Re the followup piece https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/15/world/middleeast/iran-us-saudi-arabia-attack.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
"SHOW ME THE MONEY".... Pompeo / Trump have zero credibility based on history. Put up or shut up. Show your hand or fold.
3
Trump ordered this strike for his oil buddies so they can drop all environmental protections...
3
The Trump regime has offered unconditional support for the brutal Saudi campaign in Yemen & has defied Congress to do so. Now it is ready to go to war to defend that bloddthirsty regime.
3
Me thinks this is an inside job - with a simple goal of spiking oil prices.
Friday's Oil Prince headlines: Oil Prices May Slump Heavily In 2020 - Yahoo Finance
Today's Headlines: Oil prices soar after drone strikes halve Saudi oil output
Bingo - Objective Attained. No problem. Now that is the power of an Oligopoly kids.
6
Lets not forget that the Saudis are major contributors to terrorism and human rights abuse. As a long time major oil producer they are also major contributors and profiteers from climate change. From the videos of this attack I would worry more about the pollution and heath risks to the workers and people who live nearby than the disruption to world oil supply.
7
it is hard to see how Iran is a military threat to the US. We have plenty of oil now, in fact there is a glut. Israel would be able to clean Iran's clock in any kind of conflict.
4
Abadan and Bandar Abbas, major Iranian refinery areas, are tempting targets for UAVs .
Saudi retaliation,
Possibly even a false flag operation.
Launch them from the gulf and see what shakes out.
1
This is almost as bad as the fire at the Jim Beam distillery.
8
Does the Times have anyone who can critique this new Raytheon anti UAV system? The number of sensors needed and wave legnths used? Are they currently operational and where? Will US troops be used to man these weapon systems in Saudi Arabia? What do the Israeli's have? Who else has this technology?
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/dsei/2019/09/11/raytheon-anticipates-international-boom-in-counter-drone-sales/
2
This was a kick in the head to Donald Trump to remove sanctions on Iran and start negotiating. This showed a small sample of what a war in that region would look like. This attack, very likely engineered by Iranians, limited oil supply, soared oil prices that helps Iran and hurts shipping companies. I think the Saudi’s will come to their senses and stop their senseless bombing of Yemen. They will also stop spending billions on useless weapons from the US, realizing they are ineffective to drones.
I think Iranians and Saudis will start negotiating a deal that benefits both; realizing that their oil refineries are the lifeline of their economies and very vulnerable. They will leave the US out; forming strong economic alliances with China, Russia, India, others.
2
Trump's and Kushners probably heavily invested in oil stocks in order generate more cash to build additional luxurious condos in Opportunity Zones.
4
@rhdelp
That is a silly response. Do you have an alternative suggestion as to who fired those drones? We all know it was either directly, or indirectly, from the Iranians.
No, we don’t all know that it was Iran. We have a lying thieving president who hasn’t hesitated to line his own pockets. Nothing he says, or anyone in his administration says can be believed without non-administration verification.
4
Timing is everything. Iran knows there is an election in Israel in a few days. Are they likely to throw the Right Wing in Israel some
red meat at this time?
I don't think so.
They know that Trump is amenable to a deal with some cosmetic changes in the existing Iran Deal and that France and others are trying to facilitate that result. Are they going to blow up that channel now?
I don't think so.
The Iranians (Persians) have been around a long time. They will respond proportionately to our provocations. They have to. But,
like most strategic players they know timing is everything.
5
By accusing Iran, without having any data to support his words Pompeo is doing a disservice to the US, since it is masking the enormous vulnerability of the Saudis and the irresponsible behavior of Prince Bin Salman, the business partner of Son in Law Number One.
Let's think for a moment, if some $ 15,000 dollars drones can do so much damage what the much more powerful and precise Iran's missiles cant do to those installations and oil fields?
But not only Pompeo is an irresponsible long tongue, Prince Bin Salman, who is the aggressor of Yemen should realize the risk that he is taking and and with him his oil customers in Europe and Asia by getting into a war for which his country is totally unprepared.
Oil importers of the world, beware of incompetent suppliers.
7
My feeling is- More power to them (Houthis). After 4 years of pointless Saudi slaughter on some of the world's poorest people, probably only because they are Shiite, the murder of Kashoggi, brutal suppression of women (immolation of the sports stadium woman).. it is high time Saudi Arabian gets slapped down. Too bad it didn't happen on 9-11, wonder if that was attempted.
This was an giant evolution in warfare, when $16,000 900 mile range drones can cause $10-20 million damage to a massive industrial facility; they really have come of age. It is chilling that real terrorists could do this with complete immunity to OUR oil + gas facilities in TX + LA. This thousand fold magnifier will become obvious to our Navy if we ever get into a real shooting war w Iran- their Russian 2.7x supersonic missiles are unstoppable; and all our capital ships in the Persian Gulf could quickly be sent to the bottom. That is a basketball moving at 1/2 mile a second, and even subsonic primitive Exocets were devastating in the Falklands. Major billion dollar ships may be rendered completely obsolete.
3
I believe the chickens have come home to roost. Should we be surprised that Houthi rebels are attacking installations in Saudi Arabia. Have we forgotten that Saudi Arabia was behind the attacks on 9/11? Have we forgotten that Saudi Arabia was behind the brutal killing of Khashoggi? Have we forgotten the Saudi led bombing on Yemen? Violence begets violence. Isn't there another way?
6
Why is this not a banner across the top of the front page?
And, given the biases and irresponsibility of Trump's Pompeo, I don't find their opinion worth a hill of beans. Of course it's complicated.
And don't forget what we did to Mossadegh, which made things so much worse, and all for BP (remember the gulf oil spill?).
3
Iran has been shoved up against t very hard place by US sanctions and has been trying to find a way to hurt the world economy so pressure on the YS would relieve the sanctions. They can't do it as directly as they were by attacking oil tankers in the Straits of Hormouz, so they are using their Houthi proxies to do it and give them at least some cover to protect against the US military striking them directly. They made a big mistake here.
2
Why would the Houthis do this? Just because Saudi Arabia is raining bombs on them is no reason to fight back. Oh and the US is supplying the bombs and helping to refuel their aircraft.
5
@Bill Good point. But haven't you repeated it several times today?
The Houthis are a group we have nothing in cultural commons with, except that almost anybody can respect people fighting for their home to be an independent nation; the Saudis are a medieval monarchy that with an amputation-based justice system that are fighting to dominate other nations like a little empire.
We talk as if it's terrible for Iran to be arming and supporting regional partners, while we do much, much more for Mohammed bin Salman, despite MbS' declared war on our oil industry, attempted to drive all our frackers broke with a price plunge, throwing hundreds of thousands out of work.
I can't imagine why we've picked the side we have. We should switch. I like the Yemeni marginally better in general, and I really hate MbS for destroying much of the economy of my hometown. (Calgary)
Oh, and there's the murdered journalist and the tens of thousand of Yemeni dead from a deliberate cholera epidemic, a gruesome, hideous war crime. Oh again, the famine, also deliberate.
Actually, pardon me while I go vomit over the fact that we're on the wrong side. Again.
7
Pompeo might as well blame Amazon and Apple. Anyone can buy a 6 rotor drone with GPS that can carry a few pounds of Semtex and be flown with a phone app. This is the future of terrorism. Anyone can make or build a flying bomb with little effort. I'm more afraid this will become a Gulf of Tonkin or a WMDs in Iraq situation. Some specious excuse for a President with falling poll numbers who thinks bombing Tehran will pump up his base. Bomb Tehran then a US destroyer gets blown out of the water in the Straits of Hormuz and away we go.
8
It is pathetic when you can't believe anything this administration claims. Strange the exit given for John Bolton was his aggressive stance on Iran and a bombing of half the oil fields in Saudi Arabia transpired in the same week. Sort of like firing Comey and the following day hosting Russians in the oval office. Trump, Pompeo and Kushner have probably already, on the sly, discussed joining forces with Netanyahu to aid the fake ally Saudi Arabia for an imaginary aggression by Iran.
5
Iran may very well been as surprised as anyone by this attack--but it was done by their proxies. Radicals they financed, trained, and armed. Yemen is the poorest nation in the Middle East. The Houthi-occupied areas don't have a drone building industry. I may not be responsible if I loan you my car and kill someone driving drunk. But if I give you a flying killing robot, I have at least a little blood on my hand. Actually, if I know you have a history of driving drunk, I actually do have a good degree of responsibility if you do so w/my car. Likewise, if I know you have a history of firing weapons into your neighbor, I have no business selling you them.
In this case, it's not just a case of benignly "knowing" your violent history. I've actually encouraged it, dragged it out, financed it, and rooted it on.
Of course Iran must be held accountable in one form or another.
2
I don’t feel sorry for Saudi Arabia.
They have annihilated Yemen and it’s population with US furnished weapons. The number of lives lost is almost incalculable, and it is the among the poorest nations on earth with a starving population.
To blame it on Iran is a poor excuse.
The Trump WH along with Kushner have basically given MBS free reign to do what he wants in Yemen.
6
I think it was either Greenland or Alabama that did this - in retribution.
2
The U.S. provides the radar defense for Saudi Arabia.
How is it that the Saudis spent $67.6 billion last year on weapons and yet their military seems ridiculously incompetent/ineffective?
3
Another great success of Donald J Trump. Saudi. A planned to sell a portion of the place attacked for 2 Trillion dollars. Trump did his sword dance to show support of the Saudies. So now we have no Iran deal and a possible new war in Middle East.
All this winning is so exhausting.
4
@Frank Stone huh?
@Frank Stone
Another silly response. Look, we dislike the Saudis, and the Iranian government. Many Iranian people are far more educated and westernized than the Saudi nationals. But, can you tell us who else is behind this attack? Perfect timing, right after Bolton leaves.
Do Pompei or Trump have any proof to back up their claims?
Meanwhile, the possibility of more oil wells and facilities being attacked is just one more reason to move faster into clean renewable energy sources rather than backing oil and natural gas.
9
@Barbara
Agreed. The volcanic eruption in Pompei was just a small catastrophe in climate change compared to the extinction level event in Trump’s GOP policies...
Oh! You meant Pompeo? Yeah he doesn’t have any evidence to back his claims. He’s guilty as a fox in the hen house.
1
@Barbara
"We don't need no stinkin' badges" BIG HAT
I look forward to cashing in the oil futures in my retirement portfolio at a tidy profit. Thanks, Messrs. Pompeo and Trump, for your continued efforts to sow chaos in the Middle East.
1
@chambolle
I wonder what would happen to your retirement portfolio if high oil prices lead to economic slowdown across the world, causing a 1930-like recession.
14
I am hoping for a depression.
@Eddie B.
I think Chambolle tried to be sarcastic, he may well have no retirement account at all.
3
Trump becoming president with ZERO foreign policy experience was like a dumb rich kid starting out as a freshman in high school. A lot of shady dudes start coming up to him and saying "here, smoke this" and "hey, invite us over to swim in your pool while mom and dad are out of town."
With Trump, the shady dudes were Netanyahu, Bin Salman, Bolton, Pompeo. They came up to him and started saying "hey, let's stick it to Obama and pull out of that nuclear deal. Hey, we'll roll out the red carpet for you in the kingdom...now how about selling us a bunch of weapons? Hey, let's bomb Iran to get back at them for downing that drone." What these shady dudes want is one thing: for Trump to take America to war against Iran.
Will the freshman wise up, or will he fall down the rabbit hole?
5
@Htb Considering Trump's public support of the Saudi royal family, I think it would be fair to say he's already fallen down the rabbit hole.
1
“Iraq has acquired significant quantities of yellowcake from Niger...”. Remember? There’s an election coming. Remember!
5
This must be a shock for the bullies of the world.
5
I will take with a grain of salt any blame assigned to anyone for anything until the Trump administration is gone.
4
Either a fool or an ignorant of recent events in the M.E. arena would not see Iranian connection and, Pompeo is neither.
1
Some unrealistic individuals are asserting the benefits that would have accrued if the money spent by Saudi to destroy Yemen had been used for developing Yemen! What a noble thought. It is like asking a predator; say a wolf or an anacoada , to give up killing deer, because the deer are such graceful animals!
Over time, since WW2, America has become a predator. And now America is inculcating the Saudis into Predator-hood. Like the Anaconda America squeezes the life of nations unable to fight it; America is now supplying the Saudi with fangs to tear their victim in the manner of a wolf.
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR. ANIMALS
5
@Chaudri the peacenik
That’s a bit unfair of an analogy. At least wolves, unlike anacondas or Defense contractors and GOP politicians don’t prey upon their own species or their own nations.
1
@Chaudri the peacenik The peacenik wants arsenals. .... Kill For Peace .
Iran? Maybe, but National Security types generally couch their statements in more nebulous terms.
What about that 400 pound guy sitting on his bed?
Is our bloated Pentagon prepared to defend against cheap-o drones launched from offshore boats against NYC, D.C., etc?
1
@NJ Keith
Are you kidding? They’ve got their snouts so tied to the Saudi trough they couldn’t stop a civilian plane much less a modified civilian drone.
2
What goes around, comes around. We sell drones, bombs, planes to the Saudis and they use them to kill civilians. Someone sold drones to the Houthi's and they strike a few oil refineries. Even if Iran did supply the drones, what's wrong with that considering we supply over half the weapons to the rest of the world.
6
This is another episode in a conflict over money, cloaked in an aguement of who is a better Muslim. It is equalavent to an arguement of who is a better Christian, a Protestant or a Catholic. It is supercilious, superficial and superfluous. When it is really about money from a resource that is quickly becoming irrelavent.
The U.S. should stay far away from this conflict. It was conflicts like this, is why the United Nations was created in the first place. Unfortunately, our current administration has purposely given up any relavance in the United Nations, by giving up our seat on the Human Rights Commission, or any apperance of being nuetral in this conflict, by withdrawing from Iran Nuclear Deal without cause, and imposing sactions on Iran. As I said earlier, this conflict is all about money. MBS, has used his to buy the allegiance of our President. Which is also the reason why, Article 1, Section 8, (Emolument Clause) of our Constitution was created in the first place, to prevent something like this from happening. This is not making America great again. It is MAKING AMERICA A DISGRACE!!!
7
Trump blew it.
Trump had the opportunity to initially negotiate further with Iran, when he took office.
Instead, he was more interested in tearing down what Obama had built.
He partied and withdrew from the treaty. And look at what he has now brought upon the Middle East.
Now he wants to remediate?
He'll have to start from scratch.
Trump hasn't yet learned to walk and chew gum simultaneously!
7
@Quandry
Do you honestly believe Trump knows how to negotiate?
1
@Quandry Trump doesn't chew gum. He hires people to do that for him.
1
Hard to believe that Saudi Arabia doesn't know the general area where this attack came from. Most likely from Damman or Al Khobar where there is a large Shia population. This is the Sunni/Shia split running amok.
Gulf of Tonkin, Weapons of Mass Destruction....we shouldn't expect anything other from this administration, but we must not accept it.
2
tRump "administration" looking for an excuse to attack Iran. You can't fool us the way war criminals, Bush and Cheney, did. Why are we still backing Saudi Arabia, when Congress voted to stop?
6
So the most modern and technologically advanced defense systems we sell to the Saudis weren’t able to stop a drone?
And if Israel had launched a strike into the heart of Iran would we condemn that?
Any trumpian “Republican” care to answer?
BTW, I was a Republican for 40 years but no longer.
3
Same for the "most modern and technologically advanced" attack systems. Allegedly, it's the reason weddings and hospitals and civilians in Yemen are bombed with alarming regularity. Given that, it may well have been the Saudis who did the bombing. Learning curve? The U.S. is supposed to be training them in return for the billions it banks in sales. Check hasn't cleared yet?
The US sells billions worth of arms to Saudi Arabia. Now the Trump Administration wants to sell nuclear technology to the country responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the US.
Where is wisdom in the USA?
6
Trump just lost his bad cop. The Iranians know there is just a really small dude behind the curtain and they're not afraid.
4
Let's keep in mind that we, the US of A, set the Middle East on fire. Bush the Minor began it with the whole Cheney Rumsfeld lot pushing. Then the real conflagration blew up under Obama with Hillary screaming whatever the CIA/MIC told her to scream. By the time the Saudis got into the lopsided Yemen war they assumed that we, losers in every one of our own lopsided conflicts, would be at their side.
We were, including under the current stupid administration. But displaying the classic greed of our MIC, we sold them only the very most expensive hi-tech equipment designed by our military to fight WW II again.
After all, we were just recuperating our own taxpayers' dollars.
No one even thought about selling them drone defenses despite the desert exposure of the largest oil fields in the world and the complex complexes around them!
Dumb loses again. Our greedy incompetents in our CIA & war-losing Administrations have helped kill masses of Yemenis and would now love to blame Iran so we could get into losing really big time.
4
Thank goodness America can lay claim to the moral high ground in this never-ending proxy. After all, as an American, I wouldn't want any of the blood of those 50,0000 Yemen starvation deaths, on my hands. Not one precious drop.
3
Pompeo, much like many if not all Trump's sycophants seem to work diligently at blowing any credibility they might have had up. But unlike many of them he is always smiling and laughing, even at times when it would be considered inappropriate.
4
Notice all the analysis in this report is provided financial types with vested interest in spinning the tale their way.
All our billions. All the might. All the bunker buster bombs, chemical agents, Bradleys, and B-52s. All the intelligence "assets," intercepts, alliances, and satellites. But these little drones are what will push so many situations towards the point of unravelling. Pennies on the dollar. Stunning. Like a mite crippling an elephant. Why didn't we see this coming?
2
@Ella Why didn't we see this coming?
Maybe for the same reason we're not sure what you're driving at. Should we just throw away all those expensive weapons and rely instead on side arms and hand grenades?
Call me naïve, but why would the Houthis take responsibility for the attack if they weren't responsible? Did Iran train the Yemenis on drone and missile technology? Maybe, but apparently there is no confirmation of this suspicion.
More likely, given the mendacity of this administration from the top on down, there is more than enough reason to be doubtful of Pompeo's claims. Let's not leap to the defense of the Saudis, and let's not accept as gospel truth the statements of an administration that wades waist deep through a sea of lies on a daily basis. We should have learned after the Iraq debacle that we need to have acceptable proof, not the word of an administration that can't be trusted. Liz Cheney, daughter of the architect of the Iraq war, appeared on "Meet the Press" this morning, and leveled full blame on Iran - that alone should give us pause.
7
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2018/12/09/no-the-u-s-is-not-a-net-exporter-of-crude-oil/#5e12d6db4ac1 Here is the best article about how much oil and finished products the US produces given all the import/export factors. It shows that the US has indeed clawed its way to liquid hydrocarbon independence and is headed to become a net exporter soon. Therefore we could effectively walk away from the ME now but of course we will not due to its impact to the rest of the world and our many agreements to protect the oil of so many other countries. Unless we are willing to ditch our allies including Israel we are stuck in the ME no matter who the POTUS is. The only real way out is a reliable base loading producer of electricity and that solution is nuclear with all its nasty byproducts supplemented by renewables yet both are hardly getting the attention our gov can give them. That is the issue people should pressure the gov on not their perceived hatred for the current resident.
Three cheers for the Houthis.
The devastation and death inflicted on Yemen and its people by the Saudis, backed by the US, should rein down on Saudi Arabia in a new armaggedon.
There is no excuse for bombing a country back into the neolithic. The world will applaud the punishment meted out for the arrogance of the Saudis and the US.
5
The use of these drones is a game changer.
Big time.
2
So are all countries defenseless against drone attacks? Or does the iron dome protect against them?
I seem to recall that Jared K was disappointed with Yemen’s response to his request for assistance with a Building 666 bailout, and this may have related to Saudi actions previously? Please correct me if I’ve got that wrong.
@Peety You don't need correcting here. This is a different story.
