It’s difficult to say for sure. This interesting write-up at Zerohedge, overall, suggests that the American Empire is desperately trying to back away from war: US Urges Tehran Not To Target American Bases If It Retaliates Against Israel On the one hand, this headline sounds rather like the US distancing itself from Israel and telling Iran that it can go ahead and retaliate—as long as Iran doesn’t attack US interests. But nothing in this current world order is quite that simple:
I get a sense that Iran is taking a cue from Russia relative to how to respond, how to communicate to the global world order, as well as steps to protect it's longer term interests. Iran seems fairly measured throughout all of this and as far back as the assassination of Soleimani. Russia's got to be providing some guidance to Iran I believe. Intent is to prop up Iran more as a stronger regional power.
This counts as positive news after having just listened to the latest John Mearsheimer/Glenn Diesen/Alex Mercouris discussion. They are deeply pessimistic about any peaceful solution or compromise in the ME. If a complete crook like Pelosi is asking for an Israeli arms freeze, things must be changing.
It's a continuation of Zhou playing both sides of the street. Act tough when necessary to appease his lobby and appear empathetic relative to humanitarian aide etc. Edicts like tell me how you Netanyahu will protect aid workers is a weak and feeble response.
Thanks for the reference, Steg. Whoever thought Pelosi and Sanders would come to represent the "sane" wing of the Democratic Party? The skeptic in me does wonder whether Pelosi and her "group" are taking a "first step" to distance themselves from Biden and whatever bad things might happen in the ME. It would be the politically smart thing to do, especially if they figure Biden's going down soon one way or another, anyway.
Their motives are almost certainly base, but if it leads to something good, fair enough. Pelosi is above all a cynical pol. She's almost certainly thinking about the elections and how the Dem position on Israel is coming over to their base.
This really is becoming a game of chicken. The Biden admin seems to want to continue the arms shipments yet needs to appear as desirous of peace for political reasons. All the while Bibi does everything he can to further set his trap, with no turning back for Israel. Bibi is pouring gasoline all over the place but Iran and Hezbollah and the Houthis have the matches.
I'll believe the Biden admin's latest "demands" of Israel are serious the moment arms shipments are stopped - not before. Actions always speak louder than words and Bibi knows this, too. So who has more influence over the Biden admin, the Dems and the Left, or the Israelis and the Necons? We wait... and wait... and wait.
It's like the movie National Treasure where Voight's character reminds Cage's character to "maintain the status quo". I for one believe something bad or drastic will happen before the November election. Question is who is impacted worse Zhou or Trump?
I hope Trump understands how many people voted for him in 2016 and 2020 to keep us out of wars. If he understands that and continues to promise to do that it will be to his benefit. If he chooses, rather, to voice support for getting us involved in a war in the ME on behalf of Israel (or to keep us in such a war that has already been started), he will have squandered any benefit he might have had over Zhou on this issue.
Yeah. When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail? It seems to me a qualification of any "world leader" should be the ability to listen to others and expand on their ideas, goals, and options based on such without regard to personal "enrichment." I have (had) felt Trump has this capability. I am glad that he has excluded this branch of the family from an active role in the campaign this time around. Perhaps he had enough insight to recognize it would be a problem? Benefit of the doubt for now.
I pray you are right. I appreciated Trump in many ways (as a Brit I see the U.S president as a pseudo leader of my country also) and I have been invested in his struggles because of the injustices done to him. I did read or watch someone who said that during his time on office he trusted people he shouldn't have - Neo Con subterfuge that sabotaged his Presidency. I believe he will take that lesson and never forget but, but, can he see someone like Kushner as a problem? I hope so.
Completely agree, Diss. It's all talk until the neocons say "no more arms!" So far it's been both pitiful and laughable watching the US deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza while delivering 2000kg bombs and other military toys to Haifa. BTW, Netanyahu is looking very tired and dispirited these days. That's partly because of his recent op, but I suspect it's also because even he is starting to realise that he's unleashed something that he can't control.
A good way to steal the election from Trump again would be to cancel the elections due to WWIII. I wouldn’t put it past the deep state to burn the country down to rule over the ashes
Yep. Nothing is off the table. If I were the Dems, I'd let Trump win and then let him take the blame for the gigantic chaos that is just around the corner. However, being Bolsheviks, they will never give up power voluntarily.
The Biden Administration doesn't want it ever revealed how toothless they are right now. The Houtis have already made the Biden people look like morons.
Hmmmm. True not true?
Megatron @Megatron_ron
BREAKING:  The US will not interfere if Iran attacks Israel
Through a series of messages exchanged via third parties, the United States and Iran have come to an understanding.
Iran assured the Americans it will not target U.S. facilities, and in turn the U.S. says it will not get involved if Iran retaliates against Israel.
Israel carried out the attack on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, without consulting the United States.
No change in U.S. policy
Not our circus
And it would upset potential Biden voters
Sure. We’ll just send them $400M instead.
