"Iran - What Worked, and What Didn't Work?" Topic

So..regime change – in this case – seems to me to be essential. I did not support this war as a choice to begin with, would never has gone this route. I have no desire for all Iranians to pay the price for the actions of the autocratic government they cannot control. But I have repeatedly advocated for extensive, comprehensive, covert ops via a coalition of powers instead of conventional war. Use internal tactics to destabilize their organizational structure, build a capable resistance, etc. it's grim, but so are these leaders.

My opinion Tort, everyone should wait until the fat lady sings. But too many knickers in knots to declare Trump and the U.S. losers. TDA and USDS. iMHO

The problem with covert regime change is that it sounds precise and controlled. History suggests otherwise.

Removing a government is often easier than replacing it. The question isn't how to destabilise the current leadership. The question is what replaces it. "Something better" is not a plan.

Can anyone point to a recent covert regime-change operation that produced a stable, democratic and pro-Western outcome without major unintended consequences?

AFAIK the only viable examples are post-War Germany & Japan and they required unconditional surrender, massive military occupations and trillions of dollars in long-term economic reconstruction ( the Marshall Plan).

Diplomacy may be imperfect but it has a far better track record than covertly breaking countries and hoping they reassemble themselves in a more agreeable form.

But I have repeatedly advocated for extensive, comprehensive, covert ops via a coalition of powers instead of conventional war. Use internal tactics to destabilize their organizational structure, build a capable resistance, etc. it's grim, but so are these leaders.

That's what the Israeli's have been doing. My best guess is that they expressed high confidence in regime collapse based on their prior work and assessments, which is why Trump called for folks to rise up. They didn't. The regime strikes were actually TOO limited in scope, too many fanatics survived, and the Kurds in the north also did not rise up.

SB I have placed my views on the Iranian people rising earlier.

Once the leaders hid, got harder to nail them.

🤔 What a wonderful opportunity that mass burial ceremony for the dead Ayatollah would be for leaders and hardliners. Wonder what Israel is thinking. 😉

Both Israel and the U.S. should have hit the guard much harder.

Kurds were happy to take the weapons we gave them to give to Iranians willing to rise.

The Kurds have learned from history not to rely on the promises and exhortation of others when it comes to rising up.

Martyn,

As to drones.

This is just since beginning of 25, under construction currently or complete. Not any that have not broken ground.

"Significant new drone manufacturing plants have opened or expanded in the United States since 2024 to meet rising military and public safety demands. Three major domestic facilities highlight this growth, including a massive new autonomous systems campus in the state of Ohio. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

1. Anduril Industries: Arsenal-1 Campus (Pickaway County, Ohio) [1]
* Status: Opened and began production in March 2026. [1, 2, 3]
* Details: Anduril's $1 USD billion autonomous systems manufacturing campus south of Columbus spans flexible, modular manufacturing spaces. The factory produces airframes for the Fury autonomous fighter jet and Barracuda dive bombers. [1, 2, 3]
* Capacity & Jobs: It features a highly adaptable "everything on wheels" assembly line capable of scaling to 150 aircraft per year and aims to create up to 4,000 jobs over the next decade. [1, 2]

2. BRINC Drones: Factory Expansion (Seattle, Washington) [1]
* Status: Opened in March 2025. [1]
* Details: BRINC, a leading manufacturer of public safety and Drone as First Responder (DFR) platforms, opened a major new factory in Seattle that more than doubled its manufacturing footprint. [1]
* Purpose: The facility accelerates the production of their public safety drones and enables the manufacturing of their next-generation Guardian response drones. [1]

3. DMR Technologies: Production Facility (Lafayette Parish, Louisiana) [1]
* Status: Operational.
* Details: The company established a 10,000-square-foot domestic production hub for its Field Ranger X50 unmanned aerial systems.
* Capacity & Jobs: Integrating rotor manufacturing, assembly, and quality control, it aims to produce up to 1,000 drones in its first year and create over 1,200 regional jobs. [1]

4. Skydio: SkyForge Supply Chain (Hayward, California & US-wide) [1, 2, 3, 4]
* Status: Scaling operations. [1, 2]
* Details: Skydio operates a 70,000+ square-foot manufacturing facility in Hayward, California. They announced a massive $3.5 USD billion investment plan over the next five years to open an even larger U.S. facility. [1, 2]
* Supply Chain: This includes launching "SkyForge," a co-location program to rebuild U.S. drone supply chains from scratch and bring critical component production fully onshore. [1]"

Something else in the news today, that will get almost NO press.

JOHANNESBURG — In what's being hailed as a major win for the Trump administration against Chinese domination of the rare earth minerals market, the U.S. has supported an American company, Virtus Minerals, in developing two major mines producing cobalt and copper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

This is claimed to be the first U.S. rare earth minerals acquisition in the African nation since President Donald Trump announced the Washington Accord last December.

