As long as the fool Biden continues his approach to appeasement, the Iranians will continue, or even increase their demands. That will lead Biden to try appeasement even more. It’s a fool’s approach. Don’t forget what Robert Gates (defense secretary under both Bush and Obama) said: Joe Biden has been wrong on every major foreign policy decision. And that continues.
The Iranians needn't be aware of it. They have little representation in their own nation. What Iranian people think is wholly irrelevant to the actions of the United States. American leaders should only be invested in the interests of one group.
Claims by Iranians are irrelevant. The only thing I care about is the US position. Iranians can suffer their own buffoons as the Americans must suffer theirs...
Agreed, their claims are essentially irrelevant. But the fact they claim at all leads me to believe that Iranian appeasement by the US may not be as deep as pundits (such as the ones on these comment threads) believe.
To Iraq to pay its' bills for Iranian energy supplies. It is Iraq's money. This matter is being spun stupidly: countries have to pay their way. If we don't want the money going to Iran; we have to supply Iraq with an alternative energy supply/supplier.
Good luck with that; neither Saudi or the Gulf States want an Iraq that isn't a basket case. A functioning Iraq with no liens would be an existential threat while it is de facto a Shia theocracy.
A highly pessimistic 'realist' assessment, which would give much aid and comfort to Iran's leadership if they bothered to read it.
I see the position as significantly more complex. It is true that Iran and its proxies are larger and more populous than Israel, and that they are driven by an ideology of genocide. But large questions remain.
First, why has Iran not taken advantage of the IDF's preoccupation with Gaza to strike hard at Israel, using its proxies and their superior missile forces? It must have a reason, perhaps that it is not so confident either of their power or its control over them, or both. Having the Huthis close the Suez Canal doesn't cut it, even if that was an Iranian plan at all.
Second, rapprochement between Israel and moderate Sunni Arab states, and other Muslim states, has been put on ice, not destroyed. No party has left the Abraham Accords, no party had signaled that events in Gaza have permanently ruled out eventual agreement. Moderate Arab states can see that Israel is no threat to them, and potentially a powerful ally. The Palestinians, weak, corrupt and backward-looking, are neither. It can be cogently argued that the realignment of the Middle East is on pause, not in ruins.
Third, is Iran really as strong as it would have the author believe? As perhaps in Gaza, a tight lid is kept on the restive ordinary people, who have little faith in their leaders. Undoubtedly there are those high in the theocracy who see an indefinite war of extermination against Israel as their goal. Will their people grant them time to achieve that?
Fourth, what does Iran really plan to do with its nuclear weapons? Nuke the holy sites of Jerusalem and incinerate thousands of Muslims? Maybe not. Nuke Tel Aviv, with similar results on the Arab population? Maybe not, either. Ask, instead, what does DPR Korea plan to do with its very real nukes? A: threaten other states with them if they show what it deems 'aggression' against it. Ask again: why does Iran need medium-long range ballistic missiles to hit a country almost next door? Or are they really aimed at European capitals? And finally, will Iran start a nuclear war that will end with its destruction?
The problem with 'realist' political assessments is that they're inherently defeatist. The logic goes, navigating conflict is difficult, so let's not even try. Give aggressors what they want, and they'll leave us alone. Read Walt and Mearsheimer on why the West should abandon Ukraine to Russia. Read Chamberlain's 'Peace in our time' speech. Etc.
Yes a nuclear war would end Iran. Are the Muslim Shia fanatics hoping for the 12th Imam to come? Are they really that fanatical? Who knows but there is a pattern with these nut job violent islamists. Someone else is the one to suffer. They aren’t the suicide bombers. They don’t live where the wars are. They don’t share in the poverty. They don’t sacrifice their family members. In fact, they don’t sacrifice at all
Hopefully your view is correct. One thing for sure though is that if Trump was president he would NOT have opened the money spigot for Iran and they would not be able to afford the chaos they now can
In December 2001, Ayatollah Rafsanjani made it clear that he was willing to accept tens of millions of dead Iranians to achieve a second Holocaust. He said that Israel could only "wound Islam", while the Zionists would be gone forever.
And the Iranians have vowed not to stop there. Their goal is to eradicate every Jew, everywhere.
Wound Islam is perhaps true. However, they can quite likely destroy Shia Islam or render it irrelevant. It doesn't take a lot of warheads to irradiate Iran's oilfields beyond use or their major cities beyond habitability. If they want to return to the 7th century so much, we ought to hurry them along.
I'd offer this. In an odd way, this war will help Israel with other Arab nations ... if it wins. To win, it must devastate hamas.
In the region, 'tis better to be respected than loved. The Saudis lost their war against the houthi in Yemen. They know, as much as anyone, how much it sucks to have Iran messing things up in their neighborhood. Having Israel deliver a meaningful blow to an Iranian proxy is going to help, not hurt. Even if it'll take some time before things move forward.