I have no doubt that Mike Pomepo will be remembered as the most hypocritical Secretary of State. Other than his sheepish loyalty to Trump, there is no consistency in anything he does or says.
Two week ago an Iranian missile launch site was attacked by drones and set on fire. Many suggested Israeli or Saudi involvement. Although both Saudis and Israelis receive from the US billions of dollars in weaponry, information on Iranian military sites, and unconditional POTUS support - even when they engage in most horrendous human rights violations – Trump immediately posted a tweet, denying US involvement in that attack (www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/31/trump-tweets-photo-of-iran-rocket-site-and-says-us-not-involved-in-failed-launch).
Now let’s contrast that with events on Saturday. The Houthi rebels in Yemen used drones to launch an attack on two Saudi oil plants and set them on fire (if we believe Saudi government-controlled press). The attacks were not initiated from Iran, as the US navy monitors the tiniest aerial movement on their side. Moreover, the Houthi not only reported the attacks, but they took full responsibility for them. In spite of that, and considering that the Iranian relationship with the Houthi is at best tenuous, still Mr. Pompeo brazenly accused Iran of being behind those attacks. Interestingly, this is happening when Trump has shown readiness to relax economic sanctions on Iran, which means Iranians have zero incentive to draw fire from the US.
6
Who can believe anything that comes out of DC... They pretty much produce a non-stop flow of easily proven inaccuracies, at a rate never before seen on a daily basis..
3
Iran claims it wasn’t at all involved in the attacks on the Saudi facilities. Didn’t provide 100,000 Hezbollah missiles on Israeli’s northern border. Doesn’t fund either Hezbollah or the Houthis. Isn’t developing nuclear weapons despite spending over $10 billion. And has no interest interfering with oil transit in the Straits. But on Jan 2 its Top General publicly claimed Iran will “annihilate” Israel. Looks like Iran has a “public relations” problem. And if the Saudis retaliate and take out Iran’s Kharg Island Oil terminal Iran’s economy may be on its knees. For many years and its “public relations” problems finally resolved.
1
How is it possible that such an important energy site like the Aramco facility in Abqaiq does not have the most advanced defense systems protecting it? Those drones should have been detected long before reaching their target, and destroyed. Something about this smells fishy, and there are some very slippery fish in the area that could benefit from this “attack”.
2
@Canewielder
The saudi Refinaries were not defended, for America wanted then to be bombed by the Howthis. It is part of the strategy. America can contrive it as a exuse to kill Iranians, occupy their country, get free oil (to the victor the spoils). See more weapons to Saudis.
President Trump offered support for “Saudi Arabia’s self defense”! Indeed he did. When President Bilko realized that Saudi still had a few ducats in the bank, a scheme was hatched. America Oil companies become rich by raising prices, American armaments merchants sell more junk to the Saudi. Saudi announce more rebels killed. It is a Happy, Happy World.
4
Saudi Arabia leads military units in Yemen's civil war, and they're whining that the opposition bombed their oil facilities and calls them terrorists? We should stop providing arms to Saudi Arabia. They indiscriminately bomb civilians and I don't want to hear them cry us a river, anymore.
4
When the Obama Admin went all in on drone warfare, it was easy to see that it is the US and its allies that are the most vulnerable to drone warfare, just as they are to cyber-warfare. Meanwhile the US Central Command and the rest of the massive US military footprint sits there useless, a gigantic waste of hundreds of billions of dollars.
1
This attacks were planned and carried out by the Saudis who are experts in deviousness. They just love playing the US and they are good at it.
3
@Ralph Okay, Ralph, that's what the reporters just said. But thanks for confirming it.
Saudi Arabia is not "THE world’s energy supply" but, rather, a tiny little tyranny whose paltry resources have been elevated to high strategic value only through the systematic exclusion of other larger oil fields and cleaner, cheaper energy resources. The underlying premises of the idea that this is "the world's energy supply" need to be approached with real skepticism.
5
Right, Bill. Paltry resources. Hardly worth noticing. Got it.
If ever there was another reason to phase out our dependency on fossil fuels, this example of vulnerable foreign supply chain infrastructure subject to variable forces is it. It would also be helpful if we didn't let psychopaths determine our foreign policy.
7
@OC Can we ask the world to please wait while we do that phasing?
There are refinery fires all the time in the US, never causing massive real damage. We are now told this refinery fire was somehow different, and a large percentage of Saudi oil reserve is now unavailable. Following the money, the US stands to gain as selling the backfill to that supply. Not sure this isn't a wag the dog incident, to give Trump an excuse to bomb Iran in the leaf up to the 2020 election. the supposed attacks on oil tankers didn't work before, so we needed a more willing partner. Graham is already singing "bomb bomb Iran". this scenario is almost too predictable.
6
America doesn't have anti-drone or anti-aircraft weapons around our refineries, nuclear power plants, and other critical facilities either.
Keeping the discussion simple, a $15,000 drone inflicted damage that was extremely effective. The insanity of War, death and destruction is always near and this is an example on how it is now done on the cheap.
2
There was a time, not long ago, when an accusation against the hated Iran by a Secretary of State would have been accepted unhesitatingly as truthful. But when a Trump toady is the Secretary of State, we are forced to treat his accusation with a degree of skepticism and wait for the evidence, which may or may not be forthcoming. It is truly unfortunate that we can not trust Trump appointees to speak objectively or truthfully.
5
Forget about nuclear weapons, or even AK-47s. This is a new era. Anyone with modest resources can get these UAVs and attack and destroy from great distances.
No need to risk yourself while shooting your automatic weapon into a crowded theater. Just launch your explosive or toxic gas-laden drone from many miles away and fly it there. And do this repeatedly yet escape detection.
One can even buy it in a foreign country and fly it undetected across our borders.
Now this is really scary. Brave new world indeed!
@Bob in NM Really? You have finally concluded that "even an AK-47" can't stand up to aerial bombardment?
"The war in Yemen began in 2014, when the Houthi rebels seized control of the capital and most of Yemen’s northwest"
This description does not give an accurate picture of what happened. The Houthi's seized control of mountainous terrain that contained 80% of the population - what suggests that their operation had widespread support.
3
@Wim Roffel and therefore?
It seems nowadays that anybody we don't like we call terrorists. This is a wartime adversary of Saudi Arabia, an invading force, striking back at an enemy strategic infrastructure site. After all the indiscriminate Saudi bombings of Yemeni civilians, one could have easily predicted such counter attacks.
So to blame this on Iran is disingenuous. Why, just in the last few days it has been reported that Trump was considering lifting some sanctions on Iran to encourage talks. Why then would Iran almost the next day attack the Saudis? No, it doesn't make sense. But who would stand to lose from such an opening with Iran? Who has the greatest incentive to disrupt such negotiations? The Saudis. Who would have so few moral scruples as to attack their own facilities and kill their own people? It's not as if we haven't seen that happen before.
5
Or maybe Saddam Hussein's ghost and the Iraqis were behind it -- we can attack them again!
7
"The Houthis said they had launched the aerial attacks with 10 drones..."
Saudi Aramco said well over half the daily output was suspended.
And NO ONE thought to protect these facilities...with radar...or anything else...???
Good luck with that IPO.
12
How apropos that the Saudis are attacked by airplanes, albeit drones, so close to 9/11. Talk about poetic justice.
14
@FXQ Do you really think this was a response to 9/11?
"..... With some support from America". Oh, America the innocent?
Saudi serve as the 'cats paw', they serve the America purpose. America can't sell $68 billion worth of weapons, unless it brain-washes the Soddies into fearing perceived (non-real) enemies. America is the devil incarnate in particular case.
5
The end of the world will begin in the Middle East.
1
@Midwest Josh Well, the beginning of the world ended in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia is a terrorist state. To feed them power goes against everything that America stands for; remember 9/11.
The sad fact is we cannot trust this government as Trump and Kushner have both found their piggy bank in Salman. Netanyahu has an election and so has Trump. The “Houthis” do not have the capability to strike with drones so out of the three I have to bet on the latter two.
Iran is in negotiations with the EU to remove sanctions. What possible reason then would they have to launch a strike they could never win? Dig deeper, fourth estate.
16
Generally reason the comments here makes some things clear.
1. Nobody, save a few nutcases seem to buy Pompey's outrage.
2. Americans seem to be supportive of the poor Yemeni people than comrades Bone Spur and Prince Bone Saw.
3. And they think it is totally legitimate that Yemenis can bomb Saudi facilities.
Yay..They can see the world better for themselves that the dumb leaders they seem to elect into Congress or the administration.
17
Weren't the Saudis behind 9/11? Didn't they provide much of the funding for the operation? And weren't the pilots Saudi nationals as well? Who cares what happens to them? Oh that's right, Donald Trump, because he is deeply indebted to them.
13
And the USA has a "president" who thinks solar power doesn't work when it is shady, and says to his supporters: "See if the wind is blowing, honey. I want to watch the tee vee."
8
@Howard Clark Meanwhile, back at the story about Yemen and Saudi Arabia - - - - -
Trump wanted a war with Iran so he got rid of Bolton?
The conspiracy theories in the comments here are hilarious.
5
@JQGALT So sit back and enjoy the hilarity...quietly.
World will be a much better place without the Saudi's oil. They use the oil money to finance disgusting crimes against humanity, including taking ~3000 innocents lives on 9/11.
8
@Sam What you really mean, I think, is how nice it would be if we could have all their oil without giving them money for it in return.
Let's push everyone to the brink of war instead of using our resources towards positive energy. That way we can accelerate the extinction of humans. You know what you get when your parents treat you poorly as a kid? Donald Trump and the 63 million Americans who voted for him.
8
It seems likely that the second place loser in the WH will get us into a new war. Can we have a look at how this affects his financials?
4
How do you like that! Somebody attacked the oil wells belonging to Trump's dear friends, the murderous Saudis.
I'm sure that the family of Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi (The man the Saudi Prince had assassinated and dismembered, with the obvious consent and approval of Donald Trump) is not going to lose one bit of sleep over it.
5
Pompeo and Trump are itching for a war with Iran. They love the Saudis who are ruled by a guy who literally ordered a journalist who lived in the US to be butchered. I am beyond disgusted with Saudi Arabia, also the country which most of the 9/11 hijackers emigrated to the US. But Trump loves the rich brutal dictators. He wants to be one of them so badly. Worst president ever.
12
Would it be naive of me to think that it would be a good idea for the U.S. to stop helping Saudi Arabia destroy Yemen?
8
Saudi Arabia is a terrorist state. To feed them power goes against everything that America stands for; remember 9/11.
The sad fact is we cannot trust this government as Trump and Kushner have both found their piggy bank in Salman. Netanyahu has an election and so has Trump. The “Houthis” do not have the capability to strike with drones that can avoid radar so out of the three I have to bet on the latter two.
Iran is in negotiations with the EU to remove sanctions. What possible reason then would they have to launch a strike they could never win? Dig deeper, fourth estate.
7
Just once I’d love a journalist to stop Pompeo or Trump and ask: “And where is your proof?”
7
@Umar
They don't need any stinking 'proof' - not when Iran is concerned. Yet they still insist there's no PROOF that bin Salman had a role in Khashoggi's murder. Or that Putin lied. Even though all our intelligence agencies have concluded that indeed they do.
3
@Umar Just once I'd like somebody to stop Pompeo and Trump.
1
@Umar Classified?
In many mid-east countries beneath the relatively thin 1500 year unifying veneer of Islam are fissures that extend millenniums! Not so Iran! There it’s ethnic-nationalistic bedrock that extends many, many millenniums!
As such, if Pompeo’s dubious certainty is founded and Iran is too technically proficient enough to defeat the best air defenses money can buy then a war with these 80-million gorilla-glued Persians will indeed be WAR!
2
Whether Iran is responsible for this attack, or it isn't, this is merely a minor preview of what's to come WHEN the Israel/UK/USA axis attacks Iran!
Impeachment hearing have to begin. Emoluments, makinv up stories, destroying the environment (no rules there from Congress), unequal taxation.. special loop holes for real estate developers, interfering with elections (that seems to be a state thing-- kicking people off the voting registers...)
We cannot have a president who distorts everything. If the Yemeni claim the drones -- even if Iran launched them for them -- it's still Yemenese. (Sort of like the Israelis doing dirty work for the Americans.)
We fell for a war based on "weapons of mass destruction" before. NOT AGAIN.
IMO a 5% disruption in WORLD oil prices-- which is what is predicted-- is meaningless -- esp. if northern countries have mild winters. Maybe Venezuela can figure out how to get back in the market. (The Canadian oil mob will use this as an excuse to push their pipeline across the USA).
Time to get to the bottom of a few things.... old man.
6
I can see it coming...an excuse for us to have a war with Iran, protecting Saudi Arabia (by the way, the 9/11 terrorists were Saudi, the murder of a US Journalist is forgiven and forgotten, and gee, is there some $$$ that is filtering through the dark banks to the Trump organization?). The world is a mess, and serious danger to all is being perpetrated by Trump and this administration in the Name of the United States of America. If there are any true patriots left in our country that respect and honor the founding of our democracy, it is time to raise your voices!!!
8
Iran is pushing the limits. I expect retaliation by US with Israel behind the scenes very soon.
Houti's are a proxy and will also face fierce retaliation. Drones are now the terrorists best option to hit anyone, anywhere, anytime...time to put our best tech to work developing a deterrent to drone hits before too long.
1
Better build that border wall a bit higher. 60,000 feet should do it (Reaper ceiling, supposedly).
Lots of energy targets in Texas.
3
It is only a matter of time before a drone attack happens here in the United States. Violence begets violence. When will the human race learn? Not in my lifetime.
2
Where did the drone attacks come from Iran or Yemen?
Thrilled the Yemenis finally hit back hard at this murderous, evil regime. These are the people that supported the 9/11 terrorists. These are the people that executed an American journalist with impunity. These are the people who torture and imprison women for driving or disobeying, and kill dissenters and anyone who speaks against the ruling family. These people have killed 100s of 1000s of Yemeni citizens. They deserved to have their oil fields hit. I do not care one whit if gas prices go up, I drive an electric car anyway.
4
The plants are much closer to Iran than Yemen.
Apparently Mike Pompeo did not check with President Trump, before blaming the Iranians. The President's tweets, verified by Fox news, made it clear it was Hillary Clinton who did this, and had she been locked up as he demanded, Saudi Arabia would not have been attacked.
The President also noted that in Saudi Arabia, unlike America, they know how to deal with women, which is why he is coauthoring with Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud a soon t be best-selling book entitled, "The Art of the Saudi Womens Deal."
6
Allow Saudis to reap what they have sown, with no use of US troops.
2
The Administration has never stopped the genocide that the KSA has brought to Yemen. A civil war that KSA entered and stated against Saleh. The isa slaughter of Yemen has been ongoing for more than 8 years. War is filled with unknown consequences.
No American soldier should ever die for a KSA dictator or an Israeli dictator.
4
Buy stock of all oil majors that aren't supplied from the Arabian Gulf asap. With this Iranian strike, the price of African, Russian, South American and Southeast Asian oil is going to go out of site!
1
I trust not a word from the morally bankrupt Trump administration and in fact would not be surprised if we did it as a false flag operation to further our aggressive intentions towards Iran. Gulf of Tonkin anybody?
3
This sounds like a Russian attack to increase oil prices which its failing economy is desperately tied to. Russia really needs higher oI'lll prices. Trump who cozies and accommodates Russia in all things barks out to the world its Iran. It's a win for Trump because he can use this to further burden Iran with sanctions and up the "Muslim are the enemy" rhetoric now that his "Mexicans are invaders" is faltering. He needs another "enemy," desperately to keep his rabble unfocused on the economic, environmental, educational, regulatory etc damage he is doing. Trump and McConnell must be removed asap.
2
Nobody believe anymore on US authorities claims. This Trump administration lost all credibility, something next presidents will inherits and will have a hard time to restore.
We are left on our own to speculate, creating crazy conspiracy theories, pointing our finger.
Someone is winning with that and there’s a good chance $$$ is the motivator.
4
Iran is a bad actor. Full stop. It’s sad that such awful people ended up running a country of such intelligent, warm people. It happens sometimes. The Iranian people seem like they would be a much more suitable ally than the Saudis, but we’re stuck with the loathsome MBS. It’s a shame. Once upon a time the US and Japan were mortal enemies so there’s always hope.
Reduce economic sanctions. In my opinion that doesn't seem to be affecting Iran to reduce its nuclear weapon program. It has no accountability at present that checks its nuclear weapon program or arming rebels. If Iran escalates the situation, maybe USA should think about an intervention. why is Trump not taking any action on any of issues of national security and importance? What's intelligence agencies up to? If Henry Kissinger is right about Iran imperialism, I think my opinion might hold true. Trump is not taking any steps in engaging with Iran after revoking Obama era contract. Militancy where there is humanitarian crisis makes it difficult to contain war crimes and terrorism. Surgical precision from the armies in hunting down terrorist strongholds is imperative as civilian lives get more affected. Rebuilding and stabilization becomes inherently difficult for civilian government
2
He's looking for a war to save his presidency. We cannot let this distraction balloon into our involvement. We have sold enough armsbtontge Saudi's, let them deal with it.
4
Why would we believe anything Pompeo or Trump says.
6
Now then, Dr Strangelove, don't forget to Wag the Dog.
6
Let's see: everyone who believes the liars at the top of the US administration raise their hand.
I thought so.
If the US administrations says it was Iran, you can be almost positive it wasn't Iran.
8
Ahhh....... so much for backing the "winners". For the record, The Saudi's spend either the 5th or 6th most on Military and they are losing to the Houthi's. UAE has left and the Kingdom is left with paid African Mercs.
As I have been writing for the last year, MBS is a child at play in the game of Risk and he desperately wants the US to save his bacon and his new allies the IDF want no part of Yemen or the Houthi's. This my fellow posters is only a scaled down preview of what War with Iran would entail and the US Navy is very much at risk.
The winners in a war with Iran with oil field damages are..... Putin as the prices increase and to a lesser degree China as weaknesses in US ship and Patriot land based systems are exposed.
Finally the Saudis remind me, back in the day, of our allies in SE Asia, except even LESS capable than Thieu, Ky ect. Reminds of a Laotian General who when asked why he kept on an inept commander said:
"He can not lead a company around the corner to buy a
newspaper, but he is LOYAL."
The above is spot on for MBS and Trump. The only question is whether Trump will put our forces to the dirty work for MBS?
5
Good for them ... Maybe the Saudis & us will get out of Yemen .. and maybe Israel will stop attacking what they consider Iran backed militia & facilities in Syria & Iraq.
Let's get back in the Iran deal, try to stabilize the region and go from there. That is the only sane solution.
6
Trump wants his war, like Bush 2 wanted his.
After all, there's an election year arriving, right?
4
Liberals do not have to believe Pompeo; not one of them will be consulted to determine how the USA responds diplomatically, financially and/or militarily.
Pompeo can’t fight long with no money.
1
Pompeo has blamed Iran, ostensively with no proof.
Much like the Bush II administration blamed 9/11 on Iraq, because that’s whom they wanted to attack.
3
Iran is trying to replenish the world’s oil supply despite US sanctions against it
The problem with Iran is that there is no separation between church and state, the church "is" the state. The country is run by Islamic extremists. The Previous US administration cuddled up to them and sent them billions of dollars in paper currency on wooden pallets. At least we now know what they did with the money. They bought drones.
1
There is no one left in the Trump administration with any credibility on any subject whatsoever. I am sure than Benjie will appreciate this favor on the eve of his attempt to avoid jail time and will be happy to return the favor next October.
5
I don’t believe anything Pompey says.
3
Sorry, Military Industrial Complex, may I call you MIC, but your billions and billions of our hard-earned money will never ever stop terrorists from spectacular, successful, often deadly attacks.