What a mess with the Nakhchivan exclave.
Basically Armenia separates two regions of Azerbaijan.
Simple solution: join Nakhchivan to the Iranian province of Azerbaijan--far more Azerbaijanis live in Iran than in Azerbaijan.
I get a sense that Iran is taking a cue from Russia relative to how to respond, how to communicate to the global world order, as well as steps to protect it's longer term interests. Iran seems fairly measured throughout all of this and as far back as the assassination of Soleimani. Russia's got to be providing some guidance to Iran I believe. Intent is to prop up Iran more as a stronger regional power.
This counts as positive news after having just listened to the latest John Mearsheimer/Glenn Diesen/Alex Mercouris discussion. They are deeply pessimistic about any peaceful solution or compromise in the ME. If a complete crook like Pelosi is asking for an Israeli arms freeze, things must be changing.
It's a continuation of Zhou playing both sides of the street. Act tough when necessary to appease his lobby and appear empathetic relative to humanitarian aide etc. Edicts like tell me how you Netanyahu will protect aid workers is a weak and feeble response.
Thanks for the reference, Steg. Whoever thought Pelosi and Sanders would come to represent the "sane" wing of the Democratic Party? The skeptic in me does wonder whether Pelosi and her "group" are taking a "first step" to distance themselves from Biden and whatever bad things might happen in the ME. It would be the politically smart thing to do, especially if they figure Biden's going down soon one way or another, anyway.
Their motives are almost certainly base, but if it leads to something good, fair enough. Pelosi is above all a cynical pol. She's almost certainly thinking about the elections and how the Dem position on Israel is coming over to their base.
This really is becoming a game of chicken. The Biden admin seems to want to continue the arms shipments yet needs to appear as desirous of peace for political reasons. All the while Bibi does everything he can to further set his trap, with no turning back for Israel. Bibi is pouring gasoline all over the place but Iran and Hezbollah and the Houthis have the matches.
I'll believe the Biden admin's latest "demands" of Israel are serious the moment arms shipments are stopped - not before. Actions always speak louder than words and Bibi knows this, too. So who has more influence over the Biden admin, the Dems and the Left, or the Israelis and the Necons? We wait... and wait... and wait.
It's like the movie National Treasure where Voight's character reminds Cage's character to "maintain the status quo". I for one believe something bad or drastic will happen before the November election. Question is who is impacted worse Zhou or Trump?
I hope Trump understands how many people voted for him in 2016 and 2020 to keep us out of wars. If he understands that and continues to promise to do that it will be to his benefit. If he chooses, rather, to voice support for getting us involved in a war in the ME on behalf of Israel (or to keep us in such a war that has already been started), he will have squandered any benefit he might have had over Zhou on this issue.
I'd have more confidence in Trump if I hadn't heard Jared Kushner talking about the Gaza strip as a real estate opportunity a few days back.
Yeah. When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail? It seems to me a qualification of any "world leader" should be the ability to listen to others and expand on their ideas, goals, and options based on such without regard to personal "enrichment." I have (had) felt Trump has this capability. I am glad that he has excluded this branch of the family from an active role in the campaign this time around. Perhaps he had enough insight to recognize it would be a problem? Benefit of the doubt for now.
I pray you are right. I appreciated Trump in many ways (as a Brit I see the U.S president as a pseudo leader of my country also) and I have been invested in his struggles because of the injustices done to him. I did read or watch someone who said that during his time on office he trusted people he shouldn't have - Neo Con subterfuge that sabotaged his Presidency. I believe he will take that lesson and never forget but, but, can he see someone like Kushner as a problem? I hope so.
True that Jared and Ivana are not campaigning, but would DJT bring Kushner back in the fold if he won.
Personally I think Kushner was playing both sides during the Trump presidency.
Completely agree, Diss. It's all talk until the neocons say "no more arms!" So far it's been both pitiful and laughable watching the US deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza while delivering 2000kg bombs and other military toys to Haifa. BTW, Netanyahu is looking very tired and dispirited these days. That's partly because of his recent op, but I suspect it's also because even he is starting to realise that he's unleashed something that he can't control.
A good way to steal the election from Trump again would be to cancel the elections due to WWIII. I wouldn’t put it past the deep state to burn the country down to rule over the ashes
Trying to recall the last time that happened during our Constitutional Republic. Hhhhhmmm...
Yep. Nothing is off the table. If I were the Dems, I'd let Trump win and then let him take the blame for the gigantic chaos that is just around the corner. However, being Bolsheviks, they will never give up power voluntarily.
The Biden Administration doesn't want it ever revealed how toothless they are right now. The Houtis have already made the Biden people look like morons.
Are you kidding? The Zhou admin people would never admit that nor believe it.
You could certainly add Israel to the list, and why not Iran as well?
Not sure Iran is ready to join that list quite yet, ML. They've already been distinctly un-moronic by not responding wildly to the embassy attack.