"Iran war cost/ duration" Topic

@Murphy

You are collapsing multiple issues into one argument, and that's where this keeps going off track. The actual disagreement is about method, strategy, and cost-effectiveness. Saying "Diplomacy hasn't worked since 1979" doesn't automatically make for "open-ended military escalation" as a sound or effective alternative. Those are not the only two options and presenting them that way is exactly the false binary being pointed out.

You also keep coming back to trust. That's not really the relevant standard in international relations. States don't "trust" each other; they verify, constrain, and manage risk. Agreements like the nuclear deal were designed around inspection and limitation, not goodwill.

More importantly, you're sidestepping the central point. Even if the objective is justified, the strategy still has to work, and the cost has to be proportional to the outcome. That's where the criticisms make the most impact. We've already seen a version of this: Strong initial military performance Followed by unclear end state Followed by escalating long-term cost.

And that's before you even get into the economic and geopolitical spillovers (energy markets, shipping disruption, alliance strain), which are part of the real cost, whether you want to count them or not.

So the question isn't: "Do you oppose Iran or not?" The real question is: "Is the current approach likely to achieve its stated objectives at a cost that makes sense?" If the answer to that is unclear (or negative) then continuing down the same path isn't strength, it's gridlock.

None of the supposed "achievements", at least the ones people are trying to stitch together after the fact, actually look durable. At the same time, the administration has repeatedly said the war was essentially won and over. If that were true, you wouldn't expect the current posture.

The fact that they're not resuming the bombing campaign doesn't read like restraint or success. It reads more like we've hit practical limits, military, political, or both, and further escalation isn't delivering enough return to justify the cost.

Let's all rise to applaud the Constitutional and legal scholars at the "Department of WAR" for coming up with the idea that a ceasefire stops the clock on the countdown of the War Powers Act.

Actually, many say the War Powers Act is unconstitutional. But almost all POTUS's have used it at times. And in reality, both sides of the aisle most likely know this … But they all continue to ignore it … AFAIK we know the Pentagon's JAG, etc. probably know that too …

I highly doubt JAG did not know about if the WPA clock provisions. But I think Realpolitik and, in the name of National Security, etc.

I'll even bet that once we start bombing the rubble again, that they will claim that it resets the 60 day cycle. Not resume at the 50 day mark. But resets from 0.

It appears since Iran's leaders still want to get nukes, aircraft, drones, TLAMs, etc. will be falling on selected targets in Iran.

Bottom, Iran is playing for time. They see how many in Congress and the media plus some even in NATO etc. are anti-everything the POTUS, his admin, etc., etc., do/say, etc. Iran believes sooner than later the US will have to go home …

We can't let that happen …

Trump announced today that anyone who thinks we aren't winning the war is a traitor.
Anyone else here agree?

I must admit that I heard it on CNN. So, I guess that makes it automatically suspect.

Iran has been going on how long? This since 2021

1979, remember it well

I don't think the buck stops with the media or the Democrats, or traitorous critics. POTUS alone made this choice and he is on the hook for the outcome, which has yet to be determined. The fact that the WH narrative has changed to this is another indication that things are not going well. Winning or losing, the spin doctors will be all over the outcome. I see more statues in DC's future.

Still don't see a winning strategy espoused by any of you opponents. Just the same rhetoric I hear daily on CnN, NSNow, the View, NYT, by Jeffries and all the rest.

Where are the proxies and mass sleeper cells? Remember they need money and arms.

Were we better off waiting for the next Iranian or Proxy terrorist attack? (Requires an answer)

Would you be content if Iran has a nuke or the ability to produce dirty nukes? (Again requires an answer)

Was it ok as long as they killed only Jews, like the October surprise or the individual attacks in Europe? (Again requires an answer)

Many people were content with the barbary pirates. They allowed The Hashashins (Assassins) to survive for a long time.

35th, my strategy was all-covert internal disruption, working with Mossad, and other allies. Using their own tactics. I know we would never fight terror with terror. No mass killings, or killing hostages, but make them worry with some examples of their vulnerability.

By the way, it's Israeli intel that the new regime is tougher than the old, we replaced an 86 year old with a new 56 year old tough guy.

OVI +1

The US/POTUS geopolitical status of many places in the world … If one does not see this … well … terminal TDS must be deadly …

link

Iran has been going on how long? This since 2021

1979, remember it well

Me too … I guess you had to be there …

Trump announced today that anyone who thinks we aren't winning the war is a traitor.
Anyone else here agree?

Frankly I think traitor is a bit strong. More like extremely polarized biased agenda and narrative driven left wing anti-American woke progressive moron.

I must admit that I heard it on CNN. So, I guess that makes it automatically suspect.

Yes it is … It must be in the water at CNN. Almost all there suffer for TDS, and/or the list of maladies I list above … And/or more …

Tort an idea. But one that could be incorporated into current operations.

I think the current "melted ayatollah" is a figurehead for the hardliner who is running in proxy.

Still don't see a winning strategy espoused by any of you opponents. Just the same rhetoric I hear daily on CnN, NSNow, the View, NYT, by Jeffries and all the rest.

How can ANYONE be expected to come up with a "winning strategy" when they have been excluded from the beginning by POTUS and his "genius" sidekicks?

Iran 1. Air attack months ago.
Venezuela. Snatch and grab. Make a deal with corrupt leftovers of the Regime, and totally freeze out the Nobel Prize winner if the election.
Iran 2. Do we have an actual bend game plan that isn't contradicted every couple days?

I e said here many times. The true TDS crowd are those who think he's a genius.