"Iraq, Iran & some Kurds ..." Topic

From Miltiary.com

IMO nothing good with come of this … Iraq repatriations of ISIS … There are thousands of them in POW Camps. Can't shoot'm all ? Or ?

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This spells trouble. There are never any good answers to the endless problems over there. Nobody to trust. No friends. It's just an eternal mess.

Azerbaijan Launches Military Operation In Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia Is Accusing Azerbaijan Of Ethnic Cleansing

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Armand

From Military.com :

ISIS is still around … don't forget they are still a threat especially now with the wide-open Southern Border. At least over 100 on the terrorist watch list have been captured. How many terrorists got aways didn't get intercepted ? Were those captured sent to Gitmo ? Or on busses to NYC, Chicago, etc., etc.

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Why Neutralizing the Iranian Regime's Suppression of the Next Liberal Uprising Matters

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Armand

WOW! What an Iranian intelligence coup!! The Iranians flipped the US envoy who then placed Iranian agents *within* the Biden admin in State and DOD, including chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations!

High-Level Iranian Spy Ring Busted in Washington
The trail that leads from Tehran to D.C. passes directly through the offices of Robert Malley and the International Crisis Group

BY
LEE SMITH
OCTOBER 01, 2023

The Biden administration's now-suspended Iran envoy Robert Malley helped to fund, support, and direct an Iranian intelligence operation designed to influence the United States and allied governments, according to a trove of purloined Iranian government emails.

The emails, which were reported on by veteran Wall Street Journal correspondent Jay Solomon, writing in Semafor, and by Iran International, the London-based émigré opposition outlet which is the most widely read independent news source inside Iran, were published last week after being extensively verified over a period of several months by the two outlets.

They showed that Malley had helped to infiltrate an Iranian agent of influence named Ariane Tabatabai into some of the most sensitive positions in the U.S. government—first at the State Department and now the Pentagon, where she has been serving as chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations, Christopher Maier.

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Iran had an agent visit the White House five times during the same period the Biden team was re-hashing their nuclear "deal" with the Iranian regime. Oh, and one outed agent STILL WORKS AT THE PENTAGON!

Member of Iranian Influence Network Visited Biden White House Five Times

Meetings indicate alleged members of Iranian gov't group including former Malley colleague Ali Vaez had access to top Biden officials

…Ali Vaez, an Iran analyst with the International Crisis Group, was outed last week as an alleged member of a vast Iranian-government-controlled propaganda network that helped push Tehran's talking points in Washington, D.C., and influence policy, according to Semafor. Vaez reportedly communicated with senior Iranian government associates as part of the Iran Experts Initiative, an influence operation run by Iran's foreign ministry.

The meetings are raising questions about whether the Biden administration was aware of Vaez's alleged participation in the Iranian influence operation and may have given him insider information about the administration's diplomacy with Tehran. Another alleged member of the Iran Experts Initiative, Ariane Tabatabai, serves as a senior Pentagon official and holds a security clearance, prompting Republican lawmakers to demand her top secret access be revoked.

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These guys need to be investigated, just not by Congress. I don't think I agree with the idea that it was well know by the Biden admin that Tabatabai was spying for Iran or whether this is a spy ring of the traditional kind based on the logs. Who has the emails? Who stole them in the first place? Who broke the law, engaged in treason? Or was incompetent? How about tying the names to direct evidence?

Back channel diplomacy happens all the time. Was this part of that process Re hostages or is the news source just creating outrage spin? Needs direct evidence, but warrants an investigation. It may wreck back channel diplomacy with Iran, but it's the only way to respond. It will either find a spy network or it will discredit the news sources. Just so we find out one way or the other.

Yeah … IMO again our current leaders don't have the right stuff. Or are up to the job …

And yes, the Iranian Nuke Deal was a bad idea then and still is now …

I will just say again. This needs to be investigated.

"Raising questions" is different than, say, a taped conversation between a POTUS and guests at a private club discussing a secret document and operational US military options against Iran. Or posting a classified photo of an Iranian installation on Twitter.

