Nice to hear that assessment of Scowcroft from a plugged-in (formerly, at least), high-integrity guy like Wilkerson. Had occasion to use The Scowcroft Group to shepherd various foreign-acquiror clients through the CFIUS approval process (engaging a DC “hitter” was (and, presumably, still is) a necessary evil if you wanted CFIUS to even look at your matter within the financing’s timeline). TSG was way harder on us than CFIUS ever was for making our case for the national interest. Unlike much (most?) of DC, Brent actually gave a substantive sh!t about this country and wasn’t just selling a name.
OT Trumps Leverage in Ukraine ( something I had not thought of before but read tonight - Legitimate on Telegram - paraphrased as follows )
A Primary Goal of Russia is not only taking the territories they now control, military victory; but having them legally enshrined as ' Russia ' under international law, diplomatic victory.
Russia would have not just a military victory but equally important possibly more important, a diplomatic win.
It may be that this is one key aspect of Trump leverage [ he does not have much else]
Trump could promise Putin to back/support a UN and International Law Resolution Declaring These New Oblasts are Russia.
I Opine this is of extreme importance to Putin. So that is something Trump could put on the table for Putin, very enticing. I would not be surprised to find this true, Trump is making these proposals.
Wilkerson’s point of view on Iran was reassuring as were his always bitingly honest appraisals of the NSC office compared to present-day, not-ready-for-prime-time Walz (former Florida Congresscritter) and co. Tx Mark for roping in these interesting conversations.
This thing is gliding around off the tip of Somalia. And its environmentally friendly /s/
During the "signalgate" hearing, one of the congress critters actually acknowledged that the Houthis have the ability to, and have, downed Reaper drones.
Ken Klippenstein has been doing some good reporting on "war plans" for Iran (no mainstream media ever wants to publish these stories, so they end up on his substack):
Scott Horton interviewed him today & reminded me of the articles & I thought some here might find them interesting. His reporting is always pretty solid.
I just cannot see a war with Iran - I opine it would be insane
If they cannot even stop the Houthis in Yemen
If they cannot end Ukraine ( 100 Billion + in aide and $$$)
If they are paying for Israel, which I believe they must be ( $ 100 billion estimated need)
They want to take on China
War in Lebanon and War in Syria Syria could get out of control
So much going on internally in the US but also in Israel
The US is broke
As Mark pointed out the statement of M. K. Bhadrakumar and I am sure there are more consequences not being considered :
If the consequences undermine those Countries the US needs for airstrikes and support:
""""Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani drew an apocalyptic scenario that his country and the Persian Gulf Arab states will run out of water within three days if Iran’s nuclear facilities are targeted by the US or Israel! Does that occur to anyone?"""""
I agree with Mersheimer, bombing Iran seems like a fools errand and the US a) has no money available, b) risks tremendous losses, and c) so many unknowns what will Russia do, what will others do How will Iran react, How will Houthis react How will Qatar Saudi Arabia react
There is No Coalition like there was with Iraq as far as I know and Europe seems a bit pissed off at the US right now, either you sell EU down the river to get a Russia Ukraine settlement, or you start letting EU take a lead in the Russia Ukraine settlement to get EU to support Iran bombing.
The problem is that each day that Trump ups the ante with Yemen and Iran, the harder it gets for him to back down and save face. Those stealth jets will look pretty stupid having to fly all the way from Diego Garcia. I hope the optimists are right, but I have a bad feeling about this. There is also the sense of deja vu that one gets when seeing Gabbard and Co. cackling at the deaths of innocents in a way that would make HRC proud.
The problem is that each day that Trump ups the ante with Yemen and Iran....
agreed and an additional problem is
Yemen and Iran might just start to think, instead of waiting for US to bomb us and destroy the weapons at our home, we may as well use them on Israel home
Stupid and expensive. Is Israel paying us for our military? No, they are paying our politicians to provide it for free. It's safer for them and cheaper.
Pressure at this level has a way of altering our thinking especially when the proverbial gun is pointed at your head. That gun is always wielded in the shadows.
Megatron @Megatron_ron
...
Protester disrupts senate hearing:
"The biggest threat to global security is Israel, and the whole world knows it. STOP FUNDING ISRAEL!!!"
Senator Tom Cotton, the biggest AIPAC-funded senator, immediately blamed him for being sent and funded by China.
Nice to hear that assessment of Scowcroft from a plugged-in (formerly, at least), high-integrity guy like Wilkerson. Had occasion to use The Scowcroft Group to shepherd various foreign-acquiror clients through the CFIUS approval process (engaging a DC “hitter” was (and, presumably, still is) a necessary evil if you wanted CFIUS to even look at your matter within the financing’s timeline). TSG was way harder on us than CFIUS ever was for making our case for the national interest. Unlike much (most?) of DC, Brent actually gave a substantive sh!t about this country and wasn’t just selling a name.
