"North Korea's Kim unveils 5,000-ton destroyer, touting" Topic

…nuclear capabilities

"North Korea has commissioned a 5,000-ton destroyer that leader Kim Jong Un touts as a symbol of the country's growing naval and nuclear capabilities, state media reported on Wednesday, as Pyongyang seeks to expand its ability to project military power at sea.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim told a commissioning ceremony on Tuesday at the western port of Nampo that warships such as the Choe Hyon show that the nuclear armament of his navy is progressing as planned.

KCNA said the Choe Hyon was formally placed into service with North Korea's navy after the ceremony and will be tasked with defending the country's western coast…"

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Armand

Is it still afloat?

Yes, didn't they have a problem with a submarine in the past?

And based on everything they have seen in Iran. They must know they wouldn't last long in a conflict with the USA and our ROK allies. Yes, it is a still a UN mission there. And the war has been in a state of truce since '53.

However, based what I have seen recently. Many of members of the UN, NATO allies, etc. I'd be surprised if anyone showed up if the North started an actual "hot" war, again.

The only other UN forces I saw there in '84-'85 were a PLT of Gurkhas with the UN Honor Co. in Seoul. But we'd be more than glad to have them with us on the DMZ, etc. … if things got hot … again …

You must have a memory problem, 'cos I'm sure the UN turned up in Bosnia, and NATO allies turned up in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Col Durnford… Ha!…

Armand

At least they didn't botch this launch compared to the one last year.

How generous of them to build a new mobile reef for marine habitat expansion!

You must have a memory problem, 'cos I'm sure the UN turned up, in Bosnia, and NATO allies turned up in Afghanistan and Iraq.

No … you either have reading problem or don't know history …

When I was in the 2ID with a forward deployed Mech Inf Bn, 22 months in '84-'85. There were NO other UN troops there in the ROK but the ROKs, US and a few Gurkhas … Maybe a few liaison officers from some of the UN forces who were there during the "Hot War" '50-'53.

Again it is just a truce with North. We fly/flew the US and UN flag over all our installations. Including our FOB and Guard Posts on the DMZ.

I don't remember seeing you in the ROK when I was there ?

I don't know if you even served in any military … If so I laud that … as I do any Vet. If not … it really does not matter, then … does it ?

And maybe you also are not paying much attention to what is currently going in Iran/the Straits of Hormuz, Israel, etc. But you may be having a memory problem. I.e. some NATO allies/UN members would not let the US use some of their airfields, etc. At least initially … To support the US & IDF with their missions:

To stop Iran's nuke aspirations …

Trying to block the Strait/interfere with the worldwide oil market …

Killing/murdering, raping, torturing etc. thousands of their own people …

Supporting islamic terrorists/jihadis like Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iraqi Shia militias, etc.

And someone correct me are there any NATO/UN members that have forces deployed in the Persian Gulf area? To support this critical mission to stop Iran getting nukes.

Will there be ? Ever ?

Is allowing Iran to get deployable nukes a good idea? Israel and some of the Arab nations in the region are already in range. Also reports are Iran's WMDs can hit the Eastern part of the UK. I guess those are not good enough reasons to get involved huh ? After all the US and the Israelis will take care of it …

Back to the ROK … Do you think many/any UN and/or NATO members will show up if Un decides to attack South ?

Again based on recent events … I and others have serious doubts. About future support from NATO and/or the UN …

IIRC the POTUS said we didn't need any help from NATO or UN. At least not now …

Legion, you know that ROK is a bit outside the NATO remit, so no obligation for any NATO allies to turn up there.

There were UK troops there when the fighting was going on, under UN authority. There may or may not be some in the future.

But do you seriously expect any allies in the current war, with your glorious leader insulting them and threatening to invade some of them, belittling their previous contributions, starting the war without previous consultation or warning, then complaining there are no allies to take on the most dangerous role that the US navy, present in force, is not willing to take on itself ? When it would take at least several days, probably weeks, for them to travel to position, but they are somehow expected to magically appear immediately ?