Historically, China has been the heavy lifter of these metals. The Strategic Studies Institute reported that 80% of the world's cobalt is produced in the DRC — and 80% of that is controlled by China. Cobalt, used in a wide range of applications, from electric cars and mobile phones to military jets, is on the U.S. government's list of critical minerals. Copper, also on the list, has traditional uses such as piping for plumbing, but is also needed in electronics and the automotive industry.

During December's signing at the White House, Trump made clear the administration's fight to curb Chinese domination of minerals and help American mining companies make a major impact in the DRC. "A great day for Africa, a great day for the world," Trump said. The accord also aims to bring an end to fighting between the DRC and Rwandan-backed forces, although the Rwandan-supported M23 rebel group have continued their hostile infiltration in the Eastern DRC.

American mining company Virtus is, with U.S. support, claiming to be "the first U.S.-owned operator back in the DRC in more than a decade", with its investment in Chemaf, a local cobalt and copper producer with two mining operations, one, Étoile, in Lubumbashi and Mutoshi, in Kolwezi. Together it's planned the mines will produce a combined 75,000 tonnes of copper, and 20,000 tonnes of cobalt a year. The processing plants are currently under development and will come online next year.…"

Story is much longer. Very little in the news. Part of an ongoing campaign of his, that had actually been successful. Maybe that's why. 🤔

The Kurds have learned from history not to rely on the promises and exhortation of others when it comes to rising up.

Yes, we have taught them well. Any oppressed people who would believe our promises simply haven't been paying attention to history. This goes all the way back to 1946 and Ukraine.
Our 4-year cycle of Presidential elections doesn't help. This particular one has 2 years left. Depending on the midterms, possibly 4 months. Our current "foreign policy"🙄 will not survive this cycle.
The only logical response to our offering "help" is "Naaah. We're good."

Ah. Cobalt mining in the Congo. Shades of Leopold. 🙄😱

"The United States covertly sent a large number of guns to anti-government protesters in Iran by routing them through Kurdish intermediaries….

However, this covert operation to arm dissidents reportedly failed.
…. the weapons never reached their intended recipients because the Kurdish intermediaries diverted and kept the arms for themselves."

Every country should and does function for their own self interest first. In this, the Kurds are no worse, but no better than any other. In other words, they are as duplicitous as the rest of us.

Besides, being in the Middle East, they have learned lessons on betrayal for many centuries longer than the U.S. has existed. The countries of the ME could be said to be masters of betrayal and duplicity.

As to the "poor oppressed" Kurds:

"Examples where Kurdish forces or factions played dominant or oppressive roles include:

* The Armenian and Assyrian Genocides (1894–1915): During the late Ottoman Empire, the central government frequently co-opted Kurdish tribal leaders and armed them as irregular cavalry, known as the Hamidiye. These Kurdish forces participated in the massacres and forced deportations of Armenian and Assyrian Christians. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

* Persecution of Yazidis and Minorities: As a marginalized religious minority, the Yazidis have historically faced persecution from various regional powers, and certain Kurdish tribes and factions have contributed to this oppression, ranging from forced conversions to targeted violence. [1, 2, 3]

* Historical Dynasties (e.g., The Ayyubids): While celebrated in Kurdish history, the Ayyubid Dynasty—founded by the Kurdish leader Saladin in the 12th century—was an expansive imperial power. It conquered and ruled over various Arab, Coptic, and Levantine populations, exercising dominion and extracting tribute from them. [1]"

As Trip said:

"Yeah, It stinks bad. And we all covered up in it too. Ain't nobody clean. Be nice to get clean, though."

"the only viable examples are post-War Germany & Japan and they required unconditional surrender, massive military occupations and trillions of dollars in long-term economic reconstruction ( the Marshall Plan)"

To be fair, Trump's reparations offer of $300 USD million, plus the lifting of sanctions, plus the release of Iran's frozen assets, has been described as the Marshall Plan, albeit in 1938.

That said, there are some critics could argue ""Iran receives a windfall of $150 USD billion, which will no doubt fund terrorism around the world"

Now, the figure of $150 USD billion is an inflated lie ($50 billion in frozen Iranian assets were released), but one wonders what ever happened to that critic of Obama's treaty?

"Our 4-year cycle of Presidential elections doesn't help. This particular one has 2 years left. Depending on the midterms, possibly 4 months."

And weren't the Iranians aware of this! And used it to their advantage!

Waiting was certainly a part of Iran's winning strategy & no small part of the inept MOU.

