"So does the Iranian regime finally fall THIS TIME?" Topic

Well I'm glad you want success too. 😉

I would have preferred the world to adopt balanced security treaties back in 2007 rather than ignore the interests of other countries…
And now all this won't end until we all reach the brink of the abyss and a new "Yalta 1945" takes place, where new rules for world order are written.
That would be a win-win for everyone. But, in my opinion, today's politicians have forgotten what it's like to have sirens wailing daily over their heads and have too few convolutions in their cerebral cortex…

Caprum I think we need to get by a few weeks. I've mostly just posting headlines and things I found interesting.

I said before that oil prices would be impacted. Although today oil by the barrel stayed stagnate after starting off over 72, it finished a little under. Stock market pretty much stagnate. Couple up, one down.

China will be impacted by both Iran and Venezuela reductions. So they will be turning to you temporarily for more. But if this ends quickly, that could all be temporary.

I think Iran is throwing up pretty much all they can and have. I think they used up a lot prior in the first attacks the U.S. and Israel made in the 12 day, plus sending weapons to the terrorists and drones to Russia. I think that is also why the Houthis and hezbollah responses have been pretty mute.

I don't think any leadership currently in Iran, will last long if the U.S. and Israel don't want them to.

I think by the end of this week or early next, the Guard will be the primary target.

Just my thoughts.

@cuprum2

SBminisguy, the statements about the mood within Iranian society are interesting, but how were they obtained? A telephone survey? Or are these statements from the opposition, pulling numbers out of thin air?

While official probability-sample surveys (e.g., World Values Survey) still show very high formal Muslim identification in Iran, multiple large anonymous online surveys — conducted through social media, VPNs, satellite tools and other circumvention channels — point to a substantial shift away from traditional religiosity, particularly among younger cohorts. For example, GAMAAN's 2020 survey of over 50,000 respondents found a much broader range of religious and non-religious identities than official figures suggest, and later online surveys continue to show high levels of secular or non-traditional affiliation among under-35s. These patterns align with broader protest-era cultural shifts in which many young Iranians reject theocratic state authority and see religion more as a symbol of political control than personal faith. Because the Iranian state tightly restricts independent polling and internet access has often been cut or throttled, researchers must rely on encrypted, satellite-enabled and social media-based methods that are difficult to verify but consistent in showing secularizing trends among Gen Z and Millennials in Iran.

• GAMAAN (2020) – Iranians' Attitudes Toward Religion
~50,000 respondents (online inside Iran)
– 32% identified as Shi'a Muslim
– 22% "no religion"
– 9% atheist, 6% agnostic
– ~50% reported moving away from religion
PDF link

• World Values Survey – Wave 7 (Iran 2020)
Probability-based sampling
– ~95–97% identify as Muslim
– Majority say religion important
(Shows high formal identification but not necessarily observance)
worldvaluessurvey.org

• Pew Research Center – Global Religion Reports (2018)
– High reported prayer rates in Iran
– Documents global generational age gaps in religiosity
pewresearch.org/religion

• Tamimi Arab & Maleki – "The Secular-Religious Divide in Iran"
(Routledge Handbook of Religion & Politics)
– Academic analysis of growing secular trends, especially among younger cohorts

• Middle East Institute (2022–2023 youth analyses)
– Describes Gen Z as less traditionally religious and more detached from state Islam
mei.edu

China will be impacted by both Iran and Venezuela reductions. So they will be turning to you temporarily for more. But if this ends quickly, that could all be temporary.

Well, so far, Russia's "Far East" oil production is throttled by production limitations and know-how limitations, and oil to China goes through a handful of pipelines. If China wants to dump say, $50 USD billion into Russian oil production that could change…in 20 years… but right now China gets almost ALL of its oil from the Persian Gulf. With Venezualan and Iranian oil disrupted, that's 20-25% of China's oil supply gone. With the Straights of Hormuz closed, that's disruption of about 70% of China's oil supplies…

But the Persians are not very sensitive to losses… And they learn well – this time, the monstrous losses among the top leadership had virtually no effect. Moreover, according to some reports, far more radical leaders have come to power in Iran to replace those killed.