He asked to use bases. US bases, and many of your leaders said no.

Is there an insinuation that the EU is without blame? That they have not insulted the U.S. and U.S. leaders. Disrespecting U.S. contributions to their safety and freedom since WW2? That some EU politicians would not have leaked the plan to attack Iran by the U.S. and the "evil Zionists" 😈 to the Iranians, in exchange for oil advantages? If he had told the EU, the Ayatollah would NOT be searching for a virgin camel in paradise today.

Glass houses and stones.

If it is oil and NG for your country, or any of your ships, I'd think you would want to escort them. 🤔 But then again, Europe was willing to ignore the Barbary Pirates, more Muslim terrorists. Ignore them, pay tribute, pretend they didn't exist. Even some joining in and converting to Islam: Dutch pirate Jan Janszoon, who converted to Islam and joined the lucrative trade.

"European nations were completely willing to pay tribute instead of fighting, and they did so for centuries. For most major European powers, paying these protection fees was seen as a practical cost of doing business rather than a matter of national honor."

U.S. had to take action there as well (twice, alone again), before Europe finally took part years afterwards.

🤔 if Bush had nipped NK nuclear ambitions before they first had them?

Good thing someone is willing to try and stop Iran. A country that hates any who do not espouse their specific beliefs of Islam and has shown over and over that they will kill them… without nukes. Right?

Is there an insinuation that the EU is without blame? That they have not insulted the U.S. and U.S. leaders.

Lest we forget – British Labour sent Labour Party staffers to the US to help the Democrats organize to defeat Donald Trump…and called Trump an existential threat to Western Democracy and repeated the media slurs and calumnies against him.

Dunno how that was supposed to lead to amicable relations…

OVI +1

Legion, you know that ROK is a bit outside the NATO remit, so no obligation for any NATO allies to turn up there.

There were UK troops there when the fighting was going on, under UN authority. There may or may not be some in the future.

It seems to opine on a statement noggin posted [that did not get Deleted … I don't know why, but based on the past I probably would have given it 👎👎]

Regardless whether the UN or NATO flags those forces come under. What is the difference in comparison to Bosnia, A'stan and Iraq vs Iran now ? I'd think it is simple … Trump is the POTUS. Not Bush, Biden, etc., etc.

Yes, I know all that I know the history of the Korean War. Studied it, been to some of the battlefields, seen some of the memorials, etc. At least the ones on the South side of the DMZ … For obvious reasons.

However, many in NATO are also in the UN. I know the service in the ROK of UN members e.g. [IIRC, ] UK, ANZACS, French, Dutch, Greek, Turks, Ethiopians, South Africans, India, etc., etc.

And since its inception … the UN has lost a lot of its veracity, etc. since then. E.g. like the League of Nations proved to be ineffective, etc. …

Frankly we didn't think if the truce in ROK was broken, by the North. Un's daddy was in charge then when I was there. But he was an too. The apple didn't far fall at all from that family tree …

As well as with the current anti-POTUS, Anti-USA, etc. sentiments we see currently. I seriously doubt the UK and many other UN members would show up. To once again help defend the ROK. I could be wrong … but with the current events going on. I'd give it 50/50 at best from any UN[or NATO ally] member would show up.

But do you seriously expect any allies in the current war, with your glorious leader insulting them and threatening to invade some of them, belittling their previous contributions, starting the war without previous consultation or warning, then complaining there are no allies to take on the most dangerous role that the US navy, present in force, is not willing to take on itself ?

Well I really expected nothing much from NATO. Most can't pay their NATO dues. And many have foolishly downsized their militaries for a number of IMO very poor reasons. However, I didn't think any of them would deny their airfields, etc. Because the POTUS hurt their feelings, etc.

Which is more important ? Their feelings and being upset about the POTUS called them out to pick up the slack. For being a NATO member, etc., etc.

OR stopping Iran from getting deployable Nuke WMDs which could/will reach the UK much of Europe. Along with Israel and the Arab nations in the region ?

