Thank you Free Press for your coverage of the Iran situation. It’s incredible how quickly you assembled so many outstanding essays by so many great writers. And your livestream yesterday was well done and very informative.
I don’t see any other media outlet providing this level of intelligent coverage.
Unbelievable how many readers (predominantly Democrats) are criticizing President Trump's historic decision to decapitate the world's incubator and leader of state sponsored terrorism. To be sure, the NYT, WaPo, LA Times, CNN and MS NOW will be following their standard pro-Hamas Gaza playbook and running front page headlines on U.S. and Israeli military atrocities. But let's shift the focus to the 25,000+ Iranians who were slaughtered last month peaceably demonstrating for their freedom and thank President Trump for giving the Iranian people the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to defeat their Islamic oppressors and control their own destiny.
Well said. Dems are so anti-Trump, it alters their thinking logically. And if they had issues with him getting congressional approval, they should have complained about the buildup of our warships in the gulf. Too late to whine and bitch. Trump (and Netanyahu) are heroes. Maybe we finally rid ourselves of terrorism in the world.
Schumer and Jefferies and two other Democrats were part of the gang of 8 that were briefed last week days BEFORE the strike. Schumer's public response was that the president had to make the justification pitch to the American people.
The Iran strikes are a waste of American resources, period. Iran represents ZERO threat to average Americans. Iran is an existential threat to Israel allegedly, but the Iron Dome protects Israel. Even people like me, who do NOT believe US should launch any war on behalf of another nation, would agree we can immediately defend Israel when under attack. Iran is simply a war of choice. The theory is a new regime will be better. Sure. Good luck with that.
Well, just over two years ago, Iran backed Hamas killed 46 Americans and took another 12 hostage, in their October 7th, terrorist attack. The families of those 58 Americans might disagree with you about Iran, and it's sponsorship of global terror, not posing a threat to Americans.
There are lots of sponsors of global terror. Should Team America start a war everywhere? I thought we neutralized Iran’s nuclear capacity last summer? I thought Trump was mad Milley brought Iran war plans to him right when he entered office? Cuba just killed a few Americans. Let’s go to war there as well. Folks: NEOCONS ALWAYS HAVE THEIR EXCUSES! Remember they generally don’t fight wars; they preach about them! No dollar amount is too high for a neocon! But healthcare for all, affordable education for Americans; suddenly we’re broke. Dems solution: give government more money. But GOP has won one argument: NO NEW TAXES FOR AN ALCOHOLIC UNCLE SAM THAT SQUANDERS ITS PEOPLE’S RESOURCES ON WAR AFTER WAR AFTER WAR! Losers lose over and over again: NAM, AFGHANISTAN AND in IRAQ victory turned into defeat. Iran was an alleged win last year, but the neocons NEVER STOP! The neocons told Ukraine to carry on the fight, crippling the working class. Neocons in Russia will fight to the end with others blood. A neocon can be found in every nation, preaching war and offering zero evidence of meaningful results. We will lose again and again and again for so long as a neocon is allowed near power. Many of us thought Trump was immune to neocons. That was a lie. He has been consumed by the disease as well.
Well then you are right, let us go further in debt to launch another losing war! I will GUARANTEE YOU THE USA will claim victory and a few years from now I will hear how we need to squander more treasury on that Godforsaken region of the world. Anyone who feels strongly about war with Iran should create their own donor page and I expect all to join the fight.
You have heard of ICBMs haven't you? We can defend Israel immediately if attacked? No. Among other things it would depend on who is in the White House.
Iran and its terrorist organization was a real threat to the west in general. This could not be tolerated and Trump had the balls to do something about it . How this turns out will either change the naysayers or reinforce them, to early to say which will prevail. I think it was Abe Lincoln who said ,never explain, for your friends its unnecessary , you enemies will never believe you .
I generally support and agree with the Trump team, but this one has me scratching my head.
As I understand it, the original stated threat of U.S. military action was in response to the slaughter of civilians. A recent estimate is that 38,000 were gunned down by the regime and Trump certainly made it clear this was intolerable.
Then Iran was ordered to cease development of nuclear weapons and long range missiles, which everyone knew they would never agree to. That made a U.S. military response inevitable.
Was this a wise course of action? Or is it, as I suspect, more of a message to Russia and China to curb their own military adventurism. Russia, for example, seems to be contemplating an invasion of the Baltic states, while China has openly stated the goal of conquering Taiwan.
Russia's further aggression beyond Ukraine would probably spark a wider war in Europe, while China's attack on Taiwan along with veiled threats against Japan and Philippines would likely spark a regional war in the Pacific that ultimately would engulf the U.S., Philippines, Japan and possibly South Korea. In other words, World War Three.
So, the reasoning goes, Trump's "Mad Man diplomacy" of sudden regime decapitation as demonstrated in Venezuela and now Iran (and possibly soon in Cuba) may stave off much larger conflicts. Just my theories.
