeakable bad Karma the regimes, part and present, has wrought upon itself throw the years.
US is nothing compared to deeds of china,some countries in africa and middle east. And a side note, this attack was a retaliation for irans deeds on summer 2019.
Very vague.
nikki, if it wasn’t the USA and Israel it would be someone else,,,such is the way of humans,,sad. 🙁
Sorry, you are wrong. Read any of the Russian reports and Putin’s speeches. This is NOT bragging and the Pentagon knows it. Russia’s weapons are for defense, a word the US uses but its actions are always offensive. Corporations making money is the main production of US “defense”. Bravado and hubris make up US policy on treatment of other nations.
I will be the first one to acknowledge my lack of knowledge of military technology. I inly give myself credit for research skills, but my knowledge of technology does not go beyond high tech, computing and telecom.
So I readily acknowledge that there are secrets in military world. But here is my way of reasoning on military capabilities.
I listen to people when they testify in
various committees. I watch their expressions and choice of words. And it is not too hard to spot the defensiveness, false bravado, unnecessary assurances. When it comes from military men responsible for delivering technologies, one can easily gather what is up.
I watched grilling on supersonics, why are we behind, what is being done. The usual fibs from large corporations that are giving us the ongoing F-35 saga.
Then let me skip a bit. It has been just recently that our nuclear capability was managed from FLOPPY DISCS.
Skipping then to MIRVs — we need to catch up with Russia. Skipping then to space, we should celebrate once US stops using Russian RD-180 first phase rocket engine to raise our heaviest rocket Atlas V. That means all heavy payload today — including military. We know that the successful US space programs were implemented.
So what is the problem now? The lack of scientific continuity, no collaboration across corporate universe, with quick to market push and less emphasis on theoretical science.
The take? Corporate structure in private sector in military and space is designed to focus on contracting — as if contracting for commodities, when in fact public sector capital is involved in R&D, development and design of unique products. This makes no sense.
Does it mean that US does not have secrets in weaponry? Sure, there a secrets. Same is true of the opponent.
There is a consensus on anti-missile defense . That is — that we have a very poor one. This is a serious weakness.
The entire picture is the one of products that are rolled out and then it takes years to make them meet specifications. This makes it harder to move forward faster or in new directions.
Bianca, you are clearly a deep thinker and most intelligent, but I think you would enjoy some looks “outside the box”, and to “push the envelope”,,I believe we are all being deceived, but the truth can be found if you look long and hard enough, and some have lost their lives doing so. 🙂
This is precisely what I do. I look long and hard — it is my way. Over half a century to be precise.
Bianca,,Me too,,:) “To be precise”, and that has, at times, scared the hell out of me, leading me into areas I never intended to go.
Knowledge is power. It is all gained above the board, studying, reading, following many smarter then me, and reading equally carefully those I do not agree with.
And it is not to be passionately for or against anyone, but to try to have as much information.
It is scary to see how little many of our leaders know, and how confident they are. And the only thing that scares me is ideology of any stripe, as it always comes with zealotry, almost mythical self-belief in their clarity of vision for the future. In realty, other then those who are dupes, the “vision” always consists of an interest —material or geopolitical or both.
We are living in dangerously ideologically divided country, where ability to listen is gone, ability to reason is gone, Each side is intrenched in being right, while others are simply bad or stupid,.
This is where partisan politics brought us. The time may arrive when electorate should lead. Simply tell the people we elect that our love is here, but is conditional upon principles being laid out during campaign. Instead, we just sigh, resigned, that a president would not act. The resignation, and the acceptance that our elected person will not perform — is the deep flow in the democracy.
Wanna know who else destroys historical monuments? ISIS and Taliban
When I can decide who runs ISIS or Taliban in their lands, I’ll be concerned.
povitz,,so does Antifa, and many politicians are OK with that too,,as are most snow flakes. The DC GHOULS have failed on a GRAND scale, and must be totally removed, and replaced. We should start with jailing Bushy Boi’ for war crimes and murder, then the Clintons and Obumba.
Wanna know who funds, arms and trains ISIS and Taliban ?? The US.
Trump has obviously gone mad. Now the Democrats have a legitimate charge with which to impeach him–going to war without Congressional approval. Pelosi held the articles of impeachment waiting for something like this and Trump gave it to her. However, since she is part of the deep state will she act on it? Now if the Democrats could get a Sanders-Gabbard ticket in November they will gain the White House.
Trump is doing what almost every POTUS has been doing since LBJ!!
It is Congress that through cowardice handed over to the POTUS the power to go to war willy nilly!! Congress has violated the Constitution in this area just like the POTUS’s have. promotis, that ticket should have Gabbard and Sanders, even then they may lose because of their stance on a few other very key issues. In the end Iran may pay heavily for their Embassy take over,,and what is that saying,,”the chickens are coming home to roost”?? This may just be another OK Corral…………don’t fu## with Wyatt Earp! 🙂
When do our chickens come home to roost ?