I got a map around here somewhere and I'm 99.9999 % sure the UK, Western Europe are a lot closer to Iran than the USA. You can check it yourself …

Plus the US gets very, very little of anything from Iran. Save for mostly death threats … Albeit the oil market is worldwide. However, FWIW when someone says repeatedly, they want to kill you … In the real world, you should take that seriously. Just a helpful hit … Or not …

Now the USN did clear lanes with DEs using underwater drones that have sonar capabilities, etc. IIRC, based some tech that the Ukraine had used successfully … So your assumption was incorrect about the USN not being willing to do the job themselves. They did and did it successfully …

And yes, it would take some time, e.g. less than a week(?) IIRC, for the e.g. UK to get any sort of RN assets in the AO. To support the USA's and IDF's mission to mitigate/remove the threat of Iran's islamist death cult. In case it is forgotten Iran is a threat to all in range of their missile assets, etc.

But to date over 3+ months later has any RN, French, etc. naval assets been deployed to the AO ? Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong …

FWIW the USN has seen more combat action in that region currently than they have since WWII. With in many cases shooting down Iran and their islamists proxies incoming ordinance. Plus striking primarily key targets in Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, etc.

Yes that is a real shoot'n war … based on the modern paradigm, etc.

And yet reports from the WH have routinely emphasized that most of the enemies striking power was gone.And no navy left after a few days. Nukes "obliterated" last year.

The USNs gaining experience here could now be outweighed by logistical wear and tear. And, it's not especially relevant to fighting China. Still no leadership on procurement corruption. Ship building capacity is now critically low. Oil reserves at near record lows. And then there's the fast-tracked Trump class battleship…so many things not clicking on what looks like a vanity project, in my opinion. This is not about getting your no bid pool guy to fix the DC reflecting pool, or ripping out the East wing, then telling us taxpayers should pay. This is LCS x 100. There is a reason why systems are dispersed around ship types. This thing does it all. The main battery here is a diverse jumble of launch tube weapons, the secondary is a railway gun which is useless at range with a 19th century rate of fire that sucks up massive energy to use. The lasers are defensive, and can be stymied by the weather. As a command ship, it look like a big juicy target to me. And, if it's running on oil, yesterdays fuel, the throwback is complete. But I am not a professional.

The Ticonderoga delivers a battery package approaching a similar size but on far less displacement. And…we need destroyers. But then, until we get some leadership on ship building capacity we are gonna have to ask Europe and Japan to build these things anyway. Of course I have no inside track and maybe this is being done. Show me the money…

All those negatives Tort. I guess I have to post some positive.

Lots of broken "rice bowls".

Wonder if sharks enjoy Chinese cuisine? Will they want ice cream 🍦 after the meal? 🤔

Subject: US B-2 bomber sinks target ship with long-range missile in Pacific exercise


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Good news, not military. Via NPR no less. They try to credit everything and everyone but the President of course. But they can't deny it. Just imagine if the blue city and states cooperated. 🤔

Subject: U.S. murder rate approaches a record low : NPR


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…….
That reflecting pool hits a raw nerve with me.

I posted some stuff on it elsewhere and was accused of grand standing for the president. Not why I posted it. I posted it to show the opposition opposes EVERY DAM# THING Trump does.

That modification was being made, along with so many others, to improve OUR capital for the 250th! Sand blasting graffiti from monuments and statues. Crackdowns on crime in the capital. Trying to fix things previous administrations failed to fix or just didn't give a 💩 about!

So the opposition has to degrade them! Not only degrade them, destroy them!! The hate is that deep!! 🤬

You have states that won't even take part in national fair in Washington DC. They make weak excuses, but check the states… all BLUE.

Many opposition politicians disparaging the US and the 250th!

No excuses. There are NONE.