Or openly discussing the warhead and stealth capacity of our newest submarines with a foreign national who is a member of his private club.

One of the sources for the influence story here is Semafor, an online newsletter with open ties to the propaganda wing of the Chinese Communist Party, according to Axios.

The emails in the story do not clearly outline a spy ring, IMO. However this does not mean that there is no evidence.

Short answer – Iran & Nukes = bad … Iran's spies in the USA = bad …

Turkey: The Kurd Problem

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Armand

The Turks & the Kurd situation has gone on for a long time. We support some of the Kurds. The Turks hates some of the Kurds … Just another day in that region …

Iran's Foolish Gambit

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Armand

I believe sooner or later the US and possibly a few allies. May end up taking out some valuable targets in Iran with cruise missiles, drones and aircraft. They continue to be supporters of terrorism, threaten Israel and the USA. They understand power and strength, if they see weakness, they take advantage of.

Today Iran supported Shia militias in Iraq launched some kamikaze drones. And wounded some US troops. Hmmm, Iran wants to make sure they stir up a quite a mess. And they know with all the US firepower in the region. No retaliatory strikes will occur. If so, I'd be not only surprised but laud these actions.

FYI – the US has 2000 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria. Those are the unclassified numbers I'd think.

The Mid-East will continue to burn with Iran lighting the fire. Until there occurs some major changes. Not even sure what all that would be. But is starts with crippling islamic terrorism as much as possible. As what happened to ISIS. And crippling their major supporter – Iran. We don't even have to go to war. Just use strict sanctions, stop giving $ to supporters of terrorism and us surgical strikes, etc., if needed.

I don't get why over the past 3 years or so the US under the current leadership gave Iran billions ? Keep that up and they will have deployable nukes. And fund more terrorism …

The US must put very strict sanctions on Iran. And give no $ to Palestine. As with the previous POTUS.

With countries like Iran, you can't play softball with them. They only understand & respect strength & power. Even from infidels [like most of us].

Old… but still an interesting article…

Syria: The Least Worse Choice

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Armand

Syria has been at war for a very long time … With no end in sight … But like e.g. A'stan, it is a mix of a number of tribes, religions, ethnicities, etc. As we see old habit die hard. I don't see peace coming to Syria anytime soon.

Iran Says 4 U.S. Soldiers Were Killed In A Missile Attack At Two Bases In Eastern Syria

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U.S. Launches New Airstrikes On Targets Tied To Iran In Eastern Syria

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Armand

As I said on a related thread: We have our answer on whether or not the Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi puppet masters in Iran will be held accountable for starting a bloody war in Israel and launching deadly attacks on American troops.

They will not. They will be REWARDED.

The Biden Admin is considering the release of $10 USD USD BILLION in frozen assets to Iran.

Biden Mulls Approval of Fresh $10 USD USD Billion for Iran
Sanctions waiver frees up money for Tehran as it funds Hamas's war on Israel
The Biden administration may approve a sanctions waiver on Tuesday that will allow Iran to access at least $10 USD USD billion in previously frozen funds held in Iraq, a closely watched decision that comes just a month after the Tehran-backed terror group Hamas launched an attack on Israel that left 1,200 dead.

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Iran Says 4 U.S. Soldiers Were Killed In A Missile Attack At Two Bases In Eastern Syria

It is from an Iranian source. I doubt its veracity. And if they did kill 4 US troops. I hope someone in charge in DC decides to start taking out military targets in Iran.

The Biden Admin is considering the release of $10 USD USD USD BILLION in frozen assets to Iran.

With all the attacks against US troops in Syria and Iraq. Is it 55 ? As well as if they finally did kill some US Troops. I can't say how I feel about more $ going to Iran, released by the US leadership. Or I'd be DH'd …

I don't understand what the US leadership thinks giving $ to Iran will do ? They are not our or Israel's friends.