Because joe biden and the emasculated Dems are in charge. That's all one needs to know to have grave concern over where it is all heading in the middle east. Remember what Gates stated, joe has never been on the right side of foreign policy in 40 years, now 50+. I'm sure sending bombs to Iran with leaflets on DEI won't hack it. You don't beat religious dictators with appeasement.
Would dropping nukes on Israel actually end with the destruction of Iran? I don't think there is a single world leader of any country with nuclear capabilities (other than Israel of course) who has the balls to order a retaliatory nuclear strike on Iran. Or even a conventional strike of any significance. Certainly Biden and his handlers do not.
The central problem in this "Room-Temp War" with Iran is that religious fanatics do not make the same calculations that rational people do. Iranian religious leaders may make provisions to ensure that they and their families survive. But people who have the belief that anyone who dies in the war against the West is a "holy martyr" are not going to worry about protecting the lives of ordinary Persian citizens. At the moment, in fact, ordinary Persian citizens are getting restive about being subjected to Islamist rules, so Iranian religious leaders may very well contemplate that any attacks on Iran would simply thin out the trouble-making population, while giving the rest of the Islamic world reason to rise up and destroy the West.
Don't forget that every country in Europe is now filled with Muslims, many of whom are Islamists who are willing and eager to take over the countries where they now live. Open war between the West and Iran might very well be the spark that ignites that internal threat.
Chris, your assessment is more nuanced and a better overview than the article itself. And the first question you pose is the important one. If Iran is in such a position of ascendency, why hasn't it acted against Israel yet? If Iran was bent on attack through its proxies and on its own, wouldn't it have done so, especially in the days/weeks after Oct 7, when Israel was reeling from the Hamas attack and not yet fully mobilized? It hasn't, and the chances are strong it won't - and the bold assassination of its commanders in Damascus is a reminder to them why.
Laughable. The other party has to be able to launch their missiles and those missiles have to actually work and actually hit their targets. Does the NK airfarce or air defence farce have the ability to interfere with , let alone stop, RoK or JSDF air ops? Nope, and that is besides what USAF/USN could do given their druthers.
"Rogue" nations exist to frighten the children into coughing up the bunce to; second in importanceRaytheon, Lockheed, Northrop-Grumman and all; but first in importance, lining your Congress Critters' back pockets. "Rogue" nations aren't an actual threat to anyone except in fantasy; as the Gulf Wars and Russo-Ukraine war should have made feckin' obvious to all by now.
Stop letting clowns lead you around like bulls by the nose-ring. They only have power if you let them; and only if you let them scare you.
Israel is no longer fighting heavily financed terrorists to save itself. This is about saving the West, and our leader leaders, who take for granted and enjoy all the benefits and privileges it has awarded them, would rather bask in virtue signals.
Why wouldn't any sane non-suicidal person be pro-Israel? You only have to read Hamas' "in their own words" to see that they're not your friends, and that your belief in the Melanin Meter foreign policy doctrine won't save you. Hamas doesn't discriminate on basis of skin color; they're equal-opportunity killers. The Useful Idiots never ask why the Arab world doesn't help Gazans. It's because they don't want their countries full of Hamas-supporters! The “consensus [of Arab nations regarding Palestine]… recognizes Israel and wants…negotiations with it, but [Hamas] is not ready to give up its support for violence…” Egyptian Foreign Minister S. Shoukry
*International law hasn't escaped the pathocratic language police's moronizing of all W. institutions, so instead of “war” we now have the euphemism “armed conflict.” However, as per international law and the Geneva Convention, there is no war between Hamas and Israel. War is preceded by the "formal act of a state's legitimate government declaring hostile military activity against that of another state." Terrorists "gliding" into a country, murdering 1,200 citizens of said country and kidnapping another 253 is not a war declaration under international law. It's a terrorist attack. https://irislee.substack.com/p/terrorists-and-both-sideism
Israel may be in a long-term losing war with Iran and its web of Islamist allies, but what alternatives does it have against a relentless adversary that seeks not just political dominance of the region but the annihilation of Israel. The US and the West fool themselves into believing there is a peaceful solution to the situation and fail to realize the end game of Iran is the defeat the US and the West. The only effective solution is to side with Israel and aid it in defeating Iran and its Islamist minions. An unconditional statement of support for Israel by the Biden administration would be the most effective step the US could make now.
We are way past the point of a peaceful solution. We’re dealing with a regime of hate that is hellbent upon the destruction of the west. The fact that we are not fully backing Israel in their struggle against this terrorist regime is appalling. All this so ice cream-slurping Biden can win over the anti-Israel Muslims in the swing state of Michigan.
Question…What will the world’s reaction be when Israel, backed into a corner by being attacked in all fronts, resorts to a nuclear strike on Iran?