Subject: Trump vows jail time after recent arrests at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool | Fox News

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Subject: emily miller on X: "Exclusive! RAW VIDEO. Man arrested for vandalizing Lincoln Reflecting Pool. He grabbed the hose that female National Park Service workers were using to clear the algae. Police and National Guard responded. Watch t.co/oMIXFqKwEs / X

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Subject: Washington Monument vandalized with blood as National Mall attacks surge | Fox News

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Subject: U.S. Park Police seek help identifying Reflecting Pool vandalism suspect | Fox News

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Subject: Doug Burgum vows 'full' prosecution over Lincoln Memorial pool damage | Fox News

I won't even go into the "Team algae" protestors there, dressed in green with their LBGTQ flags.

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"WOW: CNN's statistician Harry Enten BREAKS DOWN the "stunning" rise of socialism in the Democratic Party. "Capitalism has absolutely fallen through the floor. Look at this: it's now just 42% of Democrats who have a favorable view of capitalism. Socialism, on the other hand, has risen like a rocket…"

"You mention New York, you mentioned Vermont, obviously, there's the D.C. mayor. We've seen it in Pennsylvania as well. The Democratic Socialists seem to be doing considerably better than they used to be, and they have the chance to knock off, in fact, Democratic incumbents in Congress."

"And part of the reason for that, why we're seeing these Democratic Socialists having such good chances, or downright outright winning nominations, is — take a look here. Net favorability among Dems, Democratic Socialists of America — look at that, a plus-17-point net favorability rating among Democrats.""

Subject: RedWave Press on X: "WOW: CNN's statistician Harry Enten BREAKS DOWN the "stunning" rise of socialism in the Democratic Party. "Capitalism has absolutely fallen through the floor. Look at this: it's now just 42% of Democrats who have a favorable view of capitalism. Socialism, on the other hand, has t.co/LYCJAdWMtH / X


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Yes, I was on a rant. Too much chaos, the WH needs to get focused and fix the big things that are frustrating people. I don't get all the time spent on these minor things in light of the inflation rate, rising health care costs, food, gas, etc. And stronger support for the military by giving them the best for a fair price, which has not always been happening in our broken system. I apologize for lack of balance.

I don't think we need worry about capitalism. I don't see too many politicians who don't take advantage of their inside knowledge of the system everyday. And don't even pay taxes in some cases. And corporate profits have been sky high. The vast shift in wealth to elite oligarchs is real. But we're off the track. I will calm down! 😵‍💫

Tort,

That chaos is a purposeful portrayal. When I watch the MSM I see it all the time. Very little positive, most negative. Fox is really the only cable where it is not portrayed as such.

If 19 out 20 portray something one way and that is what you hear, it is what one well probably believe. Not much different with the reporting services.

For an interesting change of pace, try listening to talk radio. A genre which is predominantly conservative .

"Major media outlets often portray the White House as chaotic due to a combination of intentional, unconventional communication strategies, deeply rooted institutional friction, and pervasive partisan polarization."

As to positives. Here is just a smattering for the last 3 months. I won't place quotes but, below is not me listing them. AI generated search… being google AI will be biased against the administration. But still a nice list.

Would love to know how the no tax on tips and not tax on SS has gone. I know the later worked for me.

I could have delved deeper, but making AI function against its programmers takes time. This took 45 minutes.

——

1. Launching Universal Retirement Accounts
* Signed Executive Order 14403 establishing TrumpIRA.gov, granting gig workers and independent contractors access to low-cost retirement plans.
* Created a federal match program providing up to $1,000 USD annually for low-income Americans earning under $35,000. USD

2. Targeting Daily Cost of Living
* Issued the "Freedom to Fix" memorandum, targeting costly environmental regulations to bring down vehicle prices.
* Rescinded Biden-era refrigerant rules on air conditioners, aimed at easing supply chain transport costs for food and consumer goods.
* Secured commitments from health insurers like UnitedHealthcare, resulting in a 30% reduction in prior authorization paperwork. [1, 2, 3]

3. Implementing Domestic Protectionism
* Restored strict work mandates for able-bodied adults, reducing food stamp enrollment by 4.3 million people.
* Enforced stricter international visa parameters, resulting in a 20% drop in foreign student enrollmentto free up domestic university placements.
* Expanded federal onshore oil, gas, and coal leasing parameters under the Department of the Interior to boost domestic energy output.