They did; Trump 2016.
Be thankful the cock beat out the hen…
As always. Iraq was sold as a walk in the park and how the US would be greeted with flowers, etc, etc. Trump has three sons, I don’t see them shipping out. And it doesn’t matter what other presidents did if they were not called on it. The Constitution still gives Congress the power to declare war. Iran is not Iraq and it will cost a lot in blood and treasure. But, Sheldon Adelson and Nethanyahu bought themselves a war, so here we are. If Russia and China support Iran then it will be one bloody mess.
Democratic leadership is just as eager for war as the neocons. Schumer and Pelosi are snakes.
I posted this comment 8 months ago. It’s like the dumbass actually read it and decided that’s what he wanted (Conceptual Power being what it is, of course that’s not the case):
Load, you should turn that into a movie script, a producer of B movies would love it. 🙂 The USA DC Ghouls do the bidding of Israel, it is Israel first, and Trump is their sock puppet, and that is the crime all should be impeached for, and I mean all, and the citizens have a right to take matters into their own hands to correct this diabolical cabal, if need be, and it needs to be.
Iran must know for certain now that Dump is ot of his mind. Yesterday he asked, no begged, Iran in a series of tweet and through diplomatic channels, not to retaliate, or at least respond in a similar manner. He effectively offered Iran to take out a US four star general and a number of others that have signed on to die for Israel in the middle east.
Now he seems to have forgotten that and starts the threatening. The American infighting fascist regime is obviously panicking at the prospect of a very costly retaliation for this unprovoked attack and rightly so.
A funny way of not wanting to start a war.
It`s obvious, that the US want`s war with Iran.
Since the assassination on fri. the US politicians, left and right, even progressive, and the MSM have constantly insulted the dead and Iran, and spreading lies.
While all US puppet countries are demanding Iran to show restrain and deescalate, the US does the opposite by more threats, lies and insults.
The more restrain and patience Iran shows during the mourning periode, the more the US will insult and escalate.
The US wants Iran to react blindly and in rage, so it can strike Iran in Israeli style….at least ten fold.
As usual, 99% of US public swallows the US politicians and the MSM lies, insults and escalation to a war.
Remember Iran was the last of the 5 countries, on the Neocons list.
Update:
Trump’s new tweet.
The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way…and without hesitation!
Jim,,Iran knows the USA will rip them a new A-Hole, and will not stop there,,I don’t know if they are in a mood for suicide.
Us could decimate Irans infrastructure for sure but this will have big consequences for US as well. Irans ballistic missiles can take out Saudi oil facilities, hit surrounding bases, close the Hormuz with mines etc The economic effects will be a disaster for everyone.
Fortunate, Iran, a 5K year old civilization, has more brain than the US ever will muster. Many things and changes will occur in the region, before Iran will react.
The US has not shoot itself in the foot, but its brain.
https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/05/615412/Iran-Abdolrahim-Mousavi-Qassem-Soleimani
What brains?
That will only last as long as the petro-dollar does, if at all,…then it don’t matter how big and bad the US or it’s idiot wage slave population think they are. You’ll all just kill each other over Wal Mart trucks.
Spending a lot of money means you get quality???
Look at the F-35 stealth bomber!!!
The man is certifiably psycho!
read slowly “that the US will attack if Iran strikes”,remember the iran attacks this summer that also killed Americans? how can people be so forgetful of irans summer actions.
In the old days, before “the tribe” took over (1913), armies attacked armies and navies attacked navies. oh well, at least we’re not bigots. Dead, but not bigots.
“CFR President Says “The World Will Be The Battlefield” After Iran Escalation” – Paul Joseph Watson, Jan. 3, 2020.
“Make no mistake: any war with Iran will not look like the 1990 Gulf
war or the 2003 Iraq wars. It will be fought throughout the region w a
wide range of tools vs a wide range of civilian, economic, &
military targets. The region (and possibly the world) will be the
battlefield,” tweeted Richard N. Haass.
https://summit.news/2020/01/03/cfr-president-says-the-world-will-be-the-battlefield-after-iran-escalation/
The cowards won’t even hide behind honest soldiers to fight their 4G-5G wars, but civilians and keyboards.
“Trump was vague on what he intended to attack, saying they were “important to Iran & the Iranian culture.” It is noted that deliberate attacks on cultural heritage sites is illegal under international law.”
It’s not like Trump actually knew, or cared, about any illegal acts that he might be liable for since he’s an uninformed moron. But it does kind of put an end to any bullsh*t about our concern for the Iranian people.
“TOTAL WAR: Iran Unfurls Red Flag of War Over the Holy Dome of Jamkarān Mosque” – Joquin Flores, Jan. 4, 2020.
https://www.fort-russ.com/2020/01/total-war-iran-unfurls-red-flag-of-war-over-the-holy-dome-of-jamkaran-mosque
Let’s not forget, Trump has Kushner and the resources of Israel to fill in his blanks.