If Israel is backed into an existential corner by a world that has allowed Iran free reign to do so, Iran will not be the only target of an Israeli nuclear strike.
This is all very scary. However the most disturbing part is how Biden is hamstringing Israel in order to appease the progressive anti-Israel faction. All in a desperate attempt to get re-elected.
We need to show solidarity with Israel. Unequivocally!!
Fade, you are 100% correct! Biden is more worried about maintaining (regaining!) the “WOKE Leftist voters who are pro Palestine” so he’s willing to throw Israel under the bus!
What these antisemitic people don’t realize is “From the river to the sea” will next be “From sea to shining sea” And I seriously doubt a one of them would stand up to defend America, even if their lives depended on it! Not to mention, most of that group mainly vote on one issue = abortion!
I think back on 9/11 and how, for a short time, most Americans were united! American flags were seen everywhere! I’m sad to say it’s a shame the fear we all shared didn’t last longer. We were all (mostly) united patriots for a while.
Today, the American flag has been replaced with the Rainbow flag & the Palestinian flag, and the Black Lives Matter flag …
Actually, the Leftists I was around (as I was in grad school at the time) were very quick to start talking about how "creepy" it was to see American flags everywhere.
America, and its elected administration, should act in the best interests of America. Those interests are not always (ever?) synonymous with the best POLITICAL interests of either party.
Historian Martin Van Creveld made this very point about 20 years ago. An Israeli strike would be aimed not only against Russia, but against the Persian Gulf Oil supply, and against Europe to avenge 2000 years of persecution.
I read years ago that Israel need not destroy the world directly; she could do it by nuking Moscow, which would then launch against the United States, and it is all over.
But it would also help if the incompetently led GOP House caucus goes along with aid as well. It appears they don't like the Ukraine portion of the process and it's been stalled for months - weakness anyone?
I am not a fan of Trump, although my husband is. I admit I didn't think Biden would be the absolute disaster he has been. I was wrong. We cannot withstand another four years of Biden, even if Trump is the alternative.
Seems like Iran is slowly moving towards a different goal- exhaust Western support for Israel, isolate it, and then make their move. They know the U.S. has no stomach and maybe not enough capacity today for a true kinetic war; they are correct that the U.S. population doesn’t want to get involved in direct action in the Middle East or go to war on behalf of Israel. So, drag out a multi-front proxy war as described in this article but in the hopes of getting the world increasing mad at, or sick of, Israel, while not directly provoking the U.S. They’re playing the long game in hopes of getting the U.S. and to a lesser degree the UK and Germany to stop backing Israel. And they seem to be succeeding.
The military has been underfunded and misfunded for decades with Biden accelerating the trend. The military appears to have the goal to fight dragons while neglecting to prepare for recent clashes that are more like swarms of cockroaches like the Houthis, ISIS, etc. which disappear in the dark only to reappear. The opening of the border has allowed the establishment of nest of attackers in the US which threatens the security of Americans.
That is a frightening article. When I first read it... We're sealing our fate with no money for defense but all the money in the world for illegal (I said it) immigrants.
Thanks for illegal immigrant...how did illegal become a four letter word?! Our country was enriched by those coming through Angel and Ellis Islands...US has a history of legal migration.
Most of us got here by way of legal immigration. I know both sides of my family did, as well as my husband's. (There are strong rumors that a great-great grandmother on daddy's side was Creek or Cherokee, but most anyone from my part of the South could probably claim that.)
Not so fast. Iran has a collapsing birth rate. Increasing secularization. Encroaching desert. And all of the Shia Muslim dictatorships want nothing to do with Muslim Brotherhood / Hamas Gazans, especially Jordan and Egypt -- Let Israel deal with them.
The best day-to-day narrative of what's going on the ground is Amir Tsafati's Telegraph channel IMO. https://t.me/s/beholdisraelchannel . Keep things in perspective. Israel is fighting the most humane, sophisticated urban war in history against a genocidal enemy.
We, on the other hand, have lost our way both culturally and politically IMO.
As an Israeli with a 42 year old son (father of 4) who was recently discharged from 4 months of reserve duty (a combat medic) along the Northern border but will likely be recalled when Israel goes after Hezbollah more robustly, I prefer that the IDF fight less humanely following the de facto practices of other Western militaries and not expend the lives of soldiers in order to placate a woke world that cannot be placated.
It is certainly reasonable to be concerned about Iran. I don’t think its an over reaction to say this is the closest the world has ever been to WWIII. Russia- Ukraine, Israel-Iran, add in North and South Korea or China and Taiwan and we’re there.
I don’t think it all stacks up in favor of Iran. Look at what happened with Desert Storm. Saddam had an army of nearly a million soldiers and got thrashed almost single handedly by our air force. That was the opinion of an Army Vet I worked with who was there. He said they just rolled up to Baghdad and saw nothing but corpses along the way. If the United States wakes up the only real threat Israel faces is a prolonged insurgency by Iranian proxies. We still have the technology edge that we did back then.