1. Agriculture and Food Cost Safeguards
* Phosphate Fertilizer Duty Suspension: On June 29, 2026, the President declared an agricultural emergency, temporarily suspending anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer. This was designed to shield U.S. farmers from global supply chain disruptions and lower grocery production costs for families.
* Agricultural Innovation Initiative: Signed an Executive Order on June 25, 2026, intended to accelerate commercial agricultural technologies and increase long-term crop yields.

2. Healthcare Policy Shifts
* Rescheduling Medical Marijuana: On April 18, 2026, the administration signed an Executive Order directing the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The administration framed this change as a way to ease federal research restrictions and expand non-opioid chronic pain management options for veterans and seniors, though it does not federally legalize recreational use.

3. Energy Dominance & Deregulation
* Public Land Drilling Expansion: In late June 2026, the Department of the Interior rolled out coordinated proposals to strip down Biden-era oil, gas, and coal leasing rules. The administration seeks to cut down public comment windows and administrative barriers on federal lands to accelerate domestic energy production and lower baseline utility costs.
* Next-Gen Nuclear Power: Driven by a fast-tracked Department of Energy pilot program, two experimental commercial nuclear reactors successfully achieved criticality in late June 2026. The initiative aims to quickly scale up low-emission, domestic grid capacity by cutting standard regulatory timelines.

4. Consumer and Data Security
* Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration: On June 22, 2026, an Executive Order mandated federal agencies and critical infrastructure operators to begin transitioning digital data defense protocols to post-quantum cryptography. The order seeks to prevent future data breaches of private citizen data from advanced quantum computing cyber threats.
* E-Commerce Customs Enforcement: Signed Executive Order 14411 on June 3, 2026, tightening U.S. Customs enforcement on digital marketplaces. The directive forces stricter verification of country-of-origin markings to protect U.S. consumers from fraudulent online goods falsely labeled as "Made in America".

Then there is this:

1. Agriculture and Food Cost Safeguards
* Phosphate Fertilizer Duty Suspension: On June 29, 2026, the President declared an agricultural emergency, temporarily suspending anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer. This was designed to shield U.S. farmers from global supply chain disruptions and lower grocery production costs for families.
* Agricultural Innovation Initiative: Signed an Executive Order on June 25, 2026, intended to accelerate commercial agricultural technologies and increase long-term crop yields.

2. Healthcare Policy Shifts
* Rescheduling Medical Marijuana: On April 18, 2026, the administration signed an Executive Order directing the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The administration framed this change as a way to ease federal research restrictions and expand non-opioid chronic pain management options for veterans and seniors, though it does not federally legalize recreational use.

3. Energy Dominance & Deregulation
* Public Land Drilling Expansion: In late June 2026, the Department of the Interior rolled out coordinated proposals to strip down Biden-era oil, gas, and coal leasing rules. The administration seeks to cut down public comment windows and administrative barriers on federal lands to accelerate domestic energy production and lower baseline utility costs.
* Next-Gen Nuclear Power: Driven by a fast-tracked Department of Energy pilot program, two experimental commercial nuclear reactors successfully achieved criticality in late June 2026. The initiative aims to quickly scale up low-emission, domestic grid capacity by cutting standard regulatory timelines.

4. Consumer and Data Security
* Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration: On June 22, 2026, an Executive Order mandated federal agencies and critical infrastructure operators to begin transitioning digital data defense protocols to post-quantum cryptography. The order seeks to prevent future data breaches of private citizen data from advanced quantum computing cyber threats.
* E-Commerce Customs Enforcement: Signed Executive Order 14411 on June 3, 2026, tightening U.S. Customs enforcement on digital marketplaces. The directive forces stricter verification of country-of-origin markings to protect U.S. consumers from fraudulent online goods falsely labeled as "Made in America".

Border at 13 Straight Months of Zero Releases

Rents Falling Nationwide.

The national median rent has fallen 4% to 5.9% from its historic 2022 peak, and asking rents are down roughly 1.2% year-over-year. However, because it is currently the peak summer moving season, rents ticked up slightly by 0.1% to 0.4% month-over-month.