Expect perhaps Iranian unrest to own-goal some Holy Dome in Iran, resulting in crackdowns we can condemn and cultural implosions we can shed crocodile tears over.
Prez. Trump should change his name to Wyatt Earp,,and this is his OK Corral,,featuring Lindsay Graham as Doc Holiday, PomPom as his brother Virgil, Congressman Nunes as Morgan Earp and shifty Schif as Sheriff Behan. The bad guyz in the OK Corral are the Iranians, Issis, and the demoncrats! Gotta love it! LOL!!
Top American military officials put the option of killing Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani— which they viewed as the most extreme response.
They didn’t think Trump would take it
By late Thursday, the president had gone for the extreme option.
Top Pentagon officials were stunned.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/us/politics/trump-suleimani.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
Jim, top Pentagon officials are POS!
Imagine yourself an Iranian chess player with a Russian and Chinese coach on each side. Your coaches flinch but do not want you to lose ground or the battle after a wild kamikaze attack at the central capital resisting brute pressure from an invading foreign opponent with no knowledge of history and not much chance of a future.
Three chess champions quietly examine their defense as they discuss various loose ends attacking capitalist barbarians overlooked in their haste to make a decisive move. The masters will not rush their counter moves. They plan a victorious check mate.
Running a war by committee = clusterfrack.
Also, Perisa (Iran) may not have invented chess, but certainly popularized the game after importing the Indian invention/version.
Russia and China probably took notes from coach Soleimani.
https://www.rbth.com/international/2016/10/05/qasem-soleimani-irans-architect-of-russian-operations-in-syria_636137
Then of course, there’s Trumpian 4D chess….
You’ve cast a fascinating analogy for this era of geopolitics, insofar as we’re appear to be living a contest not of just the Great Game game, but a contest of its paradigm.
Basically, Iran has an unlimited number of US targets in the region and an unlimited number of ways they can hit those targets without *directly* being the force that hits them. They have only to point a finger at any target and tell one of their allied forces to hit it and it’s done.
Any American officer of high rank, any American diplomat of significance, any American citizen of significance (although that is less likely as Iran generally doesn’t do outright terrorism, not in recent years at least) is at risk of a car bomb, a sniper’s bullet or a drone strike (especially the latter.) There is no such thing as security for any American in the Middle East – and perhaps elsewhere – until the insult to Iran has been avenged.
And that includes any Israeli of significance anywhere in the Middle East.
Nasrallah is claiming that, based on a Hezbollah threat, Israel completely (albeit temporarily) *abandoned all* of its Lebanese border posts recently. Hezbollah subsequently hit a target in Israel – and Israel did nothing. Nasrallah has also announced that Hezbollah would selectively start downing Israeli drones over Lebanon from now on.
Hitting a senior Israeli inside Israel itself might be difficult for Hezbollah – but perhaps not impossible. And there are other ways Hezbollah could do damage to Israel.
And of course, the Iraqi Shia paramilitary organizations can hit any American officer or diplomat in Iraq as they fly in or out of Iraq. The Iraqi Hezbollah is considered almost as dangerous as the Lebanese Hezbollah.
Or Iran could arrange for some military or diplomatic facility of the US or Israel to be hit in any country in the region or even in Europe.
Some American or Israeli is going to die. That’s a guarantee.
Time to reinstate the draft. Maybe the insouciant Americans will wake up when they have some skin in the game.
On January 5, Iraqi Prime MinisterAdil Abdul-Mahdi reportedly provided additional details into the US assassination of the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Qods Force, Qassem Soleimani. According to the available data, the Iranian commander arrived in Baghdad under an official request from Iraq. He was set to receive de-escalation proposals that Saudi Arabia sent to Iran via Iraq. US President Donald Trump allegedly supported this idea during a phone call with the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Therefore, the US supposedly used this initiative to set a trap for the Iranian military commander and assassinate him.
Trump &co assassinated an envoy at the airport.
https://southfront.org/iraqi-prime-minister-soleimani-arrived-in-baghdad-to-receive-de-escalation-proposal-from-saudi-arabia-trump-supported-initiative/
Trump’s been too friendly with the Saudis. Their habit of attacking during peace negotiations rubbed off on him.
Trump’s greed, vanity, inexperience, lack of impulse control, diminishing cognitive state and low intelligence make him remarkably easy to manipulate.
The goals for those influencing the President wrt Iran are one of the following:
For many “advisors”, it is a Rothschild-owned central bank in downtown Tehran with billion$ in reserve to trade oil in USDollars only.
For the religious zealots near the President (Pence, Pompeo, Barr), they hope to bring on the Rapture. Seriously.
For the MIC reps (Esper) and global industrialists, they just hope as much money as possible is spent on Weapons and policing the world’s oil reserves.