I think its reasonable to say the Iron Dome has harmed Israel in a certain way. If every Hamas rocket killed someone, nobody would be questioning Israel. But they don’t. So you get people like Trevor Noah, when he was on the daily show, saying that Hamas trying to bomb Israel was like his little brother trying to hit him growing up.
Anyway I don’t see the authors as off base but it sounds a bit pessimistic to me.
And the military, under Biden, let go thousands because they would not give in to the jab. Now they cannot recruit enough troops. Biden stupidity on display yet again.
I don't believe you have a correct understanding of what Iran's goals are. It has noting to do with civilized society or getting along with any non Muslims in any part of the world. It is the 100% conversion of the world to Islam and the costs are irrelevant. Even in lives. Because to die for the cause get's you 20 virgins in heaven and a place on the martyr wall of renown.
I keep coming back to the same question. Why is the US acting like we are a tribute paying state to the Iranians and the Chinese? We, and our allies, have nothing to gain from it. We are the world's superpower and we act like the Iranians and the Chinese are in charge. So demeaning and frustrating, our leaders clearly haven't read history.
You're right, but power comes in many different packages. Our economy is also part of our power, in fact it is the foundation for much of our power. I would add that our fleet is smaller than China's, but we also need to look at the types of ships that comprise their fleet. The main determiners of power though is the will to use it and the size of the military. In terms of will, I believe the Chinese are stronger than we are because our current crop of leaders don't appear to have the will to wield power or use our military as a deterrent. Sad to say.
What country has benefited or what people have benefited from Iranian policies? Seems only weapons dealers and the tyrants at the top. The Iranian people are poorer, the countries Iran has toppled are terrorists havens and not governed for the benefit of the people. Just a bunch of Corrupted Godless thugs.
I will add a few more scenarios to the realist assessment of the Middle East conflict. One is that Donald Trump wins and the Abraham Accords are strengthened by Saudi Arabia officially joining them. I hear also rumblings of “day after” Gaza solutions to include multi Arab security forces policing the area. And one scenario is unfortunately a doomsday “elephant in the room” - Islam preaches martyrdom. That’s not good with possession of nuclear weapons and means to deliver them.
One thing Iran hasn't experienced, is a flat out loss among its proxies.
In Yemen, the houthi won. In Lebanon, hezbollah largely does whatever it wants. They've also won.
In Iraq, Iran holds substantial influence and they dominate Syria. Even in Ukraine, they've played a role.
Defeating hamas in Gaza, wiping out their entire leadership and most of hamas' people, would be a win in what's been a string of losses and draws for US and US allies. Add in the loss in Afghanistan and the mixed bag results in Libya, and you begin to realize just how badly the US needs Israel to win this.
Only winning creates deterrence. Something which hasn't happened in a long time.
Right. Important to bring up Afghanistan. Americans seem to have forgotten the catastrophic pullout and ignore whatever misery Afghanis now suffer. But let us tell you what to do in Gaza…
Well, if history has shown us anything, it is that appeasement works. Especially when a Democratic president is in charge.
Biden is a loser in charge of the loser foreign policy of a loser state...
America has nothing left in its quiver except to watch as an aging moron and his minions fiddle while the world burns around them.
If America is appeasing Iran, why aren't the Iranians aware of it?
www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/iran-demands-must-held-responsible-32493370
As long as the fool Biden continues his approach to appeasement, the Iranians will continue, or even increase their demands. That will lead Biden to try appeasement even more. It’s a fool’s approach. Don’t forget what Robert Gates (defense secretary under both Bush and Obama) said: Joe Biden has been wrong on every major foreign policy decision. And that continues.
The Iranians needn't be aware of it. They have little representation in their own nation. What Iranian people think is wholly irrelevant to the actions of the United States. American leaders should only be invested in the interests of one group.
I certainly wasn't talking about Iranian citizens - I meant the Iranian ruling class. They're the ones claiming US responsibility for the strike..
Claims by Iranians are irrelevant. The only thing I care about is the US position. Iranians can suffer their own buffoons as the Americans must suffer theirs...
Agreed, their claims are essentially irrelevant. But the fact they claim at all leads me to believe that Iranian appeasement by the US may not be as deep as pundits (such as the ones on these comment threads) believe.
Biden releasing $10 BILLION to Iran?!
To Iraq to pay its' bills for Iranian energy supplies. It is Iraq's money. This matter is being spun stupidly: countries have to pay their way. If we don't want the money going to Iran; we have to supply Iraq with an alternative energy supply/supplier.
Good luck with that; neither Saudi or the Gulf States want an Iraq that isn't a basket case. A functioning Iraq with no liens would be an existential threat while it is de facto a Shia theocracy.