The Iran Peace Deal – Winners and Losers

"…The Iran/American peace deal was negotiated via Pakistan with two leaders of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two highly educated men are strict Shiite Muslims with direct links to the Ayatollah (Supreme Leader). Both men support violent repression of any protests opposing the ruling Shia Islam theocracy.

The theocracy comprises the Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, backed up by a powerful Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), the devout Assembly of Experts and a vast bureaucracy. All paid for by billions of dollars of oil revenue (and its by-products). To put this in perspective the IRGC number about 125,000 and the total adult (over15) population of Iran is about 65 million people.

An uprising did not take place. The IRGC, and regime-friendly militias, possess all the heavy weapons. For example, according to the Institute for the Study of War, in March Iranian security forces arrested people in provinces across Iran. In Shiraz, Fars Province, they seized 2,076 weapons, that included knives, machetes, swords, and axes. This example illustrates why it is an uneven contest, and why the theocracy remains in power. A strategic failure of American intelligence…"

link

Armand

Thanks, Armand, quite a balanced & comprehensive overview.

"Despite claims by the White House, America's international prestige has suffered a major setback."

One of those intangibles that actually carry real weight.

"Was this loss of life and suffering in a 108-day war that cost the United States about $100 USDbillion really worth it?"

I believe the article clearly answers this rhetorical question.

A votre service mon ami…voici ma modeste contribution à ce sujet complexe…a mon humble avis… c'est comme lorsqu'un camarade de classe courageux décide enfin de tenir tête au pire de la classe… la brute… celui qui vole les plus faibles… celui qui insulte le professeur… celui qui urine dans un coin de la classe… et que notre héros lui assène un coup violent qui lui laisse le nez en sang et une dent qui vole dans les airs… pour ensuite lui tourner le dos et le laisser se remettre et reprendre ses vieilles habitudes.

Il en va de même pour l'Opération Maduro…

Armand

The Guard and related supporting militia and armed forces are formidable enemies for the Iranian people who might fight for regime change. The current war does not make regime change more likely, may actually harden oppressive measures taken against internal dissent.

IMO, Bolton is right, the WH must have thought the conventional military attack would help promote an uprising. But it laid no apparent groundwork for an organized resistance to spread with the kind of internal build- up and support needed. Covert ops can help resistance to grow organizationally at a pace that matches conditions in Iran. And in my opinion can eventually weaken the Guard from within.

IMO, the problem with giving Iran the cash but telling them they can only use it to buy American goods makes no sense. It frees Iran from the costs it is meant for, meaning they have more funds to buy the supplies they need to maintain their terrorist state.

Armand:
Tha mi a' tuigsinn na tha thu ag ràdh, a charaid, ach chan eil poileataigs eadar-nàiseanta cho sìmplidh ri sabaid anns an sgoil. Faodaidh buille a bhith furasta a thoirt, ach tha sìth mhaireannach agus fuasgladh dioplòmasach fada nas duilghe a choileanadh.

Yes, he beats the bully up and leaves him hurting. But do those bullied take the opportunity to finish him off?

No.

Instead, they cower as they always have, hoping the bully does not see them and will ignore them. Then tell the one who stood up: "But you didn't do enough".

They constantly tell the poor guy he must fight this, that or the other bully and either free them from his torment or keep him from potentially tormenting them.
In many cases, they themselves were responsible for CREATING that bully in first place.

At some point the victims have to accept responsibility and man up and fight the bullies. Even if that means you get the snot knocked out of you.

"Tha mi a' tuigsinn na tha thu ag ràdh, a charaid, ach chan eil poileataigs eadar-nàiseanta cho sìmplidh ri sabaid anns an sgoil. Faodaidh buille a bhith furasta a thoirt, ach tha sìth mhaireannach agus fuasgladh dioplòmasach fada nas duilghe a choileanadh."

James Maxton?

"Bidh sìth againn nar n-ùine."

What didn't work (slipping back to the title) was the unwarranted optimism. Thinking that fanatic regime, dedicated to the ideals of martyrdom, would fold in the face of superior firepower.
All "we" succeeded in doing was guaranteeing that said fanatics would want what we have even more.
Does anyone seriously believe that we will be able to control their enriched uranium? So, it's buried. A mere setback. They've waited more than a thousand years for the return of the Imam.

John and others,

As much as some want us to believe that somehow this conflict (which is not over, contrary to what some insinuate), has somehow increased the rabid hate of Radical fundamentalist Muslims, toward the U.S., Israel, Christians and all who do not share their specific beliefs, are as wrong as those who believe that hiding in corners and shadows, will save them from the school bully.

The blinding hate and religious fanaticism that they have practiced and believed, since 600, cannot not be raised higher. It has always been all consuming.

We, like the Byzantine, the Spanish, the Austrians, the Crusaders and so many others, have just set it back again.

Unless those who espouse these beliefs are completely eradicated. Setback is all one can do.