That's what we ALL said about the USSR, yes? That the Soviet leadership were firmly in control despite all the old men dying in the 1980s…until they weren't and the USSR collapsed like a sandcastle at high tide…because in an information controlled society the authoritarians present the picture to the world they want to project, not what is. So we don't know what the real picture is -- we do know that the regime was so threatened that it murdered 30,000 people over the last 45 days to stay in power against general street protests. We don't know what that means, how much infighting there is, how many "Bagdad Bobs" control the airwaves…

"ELIMINATED: Commander of Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Lebanon sector in Beirut

Abu Hamza Rami carried out hundreds of terrorist attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians, including recruiting and training terrorists and procuring weapons.

During Operation Northern Arrows, he managed the movement of PIJ's terrorists along the Syria-Lebanon border and their activities against IDF troops in southern Lebanon.

His elimination has significantly degraded PIJ's ability to carry out terrorist operations against Israel."

I do believe we will eventually use special forces type units in quick hit and runs.

Maybe … but we have to see how things develop. But as far as we know there may be Spec Ops on the ground already ? We know the IDF Spec Ops are everywhere. Probably CIA too …

So, the NATO Secretary General stated that NATO would not participate in a US and Israeli attack on Iran.
As we can see, you can attack the territory of a NATO member and Article 5 of the NATO Charter does not apply.

I've mentioned this before. This is not NATO's fight. But again some NATO members may join the battle. They don't want islamists getting nukes and funding other terrorists.

However, a number of Mid-East nations besides Israel, may/will get involved. They don't like the theocratic islamic regime in Iran either. …

I also don't think it's wise for Israel and America to brag about what geniuses they are.

That may be some sort of Psyops. Poking the terrorists, chastising, taunting. Again we don't know what is going on behind closed doors. E.g. the plan to take out the Ayatollah and his staff, etc.

I highly doubt there will be an overthrown of the regime. It appears that they have installed new leaders and Iran has announced they are in for a long war. Believing the people are going to rise up and overthrown the regime is wishful thinking.

As already noted … It is only DAY 3 much more time is on the clock.

CNN poll (😱 Oh no! Not them!) shows 59% of Americans disapprove.
link

No, I don't know ANYBODY younger than a Boomer who trusts polls or will waster their time on polls. Political polls increasingly capture the opinions of older, white, institution-friendly "progressive" respondents while missing younger, working-class, and distrustful voters who simply don't participate.

In short -- CNN polls represent CNN's core audience of lefty Boomers…surprise, surprise, surprise!

Iran War: Security forces use tear gas as fresh protests erupt in Baghdad

link

Armand

I'm sure the polls are right John. Many prominent conservatives disagree with the attack.

Even the President agrees the polls are probably correct.

Donald Trump:

"I think that the polling is very good, but I don't care about polling. I have to do the right thing. I have to do the right thing. This should have been done a long time ago,"

Those still in charge have not learned yet, and may never.

From the Web:

" The Islamic Republic's opaque and fractured governing system following the killing of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, selected radical cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi to its interim leadership council on Saturday.

According to a UANI report, Arafi has long been agitating against the U.S. and Israel. "America will take its wish for Iran to abandon production of military hardware to the grave," he is quoted as saying, and in a 2019 Friday prayer sermon he announced, "We will stay with our imam and leader to the end, when we humiliate [global] arrogance. Together with the Sayyed of the resistance, we say: Oh great leader of the world of Islam, we will be with you until the end, when the arrogant people in the world are defeated, and Israel is erased."
"

I hope this is true:

"Breaking: The regime's new defense minister was eliminated.

Just two days ago he replaced the previous defense minister who was eliminated."

Caprum2

You brought up Iranian missiles and usage.

Yes, Iran has a plethora of missiles. One of the big reasons for this attack. I believe they have used a large amount of their short range, moderate range and drones. They still have an estimated almost 5000 medium, and long range missiles left.

But I don't think their quality is any better than what they have used so far.

I'll add, they seem to be firing indiscriminately right now, with only a general "go to Israel", or elsewhere. So I believe their control over them is now degraded, as is where to aim them, due to leadership degradation.

But just my opinion.

Add in

Current priority target overnight are missile launchers, without which, the missile stockpile becomes mostly useless.

From Iranian News:

"Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the international community is fully aware of the ongoing conflict in Iran and that the crisis will not remain confined to the region.

"The world is not blind; everyone sees this, and if it chooses to turn a blind eye or feign ignorance, it will face consequences," Baghaei said, warning that the war in Iran could soon affect Europe and the wider world.

He said countries that believe they can stay on the sidelines while the conflict continues are "deeply mistaken," adding that the conflict is "highly contagious" and will spread beyond its current borders."