I know you won't trust the present WH, but here goes on that ten billion$.
economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/funds-from-sanction-waiver-by-us-not-to-go-into-iran-white-house/
But the six billion$ for the hostage exchange? If you want Americans home, I guess that's the going rate..
Negotiating with terrorists. It began under Obama and now Iran and Russia are milking it with Biden.
A highly pessimistic 'realist' assessment, which would give much aid and comfort to Iran's leadership if they bothered to read it.
I see the position as significantly more complex. It is true that Iran and its proxies are larger and more populous than Israel, and that they are driven by an ideology of genocide. But large questions remain.
First, why has Iran not taken advantage of the IDF's preoccupation with Gaza to strike hard at Israel, using its proxies and their superior missile forces? It must have a reason, perhaps that it is not so confident either of their power or its control over them, or both. Having the Huthis close the Suez Canal doesn't cut it, even if that was an Iranian plan at all.
Second, rapprochement between Israel and moderate Sunni Arab states, and other Muslim states, has been put on ice, not destroyed. No party has left the Abraham Accords, no party had signaled that events in Gaza have permanently ruled out eventual agreement. Moderate Arab states can see that Israel is no threat to them, and potentially a powerful ally. The Palestinians, weak, corrupt and backward-looking, are neither. It can be cogently argued that the realignment of the Middle East is on pause, not in ruins.
Third, is Iran really as strong as it would have the author believe? As perhaps in Gaza, a tight lid is kept on the restive ordinary people, who have little faith in their leaders. Undoubtedly there are those high in the theocracy who see an indefinite war of extermination against Israel as their goal. Will their people grant them time to achieve that?
Fourth, what does Iran really plan to do with its nuclear weapons? Nuke the holy sites of Jerusalem and incinerate thousands of Muslims? Maybe not. Nuke Tel Aviv, with similar results on the Arab population? Maybe not, either. Ask, instead, what does DPR Korea plan to do with its very real nukes? A: threaten other states with them if they show what it deems 'aggression' against it. Ask again: why does Iran need medium-long range ballistic missiles to hit a country almost next door? Or are they really aimed at European capitals? And finally, will Iran start a nuclear war that will end with its destruction?
The problem with 'realist' political assessments is that they're inherently defeatist. The logic goes, navigating conflict is difficult, so let's not even try. Give aggressors what they want, and they'll leave us alone. Read Walt and Mearsheimer on why the West should abandon Ukraine to Russia. Read Chamberlain's 'Peace in our time' speech. Etc.
Yes a nuclear war would end Iran. Are the Muslim Shia fanatics hoping for the 12th Imam to come? Are they really that fanatical? Who knows but there is a pattern with these nut job violent islamists. Someone else is the one to suffer. They aren’t the suicide bombers. They don’t live where the wars are. They don’t share in the poverty. They don’t sacrifice their family members. In fact, they don’t sacrifice at all
Hopefully your view is correct. One thing for sure though is that if Trump was president he would NOT have opened the money spigot for Iran and they would not be able to afford the chaos they now can
In December 2001, Ayatollah Rafsanjani made it clear that he was willing to accept tens of millions of dead Iranians to achieve a second Holocaust. He said that Israel could only "wound Islam", while the Zionists would be gone forever.
And the Iranians have vowed not to stop there. Their goal is to eradicate every Jew, everywhere.
Wound Islam is perhaps true. However, they can quite likely destroy Shia Islam or render it irrelevant. It doesn't take a lot of warheads to irradiate Iran's oilfields beyond use or their major cities beyond habitability. If they want to return to the 7th century so much, we ought to hurry them along.
I'd offer this. In an odd way, this war will help Israel with other Arab nations ... if it wins. To win, it must devastate hamas.
In the region, 'tis better to be respected than loved. The Saudis lost their war against the houthi in Yemen. They know, as much as anyone, how much it sucks to have Iran messing things up in their neighborhood. Having Israel deliver a meaningful blow to an Iranian proxy is going to help, not hurt. Even if it'll take some time before things move forward.
Because joe biden and the emasculated Dems are in charge. That's all one needs to know to have grave concern over where it is all heading in the middle east. Remember what Gates stated, joe has never been on the right side of foreign policy in 40 years, now 50+. I'm sure sending bombs to Iran with leaflets on DEI won't hack it. You don't beat religious dictators with appeasement.
Would dropping nukes on Israel actually end with the destruction of Iran? I don't think there is a single world leader of any country with nuclear capabilities (other than Israel of course) who has the balls to order a retaliatory nuclear strike on Iran. Or even a conventional strike of any significance. Certainly Biden and his handlers do not.
The central problem in this "Room-Temp War" with Iran is that religious fanatics do not make the same calculations that rational people do. Iranian religious leaders may make provisions to ensure that they and their families survive. But people who have the belief that anyone who dies in the war against the West is a "holy martyr" are not going to worry about protecting the lives of ordinary Persian citizens. At the moment, in fact, ordinary Persian citizens are getting restive about being subjected to Islamist rules, so Iranian religious leaders may very well contemplate that any attacks on Iran would simply thin out the trouble-making population, while giving the rest of the Islamic world reason to rise up and destroy the West.