I'm not sure even eradicating them, at least those who believe it currently, will effectively eliminate it from the world. Because there will always be more who will read the writings and make the same interpretations again.

It has been a continuous cycle since 600. The bully will not ignore you.. forever.

PS
Do they worry about those they or their proxies kill and maim in Israel, the US , the Arab Emirates, etc. creating more enemies and hate on our side? I'll answer, not in the least.

Why should we worry about them?

Sadly instead, it seems to generate more who become sympathetic to them, espouse their cause and condemn and degrade those who will fight them. ("Maybe they will ignore us and believe we are their friends." 🫨). 😡

Trump forgot what Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon learned in Vietnam. There are limits to power. You could throw in Bush II as well for Afghanistan.

For the 100th time. It's not over. No final treaties signed. No fat ladies singing.. except maybe on "The View" and in their case, that might classify more as harpies than ladies. 🤔

🤔 But let's just say, all you shouting it is, were right. Most of you were shouting "forever war" just a few weeks ago. What does that say about your Prophesying abilities? Especially the one from down under?

And if again, you were right:

Afghanistan "withdrawal" 13 dead, billions lost for nothing.

Iran 13 dead. Billions spent. Much much more accomplished. Ask the old Ayatollah or his partially melted son… if you can find him. Minitollah.

But alas, still not over.

Wow same 💩 from pretty much all the usual suspects. Again, even one can opine, give their opinions, etc., etc. But again the truth of the matter is that we really only know about a little that is going on between the lines. Making comments based on in some cases biased and corrupted members of Congress, the media, etc. Nothing new there.

And yes we all study history, etc. We learn from the past.
However, in my mind, Iran is acting as expected. The US leadership in the WH, Pentagon, etc. know this. Iran is still buying time.

And think they are going to snow this POTUS like they did with Obama and Biden. Neither of those provided much of a challenge for Iran's evil islamists, etc. They watch the news medias' and some in Congress constant negative comments, etc.

They must be laughing than there is a big upset and a lot of conversation about a pool. If they really were smart they'd see. That just is another think to about. They have no solutions just throw stones at the POTUS. And allowing islamic antisemitic communists trying to gain power. To make changes to fit their agendas and narrative.

Which may of us see … they want to do what they did in the UK, France, etc. Turn the nation into an islamic antisemitic communist paradise.

That is a very important threat. Not a 'n pool, LGBTQ rights, DEI, CRT, etc. that is just so much noise. From some who can't come up with any real plan but to impeach the POTUS. Get back into power and let all types of leftists to run wild. E.g. the critically stupid illegal open bored policy. That kill so many Americans, people they we elected to protect. Not illegal aliens …

Regardless, IMO and sooner than later the US will have to remove Iran's islamic regime from the board. You want to call it regime change … fine. But this must what has to be done.

Iran's remaining leaders everyday are denying about what they will do that is outlined in the MOU. As they know that is not a binding agreement. And even if it was, they'd do whatever they wanted to do as with Obama and Biden.

Many are still getting executed in the streets. Rumors are Iran's actual military, not the IRGC, Basji, foreign Shia militias, etc. that are doing all the killing of non-combatants. I hope Iran Army, etc. are putting up some sort of resistance as the rumors say.

And just because it is not reported on the legacy and some cable news, Does not mean it is not going on. E.g. like Schrödinger's Cat.

The only way this can come to an acceptable for the US, Israel and other locations in the region and the world. The US Military has to release a massive avalanche or fire and steel on Iran's islamists. The US knows how to do it … and were very good at it only a few weeks ago.

There is good intel, and we have assets still in place in the region. When the time is right, and it is coming, the US and probably IDF and maybe even some of the nearby Arab countries. Will do what has to be done. Destroy the remaining islamists in Iran. No more talk … just aircraft, drones, TLAMs, etc., etc. to end Iran's plague on the region and the world.

Again out here … we really don't know the big picture, behind the screen. I don't care how smart some thinks they are, how many books they read, how many games played, etc., etc. No one knows enough to make much of a real comment based on the little that is known in the open.

And again, I strongly believe many comments here are made based on hatred for the POTUS, his admin and even the USA. No matter, the solution is clear … many of Irans islamists must die … to bring peace…

"And again, I strongly believe many comments here are made based on hatred for the POTUS, his admin and even the USA. "

You don't have to believe it's true Legion, it's absolutely true.

Legion you hear anything about this administration leaving massive amounts of brand new military equipment behind in Iran for the Iranian military?

No?

Now THAT would be a debacle!

Who would do that? 😉

Let's stick to the present. Biden's actions do not make Trump right.