OT Trumps Leverage in Ukraine ( something I had not thought of before but read tonight - Legitimate on Telegram - paraphrased as follows )
A Primary Goal of Russia is not only taking the territories they now control, military victory; but having them legally enshrined as ' Russia ' under international law, diplomatic victory.
Russia would have not just a military victory but equally important possibly more important, a diplomatic win.
It may be that this is one key aspect of Trump leverage [ he does not have much else]
Trump could promise Putin to back/support a UN and International Law Resolution Declaring These New Oblasts are Russia.
I Opine this is of extreme importance to Putin. So that is something Trump could put on the table for Putin, very enticing. I would not be surprised to find this true, Trump is making these proposals.
The Trump leverage part is my own opinion, Legitimate was discussing the Kremlin desire for international recognition.
I’m aligned with yours and Wilkerson line of thought.
Wilkerson’s point of view on Iran was reassuring as were his always bitingly honest appraisals of the NSC office compared to present-day, not-ready-for-prime-time Walz (former Florida Congresscritter) and co. Tx Mark for roping in these interesting conversations.
I had watched all 3 of those interviews today, too, and thought they were quite good. Its hard to argue with sensible people lol.
We are apparently employing a new toy I've never seen before to eyeball Yemen:
https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/defence/uas/zephyr
This thing is gliding around off the tip of Somalia. And its environmentally friendly /s/
During the "signalgate" hearing, one of the congress critters actually acknowledged that the Houthis have the ability to, and have, downed Reaper drones.
Ken Klippenstein has been doing some good reporting on "war plans" for Iran (no mainstream media ever wants to publish these stories, so they end up on his substack):
https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/the-nuclear-war-plan-for-iran
https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/the-iran-war-plan
Scott Horton interviewed him today & reminded me of the articles & I thought some here might find them interesting. His reporting is always pretty solid.
Yep. See it on fr24.
Its creepy looking, like a flying stick bug.
Yep. Fairly tiny in comparison to planes nearby. Thx for sharing my fr24 friend.
Also can’t stomach Klippy
I just cannot see a war with Iran - I opine it would be insane
If they cannot even stop the Houthis in Yemen
If they cannot end Ukraine ( 100 Billion + in aide and $$$)
If they are paying for Israel, which I believe they must be ( $ 100 billion estimated need)
They want to take on China
War in Lebanon and War in Syria Syria could get out of control
So much going on internally in the US but also in Israel
The US is broke
As Mark pointed out the statement of M. K. Bhadrakumar and I am sure there are more consequences not being considered :
If the consequences undermine those Countries the US needs for airstrikes and support:
""""Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani drew an apocalyptic scenario that his country and the Persian Gulf Arab states will run out of water within three days if Iran’s nuclear facilities are targeted by the US or Israel! Does that occur to anyone?"""""
I agree with Mersheimer, bombing Iran seems like a fools errand and the US a) has no money available, b) risks tremendous losses, and c) so many unknowns what will Russia do, what will others do How will Iran react, How will Houthis react How will Qatar Saudi Arabia react
There is No Coalition like there was with Iraq as far as I know and Europe seems a bit pissed off at the US right now, either you sell EU down the river to get a Russia Ukraine settlement, or you start letting EU take a lead in the Russia Ukraine settlement to get EU to support Iran bombing.
Don't think you can have it both ways.
.
The problem is that each day that Trump ups the ante with Yemen and Iran, the harder it gets for him to back down and save face. Those stealth jets will look pretty stupid having to fly all the way from Diego Garcia. I hope the optimists are right, but I have a bad feeling about this. There is also the sense of deja vu that one gets when seeing Gabbard and Co. cackling at the deaths of innocents in a way that would make HRC proud.
The problem is that each day that Trump ups the ante with Yemen and Iran....
agreed and an additional problem is
Yemen and Iran might just start to think, instead of waiting for US to bomb us and destroy the weapons at our home, we may as well use them on Israel home
Stupid and expensive. Is Israel paying us for our military? No, they are paying our politicians to provide it for free. It's safer for them and cheaper.
What happened to Tulsi? I liked and respected her when she appeared frequently on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox.
Is there an Anglo-Zionist Kool-Aid in D.C? A few drinks, and the person is bewitched...all regard for the sanctity of human life is gone.
It's called ambition.
Someone once said that in this life you can either have love or power. You can't have both. These people chose power.
Pressure at this level has a way of altering our thinking especially when the proverbial gun is pointed at your head. That gun is always wielded in the shadows.
This is not nice! There's no stopping this madness, it seems?
https://theacademyofideas.substack.com/p/when-government-becomes-the-enemy?
I love that site. And the art work that accompanies it.