Don't forget that every country in Europe is now filled with Muslims, many of whom are Islamists who are willing and eager to take over the countries where they now live. Open war between the West and Iran might very well be the spark that ignites that internal threat.
Bring it on. They'd reek havoc for a few days/weeks; then we'd kill 'em all. Anyone who thinks otherwise is away with the faeries.
Chris, your assessment is more nuanced and a better overview than the article itself. And the first question you pose is the important one. If Iran is in such a position of ascendency, why hasn't it acted against Israel yet? If Iran was bent on attack through its proxies and on its own, wouldn't it have done so, especially in the days/weeks after Oct 7, when Israel was reeling from the Hamas attack and not yet fully mobilized? It hasn't, and the chances are strong it won't - and the bold assassination of its commanders in Damascus is a reminder to them why.
agreed. people seem to forget about mutual assured destruction when speaking of Iran and N. Korea.
Haven't heard that term in a while. It certainly makes one nostalgic for the "olden days."
funny. reminds me of the George Carlin joke "I just want a nice old fashion girl with a nice case of gonorrhea."
Chuckle.
Laughable. The other party has to be able to launch their missiles and those missiles have to actually work and actually hit their targets. Does the NK airfarce or air defence farce have the ability to interfere with , let alone stop, RoK or JSDF air ops? Nope, and that is besides what USAF/USN could do given their druthers.
"Rogue" nations exist to frighten the children into coughing up the bunce to; second in importanceRaytheon, Lockheed, Northrop-Grumman and all; but first in importance, lining your Congress Critters' back pockets. "Rogue" nations aren't an actual threat to anyone except in fantasy; as the Gulf Wars and Russo-Ukraine war should have made feckin' obvious to all by now.
Stop letting clowns lead you around like bulls by the nose-ring. They only have power if you let them; and only if you let them scare you.
Israel is no longer fighting heavily financed terrorists to save itself. This is about saving the West, and our leader leaders, who take for granted and enjoy all the benefits and privileges it has awarded them, would rather bask in virtue signals.
Why wouldn't any sane non-suicidal person be pro-Israel? You only have to read Hamas' "in their own words" to see that they're not your friends, and that your belief in the Melanin Meter foreign policy doctrine won't save you. Hamas doesn't discriminate on basis of skin color; they're equal-opportunity killers. The Useful Idiots never ask why the Arab world doesn't help Gazans. It's because they don't want their countries full of Hamas-supporters! The “consensus [of Arab nations regarding Palestine]… recognizes Israel and wants…negotiations with it, but [Hamas] is not ready to give up its support for violence…” Egyptian Foreign Minister S. Shoukry
*International law hasn't escaped the pathocratic language police's moronizing of all W. institutions, so instead of “war” we now have the euphemism “armed conflict.” However, as per international law and the Geneva Convention, there is no war between Hamas and Israel. War is preceded by the "formal act of a state's legitimate government declaring hostile military activity against that of another state." Terrorists "gliding" into a country, murdering 1,200 citizens of said country and kidnapping another 253 is not a war declaration under international law. It's a terrorist attack. https://irislee.substack.com/p/terrorists-and-both-sideism
An interesting note you may note be aware of, in the Old Testament there are numerous uses of the word "hamas". It means violence or some synonym.
Israel may be in a long-term losing war with Iran and its web of Islamist allies, but what alternatives does it have against a relentless adversary that seeks not just political dominance of the region but the annihilation of Israel. The US and the West fool themselves into believing there is a peaceful solution to the situation and fail to realize the end game of Iran is the defeat the US and the West. The only effective solution is to side with Israel and aid it in defeating Iran and its Islamist minions. An unconditional statement of support for Israel by the Biden administration would be the most effective step the US could make now.
100% this.
We are way past the point of a peaceful solution. We’re dealing with a regime of hate that is hellbent upon the destruction of the west. The fact that we are not fully backing Israel in their struggle against this terrorist regime is appalling. All this so ice cream-slurping Biden can win over the anti-Israel Muslims in the swing state of Michigan.
Question…What will the world’s reaction be when Israel, backed into a corner by being attacked in all fronts, resorts to a nuclear strike on Iran?
If Israel is backed into an existential corner by a world that has allowed Iran free reign to do so, Iran will not be the only target of an Israeli nuclear strike.
Never Again is NOW!!
This is all very scary. However the most disturbing part is how Biden is hamstringing Israel in order to appease the progressive anti-Israel faction. All in a desperate attempt to get re-elected.
We need to show solidarity with Israel. Unequivocally!!