Attacks Continue Against US Forces In Syria

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Armand

Mess around and find out: Intense video shows U.S. military obliterating Iranian training sites

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Armand

Thanks, team Biden!

Iran Uses Hamas-Israel War to Launch "Execution Spree" Killing 107 Anti-Regime Activists As Biden Gifts Them Another $10 USD Billion

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Money talks !!!! Some people never learn. Did the pallet loads of US $100 USD bills that Obama sent do anything to stop Iran from doing what they wanted to do ?

U.S. Launches Attack Against Iranian-Backed Militia After Attack On U.S. Forces At Iraq Air Base

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Armand

Pin-prick "retaliation" against over three dozen attacks so far.

As always with the current leadership … too little … too late.

Three dozen mostly pin prick attacks. Under other circumstances,I would say go after them now.

Whatever you think of Biden, we are at a critical point with the hostages. Just let it play out for now. I will join you later at the punching bag if he does not eventually use force against Iran as a retaliation. Once we extract, there will be a time to settle with the mullahs and their vicious puppets once and for all. There is no other way to end a war that has been going on since at least 1983.

Whatever you think of Biden, we are at a critical point with the hostages. Just let it play out for now.

We have no choice. But now looks like the hostage deal is not going too well.

Who is really brokering this ?

Who is in charge ?

Does the IDF want to halt their offensive, or is it because the US leadership wants to get US moslems and the left happy for future votes ?

Once we extract, there will be a time to settle with the mullahs and their vicious puppets once and for all. There is no other way to end a war that has been going on since at least 1983.

Yes, and the response should be surgical, massive and very effective. Iran has to have its wings clipped along with their proxies. They will see what US TLAMs, Drones and airstrikes can do. They won't like it …

This has nothing to do with Dems or politics in my opinion. This delay is just more control by Hamas, moving the goalposts. Not good. It's taking too long. We don't want to cede control of the narrative to them. We might want to covertly get our hands on some people they care about and get some leverage. We have to strengthen our position without getting the hostages killed. Time for Mossad to get busy.

Pentagon Says Several U.S. Service Members Injured In Missile Attack At Al-Asad Airbase In Iraq (Update)

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Armand

We don't want to cede control of the narrative to them. We might want to covertly get our hands on some people they care about and get some leverage.

Like the Russians did with some terrorist, in the past. Send them and ear or finger of their loved ones. As much as I like the thought … we don't do that.

We have to strengthen our position without getting the hostages killed. Time for Mossad to get busy.

That is always the end game. Save the hostages … I hope they all will get out alive eventually. And again, I don't doubt the Mossad, Shin Bet, etc. are very busy. But this type of op has to be very surgical, covert, etc.

Pentagon Says Several U.S. Service Members Injured In Missile Attack At Al-Asad Airbase In Iraq

The Pentagon is frustrated with the admin's lack aggressiveness, show of strength, etc. Again what will it take … some US troops to die ?

Fear of escalation with islamic terrorists ? Are we not at war with radical militant islam already ? As I had said, the GWoT is not over. TLAMs, drones, air strikes, etc. should be employed frequently …

Is Now The Time For The U.S. To Drawdown Its Military Forces From Syria?

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Armand

No … we still need to kill ISIS terrorists in Syria[and anywhere else along with any islamic terrorists/jihadis] … The only good ISIS terrorist is a dead one. We can't depend on anyone in the region to continue to kill ISIS leaders and members. Or allow ISIS to start to grow again.

The Kurds, etc., are watching a number of camps full of ISIS prisoners. 3000 + men, women and children, IIRC. What do we do with these terrorists ? They like the Palestinians are indoctrinating the children into a cult of hate and blood.

Can any of them go back to being peaceful farmers, herders, etc. ?

IMO NO …

Libya: Libya Gets Busy

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Armand

Libya: Libya Gets Busy

Thanks again to Team Obama/Biden and Macron of France and crew who started the Libyan War and left civil war, mass death and mass refugee flows behind! Btw, the same brilliant people are back in charge of foreign policy again…perhaps that's why we have so many more wars??