This little "fireworks show" cost Yemen rebels a couple of million bucks, tops, while 9/11 cost OBL just $250,000, according to the official 9/11 report.
Meantime, USA and Saudi Arabia spend, wait for it, TRILLIONS of dollars on their laughable Swiss-cheese defense just beat by a bunch of Yemeni teenagers with iPhones.
5
“The world’s oil supply?!” The implications of this assumption are clear: “world supply,” therefore, the “world” should condemn Iran, preferably have a military campaign against Iran.
This is Trump and Pompeo now trying to claim their manufactured war against Iran is really a war for and by the world!!!
It might not be long before they make up some “yellow cake.”
They say Bolton was the hawk, but watch out!! Trump and Pompeo may be the real hawks!!! Bolton may, in fact, be the one who was holding them back!!!
2
Apparently Mike Pompeo did not check with President Trump, before blaming the Iranians. The President's tweets, verified by Fox news, made it clear it was Hillary Clinton who did this, and had she been locked up as he demanded, Saudi Arabia would not have been attacked. The President also noted that in Saudi Arabia, unlike America, they know how to deal with women, which is why he is coauthoring with Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud a soon to be best-selling book entitled, "The Art of the Saudi Womens Deal." This will be published as a two-volume set along with Presidents Trump and al Sisi's biography of each other titled, "My Favorite Dictator."
4
Congratulations to the Houthis, or whoever was behind the attack, for having learnt from the Americans that you can sit safely somewhere, anywhere and direct a destructive drone to an enemy target.
6
Seems more likely to me that the beneficiary of this action may also be the perpetrator. Dont think you need to look much further than Israel as it makes more sense
4
Iran has been the leading sponsor of terror for years now. Iran is run by a brutal despot who crushes all dissent and treats women as second class citizens. Iran is a place where it is not safe to be Jewish. Iran is actively seeking to obtain nuclear weapons. It is time to destroy the threat posed by the Iranian regime.
Am I the only one who was elated that the Saudis got "payback" after all the death and destruction they have caused in Yemen? Let the price of gas rise 25 cents. Its high time they lost their immunity for their truly evil ways.
7
Completely share your sentiments, can think of no country that more personifies evil on this planet then Saudi Arabia. Beyond the brutal war against Yemen, murder of journalist Khashoggi and repression of Government critics & journalists, medieval policies against women and a government that turns a blind eye against terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, iSIS and the Taliban who share a common extreme version of Sunni Islam with the Saudi government. And yet the US identifies the Saudis as major allies, what does that make the US?
3
So we might go to war, and put the lives of our kids in danger to protect a country that killed one of our journalists and trampled on freedom of the press? Got it.
5
Well the Republicans blamed Iraq for 9/11 why can't we blame Iran for this strike. Anyway it should help Netanyahu's re-election chances. Two birds with one stone; good one Mike. And Audience @1 will be pleased.
6
There are so many thoughtful, insightful, fact-based comments here that I stopped reading in disgust—at our present administration! Any one of these commenters would make a better Sec'y of State or foreign policy advisor or president for that matter than the mendacious, self-serving clowns presently occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Everything Trump does makes us less safe, less secure financially, and less likely to move toward a saner way of living.
9
Also quite possibly a false flag operation designed to justify attacking Iran.
I don't believe anything said by this administration at this point given the
consistent pattern of lying that I observe day after day after day.
7
If I have to choose between Iran and the perpetrators of 9-11, I'm with Iran.
10
MBS counted on Trump to protected him, and now after spending 100s of billions of dollars, few Houthi drones have shown him how the US is a paper tiger.
The US was reluctant to strike back after its 125 million dollar drone was shut down 2 months ago, therefore it won't go to war for the KSA or even for Israel.
After we got our nose bloodied in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is no way we are going to war again. For get it. That is we why Obama and Trump are relying on economic sanctions
1
@Salah Mansour
Wait, how did MBS protect Trump? MBS talks a lot and spends a lot of money, but he is not a very effective ruler and the Saudi military seems to be a joke.
However, Trump is not afraid to strike Iran. If Iran kills Americans Trump will attack Iran. The only question is if Trump's attack will be big and effective, or small and ineffective.
@Salah Mansour
My apologies, you said MBS counted on Trump to protect him, not MBS protecting Trump, which is probably correct.
One would think that with all they spend on weapons, the Saudis could attack Iran themselves, but the Saudi military can't even handle a small war with the Houthis.
1
Once the cradle of civilization, now the cradle of devastation.
3
Aaar thought the hawk NSA was out looks like SofS is the next hawk, The lies that come through from these people are scary, all the bad things in Mid East is Iran, give me a break, these war mongers are not going to rest until they plunge us into another never ending war in the middle east again. We all knew once those drone were test piloted in Lebanon buy whoever, that its bound to be blamed on Iran next time it was used, these plots are so amateurish. The fingerprint are obvious, just some days before an election in Israel. you have got to be kidding me. Seriously stop all these ploys. Its unbelievable distractions from the obvious.
2
Here is a logical statement:
1. First, Saudis kill,maim, starve Yemen's women, children
2. Saudis backed by US and UK
3. Blame US and UK
and the next logical statement
1. Houthis bomb Saudi tanks
2. Houthis backed by Iran
3. Blame Iran
In other words, the US (and UK) is heavily involved in a nasty proxy war. Each side does damage. The Saudis hurt people. The Houthis hurt things.
7
Why does the United States of America, ‘the greatest nation on earth,’ tolerate an attack dog of the president to represent us as its top diplomat? This is how low we have stooped.
5
Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Israel formed an unholy alliance to derail the democratic promise of the Arab Spring as seen in the bloody coup in Egypt, and spread despotism and strife to fragment the surrounding region. Obama fecklessly allowed this to proceed snatching defeat from the jaws of victory following the fall of Gaddafi, Mubarak, and potentially Assad. This directly led ISIS, the refugee crisis, and Brexit and the rise of Neo-fascism undermining democracy in the West itself. These disasters will only magnify until the American politicians and donors promoting endless wars of aggression against the vast Muslim world are finally held accountable.
5
While there are many theories in these comments as to “who done it,” I would suggest that the one group that doesn’t have access to the kind of drones capable of carrying missiles big enough to cause this amount of destruction is the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
What an opportune time to get involved with a little war with Iran. It's possible trump, Pompeo, and Bibi are in contact planing a way to attack Iran. We lied on the Iraq war, little lie on this one should just as easy.
6
Who can believe a thing from Rapture-ready Pompeo? Or his boss? They never tell the truth...if you want the truth believe the opposite of what they say. They want a war in the hope that a war president will be “Commander in Chief” and America will support this dangerous corrupt administation.
5
The strange thing is that all the 911 attackers were from Saudi Arabia, the premiere financier of global terrorism, built on their extreme religious interpretations. Apparently that’s all water under the bridge now.
7
Emperor Trump's "Energy Department said that, if needed, the United States was ready to use its strategic oil reserves to offset any disruption in supply."
This is only one of the vast illegalities that this Disguised Global Crony Capitalist Empire --- which is only nominally HQed in, and merely 'posing' as, our formerly ''promising", and sometimes progressive country (PKA) America --- is doing to dramatically show any 'Woke' Americans that we are no longer living in a democracy (nor even a non-representative Republic), but that our former country has "Crossed the Potomac", into a sphere of using global propaganda, economic power, and militarist violence to enter the "Twilight Zone" of Global Empire instead of the professed goal of global democracy --- and all under this insane Emperor Trump.
"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world" --- that essentially America must be committed to 'democracy' and that 'We can't be an EMPIRE'.
My only demonstration, march, and protest sign simply says:
DUMP
EMPEROR
TRUMP
and more importantly on the other side:
"We can't be an EMPIRE"
5
Emperor Trump's "Energy Department said that, if needed, the United States was ready to use its strategic oil reserves to offset any disruption in supply."
This is only one of the vast illegalities that this Disguised Global Crony Capitalist Empire --- which is only nominally HQed in, and merely 'posing' as, our formerly ''promising", and sometimes progressive country (PKA) America --- is doing to dramatically show any 'Woke' Americans that we are no longer living in a democracy (nor even a non-representative Republic), but that our former country has "Crossed the Potomac", into a sphere of using global propaganda, economic power, and militarist violence to enter the "Twilight Zone" of Global Empire instead of the professed goal of global democracy --- and all under this insane Emperor Trump.
"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world" --- that essentially America must be committed to 'democracy' and that 'We can't be an EMPIRE'.
My only demonstration, march, and protest sign simply says:
DUMP
EMPEROR
TRUMP
and more importantly on the other side:
"We can't be an EMPIRE"
2
Who has the most to gain from this attack ? Chevron, Exxon, Shell, BP. When the price at the pump skyrockets tomorrow, they make billions. Iran. Pffft.
3
Wow ... Just a few weeks ago Jared & Bibi were in Saudi, giving them Raytheon built missiles plus the information to build the missiles themselves, a first. A former Raytheon exec recently joined Trump's cabinet. Looks a bit suspicious, no? I'm sure anyone left alive in Yemen wasn't too happy either. Perhaps they 'reached out'. Damm, hose drones are cheap and quick to deploy. Wonder if the Saudi's have received those missiles and built the necessary launch facilities yet?
Not so quick on the draw guys.
2
Trust Pompeo's 'evidence'?
I think not.
I wouldn't be surprised if the US supplied the drones.
3
Can I just reiterate how unbelievably happy I am that John Bolton got fired four days ago? if he was in office, this act would probably have started a U.S. hot war with Iran.
2
Its about time they got what's coming to them.
2
How can there be:
"No evidence that that the attacks came from Yemen" -- when the folks in Yemen said it came from them?
What's next?
"There is no evidence that the attacks in Saudi Arabia happened in Saudi Arabia"?
Come on Mike.
1
This petty attack only underscores how the failure to ramp up production of solar, wind and and tidal power leaves the entire 21st century world hostage to 3000 year-old tribal/religious feuds that have defined the Middle East since Christ was a pup. Build a fence around the region to lock all factions in place, make a fortune selling arms to all sides, and when the dust settles, bomb the victors into oblivion, whoever they are. Meanwhile, build (cancer-causing) windmills, solar panels and tidal generators the civilized world needs.
1
I don't believe getting into a shooting war with Iran gets 45 re-elected. I bet his base rejects any boots on the ground and military adventures in the Middle East. If it happens, it may finally rid us of this unfit president.
2
Based on past experiences with Saudi Arabia ( especially the heinous killing of columnist Koshogi inside their own embassy in Turkey) plus WH and Jared's favored discrete treatment of its autocratic regime, I can not accept Secretary of State Pompeo's knee jerk response to blaming Iran. Trump favors sanctions on Iran designed to crush the general population into revolt against their leaders. This has not worked. So now, I am to believe that it is Iran who is responsible for this disruption of Saudi oil production ? No way !
3
Saudi Arabia commits war crimes by intentionally attacking Houthi civilians, killings hundreds of innocent men, women, and children.
The US supports Saudi Arabia politically and militarily.
The US is complicit in war crimes, Mr. Pompeo.
5
The Saudis are engaged in an international armed conflict with the Houthi rebels who are allied with, but consistently deny being directed by, Iran.
International law isn't completely clear but the Hague Convention (IX) and the roles of engagement for a large amount of countries view oil infrastructure as legitimate military targets. This attack was quite arguably a justifiable strategic and tactical victory for the Houthis over a country which had been indiscriminately bombing their country for years.
It's the US's own fault if there are economic implications due to the fact that the Arabian dictatorship whose war we're supporting had its refineries bombed - we should be moving to clean energy sources anyway.
7
>>> ". . . the Houthi rebels who are allied with, but consistently deny being directed by, Iran."
Yes, and the history of the Houthis/Zaidis makes it pretty clear that they are *not* Iranian puppets.
2
If we retaliate against Iran, we will simply further prove our hypocrisy to the world. But hey, look how macho we are.
4
If the Iranians are truly behind this attack on Saudi Arabia, let the Saudis retaliate as they see fit. According to our President, they’ve purchased hundreds of billions of dollars of superior U.S. weaponry. They should have no problem dealing with a nation that’s been near bankruptcy for 40 years. And if they need help, they can ask their new BFF, Israeli PM Netanyahu, for their help.
This is not our fight. Stop sacrificing young Americans so a bunch of cowardly oil sheiks don’t have to protect themselves.
7
Donald Trump and his right-wing administration are solely interested in Saudi revenue from weapons sales, and oil. What do the Saudis do with weapons? Kill Houthis and, maybe, Iranians, with America's help, and Israel's urging.
Saudis have funded anti-Western terrorists, have an abusive and repressive government, and are responsible for killing Jamal Khashoggi. They are not honest, and certainly not a trustworthy ally.
The U.S. should not participate in further killing of people and the planet through war or use of oil.
We should be encouraging the Middle East to keep their oil in the ground and helping them develop vast solar and wind farms on their deserts, and work on developing a battery that can store solar energy and power the planet.
The U.S. must rejoin the nuclear accord which Trump reneged on and get Iran normalized and trading again. Europe, China and Russia still back them. Neither Iran, the Middle East (except the Saudis and Israel), Europe or the U.S. want more war in the Middle East.
The U.S. should be protecting human rights and offering food and medical aid where needed and accepted. We should work for peace in the Middle East.
3
The Iranian government is a repressive regime. The Saudi government is even worse. The Trump Administration is a lying factory. It is no wonder we are at a standstill.
5
Is this man trying to pull a Bush by starting a war? Does he think he is going to win the next election by trying to start a war? This are scary times. This person needs mental health help. If Yemen claimed responsibility...why is he trying to start a war with Iran? This is just insane. Warmongering is not the answer to everything. We need help! We can't be blinded or manipulated for someone's game. This needs to stop!
2
I am no fan of the Houthis' patron, Iran, but why shouldn't the Houthis strike the Saudi Arabian heartland when Saudi planes have killed thousands of Yemeni civilians?
5
Something bad happened, so the Trump misadministration has to blame: 1) Obama; 2) Iran; 3) A "nasty" woman.
By the way, why isn't the Trump misadministration all up and arms over the Saudi war on the people of Yemen that includes attacked on civilian targets and mass starvation?
2
Of course the Trump administration immediately knows Iran is responsible. Next they may tell us there are WMD there and they need to start a war. So Trump can have A Trump Wall and a Trump War. And, then we will be asked to buy the Brooklyn Bridge.
3
Bring on the propaganda, the hyperbole and the "coalition" of a couple of first world countries and a few third world "democracies" hoping to get a few heave armaments on the cheap - we're going to war.
1
KSA can and should annex Yemen and send any Houthies left there after the annexation to the deserts of Iran.
Yes, this may be a David and Goliath fable but even sleepy and uncoordinated Goliath aka Saudi Arabia, when irritated seriously enough, can squelch David in one swoop. Let us call it Salman’s revenge.
The US should stay out of the fray but it can and should spout the usual necessities- ‘violence needs to stop’, ‘thy shall restrain’ and stuff like that. However, this is ancient desert land where the presence of ‘revenge’ in the DNA cannot be altered.
KSA will act appropriately and the inept Europeans will politely accept Houthi refugees in droves.
1
Drone strike with a range of up to 900 miles!!! Each drone costing a few thousand bucks!!?? Well defenders of the status quo in the Middle East (and you know who you are), at long last it is time to pay the piper! You can go out and "mow the lawn" as often as you want , but you can't stop the onrush of new technology. So , don't you think it is time to treat ALL people with respect and allow them the essentials to live in dignity? Soon, you won't have any choice
4
Vote for Democrats.
Though hardly perfect, they're far less likely to goon out for oil wars than Republicans.
1
If it is Yemen, it seems they avenged the inhuman slaughter of 1 million of their innocent people. Trump and Pompeo will keep blaming Iran to justify pulling out of the Iran deal to their base.
4
Remember the Maine, Tonkin Gulf and weapons of mass destruction.
2
"U.S. Blames Iran" so who do the Saudi's blame?
Why do we always go one step forward and 2 steps backwards
in the mid east?
"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of being behind what he called “an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply” and asserted that there was “no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.”
Just like Bush/Cheney lying us into Iraq.
"Fool me once"
4
Another reason to get off fossil fuels.
1
Echoing others…why should we believe Sec. Pompeo? You can’t have it both ways gentleman (Trump et al). You can’t lie and then desire to be believed. Please exit the stage.
2
"Mr. McNally said these attacks are “likely to put on ice” talk of easing sanctions on Iran, with the consequences depending on how closely Tehran can be linked to it."
The Trumpublican'ts "couldn't" link MBS, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, to the brutal murder of Khashoggi, but they'll have "proof", that they're unable to produce, that Iran is to blame for everything.
1) The USA overthrew Iran's legitimate government in 1953. WE reinstalled the Shah, a brutal dictator, who the people had overthrown. They will never forget, just as we wouldn't if it was done to us.
2) The US Government is trying to starve Iraqi citizens to death, denies them imports of medicine and food and really has no business bullying others, in their own neighborhoods, 1/2 a world away.
3) Imagine what could be done with the $700 BILLION we spend on "defense", usually fighting wars far from our shores. Imagine the children 'exploded', old people bleeding out at weddings, the bride and groom mangled 10 seconds after pledging their love and belief in a better future.
WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER...
3
At this point I would not be surprised if trump and Pompeo staged this so they could start a war which is what trump and his gang of criminals have been dying to do.
I don't trust one word coming from " administration" of chaos, nor do I trust the Saudis
2
Because they’ve finally got me thinking like them (radical right-wingers), I’m going to go ahead and assume this is a ‘false flag’ to get us into a military conflict with Iran for the re-election benefit of Donald Trump.
See how that works?
3
I would not want to be sleeping at Quds HQ in Basra right now. Game on Quds - Iran just took one giant step closer to open warfare. They are betting the Saudis won't retaliate in kind but that is degenerate gambling under the best case.
@American Akita Team: The World Council of Warmongers thanks you for your support.
2
The biggest, but unexpected, result of the Iraq War-2 is the rise to power of Shea Islam. Fall of Saddam Hussein created in Iraq the first Shea-majority Arab State. It also propelled Shea-Iran back as a power to recon with. The ISIS war has ended in the victory of Assad’s Shea sect in Syria. And the Saudis are not doing well against Yemen’s Shea! Russia’s clients have won. None of the losers is mad at her.
An all-out sectarian war in the region and beyond is a probability. The Administration did not create any of these problems, but it has the burden is squarely on her shoulders!
It's time to put the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in its place; a land invasion of Iran isn't necessary. A massive bombing campaign will suffice, and Iran's navy of swift boats should be destroyed as well. The U.S. sank half of them in 1988; time for a swift repeat.
1
Pompeo is not the U.S.
Just because he says some nonsense to try to invent a case for war doesn't mean the U.S. media has to fall in line and start with the fear-mongering about disruptions in the global oil supply. Have you learned nothing?
Many thousands of Yemeni civilians have been killed by our weapons. The Saudis are savage monsters and we have been their right hand men. This strike is nothing in comparison with they have done with our help.
2
The republicans have contended my whole life the point of fracking, pipelines and off shore drilling as well as oil wells and refineries was to make us independent of Saudi Arabia and OPEC. There was a time when the U.S. would be outraged at the atrocities in Yemen, yet Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Cornyn, Cotton and their janitor Pompeo side with exactly who we wanted to get away from.
Again, lies, the same as what killed Khashoggi.
3
Drones are really in their infancy. They're almost certainly going to be used (with increasing technical sophistication, accuracy, and destructive power) by state and non-state actors, worldwide.
Thus humanity sets the stage for its own destruction--and in an age when global arms control should be among the very top international priorities, we have state failures combined with technical (and commercial) success.
In the U.S., we can't even keep deadly assault rifles out of the hands of eager buyers. Soon, civilians of all kinds and terrorists with intent to harm will be buying what they need to wreak harm, destruction, and death.
Ecce Homo....Mondo Cane.