The proximate cause was Iran's continuing to manufacture missiles, recover its nuclear weapons program, and fund international terrorist groups that kill Americans, Israelis, and anybody else who happens to be nearby when the bombs go off. This was a substantial danger, not just a latent one, as the firing of hundreds of missiles into Israeli cities and American bases shows. If it had been allowed to continue, it would have grown into thousands and tens of thousands, some nuclear-armed, or at least armed to scatter radioactive poisons over Israeli cities and U.S. bases. Iran's nuclear, missile, and terrorist programs had to be eliminated, root and branch.
The killing of 38,000 people ---more likely "only" a few hundred, because 38,000 would be equivalent to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; if 38,000 were killed, the streets would be paved with bodies, plus another150,000 wounded --- but, still it was a provocation worthy enough to turn the world against Iran, so now was the time to take out their government.
This was not "Mad Man Diplomacy" or a signal to Russia and China, though that may have been a by-product of an operation purposed to neuter Iran's imminent threat to the United States and Israel.
If you're right about it being tens of thousands dead, the total number of casualties would be astonishing, since there are typically about 7 people wounded by gunfire for every one killed. Whatever the number, it should anger every person with a humanitarian instinct.
No, we should eliminate the weapons that can be projected beyond Irans borders and the top hierarchy, and then sit back and watch. If things degenerate we can always repeat the actions. We don’t want to get in too deep. Just because we break it we have zero obligation to fix it.
"Iran ordered an operative to assassinate Trump before the election, federal prosecutors say" Politico 11/8/24."
Who remembers?
Lol....people keep acting/writing like Iraq and Afghanistan didn't happen.
Well, Trump did predict on several occasions that a POTUS would attack Iran as a distraction before midterms, result of poll numbers, etc.
Silly title: " . . . and the war to come."
Directly or through their terrorist agents, the ayatollahs of Iran have killed about 2,000 US citizens.
That has been Iran's war against US: Un-provoked, and un-answered . . . until Trump.
The ayatollahs' war against US has been going on since 1979. Now, at long last, we decided to hit back, to the relief of the entire ME neighborhood.
Who are the ayatollahs' friends?
Thank you Free Press for your coverage of the Iran situation. It’s incredible how quickly you assembled so many outstanding essays by so many great writers. And your livestream yesterday was well done and very informative.
I don’t see any other media outlet providing this level of intelligent coverage.
This is why I am a Free Press subscriber!
Unbelievable how many readers (predominantly Democrats) are criticizing President Trump's historic decision to decapitate the world's incubator and leader of state sponsored terrorism. To be sure, the NYT, WaPo, LA Times, CNN and MS NOW will be following their standard pro-Hamas Gaza playbook and running front page headlines on U.S. and Israeli military atrocities. But let's shift the focus to the 25,000+ Iranians who were slaughtered last month peaceably demonstrating for their freedom and thank President Trump for giving the Iranian people the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to defeat their Islamic oppressors and control their own destiny.
Well said. Dems are so anti-Trump, it alters their thinking logically. And if they had issues with him getting congressional approval, they should have complained about the buildup of our warships in the gulf. Too late to whine and bitch. Trump (and Netanyahu) are heroes. Maybe we finally rid ourselves of terrorism in the world.
Schumer and Jefferies and two other Democrats were part of the gang of 8 that were briefed last week days BEFORE the strike. Schumer's public response was that the president had to make the justification pitch to the American people.
The Iran strikes are a waste of American resources, period. Iran represents ZERO threat to average Americans. Iran is an existential threat to Israel allegedly, but the Iron Dome protects Israel. Even people like me, who do NOT believe US should launch any war on behalf of another nation, would agree we can immediately defend Israel when under attack. Iran is simply a war of choice. The theory is a new regime will be better. Sure. Good luck with that.
Well, just over two years ago, Iran backed Hamas killed 46 Americans and took another 12 hostage, in their October 7th, terrorist attack. The families of those 58 Americans might disagree with you about Iran, and it's sponsorship of global terror, not posing a threat to Americans.
There are lots of sponsors of global terror. Should Team America start a war everywhere? I thought we neutralized Iran’s nuclear capacity last summer? I thought Trump was mad Milley brought Iran war plans to him right when he entered office? Cuba just killed a few Americans. Let’s go to war there as well. Folks: NEOCONS ALWAYS HAVE THEIR EXCUSES! Remember they generally don’t fight wars; they preach about them! No dollar amount is too high for a neocon! But healthcare for all, affordable education for Americans; suddenly we’re broke. Dems solution: give government more money. But GOP has won one argument: NO NEW TAXES FOR AN ALCOHOLIC UNCLE SAM THAT SQUANDERS ITS PEOPLE’S RESOURCES ON WAR AFTER WAR AFTER WAR! Losers lose over and over again: NAM, AFGHANISTAN AND in IRAQ victory turned into defeat. Iran was an alleged win last year, but the neocons NEVER STOP! The neocons told Ukraine to carry on the fight, crippling the working class. Neocons in Russia will fight to the end with others blood. A neocon can be found in every nation, preaching war and offering zero evidence of meaningful results. We will lose again and again and again for so long as a neocon is allowed near power. Many of us thought Trump was immune to neocons. That was a lie. He has been consumed by the disease as well.