As much as I think Trump tried to make something happen on behalf of all of us, I think he overestimated his own power and capabilities. "Deals" are not diplomacy, which is a much more nuanced high stakes art. You can't just walk away from the bad consequences and let lawyers handle it as in business. Here the buck stops with him. He hit them hard, but now he has been relying on a flawed process that has never worked with these religious terror dictators. The ME has been a trap for centuries. He delivers way too many messages that reduce credibility, now sometimes sounds like his predecessors and expects us not to call him out.

Can he get out of this or will it end up with the next guy? He could, who knows? Regime change via the military is a huge risk. He faces political challenges, Epstein, and inflation at home. He may still have time, but something real has to happen pretty soon.

I get it. I don't really know anything. But I know that something has to be done about an autocratic theocracy that engages in terrorist warfare against the west. We have to outsmart these guys once and for all and end it. But when that will happen is still not clear.

Tort we agree Iran had needed to be hit… for a long long time. With only Reagan ever doing that.

No one had hit them as hard as this president and Israel has. There is credit due there.

Iran was doing everything unchallenged before. At worst, now they will do it with less to work with!

I will continue to bring Biden (and Obama) up, as comparisons to actual ineptitude. Biden especially.

Epstein is false flag. Let it drop. They either offed him or he killed himself. But if the democrats had anything on Trump, they would've exposed it during the Biden administration. They had all the papers and they had the ability to do it.
You KNOW they would have. A false flag just like Russian collusion was.

I don't understand why people are not more upset today about the revelations of Anthony Fauci. Do they not know!?

I bring that up, because you mentioned Epstein. There is more there and 7 million people paid for it, with their lives! Seems a lot more worthy of outrage, than a dead pedophile.

Well. I dunno how this is going to play out. I read more into the MOU and it's just a deal to make a deal.

It's NOT a full nuclear deal — it's a 60-day ceasefire timeout.

Iran gets temporary oil export waivers and partial access to frozen cash right now. In return? They're supposed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open (no tolls), maintain the ceasefire, and not escalate their nuclear program.

Right now (June 24): Hormuz is open, tankers are moving, oil prices dropped, and talks are happening in Switzerland. Ceasefire is "mostly" holding in Lebanon. IAEA says they'll visit sites "soon." Everyone is smiling for the cameras… for now.

If Iran actually complies (big if), then and only then could they get broader sanctions relief, bigger asset unfreezes, and a path to that $300 USDB reconstruction Gulf State fund fantasy. Trump claims this ceasefire agreement could lead to a "real deal" with proper inspections. Markets stay happy, gas prices stay lower.

If Iran reneges (the far more likely outcome), the MOU is written so that broader, permanent relief is locked behind performance. Temporary waivers can be yanked. Frozen money stays mostly frozen. Trump already said any violations = strikes back on the table.

Color me extremely skeptical. This regime has broken every major agreement it's ever signed when it suited them. They're buying time, not buying peace. 60 days starts now. Watch what they actually do with their nuclear stockpile and proxies, not what they tweet. Watch their actions. Critics worry that Iran will reconstitute forces, and be "stronger than ever" as one CNN dipsh1t stated.

Stronger is a relative term -- they lost over 80% of their air defense network, most of their air force and their navy is now just speed boats (yes, I know asymetric and all that -- believe me they'd prefer to have their FFGs back…).

But that cuts both ways. The US has learned from this and will apply those lessons as needed, and I expect the US and Israel have been noticing what bunkers and hidey-holes regime leaders are using lately…

It short SB, as I've been saying: it ain't over. 😉

THE PRICE OF DOUBT: SEA CONTROL IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

link

Armand

OVI +1

SB +1

The IRGC fired a drone at a ship in the Strait. They are still killing their own people, etc. There seems to be only one answer … Again, airstrikes, TLAMs, Drones …

Einstein is supposed to have said something about people doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.

And btw, Potus threatened the EU with new 100% tariffs…

Legion we hit back today.

Dogtail simple.

It's called cause and effect.

"WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday a 100% tariff on all goods from any country that imposes a digital services tax on American companies, inflaming transatlantic trade tensions a day after ​European Union countries met Trump's July 4 deadline to cut tariffs on U.S. goods.

"Numerous European Countries have ​been discussing the imminent implementation of a Digital Services Tax on American Companies," Trump ⁠said in a social media post. "Some of these Countries are close to actually doing this.

"Please let this ​statement serve to represent that any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a ​100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America."

Trump said the new tariff would supersede any trade deals with the United States, "whether implemented, signed or not."

That would include the deal the U.S. and EU agreed to ​last year, which caps U.S. tariffs on European goods at 15% in exchange for EU countries reducing tariffs ​on U.S. industrial goods to zero.