Just in.

Israel announced they just
Targeted the council meeting to elect the new supreme leader in Iran.

Good hunting!!

Update:

"Israeli forces struck an Iranian Supreme Council gathering on Tuesday as the group was meeting to choose a successor to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a senior Israeli official told Fox News.

Fox News' Trey Yingst reported the update on live on Fox on Tuesday morning, saying the move "speaks to the Israeli intelligence about this war."

"They just targeted the meeting in Tehran where what's left of the leadership was gathering to choose a new Supreme Leader," Yingst said.

The U.S. and Israel killed 49 of Iran's most senior leaders in the opening salvo of Operation Epic Fury on Saturday morning, leaving Iran's military fractured and leaderless.

Posted by Anders Hagstrom"

Yep. It's possible that all of the 88 clerics were there (or whatever remnant was left after the first strikes), but if not, a substantial number were present.

link

By the way, the bombs were dropped by Israel in both cases, not the US.

Ya know, if all your top clerics are topped off in less than a week, maybe it's a sign that your god is not actually on your side…

It's time to play "Boom! Yer-a-Martyr" Who's next?

There is also a leak that Mossad has hacked into Iran's traffic cameras "for years" and could track Khamenei and his fellow Bad Guys.
link
Was this an official Mossad release? If so, why do we need to know that?
Or was it a journalist "doing their job"?

Or is it "disinformation" to make "them" paranoid about everything?

I'm not sure that we have a need to know "methods and means". 🤷
There were higher-ups in the American government during WWII, the Big One, who thought that interaction with the Press should consist solely of announcing "We Won" on the last day.
I'm uncomfortable with just how much information is out there.

CNN poll (😱 Oh no! Not them!) shows 59% of Americans disapprove.

As usual … other polls say otherwise. How'd that happen ?!?!? 🤔

I'm shocked ! Shocked I tell you !!!

Reports say they are getting another Ayatollah and IRGC Cdr. We and/or the IDF will kill them too …

Next !

John check further up, I think I posted the traffic cameras and significance of it. It was a longterm effort to follow movements of leaders, which seems to have paid off.

Also it is now being leaked that they had a general who was an informant. That may be true, or disinformation on Israeli intelligence part two cause paranoia.

I believe they have many internal informants in Iran. Israeli intelligence or sneaky little sh#ts. Sort of like the Chinese that way.

As for any congressional action to disapprove the strikes, it's already been signaled that it won't pass the Senate, thanks to Fetterman. And that means Congress will approve the action, by default. And that is completely Constitutional in every respect. That's the way Congress works— it either passes an action (by vote) or does not pass an action (by vote) or does not vote at all on the action (it doesn't leave committee, doesn't come to the floor, doesn't get past a filibuster, etc.). But whichever of the these happens, the process is entirely Constitutional. A refusal to say "no" is Constitutionally the same as saying "yes," especially in this case.

Keep in mind that while Congress has the power to Declare War, that's not the same thing as saying the President does not have the right to use military action without prior Congressional approval, when he deems it necessary for national security. Especially in today's lightning communication era. This isn't the age where international news travels only at the speed of a sailing vessel and a horse. (And we're also still operating under the provisions of the post 9/11 War on Terrorism, which includes Iran.) And, of course, when an enemy declares war on *you* and consistently conducts that war, even in limited ways, for 49 years, you are at war no matter what Congress has or hasn't approved.
If FDR had found and attacked the IJN fleet before it reached Pearl Harbor, I don't think Congress would have denied the action afterward.

Legion he is correct. Read what I posted a little further up today on the polls and Trump‘s response to those polls. 🙂

Parz,

Yes there are Democrats who should offset the Republicans like Rand Paul on this vote, with Fetterman very vocal for the Iran attack. 👍

Isn't it ironic, they can get this up in days, but can't pass the continuing funding of our government (including the DHS, which is very necessary at this moment), nor get that Save Act up in the Senate, which 80 plus percent of the nation favor. 😏😡

Some interesting videos inside, including use of C-Ram. Makes a point inside I had not really thought about as to why so much information on weapons and everything else are getting out so quickly. Almost everybody has a cell phone with a camera in it and there are surveillance cameras almost everywhere anymore.

Subject: Iranian Attack Drone Obliterated By C-Ram System: WATCH | OutKick


link

Anyone feeling sorry for this regime, remember they killed over 30,000 of their OWN people within the last few months.