1
Is this why Trump wants us to maintain our dependence on oil, even when we are a primary producer ourselves? To ensure the enrichment of his pals such as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman?
Iran? Who knows. That is the problem with being a liar, employing a team of people who lie. No one knows when to believe and thus don't trust you. This is when the lying chickens come home to roost.
It is really too bed little Donny Trump was never read the stories that the rest of us heard and read in our childhood tales and stories with lessons about lying, treating other people poorly, and emperors wearing no clothes.
2
Iran is most assuredly a supporter of the Houthis in Yemen and a finger pointed at the Houthis must, by rational deduction, also be pointed at Iran. When Saudi war planes bomb schools, hospitals and refugee camps in Yemen, killing thousands and creating today’s worst humanitarian crisis on the globe, is it not also right that blame be placed squarely on the Saudi’s most important supporter, the US? There may be oil on Iranian hands in this latest attack but there is blood on American hands, even the little ones.
4
This is yet another reason why the U.S. should not buy any oil from the Middle East.
1
Anything that cripples fossil fuel production is okay with me. Sounds cruel? Go as the Bahamians.
What goes around comes around.
What Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates do in Yemen is criminal. They are USA allies so who cares.
We should because it may happen that Yemen may recognize that we sell these countries the weapons that kill Yemen civilians.
What goes around may come around.
3
When the gas goes to 5.00 a gallon and every one is crying about it just remember during the same scenario during the Bush years no GOP opened our oil reserves to ease the burden of the oil costs. It was President Obama and the Dems who opened the reserves. The GOP are out to make money any corrupt way they can.
3
So let's see if I have the trumpist logic right. Saudi Arabia says that Yemeni rebels did it, but Pompeo says it was Iran. On a parallel track, the "president" who ran on getting the US out of endless war also believes that a wartime president has a better chance of re-election. Therefore, adding those up, we should "rally 'round the flag" and believe Pompeo despite what the country that was attacked says, so that we can "enjoy" four more years of Trump. Side benefit for Trump and his oligarchs: when gas prices spike, it will be patriotic to pay more at the pump because our soldiers are "over there" "defending liberty."
Got it. And even if I'm off a bit, it certainly is plausible, isn't it?
3
Anyone else find this suspect? Iran can't beat the Saudis militarily. They have so much to lose if a conflict escalates in the region. SA on the other hand could gain a great deal. With this administration and their all too cozy relationship with SA and MBS I don't trust their word in this at all.
1
In Pompeo opinion Iran is to blame for anything happen in the Middle East against US interest. But the fact always get in the way of his drive to war with Iran. Saudi Arabia is defeated by Yemen's Houthi Rebels and they are embarrassed to end the war in defeat.
China gets 4 million barrels a day from Saudi Arabia and would be the most hurt by a shutdown of Saudi oil. Iran and Russia should not be supplying drones to the Houthis unless thay want to do economic harm to the Chinese, their needed friend. Sounds like the actions of a bunch of little boys who have no idea of what they are doing. In the meantime, the oil boys in the U.S. get higher prices and greater world market penetration. It's all counterproductive for both Yemen and Iran.
1
One of the big problems with having clearly established a record gap between Trump statements and truth is that nothing he says is to be believed without independent confirmation. This is where the rubber meets the road and the roosters come home to roost. Trump must learn that there is a price to pay for the destruction of confidence, except among an unthinking core.
2
Ultimately we have only ourselves the United States to blame. We made the drones or the technology, we created the demand for the oil. We make weapons for sale. Just as we created the chaos in Mexico and South America by our usage of cocaine, methamphetamines. We also have a foreign policy based on ideas that are as outdated as they are ineffective. Whenever someone cares to disagree with our established ideas about the Middle East, they get shouted down and worse.
In the immediate aftermath of 9/11 the idea that we are weighing in to support Saudi Arabia is an insult to every American.
The entire world has condemned the Saudi bombings as crimes against humanity. They have bombed hospitals, schools, day care centers and last week killed 70 inmates in a jail. It's estimated that they have killed 25,000 civilians, many of them children.
They have a long history of interfering in Yemeni politics and the local tribes and ethnic groups have an equally long history of resistance. Despite this all we is is the hand of Iran, even when there is no evidence of Iranian involvement.
Our response to the Saudi bombings is to sell them the planes, arm them with American bombs, fuel them from American tanker planes and direct their flights with American radar.
Then we pretend that the bloody results are not on our hands as well. It is from policies like these that ISIS was born.
The incessant drumbeat for war with Iran is the same as the lies and press manipulation that we heard in the run up to invading Iraq.
The media seems to have forgotten that the Iraq war was built on lies about non-existent WMD's. Now we are being told that Iran is behind every misconceived policy in the Middle East.
The media may have forgotten but the people haven't. If Trump wants to join Bush and Cheney as war criminals, so be it. But there is a court somewhere that will actually follow the law and indict him as they should have done with those other criminals.
4
Saudi Arabia where women can't even drive and are totally undemocratic much more than Venezuela deserve any pain Yemen can give them. The death and destruction they've done to Yemen using our weapons and support deserve the Saudis to be labeled major War Criminals. That Iran supports them is fine but how does Iran supply them if there is a Naval blockade to Yemen?.
2
Absolutely spectacular, the best news in months. A wonderful response to the genocidal war perpetrated by the Saudis and aided and abetted by the US. Lovely timing re week of 9/11 also perpetrated by the Saudis.
5
We will hear nothing but a conflagration of misplaced priorities and values (and of course a lie or 3) from Pompeo and Trump for whom oil and gas are economic gods about this. The lesson of powerful drones—like that of assault rifles—is that humanity has outclassed in weaponry. If we want to save our tiny planet, we have no alternative but peace.
2
And now we come to a major consequence of having a liar in the Oval Office and sycophants in his Cabinet. We don't know what happened, and Lord help anyone who would take Mike Pompeo's word for much of anything. This government has no credibility.
I doubt when the motto "In God We Trust" was adopted, it could have been foreseen that it would take on its current implication of despair. Americans ought to be able to trust their government, too.
1
"Drone attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck two key oil installations inside Saudi Arabia on Saturday...."
"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of being behind what he called “an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply” and asserted that there was “no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.” He did not, however, specify an alternative launch site, and the Saudis themselves refrained from pointing the finger directly at Iran."
The Yemenis said they did it.
Pompeo says Iran did it.
The Trump administration has a horrendous track record of lying to the public and then lies about lying
Who to believe?
A trip down the US Boulevard of Broken Dreams: Yellow cake, weapons of mass destruction, and a Secretary of State who swore proof by showing those photos of those aluminum tubes.
Republicans lie
And people die.
3
So let's get the facts straight here. There is absolutely no indication that this has anything to do with Iran, besides the baseless assumptions made by Mike Pompeo, a man with a clear ulterior motive of getting leverage over that country. Yet he can name drop Iran and the Times will spend the rest of their news article speculating on connections to Iran and what this might mean for tensions between them and the US. I'm beginning to think that if the US government claimed that somehow Iran had created hurricane Dorian, the Times would write an article examining how that might be possible.
This was a Yemeni attack, and Saudi Arabia deserved it. Their war of aggression against Yemen has devastated the country, and they need to end the barbarity immediately. Until they do, all Yemeni attacks on Saudi infrastructure or military elements are entirely justified.
3
A clear example that war is changing. A cheap drone interferes with the world oil supply.
Illiterate goat herders in Afghanistan have fought the US to an 18 year stalemate.
Russian hackers and ad-buying affect the results of the 2016 Presidential election, and may have helped pass Brexit in the UK, creating a political crisis there.
Turkey weaponizes refugees by threatening to allow another huge wave of refugees across their border and into Europe.
Pompeo continuing Bolton's propoganda against Iran to set up a war. I don't believe a word of it. Beware- Trump being not knowledgeable- will go for ir and we will be at war with Iran in short order.
2
Mr. Pompeo says the drone strike is an attack on the worlds energy supply but so is the U.S. strangulation of Irans oil exports. Also the attack is more accurately seen as self defense by the Houthies who have been under attack by the Saudis for 5 years. Also it is notable that Mr. Pompeo is more concerned about damage to a refinery than the killing and maiming of thousands of Yemeni civilians in continuing bombing attacks by the Saudis which have targeted markets, schools and other places chosen to maximize innocent suffering. Mr. Pompeo should rethink his priorities and human values.
2
ARAMCO is about to launch an IPO. This will put downward pressure on the price, because their facilities (and therefore their cash flow) are now targets of war.
If they had waited until after the IPO, the Saudis would have the money before the price dropped, and the investors would be stuck with the loss. Now, it is the Saudis who stand to lose billions in stock valuation, the loss of income from oil sales, the cost to repair their facilities, and the cost to increase security around them.
From the point of view of their enemies, the timing was just right. It takes money to wage war, and the Saudis just lost a bundle of it.
9
So if the price of oil jumps enough, that will bump up our GDP. Then the Republicans can claim the economy is doing better. Okay, makes sense now.
3
This was a terrorist attack. However, staying in the Iran nuclear deal, while keeping a safe distance from the Saudi / Iranian proxy war would have been the most prudent stance for the United States to have taken over the past 2 & 1/2 years.
Though one would ordinarily assume Pompeo has evidence to back up his claims of Iranian responsibility in this particular instance, it is irresponsible for the US Secretary of State to make a knee jerk attribution of Iranian responsibility just hours from when the event takes place.
One would suppose that if there were a National Security Advisor, there would be a coherent policy, and that statements made on twitter would be properly vetted.
With Trump and sycophant Pompeo, we have to be concerned about a possible response to this incident and further escalation of tensions in the region.
78
@Mark Randolph
It was not a terrorist attack, it was an act of war against an attacking enemy. Both sides get to fight.
27
@Mark Randolph
"Though one would ordinarily assume Pompeo has evidence to back up his claims ..."
On what basis would one ordinarily assume such a thing?
20
@Mark Randolph
Isn’t it obvious Pompeo IS our NSA advisor? The same guy who as Secretary of State authorizes a blank check to pay for war clean up contracts for the likes of Cheney’s Haliburton is now also the guy who gets to determine WHO gets designated as a threat to national security as our National Security Advisor. See any conflicts of interest?
16
Every other refinery is potentially just as vulnerable.
Full of high pressures, high temperatures. and huge amounts of flammable fuel.
4
A new form of warfare is being born. It can change our thinking about how small, poor nations can have access to and destroy essential installations of larger and more powerful ones. They can do so at an affordable price too. It's sort of like the Davids gaining a new kind of power to combat the Goliaths. Maybe that will cause the Goliaths to think twice before attacking them.
96
@blgreenie
Very interesting. As a new form of warfare, though, haven't fiction writers been speculating about "robo-wars" of one kind or another for decades?
As a new kind of guerilla warfare, though, it has indeed taken on a new form.
6
@blgreenie
There is nothing new about the Military-Congressional-Industrial-Complex, only that it has become cheaper and easier to pull the wool over our eyes when Pompeo both awards the checks as Secretary of State and receives them as our National Security Advisor. With that conflict of interest, a Presidential veto to keep bloodmoney flowing to the Saudis and a greedy, mentally deranged president with NPD to easily manipulate it’s no wonder every facility with aging infrastructure for the wealthy is an easy target for contrived conflict while the poor see their infrastructure wiped out in proxy wars.
Under this disadministration any wealthy agent with obsolete or aging infrastructure is a target for a Gulf-of-Tonkin, 9-11 style attack. There’s plenty of targets in the U.S., including the aging refineries from Koch Industries in Chorpus Christi. The only thing keeping those going is all the bloodmoney being sanctioned out of Venezuela... now made more lucrative by this attack... and the lack of a Green New Deal which should make all of these filthy refineries permanently obsolete.
2
@blgreenie, We, the USA are the biggest Goliath - and we seem to be utterly unprepared, in vesting in walls, warplanes and tanks.
The Pentagon better redirect much money from 20th century hardware to prevention of cyber warfare + dangers like drone.
5
What does Iran have to gain by striking the Saudis in this way at this time?
It appears to me they have nothing to gain and, therefore, had nothing to do with executing the strike.
Mike Pompeo has become, what stock market people call, a
"Contrary Indicator." If Pompeo says something happened its close to conclusive evidence that it didn't happen.
89
Quite the contrary. Oil prices will go up, which will undoubtedly benefit Iran, and Iran will, through a proxy, attack its arch enemy for regional dominance. Moreover, world opinion goes in favor of the victim of Saudi Arabian (and American) aggression in Yemen. It also demonstrates the obvious. Low budget high yield counter attacks. The entire strategy checks every box for Iran and might even cause the US to reconsider its unquestioning support of a crown prince who is convinced he can do no wrong.
13
@Tom Callaghan
Why "Pro bono" principle didn't work with so-called Asad chemical attacks? Or Salisbury "poisoning"?
Seems like it is too late to appeal to this principle in a post-information world. Society doesn't care anymore if there are clear and unambigious evidence supporting the blame coming from highest rank politicans who call themselves the leaders of the whole "progressive world".
@Tom Callaghan
The US is strangling Iran’s oil exports. Iran first tried to interrupt oil deliveries through the Straits. Now its upped its response. If Iran can’t sell its oil why allow the Saudis to sell theirs. The only real surprise here is the Saudis inability to detect and destroy the Iranian supplied drones. Since the Saudis reportedly have the largest missile inventory in the mid-east that ought be a cause for concern. As whether the Saudis will respond in kind and destroy Iran’s Kharg Island Oil Terminal putting Iran out of the oil exporting business for upwards of a decade.
3
There was a time when a larger, richer country could inflict endless pain on a smaller, poorer one without significant recourse. It looks like those days may be ending. I suppose Saudi Arabia will retaliate somehow, but it can no longer assume that it is reasonably safe in its homeland just because the country it is attacking has a much smaller military. If the Houthis can do this, anyone can. Perhaps the solution is to avoid getting into such an ugly war to begin with.
3
No one should applaud the destruction of industrial facilities anywhere. These complex facilities represent some of the best of humanity's technical efforts. It is disheartening to see these facilities damaged.
It is unfortunate that in this region we have two unpalatable regimes. On the one side, we have Iran, supporting Shia terrorist movements throughout the region and provoking trouble everywhere. On the other side, we have a brutal dictatorship in Saudia Arabia, responsible for having financed Sunni terrorists for decades throughout the region and spreading terror as far as the United States (9/11).
Rather than supporting the Saudis in the conflict with Iran, the U.S. should push for a peaceful resolution of their conflict which could and should result in flourishing economy throughout the Middle East.
3
How convenient that oil out in the middle of a useless desert was bombed by the country our war hawks want to attack next. Feels and sounds like a replay of the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam in 1964, wherein the Vietnamese DID NOT attack our warships, and the “Iraq has weapons of mass destruction” screed of Bush Junior, Cheney and Rumsfeld, which was found to be a total fabrication. With Afghanistan winding down (which was another senseless purposeless war) the military industrial complex President Eisenhower warned us about needs new targets to keep us in a state of perpetual war. War provides jobs, and war drives the budget. As stated so eloquently by Chris Hedges in his book of this title, war gives us meaning. Wake up Americans. Let’s all march on Washington and demand an end to these perpetual criminal wars.
8
It feels as if this administration will blame Iran for anything and everything, just to provoke or justify a war with them
Also, with the possible risk of world oil supplies being disrupted, I would not be surprised if this administration used what occurred in Iran as justification for ramping up oil and gas development in the Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
10
And why are WE the U.S. being called on to do something? Have we not sold the Saudis a lot of really great military equipment? Or is that equipment just meant to cause misery on the Yemeni people? Let the Saudis at least START their own war with Iran.
8
@C. Bernard: The people "calling on us" to do something are mostly our own warhawks, who are salivating over an excuse to crank up conflict with Iran/
5
This is bound to happen here in the US eventually as well. Drones are cheap and hard to detect. Human morality never seems to change...
2
The Trump Administration claim that Iran was behind this means nothing to me. It's a sad state of affairs when the base assumption is that my government is lying.
14
Couple of points
Pompeo spouts off unproven views as if they were facts,like Trump.Maybe he is right about Iran but maybe he is wrong like Cheney was on Iraq WMD.I would not trust any of the players in this mess without proof.
Despite Saudi Arabia being at risk international investors will still be chasing after Aramco investments
They hit key oil installations why didn't they target the source of all the devious Saudi activity.
1
Welcome to the Gulf of Tonkin, Middle East Edition.
Pompeo shows no evidence there is Iranian participation but sends the media off on a scavenger hunt against Iran. Next Trump will threaten Iran and show some bat-winged photos of drones taken by US satellites. (Stock footage will be available as soon as Trump declassifies it.)
We already have the highest concentration of military targets, and drone bait,anywhere in the world right there in the Saudi back yard. Time to retrieve the USS Turner Joy from mothballs to give authenticity to the reenactment of the Vietnam War. Presumably Pompeo studied it during his career education at West Point (the granddaddy of Trump's military academy "education").
4
Unfortunately, this is a forewarning of how the terrorists will attack in the future. With drones, that are launched from hidden locations hundreds of miles away from their targets.
3
@Gary Ward: Gee, just the same way "we" have been conducting targeted assassinations, blowing up wedding parties, and littering the lands of the Middle East and Central Asia with the body parts of civilian "collateral damage" for years.
Hmmm.
2
With just enough time to stoke the fires before his election, the president seems on track to find the solution to his problem, a Middle East oil war.
While, simultaneously, in his stable genius progression he underfunds, scapegoats, and doesn't specifically understand (another issue), the renewable energy industry.
3
According to a UN report many Houthis Drones have a range of over 900 miles, I wonder why the Saudis were not prepared for these attacks. The Saudi guards were using their rifles and revolvers to shoot down the drones.
Drones could also take off from ships or Israeli submarines in the gulf.
Bibi's nightmare (a meeting between Trump and Rouhani) for now is in abeyance.
It appears to be a classic David and Goliath scenario that just happened and we all know how it ended.
It is time that the saner minds prevail and end the brutal massacre of the Yemenis by the Saudis and Emiratis using our supplied war materiel. Yes Mr. Trump we do get a lot of Petro Dollars from both (KSA & UAE) of them to supply these killing machines to them. Believe you me it is not worth it as we are complicit in killing humans-
If we are not careful, no iron dome or shield can stop all these drones and sooner or later these chicken would come home to roost.
2
Well Trump helped escalate this latest fake tension over there so now his supporters deserve to pay 5.00 a gallon for gas for a long time. If he declares war on Iran bring back the draft and make sure this time for every Democratic son and daughter you take force the same GOP sons and daughters to go also. No more hiding in colleges. That is truly the cowards way out. I am former military from the Vietnam era trained at basic training in Fort Dix NJ. If i was able to get through Basic training you can to.
4
So when a relatively small militia stands up against the British Gov't they are called patriots and heroes to the start of America and the great Democracy experiment.
But when a relatively small militia stands up against a Goliath enemy you call them terrorists and and you want to destroy them - vilify them.
When poor and rejected people were looking for a new paradise they looked to the Statue Of Liberty; now you are a nation of immigrants (unless you are a Native American which is rare).
But now this nation of immigrants now wants to crack down on immigrants and keep the others out.
It's amazing the stories America tells about it's history and the world.
It's incredibly sad.
4
@Philip Chattertonx
If the American Revolution has not been overturned already it is very close.
I think when Trump gives Britain their "Brexit" trade deal gift, that will do it. That will make the overturning official.
Israel and US blaming Iran for this seems like a campaign tactic for Netanyahu with Israel elections on Tuesday and maybe even for Trump in 2020. Seems suspicious
7
Increased tensions in the Middle East, exacerbated by alleged attacks by Iran on oil tankers in the gulf and now drone strikes on key Saudi oil facilities with no clear connection to Iran can be traced directly to Trumps mindless withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal and Trumps "maximum pressure" sanctions. It seems that the Neocons in this country and Israel's Netanyahu and his gang will not rest until we launch a war against Iran. One wonders what false flag actions are in play here, and whether the USA learned anything at all from its disastrous attack on Iraq under Dick Cheney et al.