But a lengthy EU legislative process to meet the bloc's commitments under the deal prompted ‌Trump ⁠to threaten to reimpose a 25% tariff on imports from Europe, including autos. EU lawmakers then scrambled to meet a deadline from Trump to implement the changes by July 4.

French President Emmanuel Macron said last week, before meeting with Trump at a G7 summit, that France would not bow to pressure from him and scrap ​its digital tax on U.S. ​tech giants. The digital ⁠services it taxes include online marketplaces and advertising.

Before setting off for the summit in France, Trump had warned that the U.S. would "have no choice" but to apply ​100% tariffs on French wine unless Paris eliminated its digital tax.

France has applied ​a 3% ⁠levy since 2019 on revenue earned in France from digital services provided by companies with revenue of more than €25.00 EUR million in the country and €750.00 EUR million ($854.02 million) worldwide. French lawmakers last year proposed doubling the tax to 6%.

The U.S. ⁠Trade Representative's ​office has long threatened France, Britain, Austria, Spain and other ​European countries with retaliatory tariffs if they impose digital services taxes, arguing that these levies discriminate against U.S. companies, which dominate the sector globally.
($1 = ​0.8782 euros)"

Yeah, but why only 100% ? Is he getting soft? And why using social media?
It is obvious that trade with the USA is under constant threat from a non sleeping old man with dementia. So POTUS forces the rest of the world to circumvent the USA.
European governments are already getting away from US Digital services. The huge european market for weapons is already sliding away from US firms. And if the petrol dollar gets circumvented, too, the USA faces real monetary problems. The USA already pays a trillion dollars annually for its debt. But don't tax the rich, blame the Mexicans. Or NATO. Or the woke communist democrats.

🤔
Sounds like the socialist/commie rants I recently heard from the winners of NYC primaries.

Why use social media? 😂 Come on! You can't trust the MSM. 😂

"Dementia"? No. Joe is no longer President. Really wasn't when he technically was supposed to be. But speak quietly, they gave him his ice cream already and put him to bed.

Remind us, what non-entity is currently heading up Germany. The leaders seem to accomplish so little of international note, it is really hard to remember.

How Iran Devastated an American Naval Base—and Caused a U.S. Recalculation

link

Armand

OVI +1

How Iran Devastated an American Naval Base—and Caused a U.S. Recalculation

Wait … you mean in a shoot'n war there was some damage suffered by both sides ?!?!? I'm shocked !!! 😮😏🤩 But the one side has lost about 90% of its assets … so … I'm not too concerned.

Again bottom line … the US needs to restart the massive strike campaign.

And BTW … a number of nations are building pipelines to circumvent the Strait. Which in fact they never controlled it. They tried to interdict it. But after a number of strikes on Iran's military and leadership assets. They could do little else but the occasional few drones, missiles and little boats. Which had limited effect on the Strait.

However, they did a low level deception plan. By dropping a few mines … maybe … Regardless this was a "Beware of Dog" sign. There was no dog .. just the sign. And that was enough to slow things up to a trickle … However, now ships are going thru the Strait. Even though Iran fired one(?) drone. Then the US said if this happened the US would execute more strikes.

The problem was the US chose to only do limited retaliation strikes … at least so far …

Some keep saying the US can't bomb its way to victory … In this case this time the US cannot certainly take a lesson for Vietnam. The US attacks in '72 on Hanoi brought them back to the table for talks. That is the lesson learned …

@dogtail

European governments are already getting away from US Digital services.

This is called PROTECTIONISM. Europe is behind the curve on broadly used digital services and innovation because of their heavy regulations and costs, and risk averse tech culture. So they have been using anti-competitive and protectionist regulations and taxes to punish US services.

Allies…sure…

Debt worries? Sure, I don't like that but the EU collectively spends between $500 USD-$700 Billion annually servicing debt, and since 2000, the US has grown roughly 1.5–2× faster cumulatively than the EU in real terms. The gap widened sharply after the 2008 financial crisis and has persisted.

I dunno why people insist on this "you suck" comparison stuff.

yeah, tell those snowflakes from MAGA that America is the pinnacle of human development. No need to make America great again, it is and it has always been, under democrats and republican alike.

"yeah, tell those snowflakes from MAGA that America is the pinnacle of human development. No need to make America great again, it is and it has always been, under democrats and republican alike."

You obviously don't understand what the MAGA movement was started in response to. But that is obvious with most that make uninformed remarks about it. Just as those who belittled the tea party movement still do not understand it.

I speak so often of the bias and prejudice of the mainstream media. Let's take two groups.

A quick lesson if you are willing to learn.

Description of two groups by Web inquiry

"Black Lives Matter is a decentralized political and social movement that aims to highlight racism, discrimination and racial inequality experienced by Black people in the United States, and to promote anti-racism. Its primary concerns are police brutality and racially motivated violence against Black people."