Fade, you are 100% correct! Biden is more worried about maintaining (regaining!) the “WOKE Leftist voters who are pro Palestine” so he’s willing to throw Israel under the bus!
What these antisemitic people don’t realize is “From the river to the sea” will next be “From sea to shining sea” And I seriously doubt a one of them would stand up to defend America, even if their lives depended on it! Not to mention, most of that group mainly vote on one issue = abortion!
I think back on 9/11 and how, for a short time, most Americans were united! American flags were seen everywhere! I’m sad to say it’s a shame the fear we all shared didn’t last longer. We were all (mostly) united patriots for a while.
Today, the American flag has been replaced with the Rainbow flag & the Palestinian flag, and the Black Lives Matter flag …
God help us!
Actually, the Leftists I was around (as I was in grad school at the time) were very quick to start talking about how "creepy" it was to see American flags everywhere.
Well yes, there was that!
Couldn’t agree more.
America, and its elected administration, should act in the best interests of America. Those interests are not always (ever?) synonymous with the best POLITICAL interests of either party.
Historian Martin Van Creveld made this very point about 20 years ago. An Israeli strike would be aimed not only against Russia, but against the Persian Gulf Oil supply, and against Europe to avenge 2000 years of persecution.
I read years ago that Israel need not destroy the world directly; she could do it by nuking Moscow, which would then launch against the United States, and it is all over.
Why would Israel strike against Russia?
The Jewish People will not go, once again, quietly into that good night.
I think the Administration is steadfast in its support for Israel, internal divisions aside.
www.politico.com/news/2024/04/01/us-new-fighter-jets-missiles-israel-00149976
But it would also help if the incompetently led GOP House caucus goes along with aid as well. It appears they don't like the Ukraine portion of the process and it's been stalled for months - weakness anyone?
Trump had Iran on the ropes and sidelined the malicious Palestinians. It can be done again. We cannot let Democrats hold power, it’s to dangerous.
I am not a fan of Trump, although my husband is. I admit I didn't think Biden would be the absolute disaster he has been. I was wrong. We cannot withstand another four years of Biden, even if Trump is the alternative.
And a President Kamala when Biden is unable to complete the term? Any American should shudder at the prospect.
Seems like Iran is slowly moving towards a different goal- exhaust Western support for Israel, isolate it, and then make their move. They know the U.S. has no stomach and maybe not enough capacity today for a true kinetic war; they are correct that the U.S. population doesn’t want to get involved in direct action in the Middle East or go to war on behalf of Israel. So, drag out a multi-front proxy war as described in this article but in the hopes of getting the world increasing mad at, or sick of, Israel, while not directly provoking the U.S. They’re playing the long game in hopes of getting the U.S. and to a lesser degree the UK and Germany to stop backing Israel. And they seem to be succeeding.
I fear that’s China’s plan as well. They’re licking their chops.
This is a very smart comment.
Thank you for the kind words!
Not that long ago The United States was the strongest, most powerful Country in the world- economically and militarily.
Under Biden, that reputation has been destroyed.
Of course Iran is going to take advantage of this reality.
Of course Russia is going to take advantage of this reality.
THAT'S the story.
No need for anymore words. No need for anymore analysis.
The military has been underfunded and misfunded for decades with Biden accelerating the trend. The military appears to have the goal to fight dragons while neglecting to prepare for recent clashes that are more like swarms of cockroaches like the Houthis, ISIS, etc. which disappear in the dark only to reappear. The opening of the border has allowed the establishment of nest of attackers in the US which threatens the security of Americans.
This is the state of the military: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a20134/marines-had-to-scrounge-for-f-a-18-parts-at-a-museum/
That is a frightening article. When I first read it... We're sealing our fate with no money for defense but all the money in the world for illegal (I said it) immigrants.
Thanks for illegal immigrant...how did illegal become a four letter word?! Our country was enriched by those coming through Angel and Ellis Islands...US has a history of legal migration.
Most of us got here by way of legal immigration. I know both sides of my family did, as well as my husband's. (There are strong rumors that a great-great grandmother on daddy's side was Creek or Cherokee, but most anyone from my part of the South could probably claim that.)
Give them citizenship, after being drafted and serving in the military service for 4 years or greater only.
Also, China, who may be profiting the most. And our friend Kim Jong Yung and his little daughter.
Not so fast. Iran has a collapsing birth rate. Increasing secularization. Encroaching desert. And all of the Shia Muslim dictatorships want nothing to do with Muslim Brotherhood / Hamas Gazans, especially Jordan and Egypt -- Let Israel deal with them.
The best day-to-day narrative of what's going on the ground is Amir Tsafati's Telegraph channel IMO. https://t.me/s/beholdisraelchannel . Keep things in perspective. Israel is fighting the most humane, sophisticated urban war in history against a genocidal enemy.
We, on the other hand, have lost our way both culturally and politically IMO.