I've seen a couple of reports that indicate the military is starting to fragment with units either ignoring orders or siding with the populace.

Not a good sign for the thug regime.

I guess the Iranian military are taking Senator Kelly's "You are not obligated to follow illegal orders" seriously. 🙄

I've never seen anyone "feeling sorry" for the regime.
It's mostly dissatisfaction with the Donald. And the feeling that not much thought has been put into the aftermath. Gee. That sounds like Dick Cheney dismissing the same concerns "leading up to" the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

To quote Trump, what I just heard him say on CNN regarding people he had in mind to "take over".
"Most of them are dead now, and their successors. We may need a third wave…"

Seems like they got that wave:

"Israel believes it killed multiple top Iranian officials as they were counting votes to pick the next ayatollah of Iran on Tuesday.

Fox News' Trey Yingst reported the update on live on Fox on Tuesday morning, saying the move "speaks to the Israeli intelligence about this war."

"They just targeted the meeting in Tehran where what's left of the leadership was gathering to choose a new Supreme Leader," Yingst said, adding that Israeli sources believe they struck the meeting as voters were being tallied."

I think the Israelis are trying to get to the general who collaborated with them before they stop. 😉👍

Not just a CNN poll. I saw three other polls that show low numbers for support for the attacks. We will see if this changes based on success or failure for stated goals moving forward.

Parzival +1

John check further up, I think I posted the traffic cameras and significance of it. It was a longterm effort to follow movements of leaders, which seems to have paid off.

Being aware of it is one thing.
My question is "Why do we need to know?"
I submit that some low level intelligence puke is trying to impress a "journalist". That does not seem like a good idea. I hope he got laid.
Thats something that should only appear in an obscure book 15 or 20 years after the dust settles.
If it's part of a Master Plan… 🤷

Why did we "need to know" about exploding pagers? Who leaked that?

To me it sounds like Mossad has a very serious fracture between the guys doing the brilliant work, and guys who want to show off how brilliant they are. Heads need to roll. Or heads need to be re-assigned to ordering paper clips, and deciding what color the binders need to be.

I voted for Fetterman because he wasn't a carpetbagger who used to be an Oprah apparatchik. 😄
I like my Pennsylvania Senators to actually come from Pennsylvania. Somehow my Republican Party seems to have a need to import punching bags from out of state.

But that's a different rant.
Back on topic…

By the way…
I heard yesterday on CNN that "economists" feared that gasoline would surge to over $3.00 USD/gallon.
Well, last week I filled up at $3.05 USD/gallon. I live in Pennsylvania, as one may have guessed. We do have representation, so we get taxed. I think we're in a race with California to have the highest gasoline tax.

Oh, and the FBI is right on top of any sleeper cells.
link

Gas, Dow,

Everything is speculation and fear.

This morning the Dow was down over 1100 points, oil was over 80 a barrel. Now the Dow is down 238 and oil is about where it was yesterday.

Yes, gas will rise in the short run. It is the way of the oil giants. It always goes down slowly, but any chance to raise it happens overnight. Same with all commodities.

"They had a drought in Eastern Crapastan, which killed their wheat crop. Raise the price of wheat tomorrow!!".

"But sir, we don't use Eastern Crapastan wheat. 😮"

"Doesn't matter!! Always let a good catastrophe or disaster allow you to gouge the peons… I mean public!"

Actually an excellent time to get some buys in the stock market or some commodities that have dropped in the last few days, if one has the money.

Back in the day, apparently the American wheat crop depended upon selling to the Russians. Excuse me, Soviets.
If they had a bad year, and needed to buy American wheat, that gave us a shortage and bread would go up.
If they had a good year, and didnt need to buy American wheat, the "farmers" (middle men) would not make that much of a profit, and so the price of bread would go up.

If Lenin actually said that the last capitalist would sell Lenin the rope to hang him with, I would believe it.
Some capitalists give capitalism a bad name. 🙄😄

Did anyone else forget this??

I believe this was CBS

Subject: Alec Lace on X: "🚨 FLASHBACK: Barack Hussein Obama gifted our most sophisticated Drone to Iran and then asked for it back. Next: Iranian officials claimed they could now reproduce the Drone Fast Forward: Iran is now using sophisticated suicide drones t.co/QdnjAAfcD4 / X


link

From Iranian News:

"Iran's Assembly of Experts elected Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba as the next Supreme Leader under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards, informed sources told Iran International."