The Tea Party was an American right-wing, fiscally conservative political movement that emerged within the Republican Party in 2009. It was catalyzed by anger over federal bailouts and the election of President Barack Obama. The movement championed limited government, free markets, and a strict reduction of the national debt.

The tea party is a "right wing", "conservative" movement. (We are supposed to see the nazis swastikas flowing and Jews beaten) 🙄

blm? Downtrodden, oppressed individuals of color! Fighting for their rights against the white colonialial oppressor! 🙄🤮

Now let's look at a real difference, even though the web attempts to make excuses for the latter.

"Tea Party: The Tea Party operated on a much smaller scale regarding the total number of demonstrations. Its rallies were generally orderly, scheduled, and permitted. While thousands attended, the absolute number of confrontational street events was low.

Black Lives Matter: The 2020 BLM protests following the murder of George Floyd constituted one of the largest mass protest movements in U.S. history, involving an estimated 15 to 26 million participants across thousands of cities. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) found that roughly 93% of all BLM demonstrations were entirely peaceful. However, because of the massive volume of protests, the remaining 7% of events that involved violence or property damage amounted to hundreds of individual incidents across the country. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]"

…

"Tea Party: Violence was largely interpersonal and rhetorical, characterized by targeted harassment. It included spitting on lawmakers, shouting racial and homophobic slurs at congressmen, death threats, and minor localized vandalism (such as a severed gas line or broken office window). There was virtually no widespread rioting, looting, or arson."

(A lot of even these minor "threats" were made by very questionable sources. 🙄)

"Black Lives Matter: Violence associated with BLM unrest was predominantly structural, property-based, and systemic. It manifested as large-scale riots, arson, looting of commercial businesses, and destruction of police precincts. However, interpersonal violence also occurred, resulting in injuries to police officers, clashes with counter-protestors, and at least 25 deaths during the 2020 summer unrest (inflicted by various actors, including rioters, counter-protestors, and citizens defending property)."

What was it CNN or MSNow said?

Mostly peaceful protests, with a building burning in the background. 🙄

I saw Tea Party protests personally. People with signs, waving them on street corners, with their children. After a bit, they went home quietly. Almost all hard workers.

I watched BLM/Antifa and add ons protests live on tv. (Would not get near one). Violence, arson, looting and destruction.

John Snow, try and do some real research and find the "real" things MAGA was in response to. Not the bull 💩 that your pet media sources regurgitate.

Just one example MAGA was in response to: DEI and DEI appointments. Race, gender and sexual proclivities overriding qualifications!

"I will only appoint a black woman to the Supreme Court!"

Racheal and Britton…

Subject: Biden official Sam Brinton used allegedly stolen suitcase for a month


link

SB and Legion +1

I thought this was interesting.

"Amid the ongoing peace talks between Washington and Tehran, Iranian negotiators have recently enlisted the help of "senior psychologists" to help them navigate what they believe to be a pressing issue involving President Donald Trump.

"A couple of weeks ago, the Iranian side added senior psychologists to their negotiating team to review the communications that they were going to be sending to the mediators to give to Trump," Scahill said during an appearance on the podcast "Breaking Points."

"And they said ‘we started to then see some progress'

link Read the entire article – it has some added, controversial detail

Progress,indeed.

🙄
Sometimes there are posts where the T derangement is so deep and ingrained and dislike of all things US is so vehement (based on so many previous posts) that response to posts like the above would be worthless. Even if the post itself, deserved a response at all.

I will only say: That those who practice the Islamic practice of "Taqiyya" would be so proud of their new disciple.

"Welcome to the Dark Side Anakin".

"35 minutes ago
Egypt, Jordan condemn Iran drone attack on Bahrain

Egypt and Jordan condemned Iran's drone attack on Bahrain on Saturday, expressing support for the kingdom and warning of its impact on regional security.

Egypt's foreign ministry said the attack violated Bahrain's sovereignty and threatened efforts to reduce regional tensions and strengthen peace. Jordan also slammed th attack, saying it breached international law and the UN Charter.

Both countries reaffirmed their full support for Bahrain and its efforts to protect its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."

Add about 3 or 4 more ME states that have condemned it as well.

" Mohammad! They have condemned us!"
"That and a rial, won't buy you a goat! 😂🤣"

Get off your prayer rugs and HIT them back! Condemnations and sanctions, are more useless than the desert sands. 🙄

Do only goats and camels have gonads in the ME?

There are concerns, bipartisan and not deranged. But this is also how POTUS rolls. He does not communicate in the same way past presidents have done regarding his style, harsh and profane language, threats, back and forth announcements. In such a different culture like Iran's they may seek to get a handle on this.

We had no trouble expressing concern for Biden's mental and physical health. Only about half the country believe WH announcements about Trump's health.

