Global Events & Politics Überthread

Brian Schatz

@brianschatz
·
5h


They have lied about almost everything. There is no reason to suddenly give

them the benefit of the doubt because they took a precipitous military action.

Instead, our deepest skepticism, our toughest oversight, our most probing questions,

must come now.
 
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

@AOC
·
2h


Right now is the moment to decide if you are pro-peace or not.

The cheerleaders of war, removed from its true cost, will gladly convince you that up is down - just as they did in Iraq in ‘03.

But war does not establish peace.
War does not create security.
War endangers us all.

…………………………………………………….

So yeah, which side are you on ?

War advocates start off saying “we all want peace, but...”

or “it’s too late...”

& frame a pro-peace agenda as naïve to realpolitik.

Don’t give into this gaslighting.

The same folks selling us Iraq and selling us this

latest provocation of violence.

We cannot repeat this cycle.

AOC is incredibly naïve. I want peace and think de-escalation is crucial right now. However, the idea that war cannot achieve peace just ignores history.

War achieved a American independence. War achieved the end of slavery in the US. War put an end to the greatest evil the world has ever known in the Nazis.

War should be a last resort but it must be a credible threat. In fact, the only thing holding Iran in check right now is their knowledge that should they go too far, the US would crush them.

I'm no hawk but hard power is a necessary evil in a dangerous world.
 
half a sense of US/Persian relations tells you yes, the US did invade Iran in 1954 overthrowing an existing monarchy in favor of a western leaning Shah that lasted until 1979.
We can pretty much date our tensions with the Iranians to November 1979. Or to take it one step backwards, 1954

Now, why would the US interfere in Persian politics in 1954 ?

One of my many problems with RedState America is they think history began the day they individually started paying attention.


I forget who said it but the way to understand geo-politics is to work backwards


What's happening? I actually agree with a 57 post. Dang it! Near eastern targeted geopolitics will inevitably have ties to world powers whomever they might be at the time.
 
Ro Khanna

@RoKhanna
·
6h


If you are wondering who benefits from endless wars, take a look at how stocks for weapons manufacturers began to rise as soon as Soleimani was killed.

Defense contractors spent $84 million lobbying Congress last year and it certainly wasn’t to promote diplomacy and restraint.



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AOC is incredibly naïve. I want peace and think de-escalation is crucial right now. However, the idea that war cannot achieve peace just ignores history.

War achieved a American independence. War achieved the end of slavery in the US. War put an end to the greatest evil the world has ever known in the Nazis.

War should be a last resort but it must be a credible threat. In fact, the only thing holding Iran in check right now is their knowledge that should they go too far, the US would crush them.

I'm no hawk but hard power is a necessary evil in a dangerous world.

it wasn't that long ago the same rationale was used to justify the Iraq invasion and subsequent occupation.

We keep using WWII as an example of how war brought peace, but did it ?
Some would argue the divisions after WWII created the Bosnian situation in the 90's, constant unrest in Eastern Europe, the war is SE Asia. Some will argue ( myself included) the current middle East situation is a direct result of WWI geo political gerrymandering.
Over what --- oil --- of course

So what she seems to you "naïve" she can afford to, as can I and you too for that matter- but here we are arguing with those we agree with ( you and AOC in this case) because you don't agree for the same reason.
Or is it fear of being labeled not fair and balanced ?
My mother used to call that cutting off your nose to spite your face. All the same, it is again proven to be a handy tool in the Neo-Con toolbox.
 
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it wasn't that long ago the same rationale was used to justify the Iraq invasion and subsequent occupation.

We keep using WWII as an example of how war brought peace, but did it ?
Some would argue the divisions after WWII created the Bosnian situation in the 90's, constant unrest in Eastern Europe, the war is SE Asia. Some will argue ( myself included) the current middle East situation is a direct result of WWI geo political gerrymandering.
Over what --- oil --- of course

So what she seems to you "naïve" she can afford to, as can I and you too for that matter- but here we are arguing with those we agree with ( you and AOC in this case) because you don't agree for the same reason.
Or is it fear of being labeled not fair and balanced ?
My mother used to call that cutting off your nose to spite your face. All the same, it is again proven proven to be a handy tool in the Neo-Con toolbox.

The problems in the Balkans and Middle East far predate WWII. Also, using WWII as blanket justification for any war is foolish. However, it refutes the idea that war is never necessary and cannot achieve good. That was my point.

AOC doesn't understand the necessity of a credible threat. If you are unwilling to ever consider war, you're going to get walked all over in global politics.

That's my problem with her statements. War should not be a first option or one you quickly jump to. But it must be an option. Self preservation is all that can keep some in line.
 
Of course it is always an option, if I remember correctly, this "credible threat" was held in check until recently.

Why does she stand for criticism by the never Trumpers yet Graham and his bombast seems to get a pass
Along those lines, what adjective would one apply to the Hawks of (R) ?



You might want to look up the names and bios inside the NSA these days. Underline or color code the Bolton faction
As one poster above noted, regime change in Iran under any pretense has been a (R) goal for 40 years
and this ---

"We have got to try to work out these conflicts in a way that does not involve war. That's my mission"
- Sen Sanders today in Iowa

My guess is that she (as I) agrees with Sen Sanders
No more or less.
this was un necessary

And where were the "never Trumpers" in 2003 and 2010 ?
 
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The problem with this strike is that IMPOTUS has no credibility. He lies so much that at this point its best to assume he is lying until proven otherwise. Nothing he does is for the benefit of anyone but himself. I really wonder if this is a QPQ to keep Bolton quiet. We all k omw how much he wants Americans to die in Iran. He probably Jack's off thinking about it.
 
If that’s true, they are a bunch of ****ing morons. The only reason that government still stands is due to the America Military.

All they have to look at is our recent treatment of the Kurds in Syria to see what kind of reliable ally we are.
 
I'd love to get our troops out of Iraq. We can still run plenty of operations from within our reliable allies borders.
 
I believe it is one of Iran's top objectives to bring about a reduction in the U.S. presence and influence in the region. Mission accomplished. Win-win even. We get to bring the troops home and Iran has more influence over Iraq.
 
Something to think about: If we were to have a redo perhaps take out Suleimani while he is in Syria?

I'm sure the planning for the operation included gaming how this would play out within the Iraqi political structure.
 
[tw]1213823941321592834[/tw]

could be the Iraqi PM is lying...could be chosen one lied to him...which is more plausible?
 
Something else to consider: Iran can and has been using Iraq to evade sanctions. Methinks there will be more of this as they draw closer.

But I'm sure this was all given careful consideration by chosen one and his advisers.
 
[tw]1213663996152340481[/tw]

After initially rejecting the Suleimani option on Dec. 28 and authorizing airstrikes on an Iranian-backed Shia militia group instead, a few days later Mr. Trump watched, fuming, as television reports showed Iranian-backed attacks on the American Embassy in Baghdad, according to Defense Department and administration officials.

By late Thursday, the president had gone for the extreme option. Top Pentagon officials were stunned.
 
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