There is something about DJT's relationship with Bibi/Israel that is just "off" to me. Passive-aggressive is the only way I know to describe it. Although he does the A-Z cheerleading sometimes, his actions do not always seem to be in Israel's favor. I've watched a number of interviews with him from before his first term; in several he was asked about Israel/Palestine & he stated there would not be peace because Netanyahu doesn't want peace. I think Doctorow is right, there's just too much going on we aren't privy to behind the scenes to get a truly clear picture of where things are going. The Israelis now see the Turks as a possible threat - but DJT says, "I like Erdo!" That had to give Bibi pause, as well as negotiating with the Iranians and not bombing them. Can't imagine the Russians didn't have something to do with that decision.
Without a doubt, we are seeing kookdom on the daily lol. I'm trying to treat it like watching reality TV - like Jersey Shore only in Washington, D.C. Keeps me from having a stroke.
Great post and spot on. Maybe he’s taking advice from the Russians. Maskirovka, the art of strategic deception. The Russians are the masters. The apparent chaos of multiple vectors of insult and attack is very maskirovka
Trump Derangement Syndrome is a very real thing! Trump is incomparable in his ability to press buttons. By getting people not thinking clearly, it's easier for him to manuver and make deals.
I have been saying for a while that Trump can not invade Iran. I still see that there is a better chance of him sacrificing all of the materiel at Diego Garcia than using it to attack Iran.
But, I am still furious that we, apparently blew up a water treatment plant serving 50,000 souls. For context of scale, this is halfway between the deaths caused by the Dresden Firebombing and the Nagasaki atomic bombing.
I continue to be angered by this heinous bombing of the water facilities as well, Jeff. And then for DJT to make a childish remark about it "oops!" on social media disgusts me. DJT also lied about the people standing in the oval shape, saying they were Houthis receiving instructions for their next attack mission...the entire business was cold-hearted and disgusting.
Counter BRICS by creating a new free trade block centered on US. Freeze China (Chi-nah) out. A move in the Cold War vs them. This could help move Russia away from them, away from BRICS, and toward us in the new tripolar world.
China sanctions still on? Sanctions off everyone else? Seems like the start of uncoupling. Now would be a good time to stop paying for their weapons by doing business with them. How many super tough ballistic missile silos are the Chinese building?
The importance of "face"--a person's reputation, dignity, and social standing--is hardly unique to Chinese culture. The Trumpian technique of public humiliation--whatever its usefulness in the rough and tumble of American partisan politics--is not calculated to work well in international relations except when dealing with utterly subservient vassal states. This is why I object to Trump's rhetoric. I was a bit flabbergasted by the Spokesgirl what's-her-name saying that Trump would respond "graciously" to any Chinese move to open negotiations--this following on Trump's public proclamation that the whole world was lining up to "kiss my [his] ass." IOW, if I understand this correctly--and I think I do: Trump will stop publicly humiliating you if you kiss his ass first by lining up with the rest of the world to "negotiate" on his terms.
I fear that this is going to 1) cool Russian willingness to deal with Trump for multiple reasons (one is that Russia will always value cordial relations with China) and 2) harden Iranian resolve.
From American Conservative.
Trump Surprises the Hawks on Iran.
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/trump-surprises-the-hawks-on-iran/
Remember this? https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economics/2022/china-bought-none-extra-200-billion-us-exports-trumps-trade-deal
Trump has a long memory.
There is something about DJT's relationship with Bibi/Israel that is just "off" to me. Passive-aggressive is the only way I know to describe it. Although he does the A-Z cheerleading sometimes, his actions do not always seem to be in Israel's favor. I've watched a number of interviews with him from before his first term; in several he was asked about Israel/Palestine & he stated there would not be peace because Netanyahu doesn't want peace. I think Doctorow is right, there's just too much going on we aren't privy to behind the scenes to get a truly clear picture of where things are going. The Israelis now see the Turks as a possible threat - but DJT says, "I like Erdo!" That had to give Bibi pause, as well as negotiating with the Iranians and not bombing them. Can't imagine the Russians didn't have something to do with that decision.
Interesting times, for sure!
Trump needs to pacify his fundraisers while acknowledging the US Israeli lobby all while he holds his nose.
Yes! But what a way for a supposedly representative government to run. And of course it was this way before Trump, just not quite so open.
Without a doubt, we are seeing kookdom on the daily lol. I'm trying to treat it like watching reality TV - like Jersey Shore only in Washington, D.C. Keeps me from having a stroke.
Hang in their Ted, we need your levity.....and common sense commentary.
Great post and spot on. Maybe he’s taking advice from the Russians. Maskirovka, the art of strategic deception. The Russians are the masters. The apparent chaos of multiple vectors of insult and attack is very maskirovka
Trump Derangement Syndrome is a very real thing! Trump is incomparable in his ability to press buttons. By getting people not thinking clearly, it's easier for him to manuver and make deals.
I have been saying for a while that Trump can not invade Iran. I still see that there is a better chance of him sacrificing all of the materiel at Diego Garcia than using it to attack Iran.
Here's an easy thing to overlook: Oman is the party that finally got US proxy Saudi Arabia and Yemen to agree to peace terms. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/12/is-omans-hard-work-with-yemen-and-saudi-arabia-paying-off
But, I am still furious that we, apparently blew up a water treatment plant serving 50,000 souls. For context of scale, this is halfway between the deaths caused by the Dresden Firebombing and the Nagasaki atomic bombing.
I continue to be angered by this heinous bombing of the water facilities as well, Jeff. And then for DJT to make a childish remark about it "oops!" on social media disgusts me. DJT also lied about the people standing in the oval shape, saying they were Houthis receiving instructions for their next attack mission...the entire business was cold-hearted and disgusting.
Counter BRICS by creating a new free trade block centered on US. Freeze China (Chi-nah) out. A move in the Cold War vs them. This could help move Russia away from them, away from BRICS, and toward us in the new tripolar world.
China sanctions still on? Sanctions off everyone else? Seems like the start of uncoupling. Now would be a good time to stop paying for their weapons by doing business with them. How many super tough ballistic missile silos are the Chinese building?
Heard about this today. https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/apple-beat-the-tariffs-shipped-five-extra-planeloads-of-goods-from-india-to-the-u-s-in-march
Pre orders put on pause. Tariff pricing factored in already. Don’t disappoint those kiddies at Christmas. https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7503598
I looked up DF-41 while writing the first post, but couldn't find numbers.
The importance of "face"--a person's reputation, dignity, and social standing--is hardly unique to Chinese culture. The Trumpian technique of public humiliation--whatever its usefulness in the rough and tumble of American partisan politics--is not calculated to work well in international relations except when dealing with utterly subservient vassal states. This is why I object to Trump's rhetoric. I was a bit flabbergasted by the Spokesgirl what's-her-name saying that Trump would respond "graciously" to any Chinese move to open negotiations--this following on Trump's public proclamation that the whole world was lining up to "kiss my [his] ass." IOW, if I understand this correctly--and I think I do: Trump will stop publicly humiliating you if you kiss his ass first by lining up with the rest of the world to "negotiate" on his terms.
I fear that this is going to 1) cool Russian willingness to deal with Trump for multiple reasons (one is that Russia will always value cordial relations with China) and 2) harden Iranian resolve.
What! Who, what, where, when? This is atrocious behavior.