U.S. Forces Kill Senior ISIS Leader in Syria

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Subject: USDA Announces FY 2025 State Payment Error Rates in SNAP | USDA

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Subject: Eric Daugherty on X: "🚨 HOLY SMOKES: Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Oz have just announced OVER *ONE MILLION* PEOPLE are on Obamacare with NO Social Security number… 🤯🤯 It's one big racket! Shut it down! "They submit applications for fake people and enroll stolen identities all to collect t.co/DKzETlfzqJ / X

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OVI +1

As to the oil reserves.

Again AI

"Biden

Net Decline: In total, the SPR dropped from 638 million barrels when Biden took office in January 2021 to a low of roughly 347 million barrels by mid-2023—meaning the total reduction under his watch was closer to 291 million barrels before replenishment efforts began. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The Biden administration actually purchased roughly 43.25 million barrels of crude oil to physically put back into the underground caverns.

Trump

President Trump authorized the release of 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to mitigate high energy prices. This massive drawdown was triggered by severe disruptions to global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

The Plan for Replacement
Unlike Biden's direct cash buyback strategy, the Trump administration structured this emergency release as a crude oil exchange mechanism rather than straight sales: [1, 2]
* High-Premium Loans: The DOE is loaning out the 172 million barrels to energy companies with strict contractual terms requiring them to return the oil once the conflict subsides. [1, 2, 3]
* The "Interest" Return: Companies are required to return the borrowed crude plus a premium/interest rate of up to 24%. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted that for every 1 barrel flowed out, the government expects 1.25 barrels back.
* Net Gain Goal: If companies fulfill these exchange deals, the U.S. is legally positioned to automatically add an extra 40 million barrels back into the reserve on top of what was taken out, bringing the total scheduled return to roughly 212 million barrels at no direct cost to taxpayers. [1, 2, 3, 4]
* Alternative "Drilling Fee" Refills: Administration officials are also exploring an alternative policy to offer reduced drilling fees on federal lands to energy producers in direct exchange for physical oil shipments to further expedite replenishment."

Legion, there is always the challenge that other countries have to operate withing their laws which are different from the US.

There was a debate in the UK parliament in 2003 about if the UK could send forces to Iraq under UK law.
That wasn't required for Afghanistan as Article 5 had been invoked and the deployment was covered by the NATO treaty.

Previous deplyoments to the Balkans, Kosovo, Libya etc were covered under UN resolutions giving the deployment legal status under UK law.

That didn't happen with Iran as Trump ignored all that and many commenters here are also ignoring it.

The UK government initially refused President Donald Trump's request to use its military bases in support of the war with Iran. But on 1 March, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced he would, after all, permit the use of UK military bases such as RAF Fairford in the UK and the overseas base on Diego Garcia. This is to be limited to ‘defensive' action against missiles and drones based in Iran. This limited concession was reportedly negotiated with Washington, in accordance with London's view on the legal issues involved.

As detailed below.

Throughout, the prime minister has been adamant that the UK has not participated in the initial US and Israeli offensive, and that this remains the case. He argued that the UK would, under his leadership, never contemplate going to war without a legal basis. This seems to confirm reports that the UK attorney general may have advised that the US and Israeli operation is not in accordance with international law.

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Royal Navy forces deployed
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There is a Royal Navy base in Bahrain which until recently still had ships there (the last one left this year) primarily minesweepers with RFA support.

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Legion, there is always the challenge that other countries have to operate withing their laws which are different from the US.

I understand that …

There was a debate in the UK parliament in 2003 about if the UK could send forces to Iraq under UK law.
That wasn't required for Afghanistan as Article 5 had been invoked and the deployment was covered by the NATO treaty.

Yes … I know that and, in all cases, they performed very well and more. I lauded their service in both those locations. Plus in the Korean War. As many know I do study history … I hold no ill will to the forces of the UK … And studied and/or at times followed their actions.