Well then you are right, let us go further in debt to launch another losing war! I will GUARANTEE YOU THE USA will claim victory and a few years from now I will hear how we need to squander more treasury on that Godforsaken region of the world. Anyone who feels strongly about war with Iran should create their own donor page and I expect all to join the fight.
You have heard of ICBMs haven't you? We can defend Israel immediately if attacked? No. Among other things it would depend on who is in the White House.
Iran and its terrorist organization was a real threat to the west in general. This could not be tolerated and Trump had the balls to do something about it . How this turns out will either change the naysayers or reinforce them, to early to say which will prevail. I think it was Abe Lincoln who said ,never explain, for your friends its unnecessary , you enemies will never believe you .
I generally support and agree with the Trump team, but this one has me scratching my head.
As I understand it, the original stated threat of U.S. military action was in response to the slaughter of civilians. A recent estimate is that 38,000 were gunned down by the regime and Trump certainly made it clear this was intolerable.
Then Iran was ordered to cease development of nuclear weapons and long range missiles, which everyone knew they would never agree to. That made a U.S. military response inevitable.
Was this a wise course of action? Or is it, as I suspect, more of a message to Russia and China to curb their own military adventurism. Russia, for example, seems to be contemplating an invasion of the Baltic states, while China has openly stated the goal of conquering Taiwan.
Russia's further aggression beyond Ukraine would probably spark a wider war in Europe, while China's attack on Taiwan along with veiled threats against Japan and Philippines would likely spark a regional war in the Pacific that ultimately would engulf the U.S., Philippines, Japan and possibly South Korea. In other words, World War Three.
So, the reasoning goes, Trump's "Mad Man diplomacy" of sudden regime decapitation as demonstrated in Venezuela and now Iran (and possibly soon in Cuba) may stave off much larger conflicts. Just my theories.
Think you are making this more complex than it is.
Iran can NEVER be allowed to get nukes.
Couldn't care less what government the Iranians have.
If the Iranian people want to overthrow their government I'm fine with that.
If they wish to continue living on their knees I'm fine with that as well.
BUT like anyone who has served, the thought of a theocracy that hates us getting the bomb scares me to death.
The proximate cause was Iran's continuing to manufacture missiles, recover its nuclear weapons program, and fund international terrorist groups that kill Americans, Israelis, and anybody else who happens to be nearby when the bombs go off. This was a substantial danger, not just a latent one, as the firing of hundreds of missiles into Israeli cities and American bases shows. If it had been allowed to continue, it would have grown into thousands and tens of thousands, some nuclear-armed, or at least armed to scatter radioactive poisons over Israeli cities and U.S. bases. Iran's nuclear, missile, and terrorist programs had to be eliminated, root and branch.
The killing of 38,000 people ---more likely "only" a few hundred, because 38,000 would be equivalent to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; if 38,000 were killed, the streets would be paved with bodies, plus another150,000 wounded --- but, still it was a provocation worthy enough to turn the world against Iran, so now was the time to take out their government.
This was not "Mad Man Diplomacy" or a signal to Russia and China, though that may have been a by-product of an operation purposed to neuter Iran's imminent threat to the United States and Israel.
No, it was definitely in the thousands, probably the tens of thousands.
If you're right about it being tens of thousands dead, the total number of casualties would be astonishing, since there are typically about 7 people wounded by gunfire for every one killed. Whatever the number, it should anger every person with a humanitarian instinct.
Michael Flynn lays out some scenarios for "what comes next":
https://genflynn.substack.com/p/end-of-euphoria?r=cyqk&triedRedirect=true
I hope this time we stay the course – no declaring premature victory. We must keep our heels to their throats until they surrender.
No, we should eliminate the weapons that can be projected beyond Irans borders and the top hierarchy, and then sit back and watch. If things degenerate we can always repeat the actions. We don’t want to get in too deep. Just because we break it we have zero obligation to fix it.
“Audaces fortuna iuvat.”
“Fortune favors the bold.”
The Aeneid by Virgil
Trump…Boldest President in my lifetime!
All the pundits use “they” in reference to Iran. Just who is the “they”???
Use investigative prowess for those issues not meaningless possibles as to what THEY may do.
Pretty sure there’s gonna be a brand new THEY.
Good point. Pundits have no real knowledge. Pundits generally just regurgitate government talking points.