5
Pompeo wants a war with Iran so bad.
This administration has no credibility.
Constant lying has a price.
6
The Saudi's are privately thanking the Houties for the attack and subsequent rise in oil price. I'm sure our military industrial complex is salivating.
4
It's laughable, the Saudis can spend time and money to put to death a Washington Post Reporter with great precision flying in men and chain saws and yet 2 little drones brings them to their knees.
And our County comes to their defense. Does anyone remember the hideous death of the Post's reporter it's a "Well what are you going to do." The Prince said he didn't have anything to do with the murder.
Next we will sell them anti drone missiles.
3
What kind of drones are we talking about. ?
Are they unmanned airplanes ?
Do the drones fire missiles or are the drones the missiles. ?
1
For years the US is cozy to Saudis , selling military arsenal , and helping them bombing Yemen children and vulnerable adult population. Hundred-of thousands died, and we worry about oil. The
media like always did very little beat news about Yemen, actually most Americans have no clue where is Yemen in the map, and obviously they have no interest to know either . The Saudis are very bad actors in the region blaming Iran always, very familiar. The problem will grow exponentially because the region already has serious problems. The US will never help, actually the opposite. We will protect Saudi Arabia and Israel, no matter what. The manipulation and lies became policies. They don’t care how many innocent civilians die, the oil is priority, because they need to please the investors. Nothing is news anymore. The king MBS is the biggest manipulator and liar. Until today the whole world know that he send his agents to dismembered the body of Jamal khashoggi a WP journalist, when he was in Turkey . Trump administration did absolutely nothing . We became cynical, hypocrites for convenience. We are the worse of all, supporting criminals . We became just like than. I only hope the next president in 2020 ( democrats) focus well , and change the obsolete “foreign policies “.
5
I agree with most of what you said except that DT is not a warmonger. He is all about getting economic concessions through discourse, which means threat.
Oil prices can reasonably be expected to jump, although prices listed on oilprice.com as of yesterday had actually declined a little. How much prices will increase is a good question, but something along the lines of oil increasing from the range of $55-$60/bbl to $90/$100 bbl seems possible. If that happens, the price of gasoline, the most immediately visible result, will likely jump to around $4.00 gallon. I wonder how many Trump supporters will make the connection between Trump pulling out of the Iran agreement and their rising cost of filling up.
10
@Stephen Beard. So you agree that Iran is behind this attack on Saudi civilian infrastructure. The issue, then, is the Western response.
For what it’s worth, the Iranian-supported Houthi insurgency predates and is separate from the JCPOA. It has been a proxy fight with the nation Shi’a Iran considers the leader of the Arab Sunni block, Saudi Arabia.
One might argue that the critical link to this attack is not Trump’s withdrawal from the agreement, but Obama’s failure even to attempt to include regional destabilizing Iranian behavior as part of the negotiations.
1
So, you're telling me that ONE of the MOST important refineries in the WORLD is not protected by a range of satellite, lidar, radar, frequency jamming, electronic jamming technology? With 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger Gatling guns, radar directed circling the refineries creating a shield to any approach? Some toy from an electronic store was able to cripple this facility? Really?
365
@DB 'drone' is any remote control (or autopilot controlled) unmanned aerial vehicle, no toy store battery powered quad-copter could possibly have done this. no, this was much more likely a substantial sized fixed wing, think the V1 'buzz bombs' of WW-II, only with a computer driving it instead of a clockwork gyroscope.
24
Not that kind of drone. Military drones.
9
@DB
Don’t underestimate the incompetence of Saudi Arabia ;)!
28
This should be a wake up call to our military leaders to begin to develop systems for dealing with inexpensive and plentiful drones that might just as easily attack us. Let's de-emphasize expensive planes,tanks,weaponry, aircraft carriers and spend some money on trying to figure out how to stop those nasty little drones.
2
I would appreciate if the reporters could report exactly how a drone attack shuts down an oil facility. Is it dropping bombs? Shooting bullets? Crashing itself into something?
7
We can not trust any information coming from Trump or his administration. They are self serving, dishonest and corrupt.
I think that media outlets should be careful with their reporting, and always inform the reader that the information originating from the WH needs to be viewed with skepticism.
15
@S B, I always recalled that many years ago, that if a person worked one day a month in Japan, that person no longer counted in the Japanese unemployment rate. So if you kick out enough negative factors, like the FBI's non-interviews of the Kavanaugh's investigation, global warming warnings from scientists and not from politicians, blaming the pilots and not the 737's Max 8 planes for the crashes, not admitting you can't keep up with the current weather report, not fully understanding the US debt process, turning down nearly free rent for immigrant court location to keep federal Homeland secrets [aka Spanish Inquisition], making cozy arrangements to keep a nearby airport open for your golf resort, ...on the other hand, how's that infrastructure rebuilding going, Social Security and Medicaid money payback from the gov't. borrowing, healthcare, clean air and water, anti-gun, anti-drug, anti-workplace violence, etc., ... and we're on track to show a surplus in the Federal debt this year, right? I guess, if you kick out all the negatives, then life in the US is just rosy, peachy-keen, and everybody is living the American dream.
2
Sunni extremists taught and financed by our second favorite prince flew planes into our buildings. Al Quaeda and Daish are its by-products. The Iranians played as large a role as the Kurds in beating back Daish in Iraq. Who is the real enemy? Could it be Wahabi Saudi Arabia? Why yes.
13
Pompeo just got off the phone with Bolton and then he made his announcement accusing Iran.
The US has been at War with Iran ever since their Military was declared a terrorist organization by the US.
And as we all know, the first casualty of war is the truth.
11
The Saudi’s have been brutally massacring Houthis with weapons purchased from the US for years now.
The Houthis attack Saudi Arabia in perhaps the most obvious place possible to attack and damage a major oil producer and all of a sudden the US declares a major attack “on the world’s oil supply”.
Is this a new rendition of We Are The World?
We are energy independent.
Let the world handle it. Not our problem.
We just can’t stay out of other countries’ business, especially if they are good weapons customers.
7
If I were to lay blame on any part in this regional conflict for what is an obvious ploy to increase weapon sales to the Saudis, I would lay my bets on some covert ops team who are doing the bidding of the administration's hawks.
5
"U.S. Blames Iran" -- of course. Iran doesn't even have to do anything to be blamed by Trumpist officials.
12
When are the rational compassionate people of the world going to stop this madness? Too many tools of killing and destruction - both here at home in the USA (e.g., military-style guns) and abroad (the entire military industrial complex). I know, I know. Too many vested interest$ and easy money. Just like with opioids and vaping.
7
Who’s to say that this attack wasn’t done by Saudi’s themselves. They are using the most advanced American made militarily equipment to kill thousands of civilians and starving millions. We need to ask mr. Pompey where is his proof that Iran is responsible for the attack and why is he condoning what the Saudi Arabia is doing and condemning Iran?
9
I remember that after 9-11 Cheney et al. conveniently blamed Iraq since that fitted in with their agenda. Now it seems convenient to blame Iran since they have been looking for an excuse to attack them.
16
This is a warning, a too bit piece of equipment can bring down any sophisticated multibillion dollar piece of equipment. David and Goliath indeed. Spend the money on relations, education, infrastructure and you will get better and long lasting results. To bomb is to give up on diplomacy. To bomb only slows the hate until the bombed can retaliate. This is what is happening in the Middle East endless hate because neither side can look beyond the past.
2
I’ll gladly pay more at the pump for this; WE should have done it 18 years ago as pay-back for 9-11. Remember, it was the Saudis who planned, financed and carried out attacks on civilians on our own soil. As a consequence, the Bush administration gave them a free pass and launched a pointless war in Iraq that we’re still paying for in American lives, currency and credibility.
Given that our two key ME client states have both initiated acts of war directly against us—Saudis (2001) and Israelis (1967)—maybe we’ve been backing the wrong horses all along.
If the Iranians were responsible for these latest drone raids, thumbs up to them over any other nation in that region.
6
Sure - YOU will gladly pay more at the pump. Sounds like you can afford to do it. What about the millions of folks who barely make it through a week as it is ? Yes, it might be fun to boast, but if the reality hits, it will be brutal for many many.
2
@Dheep'...If people cared about gas prices they’d all be driving electric cars.
We can’t help questioning what we hear and see because what we read is no longer factual or real.
Oil prices will go up to benefit who?
Blame game will continue, turmoil will rise and Iran’s ennemies will do everything in their power to convince the world that Iran has been asking for it.
Starving 81 million Iranians didn’t do the trick but creating tricks might work. What happened to common sense, diplomacy and humanity? Why is the US rushing to blame and not the Saudis? Why are Pompeo and Trump more interested in Saudi oil and not Yemen genocide?
The news are all about the financial interests of rich, heartless,inhumane,gang member leaders who terrorize the world with brainless vicious agendas. Sadly, these leaders have now recruited the US and unlike World War Two, there won’t be a super power to intervene to save humanity.
9
The problem is that with the current US administration, you HAVE to doubt the official version of the facts - as the president even feels free to distort inauguration crowd sizes and important national hurricane warnings.
So ... did Houthi forces plan and implement this attack all on their own?
Or did Trump talk to his Saudi dictator friend and did they decide that in order to force Congress to send much more military aid to Saudi Arabia totalitarian government, it would be nice of some CIA people could convince some Houthi's to launch a much more spectacular attack on Saudi Arabia than what they have ben doing until now ... ?
6
Iran is sending the message that if you ruin their economy that they will ruin the world economy. You make it impossible for a people to flourish, they will find a way to make sure no one is prosperous.
7
Does Pompeo have facts that backup his accusations? Or is it just wishful thinking on his part?
7
Before Donald Trump ran for president, his son Donald Trump Jr. told a journalist that the Trump's have gotten most of their money in recent years from Russia and Saudi Arabia.
If Trump attacks Iran, we'll know what Saudi Arabia bought when they gave Trump that money.
7
The US needs to stop blaming everything on Iran and terrorists. Starting a war with Iran is not a smart thing on the part of Saudi Arabia.
Having said that the whole world should wean off of oil and develop better alternative green energy...including Saudi Arabia.
5
I'm not at all sorry that after years of pounding Yemeni civilians from the air, killing and maiming countless numbers and causing untold damage, the Saudi atrocities have finally begun to strike home in a big way in Saudi Arabia itself.
Perhaps now the feudal Saudi dictatorship will reassess what they've been doing in their proxy war with Iran. I'm rooting for Yemen in this dog fight, and no matter where they managed to get the weaponry to hit back, good on them for bringing the fight home to the bad guys.
Let's just hope that our latest Republican President doesn't follow in the footsteps of Reagan and both Bushes and involve us directly in yet another war that we have no real reason to jump into, although I wouldn't put it past Trump and his sycophants to start banging the drums of war to give themselves an electoral advantage come November, 2020.
7
Saudi Aramco is near its first Initial Public Offering, easily the 800 lb gorilla of all IPOs. It was planned earlier but the murder of a Wash Post writer by the Saudi Crown Prince made it inopportune to attract investors thus the delay, which worked: major banks and financiers that withdrew after the killing are now back with a vengeance.
From WSJ: "Government-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co. has ...chosen nine banks to underwrite: JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley , Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup Inc., HSBC, Credit Suisse and two domestic investment banks...".
Is it too cynical to wonder if this is the big payoff for Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush, Blair, et.al. for taking out Iraq as a hostile regional competitor of Saudi Arabia?
MBS decides who gets pre-IPO shares or buys the IPO shares at the start price that will skyrocket and be worth tens of millions after the IPO.
It's a stroke of genius -- if key US leaders become share-holders in Saudi Oil through the IPO, think that'll affect US Middle East policy? Or incentivize Climate denial? Or block solar, public transit, wind, conservation, efficiency?
Drone strike? Maybe to remind investors how dominant Saudi Oil is? Maybe to provoke Trump to take out Iran's oil facilities (Iran has more oil than SA), raising oil prices? Maybe another Netanyahu election move to either provoke a US strike or spook Israeli voters to keep him around?
I can't imagine any of this can be true.
15
This president doesn't believe his own intelligence agencies on anything, so who do you think convinced him it was Iran? And so quickly. This situation might even delay the presiden't tee off time tomorrow.
2
It is amazing that Pompeo has the gall to complain that Iranian actions are reducing the world's supply of oil when no-one has done more than Pompeo and Trump to reduce the world's supply of oil by blocking exports of oil from Iran from Iran. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
2
The only realistic solution is to use drones to strike Iran. Someone name another alternative other than reinstating the agreement set up under the Obama administration.
Saudi Arabia bombs civilians in Yemen and now they are outraged that Yemen fights back by attacking Saudi economic infrastructure.
5
Can't wait to get an electric car so my money is not supporting corrupt governments the Middle East.
3
Sanctions don’t make anyone safe, they make countries desperate while rich oil oligarchs steal resources and profit off the resulting increase in the demand for their own oil.
Not only is Iran being forced to play hardball and fuel the Houthis, there are conflicting US oil interests in Qatar as well, which is MUCH closer to Abqaiq then Yemen with far less obstacles, and not very friendly to Saudi Arabia these days. Few may recall that if it wasn’t for Sec. of State Rex Tillerson Trump would have attacked our own troops in Qatar at the request of Saudi Arabia during his first year in office. Tillerson, as CEO of Exxon had his own private CIA. Under the traitorous rule of Trump, banning all Muslims except the one country responsible for attacking us on 9-11, Saudi Arabia, there are too many agencies, nations and institutions at play to know who all is responsible for this attack. Iran? Qatar? Heck even Goldman Sachs and Koch networks have something to gain out of this as sanctions on Venezuela prevent them from paying import tax on oil that gets imported anyway. A sudden increase in oil prices is stolen money in their pockets.
Another disturbing point of fact;
Pg 31 of the UN panel report linked in this article:
“Despite repeated requests sent to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Panel was not permitted to inspect the guidance systems of the UAV-X,”
The UAV-X is a modern civilian drone acquired by the Houthis last month with engines made by Germany and China.
4
Welcome to 21st Century Warfare...
The unmanned armed Drone squadron is the new Kamikaze attack. I hope the US Navy and Israel are watching because you can be sure that Russia, and China are. Regardless of what the President Tweets it's time for Congress to start flexing some it's Constitutional muscle. Based on the Navy's shortages of parts and maintanance schedules that are months & weeks behind our country is not prepared for this type of a mass attack. It's time the American people hold all branches accountable for our Foreign Policy choices past/present and start preparing for what comes up in the future because the future is already here.
1
I’m surprised that the Saudis who have spent billions on US armaments have not been able to shoot down either cruise missiles or drones fired by the Houthis.
1
The US supported rebel groups in both Central and South America.
Irish Americans supported the IRA in Northern Ireland.
Iran supports the rebels in Yemen.
Nothing exceptional here.
2
Still going forward with the IPO, eh!
1
Thank goodness for the US’ private sector energy industry and for President Trump who had the sense to get out of their way. Democrats want to shut down US petroleum production. Crazy.
If Saudi Arabia and Iran destroy each other,
The US and Russia can dominate the oil markets.
Saudi Arabia must taste the bitter pill of war. It is just the beginning of choas Yemen war has inflicted upon the oil-rich kingdom. It must initate a dialogue to bring peace in the region.
1
Blame is one thing - substantiated proof another.
Unfortunately, this WH does not deal with "facts" - and given the supposed "friendship" with Saudi and lack thereof with Iran, we can all guess how the WH will spin this scenario.
This could have very serious ramifications .
3
so let me get this straight. Saudi Arabia has caused what the United Nations call one of the worst humanitarian crisis ever, with our logistical help I might add and Mike Pompeo is, what a surprise banging the Iran war drum because oil fields had a drone strike. Thousands of innocent civilians killed, starving dying from cholera and the outrage is over oil fields in Saudi Arabia. Our leaders that are speaking and acting in our name have no moral authority. It is up to everyone with a voice to speak out.
4
Absolute lies. This “administration” will make up all kinds of things that Iran is doing. All they want is an excuse to go to war.
2
Iran once liked America and wanted to model their government based on our democratic system, until we stopped that from happening in favor of a dictator back in the 60's/ 70's.
2
As far as I know Aramco may still be american owned, although it is saudi run for quite some time now.
It is time the USA starts its transition program from fossile fuels to renewables (solar, wind, thermo hydraulic and hydrogene) ,
The US blames Iran? And who does the US blame for the American made bombs that the Saudis are dropping on school buses, hospitals and funerals? Bombs that were paid for with money Saudis made by selling their oil, which makes their oil infrastructure a legitimate target of war.
When you bomb people, don't be surprised when they fight back.
2
@A Cynic
Should we mention that the bombs were made by Raytheon a proud sponsor of the Girl Scouts of America?
1
You could see this coming. It is pretty funny.
1
After 9/11, we attacked Iraq instead of the countries that actually supported the Bin Laden. Then we finally got arround to attacking the Taliban in Afghanistan. But we never dealt with the Saudis, who had harbored the terrorists.
So now, it appears that Yemen is behind this attack. But we'll probably attack Iran, because, well, Trump and Pompeo need a war with Iran to boost their egos (and reelection chances).
Sometimes I'm very ashamed of being an American.
2
So.... Trump and his ilk claim that Iran was behind the attack on Saudi oil facilities.... But since Trump - in particular - has lied about so much else, why should we believe him now?
1
Pompeo and Trump created this by walking away from the nuclear agreement. It’s a political move. I fear Saudi Arabia more than Iran since Trump thinks only of his business. Sadia Arabia has gotten a pass from this country because they supply oil. They are terrorists in the worst way since there country is rich.
1
According to a UN report many Houthis Drones have a range of over 900 miles, I wonder why the Saudis were not prepared for these attacks. The Saudi guards were using their rifles and side arms to shoot down the drones.
Drones could also take off from ships or Israeli submarines in the gulf.
Bibi's nightmare (a meeting between Trump and Rouhani) for now is in abeyance.
It appears to be a classic David and Goliath scenario that just happened and we all know how it ended.
It is time that the saner minds prevail and end the brutal massacre of the Yemenis by the Saudis and Emiratis using our supplied war materiel. Yes Mr. Trump we do get a lot of Petro Dollars from both (KSA & UAE) of them to supply these killing machines to them. Believe you me it is not worth it as we are complicit in killing humans-
If we are not careful, no iron dome or shield can stop all these drones and sooner or later these chicken would come home to roost.
1
Yet another reason to rush headlong into alternative energy.
1
Is it treason for me to support the Houthis and Iran in this conflict? It seems they are on the right side considering the US has been on the wrong side of every war since Korea.
1
Good, good news. Fantastic.
We are going to be able to sell the Saudis billions, possibly dozen of billions on top of what we have already sold them.
New tanks, new F 16,Long rage artillery.
It wont serve them against guerilla and drone tactics, but what do I care.
Maybe we could, on the side of course, help the other side so we can make more money.
And we will get the change of regime I am longing for, so a real democracy, as it exists in Saudi Arabia can be imposed on them. Once so made free, they will undoubtebly chant Hourah for the US liberators as the Irakis and Syrians did, and are still doing right now.
Great deal. Great job.
Looking forward to 2020 for four more years of fantastic and more daring and productive policies
Gosh! Who would have thought there are consequences for aggression?
Once again, the little guy beat up on the big guy. Just remember Vietnam between the #1 power (U.S.) and the puiny Viet Cong.j Remember Afghanistan since 325 B.C. but especially the wars with Britain in the 19th Century and the U.S. as well as the Soviet Union in the 20th and 21st Centuries.