Plus the King wears Para wings … so he's OK with me …

Previous deplyoments to the Balkans, Kosovo, Libya etc were covered under UN resolutions giving the deployment legal status under UK law.

Yes I was aware of that … IIRC I said nothing negative about any of the UK's forces or deployments …

The UK government initially refused President Donald Trump's request to use its military bases in support of the war with Iran. But on 1 March, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced he would, after all, permit the use of UK military bases such as RAF Fairford in the UK and the overseas base on Diego Garcia. This is to be limited to ‘defensive' action against missiles and drones based in Iran. This limited concession was reportedly negotiated with Washington, in accordance with London's view on the legal issues involved.

Yes I know all that as well … And I never said again anything negative about UK Forces deployments or actions … That was more of a political incident. But I will admit … I and many others were not pleased with those denials of use by any of the NATO members.

Throughout, the prime minister has been adamant that the UK has not participated in the initial US and Israeli offensive, and that this remains the case. He argued that the UK would, under his leadership, never contemplate going to war without a legal basis. This seems to confirm reports that the UK attorney general may have advised that the US and Israeli operation is not in accordance with international law.

Again, yes I watch the media and heard all that, etc., etc.

However, as I almost constantly post. This is really a pretty "big deal". Stopping Iran from getting deployable nukes. As they constantly chant Death to American and Israel, etc., etc. … Which as I have said needs to be taken seriously along with their quest to get deployable nukes.

Plus their support of other islamists. Which kill not only Israelis, but citizens of many nations … IIRC including some Brits. So stopping those actions should be considered somewhere on the priority list(s).

Interdicting the flow of oil, etc. in the Strait of Hormuz. Gave Iran a lot of power that they abused, did before and mostly likely will again. Upsetting the worldwide oil market. Not so much the USA, but the price of oil is basically controlled worldwide. And IIRC that effects the UK too.

So in what way would the IDF and US violate international law? With the IDF defending itself from Iran's islamists and their fanatical allies/proxies attacking Israel. Remember the 7 0ct. massacre ? Which Iran heavily assisted and funded. The IDF has the right of self-defense …

Even if some don't like Israel, Jews, etc. Note: I am not one of those. I am not an antisemite. Even while on active duty volunteered to be a foreign area officer with the IDF.

I find militant, radical, fanatical, islamic terrorist/jihadis and their supporters lower forms of life. I remember all the Americans killed by islamsic terrorists. Both military and civilian. E.g. Marine Barracks Lebanon '83, 9/11, etc., etc. …

With the US being Israel's best ally … And Iran making threats to and attacks on US assets and personnel.
For about 47yrs. I think the US was more than "legal" with Iran operating as a clear and present threat. To both the US and Israel.

I remember the UK had a base or bases in that region. But as was noted … they left recently …

I am glad to hear the UK is getting the RN combat ready and deploy to assist in ops in the Persian Gulf, etc. Against Iran's islamist threat.

But some say it is taking the US too long to end this conflict with Iran. However, some say e.g. the UK, and other US allies are not up to the tasks required to support the US in this campaign. Or looks like they will show up too late ….

Trump's "handling" of Un shows his fundamental lack of understanding about dealing with mad dictators.
The ghost written "Art of the Deal" shows how he dealt with semi rational New York power brokers, like fellow real estate moguls, unions, etc.
N Korea has not been "rational" for decades. Just like …. well, you know who.

N Korea has not been "rational" for decades.

Yeah … been there did that … got the T-shirt. Maybe few of them.

Regardless both Un and what is left of Iran's islamist leaders have very different motivations.

Un wants to rule his kingdom … his paradise … He does not want to die.

Iran's islamists are almost the opposite … They want to die killing infidels then go to paradise.

The chance of Un using nukes is very remote. If he could he'd like to annex the ROK. If he nukes it will be of little use. I.e. radioactive fallout. Which would go with the prevailing winds. Maybe even would blow back on him ?

Iran's islamists have always said, e.g. death to the USA, supports islamic terrorists, etc., etc. To doubt if Iran's islamists will use nukes on Israel, etc., etc. Is pure folly …