I am not commenting on his fitness here in a political way. But I can see where the Iranians might want to be sure they are reading him correctly. Many Americans are also concerned. I think this is not inappropriate to comment on, given past concerns with Biden, and the relevance to the conduct and negotiations of the war.

But this is also how POTUS rolls. He does not communicate in the same way past presidents have done regarding his style, harsh and profane language, threats, back and forth announcements.

And why is that? He's a product of the unrelentingly hostile and destructive Dem-Media complex. Recall that in 2015 when he announced his candidacy the media still treated Trump like a likeble, cheeky celebrity who they felt was trying to pump up his ratings. He was on the View, etc and the were jovial and friendly. Then when he gained traction, and he rose in the polls they realized that ONE OF THEIR OWN HAD TURNED ON THEM and the flipped the narrative completely. They couldn't run against a moderate NY Democrat businessman turned moderat NY Republican businessman with whom they had interacted for DECADES – going to his parties, inviting him to their weddings and events, feting him, getting campaign $$, giving him awards. No, they had to create a new moral narrative to tear him down -- and so they flipped the script.

In his first term he didn't get that at first – he played by the rules, hired insiders and expected the same mostly positive media treatment he had up until 2016. Now he's learned, the hard way with literal blood, sweat and tears. And he doesn't play like a "normal" president because these are not "normal" times.

However, Trump does have a pattern – not rocket science to figure it out. He uses hyperbole to fix attention on the issue and his "Big Ask", and uses alternating carrots and sticks. Trump frequently moves the needle in America's favor on security and economic priorities through disruption, even if the headline goal (e.g., buying Greenland) isn't met. The Greenland outcome exemplifies effective "art of the deal" pragmatism: attention secured, leverage applied, enhanced position achieved – China's out, Denmark/NATO expanded security commitments and resources, US expanded basing and resource rights. Long-term durability hinges on follow-through and external factors.

SB the Democrats, MSM and liberals still refuse to accept the blame for his first presidency!

They publicized him constantly. He was everywhere with them. They made sure to show him in a positive light, while destroying his competition.

Hillary, the Democrats and MSM, thought they were sooo clever and soooo smart. Destroy anyone they believed could compete against the smartest woman in the world and leave, (what they thought), was a babbling buffoon.

Hillary could NOT POSSIBLY lose against him! With the in state machines and this buffoon, we might as well not even open the booths! 🤣😂😭

IN THE BAG!! 💼

So when they woke up and saw they lost, they were devastated. Tears, hysterics, all the gambit of typical liberal responses to defeat.

They blamed everyone and everything…… except themselves.

So when they " acquired " power again… learning nothing… they threw the flood gate of liberal politics wide open.. DEI, no Borders, Green mandates….

So again, they were to blame for election #2!

But they still don't see it. Now we are dealing with the scads of "Democratic Socialist", a cute name for hardcore socialists, communists and radical Muslims.

No you say? Go check out the true beliefs of just those elected last week in NYC! Check out "Das Totenkopf" running in Maine. How about the radical Muslim sympathizer in New Jersey.

Advocating wide open borders again .. well to make it short… everything we just got rid on steroids.

Easy to research yourself, if you doubt.

Will they lose again because they don't learn?

"
MAHER: "Like, if this is where the Democratic Party is going, where this Democratic socialist, this obsession with Israel, with the Jew hating, they don't believe in capitalism, no prisons…"

"If this is where they're going, my vote is in play."

VANCE: "Okay, I like to hear that."

MAHER: "It actually always has been. Every year, I don't make my decision by who has an R or a D, I actually always came to the conclusion that the Democrat was probably better and voted for them."

"And Trump can't run again and he'd be a little too exciting for me anyway."

"So it's either going to be you or Rubio."
"

Two excellent choices Bill!

Subject: Overton on X: "WHOA: Bill Maher looks JD Vance dead in the eye and says his "vote is in play" for 2028. Maher openly admitted to Vance that if socialists take over the Democratic Party, he's likely voting for him or Rubio. MAHER: "Like, if this is where the Democratic Party is going, where t.co/VlzibQB9nl / X


link

Tort, his article is addressing the propaganda of the Iranians! The Iranians for gods sake!

Trump is NOT suffering from either dementia or Alzheimer's. I have been very familiar with both. Dealing with it on multiple occasions with others.

I said before Joe was elected, he had one or the other. All the signs of it were there and only got worse year by year (anyone see him on stage a week or so ago. 😞).

Does Trump have attitude issues? No doubt. He is an egoist and a narcissist. But he has no lack of his mental faculties. Those who say so, are suffering sever TDS themselves (doesn't that qualify as a mental illness? If not, it should. 😏)

OVI +1

SB +1

Again …