India vs. Great Britain in the 20th Century, as well as Iraq and the Brits after WWI and the U.S. this century. Little guys who were in the big guys. . Sure, the little guy has friends but it was the "little guys" putting their lives on for their land. When it is your land, you will fight to the death. We did and would in the U.S. So would everyone else.
I would not be surprised that this strike was a covert operation by the US not Iran.
1
The competition between Bolton and Pompeo to get trump's attention at home while starting conflicts abroad, coupled with trump's daily spewing a fountain of lies makes the recent events in the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia's oil field suspect and difficult to decipher. The shady characters in the background - MBS, Netanyahu, Erik Prince, etc. - further complicate discerning exactly what is going on. 100 to 1 odds we aren't getting a full accounting..........
4
Does it mean now the White House has a "legitimate" cause to strike Iran? It is hard to believe in such "luck". It doesn't happen unless it is arranged.
1
Maybe I’m simple minded, but why not tell the Saudis to stop bombing Yemen or we’ll cut off their supply of military equipment?
War is good election policy for people who like weapons.
1
This is a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the sacrificial lambs are the Yemenis. The primitive ideology of the Houthis, the ineptness and ignorance of Hadi, and the STC didn't serve the Yemeni people well, they are dying of hunger and disease, and an entire two or three generations are lost. As for the Saudi oil facilities it is the price of war in Saudi land this time, maybe some kind of common sense will creep into the leader of the Kingdom, MBS " Putin of the middle east".
"U.S. Blames Iran"
Shades of the run-up to Iraq War 2...
And this couldn't possibly be related to politics?
(cf Iraq War 2, US invasion of Grenada, UK Falklands-related conflict with Argentina)
And it's NOT necessarily the "U.S." who "blames Iraq"; it's Pompeo (as the article specifies), a well-known uber-hawk, always eager for confrontation and even war, who has a well-documented history of doing Trump's bidding in terms of foreign-policy belligerence -- EXCEPT when it comes to Russia, of course!
THE US and the Saudis have essentially created this mess in the Middle East -- and shamelessly exploited it for their own purposes, as the Times, among others, has documented.
And in terms of the "relatively cheap...high-profile strike... illustrat[ing] how ...tactics [like] cheap drones are adding a new layer of volatility," perhaps the USA, Saudis, UK, and others reaping obscene profits from international arms sales should take a look in the mirror and see who is MANUFACTURING and SELLING all these "relatively cheap" weapons, which then contribute to this "volatility" in the world, and also fall into the hands of terrorists and various bad actors? (The Times recently wrote about the thousands of assault weapons the US has provided to various sides in Afghanistan and Iraq, which are utterly unaccounted for and have fallen into the hands of terrorists and others.)
Drones in the Middle East, assault weapons used in mass-shootings in the US -- all part of the same equation.
2
In an otherwise seemingly authoritative article, the phrase "set off blazes whose smoke could be seen from space" seems a little archaic. Your backyard barbecue can be seen from space.
Where have I seen this movie before? Ah yes, it was 2002, and we were blaming Iraq for the Saudi planned 9/11 attacks. This looks like another bad remake of a film that was bad to begin with.
1
After nearly 3 years of increasingly lost credibility -- with every word the Trump administration utters -- this announcement is utterly meaningless.
Democracy dies in darkness.
No light emanates from the Trump administration, and they prefer to keep it that way.
These are dark days, and the American people will -- in due time -- take our country back.
2
Raytheon,Lockheed,and BAE milk billions from the oil sheikhs in Riyadh selling them defective and faulty weapon systems. This is only a secret in Saudi circles. But the whole middle east knows the Saudis have no clue what they getting for their billions.
Maybe now they woke up from their super-luxury amnesia and realize their billions can't buy them anything,not even a defense against inferior drones made in Tehran or india.
Who wants war with Iran?
Think about all the players. US foreign policy over the last several decades has been to neutralize any power that challenges Israeli, American, and Saudi interests--this unholy trifecta. Iraq had to be destroyed, Syria is destroyed (who bankrolled the al-Qaeda Islamists there?), Lebanon repeatedly bombed because Hizballah has the audacity to protect Lebanese soil from Israeli attacks, and what's left? Iran. For the unholy trifecta, the only think stopping their complete hegemony in the region is Iran. The US government is dangerous and hungry for more war.
2
Of course, we've got to blame Iran. After all, we've already helped the Saudis bomb Yemen completely to oblivion. There's nothing left to destroy there.
As we blamed and attacked the Iraqis, who had nothing to do with 9/11 (And how did that work out for us?), let us now blame Iran, which is not engaged in a war with the Saudis. Because it couldn't POSSIBLY be that Yemenis, who were attacked by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been destroying Yemen, with advice from the Middle East's very own Prince of Peace, Jared Kushner, would have ANY reason to attack Saudi oil facilities, right?
1
I wonder who, and how many, in the White House, at this very moment, are trying to figure out which war, and against whom, will give Donald Trump his biggest boost in the polls?
I'm thinking the Donald will wait until we're about 6 to 9 months away from the election - to maximize the effect.
Yeah. I think that would be about the best time to start up another unilateral meat-grinding atrocity exhibition in the Middle East!
Then again, what am I thinking! Trump would never start a war, in a far off land, just so he could remain in the White House and out of prison, right? I mean, NO ONE, is that morally and ethically bankrupt, that they would actually do something like that. Right?
(Get your helmets ready soldiers! 'Cause we're gonna need you to take one for "The Spur"!)
3
I love how the articles title is very specifically worded to create doubt that the Houthis and Iran has anything to do with it. To this day, most readers here still don’t believe Iran attacked those tankers. Less journalism and more trying to shape the opinions of their flock of readers.
One of the biggest Iran war hawks is pushed out of the Trump administration and embarrassed in the process.
Just a few days later, homemade drones attack one of the largest oil facilities in the world with zero resistance?
Immediately, "Iran did it..."
These guys play out their schoolyard antics on a big stage.
69
@College Dad, and the entire world is their collateral damage.
4
@College Dad
You've been watching too many B movies about conspiracy theories in your spare time I think.
If we say Iran did it you can bet that it comes from some pretty good intelligence. The types of technology needed to do this didnt get put together in a tent in Yemen by some rebels.
@WB what does it mean Iran did it. Supplied the drones, trained the drones users, or the Iranians were the perpetrators.
1
Depending on oil is risky. All our eggs in the oil basket is our Achilles heel. Anyone bombs our refineries and the whole country would shut down. We are imprudent for being so vulnerable. We should be building alternative energy technologies instead of walls.
10
@✅Dr. TLS ✅
You are right. America, like France, should have built zero carbon nuclear infrastructure to produce electricity in the last 40 years, instead of hundreds of oil and gas plants. But the environmental movement backed by Hollywood prevented it, causing global temperatures to rise. I will never forget the bumper sticker I saw plastered to a stop sign in Boulder in 1980...it read, ‘Split wood, not atoms’.
1
Oh, I don't know. Is the takeaway, Maybe we don't depend on energy sources dependent on such high concentrations of production? Maybe we don't depend on energy sources based in countries run by war-crazy rulers?
Or was that the whole point? Let's follow the money. Let's ask ourselves, who benefits from $100 dollar a barrel oil? Not the Russian people, but Putin and his pals make billions more dollars. Not Americans, who will pay billions more at the pumps, but US oil majors will make billions more dollars. And, if fact, if oil goes to $100 a barrel, the House of Saud makes billions of dollars more, too, for selling a lot less oil.
6
Even if Iran was behind it so be it. It's a game of chess in that part of the world. We, with a lot of push from Saudis and Israelis brought Iran's oil sale to almost zero, do you expect them to sit on their hands and let Saudi Arabia take all their oil clients while Iranian people starve? You corner a tiger and it'll eventually claw you back. Every action calls for a reaction, and Iranians are pretty good chess players with not much to lose now thanks to Trump's maximum pressure and sanctions.
6
We do not rely on Saudi Arabia for oil. It is down to around 10%. and that can be made up very easily. The United States is basically energy independent. Other ( many ) parts of the world are dependent on Saudi Oil. I wish the numerous commenters that keep saying we should get off Saudi Oil would please do some research and learn this. And the fact that we use very little of their oil has been going on for quite a few years now. So it is not a new thing.
6
@Doctor Woo
The US is not energy independent and still imports significant amounts of oil. It is moot. If the middle east oil is cut off from the world, the world economy would collapse very quickly.
3
This is part of a sea-change in world stability. It is the major news story of this decade. 9-11 was only an early suggestion of how to seriously damage opponents without spending billions on advanced technology. Here is another major example. Attacks by drones have, as we speak, cut in half the total world supply of oil. There is no way any country could have prevented this kind of attack however aggressive the defense. Drones could attack nuclear power plants and easily create another Chernobyl. Everyone can make their own TOP TEN danger list. If your head is not spinning, you've missed the point.
5
When you engage in war, don't be surprised that the other side will fight back. The US has been aiding one side in a brutal civil war. I hope that even if Iran arranged the attacks that we don't pretend that this was unanticipated. What did/do we expect?
4
It’s still unclear whether the Yemen-based Houthi rebels were behind these advanced drone attacks on the two major oil facilities run by the Saudi Aramco. Whoever the perpetrators are, they have certainly shown that the David-versus-Goliath tactics using chep drones, works.
The attacks came at a time that could put any talk of easing sanctions on Iran on ice. There was speculation about a potential meeting between Trump and Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly starting next week.
The attacks could also reduce Saudi oil output with an impact on global supply. The state-owned Aramco runs Saudi Arabia, and it is stepping up preparations for a much anticipated initial public offering, making debut on the international stock market. The incident could impact Aramco’s valuation but are unlikely to derail the kingdom’s plan to sell shares in its oil giant.
Mike Pompeo accused Iran of behind the attacks. If so, they were most likely carried out by proxies with the help of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, whose hardliners are at loggerheads with their moderate president.
It’s strange that “the Saudis themselves refrained from pointing the finger directly at Iran.”
3
U.S. blames Iran. Well of course. Perhaps the idea is to demonize Iran and goad Netyanahu to do something rash in service of his own election chances. I'd be the last to even guess at the possibilities, and I'd run over my word limit.
Anyway - the U.S., in the person of Mike Pompeo, - who speaks for He Who Doesn't Speak Very Well - or else. Right, Mike? (Just joking) but He-Who has the best brain and the best magic markers, yes, He who blames - He blames Iran, or so Mike Pompeo says. Himself will be happy to come back from the golf course Monday and draw skeptics a clear map of who did what to whom, when, and where. Broad strokes of the marker. And then Mike Pompeo can clarify on Tuesday, or apologize on Wednesday, or get fired, or not, etcetera ad infinitum. This act getting to be like a one-trick pony. Developing a kind of hypnotic rhythm, a long-line rhythm. Snake charmers are reputed to be good at this game.
3
Some of you will recall Robert Baer predicting this crippling of the Saudi economy, way back during the second Bush Administration, in Sleeping with the Devil.
I suppose the Kingdom has done a good job of preventing the sort of motorboat-suicide strike that Baer envisioned. This was largely before the era of fracking oil, so a disruption would have been far more serious.
Yet fracked wells deplete fast, so the US oil-production "miracle" may prove short-lived. Even with fracking, we don't meet domestic demand. I doubt we ever will unless we transition away from petrochemicals for fuel and plastics.
Meanwhile, in 15 years those who want to destroy fragile infrastructure have new tools you can buy over the counter. No suicide bomber needed.
Best to wind down this destructive Oil Age before it becomes a Dark Age.
2
Sure will be better for the USA when oil doesn't matter any more. Pity the Administration is trying it's best to make such a problematic energy source persist.
People should seriously reflect on how much of our trillions in money on wars, foreign aid, anti-terrorism and so on is based on our "strategic" interest in such an unstable part of the world.
3
The last thing we need in the Middle East is another war and it seems many parties are beating the drums of a likely war. It will cost no one but innocent people. Also, let’s just all acknowledge that Trump and his administration failed at bringing Iran to anything close to its knees. Iran doesn’t bend the knee easily and especially not with intimidation and even more especially not when it comes from US. Any lesson learned? I don’t think so.
2
It's ashame we cannot trust our own government and the shady governments that Trump aligns with. First, it's absurd that US propaganda makes us assume that nations we attack in our politics, break treaties with and sell weapons to those waging war against them don't have a right to defend themselves. Second, the shady nations that Trump and other US administrations have aligned with are as likely as our adversaries to create situations that they blame on our adversaries to stir up sympathy, war and more arms sales. The film "Official Secrets" is one of many true stories of US and ally conspiracies to sell war to the public with lies with incredible damage and destruction to civilians and soldiers that few politicians pay a price for.
4
The outrage at a drone strike against Saudi Arabia is hilarious. The USA has pioneered the use of drones to "neutralize" targets in far away countries, whereby (a) they haven't been particularly precise, causing hundreds of supplementary casualties and (b) the targets most often were citizens of the country in which they were killed and had become targets on account of their willingness to fight Americans who had invaded and were occupying said country.
What has happened here was to be expected, and indeed was expected by many experts in the field, drone technology being actually quite simple. With GPS and streaming video and a reliable communication and control link, anyone can hit anything within the physical range of a drone. It is hardly more complicated than an RC car or boat.
Moreover, may drone types are small, nothing like the Predators that the CIA and the US military use to wreak havoc in desperately poor countries. They are easy to acquire and there are plenty of people with grudges out there who may at some point decide to strike.
In that respect, the arming of the weak and powerless, this attack does mark a paradigm shift. Yesterday, some type of incendiary device was used, but there are plenty of other nefarious things that could be delivered from the air. Any open sky facility or indeed venue may be a target for such an attack. We had better be prepared.
5
This is closely monitored airspace. The US has been flying AWACS missions over the region for years. Our Persian Gulf naval vessels and bases track airborne objects throughout the region. Saudi Arabia does the same. It’s hard to believe that drones from Yemen could fly undetected for 500 miles and harder still to believe that the recordings of that tracking wouldn’t be readily available. But it’s easy to believe that Mike Pompeo would blame Iran for any attacks perpetrated by anybody in the region.
Gulf of Tonkin, anyone?
4
The accusations that Iran was behind the bombing in Saudi Arabia reminds me of the accusations against Iraq that they had. “Weapons of mass destruction”. Sounds like the US is beating the war drums for Iran. We need to avoid a needless war with Iran where thousands of US young men and women could potentially lose their lives.
1
It wouldn't have anything to do with:
1. current economic slowdown/collapse happening world wide would it?
2. maybe an upcoming depression ? (lots of fun there)
3. less need for oil in the coming decades & centuries ?
4. negative interest rates?
5. Quantitative easing (QE) ?
6. Value of currency manipulation v gold/silver?
7. Derivative, banking, economic problems. GFC 2.0 coming?
8. Trade deals not going according to plan ?
9. Gen Z and Gen Alpha not interested in as much oil anymore and more interested in renewables?
10. Must have a war, for the sake of having a war, even if we manufacture it out of nothing?
11. Threat to oil supply? (my goodness, don't we love oil; and really, do we need so much oil?)
12. It's Iran? (LOL - USA must have an enemy. I wouldn't be the USA without an enemy or a supposed enemy)
13. Donalds tweets?
13. all of the above plus whatever else I have left out.
4
@Peter: I would add: 15. Power grab by the nascent worldwide olegarchy.
1
When trying to determine who committed a particular act it makes sense to ask who benefited by the act.
Is it in Iran's interest to strike the Saudis in this way at this time?
The Persians (Iranians) have been around a long time. I'm sure they're aware of an election coming up in Israel. And, they know Trump, with the help of some Europeans, is interested in reducing tensions with Iran.
So, is it logical that they would do this at this time? If your response is that the Iranians are crazy and logic doesn't apply you would be at odds with serious thinkers like Kissinger on down.
The Persians are very strategic and have been for a few thousand years.
Maybe things aren't completely rational inside the Kingdom.
Maybe MBS and Mr. Kushner have caused some backlash and turmoil within Saudi Arabia one way or another...who knows?
All I know for sure is blame Iran is getting old and not particularly believable.
1
Israel and Saudi Arabia want the United States to fight a war against Iran as their proxy. And Trump thus far as shown plenty of willingness to do what MBS and Bibi tell him. Hopefully someone can explain to Trump that Iran is twice the size of Iraq and nobody wants to help us with this one.
3
It seems to me we don't know enough about this to be writing at length about it. But that doesn't stop the politicians and the media.
1
@R. Anderson
What, and not read all of the "expert" opinions on which we no little of as yet?
This is a good reminder of why we need to get the heck out of the Middle East and focus on becoming fossil fuel independent. It is reckless and expensive to try to corral and pacify the Middle East to our liking for energy security. Let's get out of there. Develop and transform our economy into a fossil fuel free system that would give us true energy security. The costs saved would be enormous over the long run and give rise to a whole new prosperous economic sector on par with what our our tech sector did for our economy. While we're at it, let's also extract ourselves from the very low-returning relationship with Israel. Maybe during the Cold War, when we needed a proxy in the region to counter the Soviet Union, our relationship with Israel was mutually beneficial, but Israel has its own agenda that is not in our best, long-term, security interests. Time to let them go their way and we go ours, as friends. Who knows, once they realize we won't be coming to save them when they start their war with Iran they will be more inclined to develop security agreements with their neighbors and the Palestinians. They seemed to already have done this with their close relationship with Saudi Arabia. Who knew, right? And for those concerned about obtaining enough oil while we do this transition, there is Venezuela, who would be more than happy to sell us all the oil we need from their reserves. For all the pearl clutchers out there concerned about Maduro, remind them of that nice guy MBS.
2
It is situations like these that the current Administration’s credibility is a problem. I don’t know whether to believe Pompeo or Iran; both seem happy to obfuscate the truth or outright lie. If an Administration is willing to force propaganda about the weather I have no problem believing it would propagandize the drone attack in SA. That’s the problem.
2
After the Jamal Khashoggi assassination, can we be still believe the Saudis? If, in fact, the damage turns out to be “superficial”, meaning quickly reparable - as it seems to be the case, could this be a staging, rather than an attack? And, after spending billions and billions on defense? To paraphrase Trump, “very bad people” have a lot to gain from this incident that assumes Iran is the perpetrator:
1) Netanyahu’s re-election this week. 2) Trump’s re-election in a few months; a distraction from Congressional investigations; distraction from the Taliban’s Camp David presentation to society ball debacle 3) MBS rehabilitation and an excuse to continue the losing Yemen invasion 4) An excuse to declare war on Iran?
3
Renewable energy is the way to go! I’m seriously thinking of buying a Tesla!
1
Saudi Arabia and its allies brutally bombed the Yemenis for years. Developments in Yemen were not a threat to Saudi security, yet Riyadh persisted in perpetrating mass atrocities against the people of the poorest country in the Middle East. The UAE played a similarly destructive role, and, despite its alleged withdrawal, still illegally occupies the Yemeni island of Socotra.
The Yemeni people demonstrated amazing perseverance in the face of a full suite of high tech, US-made killing machines that flattened the Arabian peninsula’s oldest cities, and Saudi inflicted famine and disease.
For years Yemen’s struggle was simply a matter of self-preservation against brutal foreign intervention. Finally Yemenis have struck back at the oppressor, letting its leaders know that their mostly unrequited, ceaseless savagery cannot persist without response.
Hopefully, the drone attacks will indicate to Saudi Arabia that their war cannot go on without tangible costs. Hopefully, the world will admire one of the world’s most attacked, impoverished peoples standing up to one of the richest and most repressive states. Hopefully, this will help ward off a murderous bully and bring Yemenis some respite; for, as of yet, dying quietly has not saved Yemenis from further vicious assault.
1
How secure are our own refineries? It doesn't seem like it would take much to wipe out a good proportion of the world's refineries with barrel bombs or General Aviation gone rogue. Let's just count the countries that would have an interest in cutting the Saudi's production by 50% even for just a few days. Trump cain't wait to hop in the sack with MBS so here's his chance. Remains to be seen if Trump comes back in small pieces packed in a suitcase.
