Talking to Iran is worse than a waste of time; it's a weapon Iran uses to sew doubt in the U.S. while it makes ready to keep killing. Time for Trump to do the hard part.
I share Bill's concern. I don't see, though, that Trump can afford to either make a weak deal or turn the ships around with guns unfired and planes on deck. I hope his delay is prompted by the time needed to assemble his armada. Jim Dueholm
This week, I had a chat with the author of an interesting book on Israeli intelligence, and we both thought Caracas was a dress rehearsal. Maybe the target set will be the senior IRGC leadership. We'll see. Letting the Ayatollah off the hook now would be a grave mistake.
And now he needs to keep doing it until Iran is rendered permanently incapable of menacing the world. There will be lots of pressure for him to ease off. He needs to resist it.
I am with you. I believe the time to strike was when tens of thousands were in the streets and a tipping point seemed near. Trump did nothing. Very quickly the hope of revolution became "They can't have nuclear weapons" and the Iranian regime was transformed by Trump's team from a beyond the Palestinians menace to all civilization worthy of overthrow to just another negotiating partner. I dont believe Trump understands geo political strategy or even realizes it exists or is necessary. I don't believe he will overthrow the regime or support an internal Iranian revolution and I dont believe whatever strikes he makes will accomplish anything. In fact I am afraid a deal will end with Iran being rewarded with sanctions relief. If this happens Trump is no better than Obama. I really hope I'm wrong but I just don't think I am.
Trump is infinitely better than Obama in every aspect having to do with the Middle East. One huge advantage he has over Obama is that he's not bogged down with Obama's noisome animus toward Israel. Trump has an overarching geopolitical strategy centered on doing what he believes is best for the United States. I believe he is intellectually lazy when it comes to the nuances of foreign policy. He's also torn between being action/results oriented while being reticent about committing to potentially prolonged violent conflicts (a.k.a. wars). I agree that he missed the initial opportunity at the height of the uprisings, but I'm with everyone else in hoping he'll get to the inevitable sooner rather than later.
I largely agree with you. I think ultimately the problem with Trump is twofold. First he sees everything as a business negotiation. I dont think he truly gets the middle east. If he did he wouldn't be paling it up with Doha. Second he sees everything as personal. If you are nice to him he will think well of you. I hope I am wrong.
I share Bill's concern. I don't see, though, that Trump can afford to either make a weak deal or turn the ships around with guns unfired and planes on deck. I hope his delay is prompted by the time needed to assemble his armada. Jim Dueholm
I agree. Time to move is all of the pieces are in place.
The arc of justice bends toward Iran. Jim Dueholm
This week, I had a chat with the author of an interesting book on Israeli intelligence, and we both thought Caracas was a dress rehearsal. Maybe the target set will be the senior IRGC leadership. We'll see. Letting the Ayatollah off the hook now would be a grave mistake.
My friend Gen (Ret) Amir Avivi, believes war is imminent. This essay hits close to the mark.
Israel and the USA will obliterate the evil Empire of the Ayatollah. This will change the arc of history.
I ardently hope you're right. Is Trump up to it? That's the big question.
Now we know: Trump was up to doing the right thing !
And now he needs to keep doing it until Iran is rendered permanently incapable of menacing the world. There will be lots of pressure for him to ease off. He needs to resist it.
Amen !
I am with you. I believe the time to strike was when tens of thousands were in the streets and a tipping point seemed near. Trump did nothing. Very quickly the hope of revolution became "They can't have nuclear weapons" and the Iranian regime was transformed by Trump's team from a beyond the Palestinians menace to all civilization worthy of overthrow to just another negotiating partner. I dont believe Trump understands geo political strategy or even realizes it exists or is necessary. I don't believe he will overthrow the regime or support an internal Iranian revolution and I dont believe whatever strikes he makes will accomplish anything. In fact I am afraid a deal will end with Iran being rewarded with sanctions relief. If this happens Trump is no better than Obama. I really hope I'm wrong but I just don't think I am.
Trump is infinitely better than Obama in every aspect having to do with the Middle East. One huge advantage he has over Obama is that he's not bogged down with Obama's noisome animus toward Israel. Trump has an overarching geopolitical strategy centered on doing what he believes is best for the United States. I believe he is intellectually lazy when it comes to the nuances of foreign policy. He's also torn between being action/results oriented while being reticent about committing to potentially prolonged violent conflicts (a.k.a. wars). I agree that he missed the initial opportunity at the height of the uprisings, but I'm with everyone else in hoping he'll get to the inevitable sooner rather than later.
I largely agree with you. I think ultimately the problem with Trump is twofold. First he sees everything as a business negotiation. I dont think he truly gets the middle east. If he did he wouldn't be paling it up with Doha. Second he sees everything as personal. If you are nice to him he will think well of you. I hope I am wrong.