As an Israeli with a 42 year old son (father of 4) who was recently discharged from 4 months of reserve duty (a combat medic) along the Northern border but will likely be recalled when Israel goes after Hezbollah more robustly, I prefer that the IDF fight less humanely following the de facto practices of other Western militaries and not expend the lives of soldiers in order to placate a woke world that cannot be placated.
It is just a question of getting an adequate supply of arms.
It is certainly reasonable to be concerned about Iran. I don’t think its an over reaction to say this is the closest the world has ever been to WWIII. Russia- Ukraine, Israel-Iran, add in North and South Korea or China and Taiwan and we’re there.
I don’t think it all stacks up in favor of Iran. Look at what happened with Desert Storm. Saddam had an army of nearly a million soldiers and got thrashed almost single handedly by our air force. That was the opinion of an Army Vet I worked with who was there. He said they just rolled up to Baghdad and saw nothing but corpses along the way. If the United States wakes up the only real threat Israel faces is a prolonged insurgency by Iranian proxies. We still have the technology edge that we did back then.
I think its reasonable to say the Iron Dome has harmed Israel in a certain way. If every Hamas rocket killed someone, nobody would be questioning Israel. But they don’t. So you get people like Trevor Noah, when he was on the daily show, saying that Hamas trying to bomb Israel was like his little brother trying to hit him growing up.
Anyway I don’t see the authors as off base but it sounds a bit pessimistic to me.
The left would hate Israel and Jews no matter what
And America’s military is way degraded from Desert Storm. They can’t recruit and it’s full of freaks and weirdos
And the military, under Biden, let go thousands because they would not give in to the jab. Now they cannot recruit enough troops. Biden stupidity on display yet again.
I don't believe you have a correct understanding of what Iran's goals are. It has noting to do with civilized society or getting along with any non Muslims in any part of the world. It is the 100% conversion of the world to Islam and the costs are irrelevant. Even in lives. Because to die for the cause get's you 20 virgins in heaven and a place on the martyr wall of renown.
The woke narcissism of the progressive left makes them blind to this.
I keep coming back to the same question. Why is the US acting like we are a tribute paying state to the Iranians and the Chinese? We, and our allies, have nothing to gain from it. We are the world's superpower and we act like the Iranians and the Chinese are in charge. So demeaning and frustrating, our leaders clearly haven't read history.
If super power is measured by the power of the naval fleet, then it's China who is the super power.
You're right, but power comes in many different packages. Our economy is also part of our power, in fact it is the foundation for much of our power. I would add that our fleet is smaller than China's, but we also need to look at the types of ships that comprise their fleet. The main determiners of power though is the will to use it and the size of the military. In terms of will, I believe the Chinese are stronger than we are because our current crop of leaders don't appear to have the will to wield power or use our military as a deterrent. Sad to say.
What country has benefited or what people have benefited from Iranian policies? Seems only weapons dealers and the tyrants at the top. The Iranian people are poorer, the countries Iran has toppled are terrorists havens and not governed for the benefit of the people. Just a bunch of Corrupted Godless thugs.
Iran has created an axis of misery
I will add a few more scenarios to the realist assessment of the Middle East conflict. One is that Donald Trump wins and the Abraham Accords are strengthened by Saudi Arabia officially joining them. I hear also rumblings of “day after” Gaza solutions to include multi Arab security forces policing the area. And one scenario is unfortunately a doomsday “elephant in the room” - Islam preaches martyrdom. That’s not good with possession of nuclear weapons and means to deliver them.
And Biden KEEPS sending money to Iran. Oh wait … the $10 Billion is for humanitarian aid. Yeah, right!
Would love an article on why Biden and Blinken have unlocked billions in frozen assets for Iran.
So they would stop attacking US assets in Iraq?
Blinken has climbed so far up his Iran-can-be-appeased tree that even if he realizes it’s wrong he can’t back down.
One thing Iran hasn't experienced, is a flat out loss among its proxies.
In Yemen, the houthi won. In Lebanon, hezbollah largely does whatever it wants. They've also won.
In Iraq, Iran holds substantial influence and they dominate Syria. Even in Ukraine, they've played a role.
Defeating hamas in Gaza, wiping out their entire leadership and most of hamas' people, would be a win in what's been a string of losses and draws for US and US allies. Add in the loss in Afghanistan and the mixed bag results in Libya, and you begin to realize just how badly the US needs Israel to win this.
Only winning creates deterrence. Something which hasn't happened in a long time.
Right. Important to bring up Afghanistan. Americans seem to have forgotten the catastrophic pullout and ignore whatever misery Afghanis now suffer. But let us tell you what to do in Gaza…
"...the still-enduring expectation that America will finally intervene militarily against the Islamic..."
I'm afraid that's a forlorn hope. I'm 54, and Iran has been waging an unrequited war against the US since I was in 4th grade.
Maybe if we send them a few more billion they'll begin to warm up to us.