1
Pompeo may be right, but maybe he isn't. Too bad he has about as much credibility as AG Barr. Now it is about defending the war-hawk prince's agenda and person as it is the (formerly) vital (to the USA) oil supply. Stability is important but the Yemen war is still mysterious to America; that case has not been made except in a negative way. Instability in the Gulf is worrisome especially if promoted by an unstable administration in Washington ready to unload sharpie made data for our consumption. When will this sharpie line be crossed?
1
Anyone who refuses to recognize the link between Iran and these drone strikes on Saudi oil facilities is simply delusion. The Houthis do not have the technical knowledge required to mount a highly technological attack like this. Wake up people, Iran is coordinating all of this.
The Cold War is over but it seems the U.S. just can't allow itself to disengage. What an almost trillion dollar defense budget- we gotta fight *someone*.
1
This is a dangerous moment for world peace. Trumps style is to show the national security advisor to the door without a transition period for a knowledgeable advisor to be up to date in cases of emergency like what we have in the middle east right now. The wrong reaction could lead to a war. Our allies will tell trump to go it a lone as he likes to tell others. Surly Iran can see that Trump and his team are way in over their heads. He has make America weaker than we ever have been.
2
The details in this story are overall correct but the order is not. Saudi Arabia has led a coalition of armed forces fighting Houthi forces in Yemen since 2015. Those forces have killed thousands of civilians. Houthis have retaliated, as they are are legally entitled to do under the laws of armed conflict, and appear to have done so without killing civilians. I am not supporting the Houthi attack, I am simply stating that it is legal. Furthermore, as you correctly but indirectly note, Iran's intervention in Yemen is not nearly as intense or flagrant as Saudi Arabia's.
Since this worked so well, it is going to happen again. And again. That is how these things work.
The law of unintended consequences strikes again. The Saudis and Houthis have been engaged in a low level war for quite some time. Along comes Trump who, along with his sheik friends, decides to decimate the Houthis. Now, a substantial part of that population is suffering from starvation.
US weapons of mass destruction rain down upon a group they label "rebels" as well as thousands of innocent civilians. And why? Because they resisted a corrupt Yemini government supported by Saudi Arabia and the US. Not unlike when the US overthrew the Iranian prime minister in 1953 when he nationalized the oil industry.
The international black arms market is available to almost anyone. The Houthis acquire better weapons and strike back in a very high tech attack that threatens the world oil supply. Trump tries to blame Iran (more than likely a prelude to another escalation of that conflict).
Unfortunately, Trump is incapable of anticipating reaction to his actions. His goal is only to win. What he really needs to understand is the law of unintended consequences. When intervening in other countries affairs, something always happens that no one thought about and everything gets worse!
The main problem is that the US needs to stop meddling in the Middle East! All we have accomplished is to alienate millions of people in the region who will plot revenge as long as they live.
2
Yemeni rebels are Tehran's proxy. If Tehran is hurting then Riyadh will hurt too, simple. The people in charge in Tehran believe the Saudis don't have the stomach for a fight and will fold if enough pressure is applied. This is a Mexican knife fight, as wars between religious fanatics tend to be, and will go on for many years. Remember, the European religious wars only ended because both sides ran out of resources.
Just remember the oil embargo led by the Saudis that cut off petroleum supplies to the US in the seventies. Do I feel sorry for them now? No
To the extent that alternative fuel technologies invariably involve batteries made from rare earths that are disproportionately located underground in places like Afghanistan, it is not at all clear from a geopolitical standpoint that giving up petroleum makes the world any safer:
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/rare-earth-afghanistan-sits-1-trillion-minerals-n196861
The Saudis are not good guys by any means, but the US-Saudi relationship is a strategic one that dates back to the FDR administration (in an era, in fact, when the Saudis had yet to outlaw chattel slavery, which they did not do until 1952.) We protect the Saudis so that their petroleum supplies do not fall into the hands of our powerful adversaries. This rule has been critical to US victory in WWII and in the Cold War. We are better off with Saudis we control than having the fuel of the future move to Afghanistan.
We have entered the era of lies. So much deception and manipulation surrounds us that it’s difficult to trust the facts about anything.
One reader wrote that Pompeo would blame the Saudis if his car didn’t start. I’m rapidly reaching the point that if Trump said, “Good morning,” I’d wonder what he meant by that and who was paying him to say it.
2
Convenient. Oh, and this won't hurt the digging-for-oil in Alaska either.
I don’t believe Pompeo. A credible source is needed to confirm his claim.
2
Some people are under the (false) impression that America is self sufficient in oil. It isn't. The US consumes 20 million barrels of oil per day but only produces 12 million barrels per day. The shortfall of 8 million barrels per day must be imported. (the numbers are more complicated than this -- a Forbes article entitled No, The US Is Not A Net Exporter Of Crude Oil explains it in more detail).
As the story notes, the US has been aligned with and aiding Saudi Arabia in its relentless attacks on Yemen, many of which have taken countless innocent lives through weaponry provided by the US. The US, under the inhumane and incompetent Trump administration, has done nothing to pressure SA to stop the war or even to permit humanitarian aid for the thousands of injured, starving or otherwise devastated civilians in Yemen.
So it's absurdly hypocritical to hear Trump and Pompeo criticizing Iran for aiding the Houthis in this conflict after failing to lift a finger against SA for this brutal war and their other offenses including the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi. The US is largely responsible for destabilization of the region, dating back to our invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Trump administration is doing nothing but inflaming the situation in Yemen and elsewhere. Trump wants to pursue a policy of America Alone but continues to add fuel to the fires of conflict in that region by its ignorant, divisive and ill-conceived actions with respect to the various players in the regional conflicts of the Middle East and beyond.
1
War is the enemy.
When the oil stops flowing the world is alarmed. Where is the outrage when the blood of so many people flows?
“In a report presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva last week, a panel of experts said both sides in the conflict were committing horrific human rights abuses, including arbitrary killings, rape and torture, with impunity. The atrocities underscored the collective failure of the international community, the panel said.”
Profiting from mass murder must end. The killing has to stop.
1
Beware the military-industrial complex.
- Dwight Eisenhower
I guess enemies are necessary for the wheels of the U.S. military machine.
3
Third world drones and nihilist adolescent cyber attacks. Wealthy nations with their patchwork infrastructure and gerry-rigged financial systems are the aircraft carriers in the modern game of Battleship. Capital is vulnerable. Sweet.
The USA has not changed its foreign policy for decades now. Sell weapons, support despots, bomb non-white countries like there is no tomorrow, do economic blockade, get in debt - repeat.
Both of its wars have failed - the war on drugs and the war on terrorism. Neither its weapons nor economic blockades are really working. ISIS, the Taliban, and all the Drug cartels are still alive. China and Russia can undermine the US at a high level, and a group of rebels can seriously damage its energy supply with a cheap drone.
Time to think about how to fight the future wars - there are smart alternatives to raw muscle power and money borrowed from future generations.
1
The Houthis do not have the capability to fly drones, without detection, under radar. The Iranians have absolutely no reason to bomb Saudi Arabia while negotiating with the EU to lift sanctions.
The only parties that have guns in the game are the USA and Israel. Iran has everything to lose if the world does not lift sanctions - so, was Kushner’s brilliant idea to make Iran the bad guy while Israel garnered votes while bombing their ally, Saudi Arabia?
1
Saudis want to fight a war in Yemen, and the other side fights back by hitting the Saudi’s wallet. This is a “unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply?” This is worth America going to war over? Whatever happened to all that domestic drilling and fracking Republicans pushed for? Are they producing mayonnaise instead of fuel or what?
1
The truth is that we can not say with certainty who is responsible and/or what is going on in this part of the world. It is a quagmire....a house of mirrors that we should never have entered in the first place. But thanks to greed and arrogance, we did blunder into it and remain up to our necks in this shifting quicksand. The time has long since passed when the United States should have cured itself of its addiction to Saudi oil (and fossil fuels in general) which benefits no one but deranged despots (our "friends"), religious fanatics (our implacable enemies), the oil lobby and the merchants of death (both of whom have a vested interest in perpetuating this madness ... a mortal threat to our safety and national well being and an open, obscene mockery of the principles upon which our republic was founded).
What is obvious is that Saudi Arabia, in spite of having the latest and best in armaments, can't protect its lifeblood against a cheap shot drone attack, by the time they figure out how to defend against drones there won't be much left to defend. Better they pack it in and get out of Yemen but fast, pay reparations and hope the Houthis accept it.
So what's the problem? As I see it, nobody got hurt, except the Saudi's embarrassment that they left the door open. Drones are pretty small so I don't know if the "Iron Dome" defence will work. Anyway, it could have been something more serious ... as trump says, 'there are some tough dudes out there ...'
1
Another Trump foreign policy success. Remember those awful days went the Democrats had the Presidency and ran Foreign Policy? Yea, the Iran Nuclear deal was so awful. This is so much better than trying a peaceful settlement.
1
This is the beginning of the nightmare scenario.
Don't believe anything this administration says when it comes to laying blame for any attacks.
We're still fighting the wars that the Bush administration started, and they were a million times more competent than this administration.
Don't be fooled and don't go where they want to steer you.
3
Funny how the Trump Administration suddenly believes its intelligence services when the intelligence they provide suits its immediate purposes.
1
"The first casualty, when war comes, is truth." Endless wars give rise to endless lies... lives lost, and the national treasure going down the drain.
2
Looking at the map of where the strikes occurred, it is highly probable that those drones came from Iran. Some folks think they came from Russia to raise oil prices. That's a possibility. However, with all the technology we have floating around in space, I would think we could figure out pretty accurately where they were launched from. If we can show it was Iran, that's going to further crush their economy because maybe the EU will stop circumventing US efforts. If Russia, we have a very serious problem. I can't imagine Mr. Putin being that ignorant of the probable consequences. Like boycotting their oil and gas.
The ancient curse is upon us: "May you always live in interesting times."
We are believing our lying government again on war?
Who's to say our CIA didn't do it.
if the Republicans have been talking about going to war with Iran for years then believe me they will figure out a way to go to war.
2
Trump, the hero and genius makes another problem and then sets to fixing it. In this case, turning his back on America's allies by walking away from the deal we had with Iran has escalated all kinds of pressure and stress in the region when there could have been time to develop more diplomatic, positive engagement.
But that would have been a result of the previous President's work and Trump couldn't let that happen.
1
Nearly twenty four hours have passed since the first news about an attack on these installations. In that time we have learned the drones came from somewhere, and somehow reached the most important nexus of energy infrastructure in the world, undetected. In this age of eyes in the sky, National Security Agencies that hover up information about everything in real time and supposedly use state of the art AI to ferret out bad actors, the world still does not know how this most vital installation, located within the world's third biggest spending military, came to be successfully attacked? This does not pass a sniff test.
87
@Michael Cooke
Movies are based in "the ideal world" of imagination. On the ground, limited imaginations and the cost of a few guards is likely moving a very few in decision-making that can impact the world.
1
@Michael Cooke
Remember the attack on Pearl Harbor. US Naval Intelligence intercepted Japanese code traffic that the Great Pacific fleet was heading to the South Pacific. But the White House chose to not take the intelligence seriously. There’s no shortage of historical analogs to the dramatic attack on the Saudis. The real story here may well be that the Saudis were well protected from missile attack. But not from low flying slow moving drones flying under the radar. And did not have satellite coverage identifying bogeys from up on high.
May take a few weeks before the major intelligence agencies figure out how the Houthis/Iranians managed a coup. Not likely to be repeated. Lets remember Japan was able to make only one Pearl Harbor.
2
@Peter I Berman and Michael Cooke:
Nice comparison, Peter, but Pearl Harbour was an allowed risk taken (all important ships taken out) for getting Hitler into the war with USA:
USA>Japan means, by treaty Germany>USA!
That is like USS Maine, 1898, in Havana to get into war with, and get all colonies from Spain.
As for 9/11, ignorance of that, speak such stupidity in all US "intelligence" services is unbelievable - and not going for the Saudis but Afghanistan (and the Taliban Regime offered assistance in catching Osama - if USA had evidence - which is still missing).
But, what dirty war could be excused by this?
Yes, Iran helps the Shia Houthis against the Sunni Saudis, like they helped Syria against initially US supported ISIL (or like Russia helped South Ossetia and Avkhasia against Pres. Sakashvili's genocidal bombardments).
Thus, a "terrorist attack"?
You are much closer to the truth Michael: A defensive strike by a country in deep need of a bit of pride: 'Yes, we hit you, too! Not your women and children - like you. We know what hurts you: Your money!'
2
The current developments in the Gulf region are the predictable yield of the "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran pursued by the Trump administration.
The intentional provocation of Iran through Trump's negation of the joint comprehensive plan of action, negotiated in 2015, and which relieved pressure on Iran, is intentionally ratcheting up tensions in the area with no rational objective. Also, add to that current U.S. support of the Saudi persecution of their Yemeni neighbors, and the situation is poised for disaster.
Of course, the current situation need not have arisen: No president Trump, no current Middle East potential disaster. This situation is a prime exhibit of the clear and present danger posed by Trump and his simple mind.
46
@Alan R Brock - Let's not forget that the Chickenhawk (R)s, Bush and Cheney, destabilized the entire ME with their random, poorly planned, poorly executed, "preemptive", neocon invasions of small, weak countries that had done us no harm.
2
@Miss Anne Thrope
Absolutely.
A couple of things are certain:
1- Every gas station in America will have raised prices by Monday morning despite that gas having already been paid for- price gouging.
2- America needs to rethink the organization, planning and budget for the Defense Department. We are going to spend trillions of Dollars on crewed fighter jets, aircraft carriers, a new generation of nuclear weapons and it is doubtful that they will make us safe or even be effective very far into the future. Just as the Exocet missile that launched in the Falklands in 1982 changed the thinking of naval warfare, drones are quickly changing the math for defense.
Beyond those two points, will someone ask questions at upcoming debates about Defense planning before we flush trillions down the toilet on weapons systems of dubious value?
60
@David Gregory
The Democrats just raised - and answered - that question, during the third debate this week.
1
@David Gregory - The "value" is that the insatiable black hole maw of the MIC continues to be fueled with our tax money. Spending for the sake of spending.
@David Gregory
and to a country that is really not our ally?
I am puzzled by the fact that it used to be said that the U.S. would be so much better off once it reached or was very close to oil independence. Now that we have reached that point, we seem just as involved in the Middle East as we ever were when we desperately needed their oil. What am I missing?
102
@Harcourt The USA is not self sufficient in Oil. Shale Oil is very expensive to produce and so far no profits have been made in its production. Oil independence for USA is an illusion, suitable only for propaganda efforts.
@Harcourt. Apparently we’re not the only country who uses oil.
1
@Harcourt
What happened is that before we reached oil independence, we totally destroyed many Middle Eastern cultures and installed cruel dictators.
As a consequence, part of the population, kept poor and ignorant (often through absurd and horrible forms of "religion" imposed by the dictator) for more than a century now, started hating both their local dictator and the West who constantly armed him to the teeth, all while stealing their natural resources and only increasing the personal wealth of the ruling family.
Result? As they can't fight back with bombs, they invented "Islamist terrorism".
And THAT is why we will HAVE to stay involved in the Middle East for the entire 21st century now.
Let's hope that this time at least, we get rid of dictators and finally start respecting ordinary citizens living there ...
What goes around comes around.
The devastation in Yemen and the suffering of its people is mentioned but of no concern to the players in the battles. We are one of those players.
64
This is not a bad thing to have happened for the world. Saudi fundamentalism and MBS' actions are fuelled by oil wealth of Saudi Arabia. Possibly a permanent outage of Saudi wells would be very good for the world. It may give a fillip to the further development of alternative energy that we need.
41
I expect the price of oil to rise at least $5 a barrel and gasoline to go up 25 to 50 cents a gallon next week. Higher prices for fossil fuels is a good thing for the planet because it leads to less consumption and more conservation. Nevertheless, I'm afraid humanity is locked in on a downward spiral because it is not able to focus on the underlying problem of overpopulation.
22
@Nick Higher prices for fossil fuels will also increase pressure for more exploration and drilling in U.S. coastal waters and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. At the same time it will accelerate the transition to alternative energy sources as they become relatively less expensive. The big question is - will solar and wind ever be able to replace fossil fuels enough to sufficiently counter the negative effects of burning them? And --- can it be done before it's too late?
2
Overpopulation is the key driver of environmental devastation but it is the elephant in the room of which we cannot speak. We are afraid of challenging anything related to our species not unlike the NRA’s refusal to entertain any discussion of gun violence. Universal egoism is the best case for creating a backup of human knowledge on Mars. Future martians: please leave your guns at home.
@Nick That's interesting considering Elon Musk and Jack Ma see the future problem to be population collapse – not enough people, which we can already see in Japan and South Korea where their populations are aging rapidly.
The unintelligible decision of pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal opened the box of Pandora. Theocracies and autocracies are ruling the waves in the Middle East. The Middle East was and always has been a troubled region and this situation will not change for a long time to come.
55
This latest attack against Saudi by the Houthi supported, financed, armed and trained by Iran speaks volumes about the direction which this low-intensity war is taking, and also how nuclear weapons are becoming less significant for would-be nuclear powers such as Iran.
It is both amazing and frightening to see how much destruction can be wrought against industrial assets such as oil refineries using cheap drones, which represents a classic David vs Goliath scenario. Ditto disrupting maritime traffic in choke points using speed boats and sea mines, or using hijacked commercial aircraft against skyscrapers, or launching cyberattacks against industrial and communications targets. Iran (and other countries) can accomplish this under the cover of foreign proxies, which makes retaliation much more difficult.
The larger significance must not be overlooked: nuclear weapons and large, sophisticated armed forces no longer act as deterrents to asymmetrical warfare and terrorism, which can be used with near impunity when masked under the cover of foreign proxies.
It seems to me that, in the absence of a negotiated accord which both rewards and penalizes the contracting parties, the most likely solution is to retain the "maximum pressure" campaign against the source problem (Iran) until the impasse "breaks" in one direction or the other. It is likely that future hostile acts will trigger a stiff military response from the US. The "winner" will be the party which can hold out longer.
7
@Gualtiero The "source problem" is the unilateral U.S. Maximum Pressure campaign supported by no other country. There are no unilateral military (including economic warfare) solutions to problems involving multiple countries. Such problems are vastly more complex than the threat of Iran becoming a nuclear weapons state which was effectively addressed by the JCPOA.
JCPOA is an act of the UN Security Council authorized by UNSCR2231 which the five permanent members plus the EU committed to uphold together with Iran. U.S. intelligence agencies have confirmed that Iran has not violated JCPOA and is presently not developing nuclear weapons but that U.S. policy may force this choice - paraphrasing statements by CIA director Haspel to Senate Intelligence Committee.
Iran in 2014 provided support to Popular Mobilization Forces created by Iraq to fight ISIS that had overrun much of Iraq and Syria. Iran's support was crucial in retaking territory seized by ISIS. Iran provided support to defend its own security. The security interests of Iran have to be considered as well as those of Saudi Arabia and Israel for any security framework for the Middle East. Given that the U.S. had not squandered its influence thru Maximum Pressure the U.S. could now exercise leadership to advance a Middle East security framework that would prevent attacks on all states in the region. The P5+1 formula of JCPOA joining with the key powers in the M.E. could work for missiles and to address terrorism.
14
@Gualtiero The USA (aka John Bolton) had already decided on a "Stiff Military Response" (attack) on Iran just as it did in Iraq. It is having a little difficulty creating a suitable provocation, but it will surely get there. Maybe President Trump will wait till after the 2020 Election, so he is free from electoral promises. Or maybe Israel will create the necessary provocation to move things along.