In another note:

You will be able to send flowers to his funeral service on Friday at "Virgins in Paradise Funeral Home". Condolences to his many widows can be written in their on-line book.

His family thanks you in advance
😔

This interesting tidbit came out in the news on the web today. I knew he opposed very much what we are doing, did not know this connection though. I did verify via AI.

"New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) is a follower of the Twelver sect of Shia Islam. This sect counts Iran's now-deceased Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and the country's surviving ayatollahs as spiritual leaders, owed religious taxes like khums and zakat by ordinary Twelvers.Iqbal Akhtar, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Florida International University, has noted: "The Mamdani family… is part of the Twelver community… whose Twelfth Imam is believed to be hidden from the world and only emerges in times of crisis. Twelvers believe he will help usher in an age of peace during end times."

US intel and policy are looking fragile in real time: a suspected Iranian drone struck the U.S. consulate in Dubai, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished and no reported injuries — but the message was unmistakable: they can reach U.S. diplomatic facilities in major Gulf hubs.

That's not an "oops." It's a systemic failure of threat anticipation and resource prioritisation. The result? Tehran's proxies and assets can act with a degree of freedom that U.S. planners didn't seem to foresee.

This isn't about "no casualties this time." It's about capability, intent, and the strategic picture: Iran's ability to project force into the heart of the Gulf, and the American inability to inhibit or deter it so far, should be ringing alarm bells across intel, defense, and policy circles. At least, I hope so.

This comes on the heels of other Iranian missile/drone strikes on U.S. assets and allied territory across the region — a widening asymmetric campaign that Washington seem to have mis-judged in scale and resolve. I'm starting to draw parallels with the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.

And, sadly, the kicker on the domestic side: Patel's sidelining of FBI counterintelligence unit CI-12 — the very unit charged with tracking Iranian operations — just weeks before major military engagement has deprived D.C. of expertise precisely when the threat picture was about to explode: pun intended (thanks for the link, John).

None of this implies U.S. weakness in a military sense but it does suggest that Iranian capabilities, intent, and risk tolerance have been consistently under-estimated.

Wow you missed the drone attack on CIA HQ In Saudi Arabia.

And I've heard that Israel has been attacked on multiple fronts. I'm sure they too, did not expect or anticipate that.

How could he not have anticipated these attacks on US assets overseas!!?? 😱😱😱

How could they NOT know that drones and missiles can fly past the borders of Iran!??

Trusting the Arab allies to counter these attacks, he should have known better!! 😱

I'm sure they thought everything would be perfect and there would be no US casualties… fools!! 😡😡

My GOD!! They might hit ships in the Straits!! 😱

4 days and it's all a failure and in shambles!! 😱😱

Next we will find there are sleeper cells in the U.S.!! 😱😱

"A suspected Iranian drone attack targeted the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station in Saudi Arabia, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday citing informed sources."

🙄

"As of March 3, 2026, President Trump has acknowledged that additional American deaths are "likely" following the launch of major combat operations against Iran. He has characterized these potential losses as a regrettable but "noble mission" necessary for long-term security.
YouTube
YouTube
+3

Statements on Potential U.S. Deaths
Likelihood of Casualties: Trump stated in a Truth Social video that "sadly there will likely be more" U.S. casualties as the conflict continues, adding, "That's the way it is".

Vowing Vengeance: He promised that America will "avenge" any military deaths and deliver a "punishing blow" to those responsible.
Current Toll: As of early March 2026, the Pentagon has confirmed at least six U.S. service members killed in action, including three in a suspected drone strike in Kuwait.
BBC
BBC
+2

Attacks on U.S. Assets Outside Iran
Trump and his administration have addressed various retaliatory strikes by Iran and its proxies against U.S. interests in the Middle East:

Embassy Strikes: Suspected Iranian drones have targeted the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Military Bases: Iran-backed groups have launched strikes against U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Iraq (including Erbil Air Base), and Jordan.

Maritime Threats: Trump has warned that the U.S. Navy may begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to protect global energy shipments from Iranian interference.

Regional Evacuations: The State Department ordered non-emergency personnel and their families to evacuate from Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq due to these rising safety risks.
CBS News
CBS News
+5

Threats within the United States (Domestic)
While emphasizing that the primary combat is overseas, Trump's administration is monitoring potential domestic threats:

Law Enforcement Alerts: The FBI and DHS have tasked agents with monitoring "people of interest" inside the U.S. who might be "activated or triggered" by the strikes.