Iran to receive combat helicopters, fighter jets from Russia

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Armand

Shouldn't Russia keep all the equipment they can ?

Are Houthi Attacks On Ships In The Red Sea About To Escalate Into A Global Crisis?

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Would A U.S. War With Iran Be Disastrous?

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Armand

Would A U.S. War With Iran Be Disastrous?

For Iran … as much of their military would be gone. And their oil and nuke location gone. They know that they can't take on the USA. The US assets in the region could take out most of these targets in a 24-48 hr. period. But our leadership lacks the will and courage to do what must be done. And Iran knows this … as do many of us …

Would A U.S. War With Iran Be Disastrous?

This article unfair to strawmen everywhere! The author, who has a beef against Israel and also the Saudis, defines how the US could engage Iran, and both scenarios basically assume boot on the ground in Iran, even with the "air and naval" campaign scenario.

A campaign that relies on air and naval power to rapidly beat Iran into submission will meet significant challenges. Iran's military is designed to prevent such an invasion and impose significant costs on any potential attack by air or sea. They have 600-mile range cruise missiles, advanced long-range air defense systems, short-range air defense systems, anti-aircraft missiles, 3,000 ballistic missiles, 6,000 naval mines, and the most capable unmanned aerial vehicles in the region.

Any US campaign would be led by waves of precision cruise missile strikes before a single ship or US aircraft gets withing shooting distance of Iran. Going by previous strategy, these strikes would go after critical communications, leadership and military infrastructure to try and attrit and destroy their ability to respond in a coordinate fashion. Then start working inwards from the coast in terms of destroying AA systems and any ASMs we can find, that would be a pre-requisite for any carrier-based air. I also think US stealth assets would be messing things up as well. No boots on the ground, just blow stuff up until Iran backs off.

Of course Iran will activate Hezbollah and the Yemen-Houthis, so they'll have to be dealt with as well, which diverts assets away from Iran. But enough turning things into rubble should get Iran's attention. And if we decapitate the Revolutionary Guard, perhaps the people could rise up again.

Oh…and the US is already in a defacto war with Iran, they are trying to kill Americans every day. So, not worried about getting them angry.

Seeing the shameful antics shown by the very powerful Russian Army… I imagine what Iran can offer us in this regard…

Armand

No boots needed in all likelihood as SB says. We are built for this kind of target, essentially able to attack and defend ourselves from counters, while wrecking the Iranian military and economy. These guys are a menace, brutal sneaky, barbaric, endless disrupters of peace and prosperity all over the world via their proxies. They have killed enough.

Tortorella+1

Trot +1

There is no reason to land troops. There is 0 on the ground to seize or hold. Only to destroy … e.g. military, oil infrastructure and nuke targets.

US Won't Rule Out The Possibility Of Launching Military Strikes Against The Houthis In Yemen

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Armand

US Won't Rule Out The Possibility Of Launching Military Strikes Against The Houthis In Yemen

Remember what I think the ranking is for US actions prior to an attack on Iran, we're now talking about the middle important proxies.

1. Least important proxies: Iraq and Syrian militias. We hit some of those, no effect.

2. Moderately important proxies: Houthi in Yemen. Now we're threatening but have taken no action yet

3. Most important Proxies: Hezbollah

I suspected the Navy was itching to respond to the Houthi nonsense after last week's actions. Something about the tone of the press release. They have the plans ready to go and it sounded like they are just waiting for the word.

Any more strikes on shipping in international waters is more than enough reason. The Houthis now appear to have gone quiet for a bit. Maybe just waiting for a new weapons shipment from their friends in Iran.

I am sure the USN/USAF would be more than capable and "happy" to target any of the proxies as well as targets in Iran. Had Iran not supported & trained Hamas etc. 07 Oct probably wouldn't have happened. But as long as the US leadership is averse to hitting select targets in Iran. For some very, very poorly thought-out concepts, beliefs, etc. Iran will still have the upper hand.