Cybersecurity: Intelligence assessments have warned of potential "hacktivist" cyberattacks against U.S. networks, such as website defacements or DDoS attacks.

Ongoing Investigations: Officials are investigating whether a recent deadly shooting in Austin, Texas, was motivated by the strikes on Iran, though no formal conclusions have been drawn.
CNN
CNN
"

From Iran International:

"US President Donald Trump says American munitions stockpiles remain robust while Iran is running out of key weapons and missile launchers amid continued US-Israeli airstrikes and Tehran's retaliatory attacks targeting regional countries."

…..
"China is pressing Iran to avoid disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, particularly energy exports from Qatar, as conflict in the region threatens global supplies, Bloomberg reported.

According to senior executives at Chinese state-owned gas firms briefed by government officials, Beijing had urged Iranian counterparts not to target oil and liquefied natural gas tankers transiting the narrow waterway and to refrain from striking key export hubs such as Qatar.

China buys the vast majority of Iran's oil, providing Tehran with a crucial economic lifeline. But the world's largest energy importer depends more broadly on Persian Gulf supplies, with both crude and LNG cargoes passing through Hormuz.

Qatar accounts for roughly a fifth of global LNG supply and provides about 30% of China's LNG imports, the executives said. The country is the world's second-largest LNG producer after the United States.

Asian buyers take more than 80% of Qatar's LNG shipments, according to data from analytics firm Kpler.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that India began rationing natural gas as countries across Asia moved to secure alternative supplies after conflict in the Middle East disrupted shipping and halted Qatari output.

Officials and executives in Japan, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Pakistan said they did not expect an immediate impact because some cargoes due this month had already arrived, but would diversify imports and buy spot LNG if the war drags on."

I just heard on CNN that the CIA will be arming and unleashing the Kurds. 🙄

I direct the Kurds to muse on American history, particularly the CIA, bankrolling past freedom fighters, and how long it took us to betray them.
Ukraine 1946-1948
Hungary 1956
Czechoslovakia
Montagnards
Kurds, in the past. (This time we really mean it!)
I've left out others, for the Student to "do his research (Google…)" and add more.

All it takes is a change in administration. Trump has 2-1/2 years left. Less if November disaster unfolds.
Kissinger has shown that you don't really need a change in administration, though. All one needs to do is "show resolve", get thousands of freedom fighters, and unimportant civilians killed, and then off.

Well John, I'll match your Kurds and raise you Syrians.

"Syria has reinforced its border with Lebanon with rocket units and thousands of troops, eight Syrian and Lebanese sources say, as conflict spreads in the region, including between Israel and the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.

The sources include five Syrian military officers, a Syrian security official and two Lebanese security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Syrian officers say the Syrian reinforcement operation began in February but sped up in recent days. The Syrian and Lebanese armed forces do not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Syrian officers, including a senior member of the military, say the move is aimed at preventing arms and drugs smuggling as well as blocking Hezbollah or other terrorists from infiltrating Syria.

A Syrian officer tells Reuters that military formations from several Syrian army divisions have expanded their presence along the border in the western Homs countryside and south of Tartus.

The reinforcements include infantry units, armored vehicles and short-range Grad and Katyusha rocket launchers, the official says.

The Syrian security official says Damascus has no plans for military action against any neighboring country.

"But Syria is prepared to deal with any security threat to itself or its partners," he says.

The move has fueled concern among some European and Lebanese officials over a possible incursion.

The Syrian military officers vehemently deny any such plans, saying Syria wants balanced relations with its neighbor after decades of strained ties linked to Syria's outsized influence in Lebanon and Hezbollah's support for the former government of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a 14-year civil war.

Syria had troops stationed in Lebanon from 1976 until 2005, including during Lebanon's civil war that ended in 1990.

A senior Lebanese security official says Syrian authorities told Beirut that Syria's deployment of rocket launchers along the mountains that form Lebanon's eastern border with Syria is a "defensive measure against any action or attack that Hezbollah might launch against Syria.""

Turkey would LOVE to see armed Kurds. 🙄

link

Just another example of how well thought out this "special military operation" is.

Ready, fire, aim John, ready fire aim. Seems to be part of the American character when it comes to foreign policy.