2
@Gualtiero We have suffered our own low-cost and low-tech tragedy, 9/11. Yet we spend billions on systems that do not protect us. Why? The answer to my question is obvious to anyone that pays attention. With that said I believe the roots of our troubles in the Middle East start with our full support and participation in the overthrow of the democratically elected PM of Iran in 1953. the arrogance of our policies has not really changed, nor will it. Judgment matters and in 1953 we sided with corporate interests concerning Iranian oil over democracy to make reign change. Think where that led to. Judgment matters and learning from our own history matters. We clearly seem incapable of learning...
I wonder if there was another way to resolve the situation in Persian Gulf in 1989-1990, a way that did not involve maintaining a permanent military presence in the Gulf. I believe that all of our conflicts over the past thirty years have been related to that dreary Cheney-Powell-Rumsfeld affair. The Persian Gulf War was promoted gleefully by Cheney and Powell every night during the first half of 1990 like it was some type of easy-to-win video game. Does their foreign policy not bear a great deal of responsibility for every foreign conflict in which the United States has been involved since then?
56
@Chaparral Lover
As long as you're getting in the time machine, go back an extra decade. If Ronald Reagan's Iran rhetoric doesn't fool voters (remember, he's later caught in bed with them in the Contra scheme) and Ted Kennedy doesn't weaken the sitting president with a primary challenge, Jimmy Carter wins reelection. His energy plan goes into full effect.
We shift from oil to coal as a bridge fuel amid a moonshot push for renewable energy aided by the efficiency & MPG standards that were also part of that plan.
The world follows America's lead. We, the Germans and Japanese develop c. 2000s-era energy and fuel technologies by the '90s, including mass production of electric cars instead of gas-guzzling SUVs. Solar panels are as standard as rain gutters on every building and geothermal part of all new foundations globally.
Only vintage cars and novelty racers are gas-powered; oil use declines—importantly, projections continue down. Kuwaiti oil isn't worth an invasion. Sun-drenched Persian Gulf countries benefit from the shift, making up for loss of oil revenue.
As we phase out coal by 2000, coal country becomes the center of the thriving new energy economy.
Charlie Wilson sees Afghanistan stabilized, more ally than adversary; 9/11 never happens.
As an added bonus, Carter's responsible if costly policy avoids the climate crisis. Trillions of dollars and millions of war, pollution and climate change deaths are saved in the intervening years and even more in the near future.
2
@Chaparral Lover - We've been mucking around in the ME virtually since the day of our founding as a nation. The Chickenhawks were the latest iteration. Dreams of global empire - and all that.
2
@Chaparral Lover
You make a very valid point: let's not forget Bin Laden's stated reason for targeting the US -- a continued military presence by infidels (US troops) in the Muslim holy land (Saudi Arabia) after "Desert Storm". cue attacks on non-US soil culminating in 9/11, cue Afghanistan and the Iraq debacle and all the rest going forward with no end in sight. Intelligence-sharing notwithstanding we are far too obsequious to Saudi Arabia and the Israeli gov't, IMHO. Enough with military intervention and enabling.
2
All of the comments that mention alternative energy are absolutely correct. If America subsidized alternative energy the jobs created would offset those lost by fossil fuel workers and the environment would be saved.
Can anyone imagine Trump suggesting the US government subsidize solar, wind or hydro-electric? No, me either. Trump said in a speech a few days ago that wind power doesn't work when the wind isn't blowing. He is the least intelligent US President in history and he's making energy decisions that will affect the future of the US for decades to come.
221
@Ken Solin its cost driven. Once an alternative energy can be devised thats cheaper , oil is done. Until that time oil is king. In the 19th century whales were hunted to near extinction and many well intended people tried to stop it with no effect. The titusville discovery ended whale oil needs overnight. Solar and wind are great but only forthe rich. Kinda like your neighborhood farmers market.
8
Wind and solar are already cheaper. See the DOE website.
13
@Ken Solin
It will still take about 100 years to turn over the infrastructure as it is not as easy as most people think. Solar panels and wind mills are not going to replace diesels...and that is the most difficult part.
1
It's far from clear that Iran is directly responsible for the attacks on the Saudis (though they fuel a proxy war—as does the US). Pompeo is no more credible a source of information than anybody in the Trump administration.
But what can the Trump administration expect if it cancels a deal that staved off Iran's nuclear development and imposes sanctions on their access to world oil markets? Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.
178
@Wiltontraveler The Iranis are not accused of being directly involved but of being indirectly involved and the Iranis have been long involved in training others to do their dirty work, long before Mr. Trump.
Their attitude to Saudi Arabia would not change even if the Trumps had the Supreme Leader of Iran over for high tea.
1
@Wiltontraveler
Thanks I agree with you. The US keeps threatening Iran and calling them an enemy. A deal made with Iran is broken by the US.
The Houthis have had the Saudis trying to put their religion into power (the same religion that ISIS worships and the saudis have supported.). Which is why they rebelled against the Saudis backed government.
The US backs the Saudis who support ISIS all because Iran supports the other side. But in the end we help ISIS as we fight against them. This was also true of Al Quada.
And the reason why we hate Iran? The US overthrew the democratically elected government in Iran and put the Shah into power, one of the worst dictators the US put into power. It was because the Iranians decided that the oil in their country was theirs. And the US wouldn't accept that.
But the Iranians overthrew him and since then, the US has declared Iran an enemy because they refused to endure the brutal dictator the US put into power.
The Saudis on the other hand had their dictators, which the US put into power, remain strong.
The Saudis and Iran are fighting a religious war 1st and a power grab 2nd. Yet most of the terrorist attacks towards the US have been from the Saudis backed religion, not Iran's.
Al Quada and ISIS are both the Saudis' backed religious groups. The Saudis fund the madassis that push the radical religious views with 300 million $ every year, more than twice what Iran spends for those they support.
3
Don’t blame Iran, blame Russia. They’ll do anything, and have, to raise oil prices.
The trade disorder with China was pushing oil prices down severely, until now.
79
@RjW
why not blame Israel? They want war with Iran more than everybody else.
The article mentions that the disruption to oil supplies won't last longer than a few days.
1
Of course, Saudis had cut back their supply to artificially buoy OPEC prices. I don’t trust any of the oil supplying countries and manipulating countries, including our own government. We must become energy independent and it will take using alternative energy to help us do it.
2
@RjW: find it deeply amusing - to say the least - to read such comments from Bush electors who acknowledged his preemptive war concept based on false allegations of Iraq sheltering MDWs. Moreover, you Americans are responsible for deteriorating oil prices through intensive exploitation of shale oil - to the detriment of the environment BTW…
I would bet they were launched from inside Saudi Arabia, from a clandestinely established single use launch site (or sites). A site way back in Yemen or in Iran would have given time for Saudi air defenses to interdict some of the drones.
If the President of the United States weren't out of his gourd, Trump would immediately invest U.S. monies in clean energy and ask the Congress for an emergency appropriation to Manhattan Project the transition from fossil fuels. There are major security reasons, as well as climate change, for getting the world off dependence on Mid East Oil.
If the damage is sufficient to disrupt the world oil market and push prices the pump way up, Americans will have only the Trump administration to blame for having ramped up the conflict, by supporting a reckless Saudi assault on Yemen.
We have no more business getting in the middle of a Sunni-Shia conflict than the Ottoman Empire did in wading into the 16th century Protestant-Catholic struggles in Europe. Nothing good can come from today's U.S. policy.
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@Frank McNeil
But the problem is far bigger than the out of his gourd – and I still can't believe I'm typing this – president. Obama should have done this. And Bush before him. And Clinton before that. And every congress along the way. We are so busy making and spending money and posting pictures and commenting on news stories to care that we are destroying the planet's ability to sustain life. At least those of us that haven't yet been rounded up in concentration camps or sent to prison for minor drug offenses and the like…
1
Yup hopefully this cripples us economically another war we are losing. We have perfect score losing record.
1
The people that must be the most surprised/concerned are our Generals and the entire military-industrial-complex. How can they ever reconcile the billions of dollars we spend year in and year out for the latest, greatest fighter jets (i.e. F22 Raptor, unit cost upwards of $143,000,000 each), when for a mere pittance, Iran can effect the world-wide oil supply/chain?
77
@Ron S.
Who says it’s not the Military-Congressional-Industrial-Complex supplying the guidance systems to the Houthis?
33
@Schedule 1 Remedy <-- Because 1) That's a not so convincing conspiracy theory and 2) Iran and other countries can design those system by themselves and 3) Afaik: there is at least three different GPS systems active nowadays who can independently be used for precision navigation and further: 4) the drones are most probably able to run under the defence radar horizons.
8
@Roger Holmquist
The hard answers are less often “either-or” and more often “both and more.”
To cut through all the bull in politics we have to ask two things;
1). Who owns the resources?
2). How is everyone being paid?
A third question I’m starting to ask more often since 9-11 is whether the wealthiest people rig their own infrastructure security so that when the maintenance becomes too expensive and it becomes cheaper to rebuild they can allow their aging, obsolete structures to be attacked.
For what benefit though? Why would billionaires do that when it would be far cheaper and more lucrative to invest in the poor infrastructure of our enemies and make them friendly trading partners?
The answer goes back to my second and first questions; How are we getting paid? Who owns the resources? How long has the U.S. been paying Saudi Arabia to buy our weapons so our Presidents can get bribed with their oil contracts? The answer is every President since Eisenhower warned us of the military-Congressional-Industrial Complex after WWII.
Until we recognize this predatory behavior hurts our troops, our economy, and perpetual regime change wars only make evil people more powerful to exploit resources by selling drugs and guns like common gangsters than lasting peace will never be attained. We need capitalism checked by Democratic Socialism. We need a Green New Deal. Fair trade.
The solutions to our biggest problems are not either-or, it’s a balance of both and more.
Trump pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal raised the price of oil, but not enough to please the Saudis (or for that matter the fossil fuel purveyors in our own country) who have been planning to take the Saudi state-owned Aramco public for many years (i.e. sell partial ownership of the company's profits to investors) but have been impatiently waiting for higher oil prices to do so.
Historically, military actions and terrorist attacks in the Middle East have sent oil and gasoline prices soaring higher, but since the Obama administration the U.S. has actually been the world's swing producer of oil (meaning we have so much that we produce less when supply is high and prices low and produce more when supply is low and prices high.
U.S. and Saudi oil producers have been desperate to see the price of oil rise for quite some time and wondering what's taking so long, as their companies' stock are worth less and their profit margins are smaller to nonexistent when oil is cheap.
Though it seems ironic they're moving to blame Iran only days after the departure of John Bolton, I would sooner believe the intelligence services in Europe than those decimated by the Trump Administration or those in Saudi Arabia. Neither country's current administrations deserve much credibility.
74
@J T
I agree. Iran was complying with the nuclear agreement, but Sadi Arabia didn’t like that so poked the orange man.
3
I'll bet 20 bucks that this series of events is probably orchestrated by the despotic regime of Saudi Arabia to engineer a reason for confrontation with Iran. It's sad when it's hard to people to discern which government (regime): the USA, Saudi Arabia, or Iran is the least trustworthy.
104
It could be that the Ghawar oil field, where this cracking facility is located, has played itself out. Maybe KSA doesn’t want to let on that their reserves are far less than they claim.
I’m spitballing here given that KSA chops up journalists and Trump’s administration constantly lies, so it may take some time to understand the facts of the situation here.
1
@Thomas You would lose your $20. The Saudis have enough real reasons for confrontation with Iran without faking new ones.
2
Yet one more reason and example why the US and the world must eliminate our dependence on oil. When was the last time you heard anyone fighting over sunshine and wind?
How long before drones are categorized as 'weapons of mass destruction". Don't take the bait.
72
@Auntie Mame You mentioned electric cars. They are well suited to be used with wind and solar power. Moreover, those energy efficient systems are today cheaper than most fossil fuel devices used to make electricity who in turn very well can be used for heating using compressor driven heating/cooling devices. In addition, designing your buildings/houses with decent insulation is key to energy efficiency.
13
@Roger Holmquist best way to reduce energy needs is to reduce population. A few places in the world account for most of the population growth. The entire developed world has a negative birth rate and relies on immigration to sustain its populations. Birth control , relatively speaking, is by far the cheapest, fastest way to reduce energy and thereby greenhouse gas emissions.
5
@JeffB Sunshine and Wind cannot replace our electricity usage now or even in the distant future. You will enlighten yourself if you choose to read this very powerful and scientific report. I commend it to your diligent study.
The “New Energy Economy”: An Exercise in Magical Thinking
About the Author: Mark P. Mills is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a faculty fellow at Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, where he co-directs an Institute on Manufacturing Science and Innovation.
These refineries are Saudi Arabia’s equivalent of our aircraft carriers. Expect similar results when we are attacked by low-budget weaponry, billion dollar investments crippled by an investment of essentially pocket change.
38
@ThePB / That's just one reason distributed energy systems like solar and wind power are so important. Every single rooftop should have solar power, even at 60 deg latitudes...
16
@ThePB..." billion dollar investments crippled by an investment of essentially pocket change."
I find that gratifying.
1
@ThePB - "Expect similar results when we are attacked by low-budget weaponry…" - Like a handful of Saudi kooks with box cutters?
1
Things have changed. There’s enough oil in Canada, Mexico and the US for generations. Oil is not a question of national security anymore. We all have plenty. So why are you guys worried by what happens in Saudi Arabia?
We don’t kneed their oil or their money.
Why do business with these people?
Why care for people that have very little respect for human life and dignity?
41
The issue is what happens in terms of global price fluctuations when the oil supply somewhere is disrupted, especially in Saudi Arabia. The oil market is fully integrated on a global scale. The issue is far more complicated than simply talking about North American regional oil reserve potentialities.
12
@Skiplusse american oil companies couldnt care less about that. If oil prices go up its moved seamlessly around the world. America doesnt have oil, companies do and they are in the business of making money , not supplying america with oil necessarily.
4
@Skiplusse The Tar Sands do hold a lot of dirty, heavy oil that has to be mined. Fracked wells deplete as much as 80% after year one of production. We don't have "plenty." We have enough to make the transition to other fuels that don't wreck the climate for our civilization and don't start wars.
Light, sweet crude may have peaked globally a decade ago, and President Obama was horribly misinformed when he said we have 100 years of fracked gas and oil...or did he say 150? I'm betting we have 30.
The current resident of the Oval Office, a man with no curiosity and much rage, knows far less about this (or anything except his own ego-machine).
But we agree on one thing: we need to be free of the Middle East and its rivalries. The best way to do so is to turn to wind, sun, tides and, at some point, nuclear fusion.
Number one, if Yemen claimed responsibility for the strike, then it was probably Yemen that did it.
Number two, if we were pouring as much money into solar and wind as we do into oil and gas, attacks in Saudi Arabia wouldn't disrupt the worlds energy supply. The fossil fuel industry is one of the most heavily subsidized industries in the world.
Finally, in order to become the worlds leader in renewables, we have to make Trump a one term president; for the sake of the security of the United States. Vote Democratic in 2020.
252
@thetruthfirst
Two things...
Iran bankrolls Yemeni rebels. The Yemeni government is backed by Saudi Arabia. So if Yemeni rebels do something it is usually with Iran's help and guidance. Thats just how it works. So Yemen is not taking responsibility, rather the Iranian backed rebels looking to overthrow the Yemeni government are taking responsibility.
Second, the USA is pouring plenty of money into wind and solar. The issue with wind and solar is they are intermittent in nature so you get disruption in supplies on an hourly basis most days. Resiliency and security of supply is not all that robust so you have to end up overbuilding your system with more capacity than is needed to give the same reliability as a fossil plant. Battery technology may help bridge the gap until we get to the hydrogen based economy, but lithium ion batteries are expensive and volatile (they have a penchant to explode into chemical fireballs). While it likely does not make much sense to build a bunch of new natural gas fired generators in the future, we should expect to lean on preexisting fossil fuel until the hydrogen technology displaces carbon fossil technology.
The renewable future is already well in its way. Someone like Trump cannot stop that no matter the terms.
20
@thetruthfirst renewables are great but its a pipe dream to think they will replace fossil fuels in your lifetime. They are way more expensive and will be for a long time.
2
Renewable is a really good word. The earth basically rotates on crude oil, so the word renewable is quite relative. Saudi Arabia appears to be sitting on a never-ending supply of it, that’s why they preach the corporate holy-word: MORE!
1
Whenever we start pointing the finger of blame on another country or group of people right away without a thorough investigation on such a serious matter I am suspect. It is irresponsible to accuse anyone without a complete investigation. Further, ISIS and al Qaeda are active in Yemen. Could they have possession of drones?
Also, isn’t there a blockade around Yemen, their ports, etc by Saudi Arabia? How is it possible Iran could get a drone to them? The Houthis are indigenous to Yemen, they live there.
35
An investigation? How long is that going to take? A month? Six months? Two years? With all the technology the U.S. supposedly possesses - we should be able to have a precise determination in 48 hours.
9
It would take a fraction of that time.
getting information is easy, providing accurate information to the public is not
Borrowing Malcolm X's controversial but in this case accurate "chicken's are coming home to roost" salient quote.
51
This attack that set ablaze the largest oil installations in the world should be a red alert for the Saudis, Pompeo, Trump and all the warmongers everywhere.
It´s simple, if a 15,000 dollars drone can cause losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars, just imagine what a missile attack would do. Probably knock off the oil production of Saudi Arabia for months if not years.
It´s true that war with Iran would be asymmetric because they do not possess the carriers nor the planes that the US has but wars have never been won simply by counting the equipment of each belligerent party, but mostly by those who are able to exploit better the vulnerabilities of the enemy.
The destruction of the Saudi Oil fields and installations would cause a financial catastrophe to the whole world.
29
@Leon And, in the end, perhaps force the whole world to rethink its idea of energy, fuel, and resources. Or, on the other hand, blow itself up in a mad scramble for the last of the fossil fuels.
6
@Leon Leon,, "It's true that a war with Iran would be asymmetric,,," That is a very or extremely over confident thought. Dangerous, I might add.
Taking on Iran would make Iraq and Afghanistan look like a Sunday School picnic. Iran has a tech ability, and a justifiable hate of us, ,,, Yes, there might be some asymmetry,, but I'd not want to bet the farm on which side would come up short.
And on a practical note,,, We cannot afford it. There ain't anymore piggy bank left. We have already spent our children's fortune,, and we have dug a convincing hole in our unborn grandchildren's incomes. We cannot put another war on a credit card.
51
@Leon Remember the SAWEDI royals did a lot more damage just by buying a dozen or so airlline tickets and some box cutters.
This is the dangerous asymmetric military era we’re entering. $15K is chump change for a 900 mile flying bomb. This was 10 drones. What happens when its 50, the entire Saudi oil field shuts down, and you’re waiting for the next 50. China has the DF-26 “Carrier killer” missile, which could take out a $13B aircraft carrier, it’s fleet of state-of-the-aircraft, and thousands of crew. Hypersonic missiles are the new focus, which could cut reaction time down to seconds. We are rapidly headed toward an episode that could produce a geopolitical crisis. Cool intelligent heads must prevail. The current national leadship doesn’t fill me with confidence.
86
I wouldn’t trust Pompeo/Trump to make the right decision whether to use paper or plastic.
People without character make decisions without moral reflection.
This is where the white conservative evangelical/GOP has brought us: to making decisions about war and peace in a moral vacuum.
Tell me again: how exactly is that a Christian view???
In the City of God, Augustine observed that most empires (he was of course referring to the Romans) make decisions based on the lust for power. From the point of view of the Bible, he was being CRITICAL of this preponderant tendency.
But our evangelical/GOP believes that lust for power is God’s will.
They are wrong. Augustine was right.
120
@Paul McGlasson Okay, given that most of what St. Augustine wrote was an apologia for his own physical lust, he was nonetheless right about the lust for power of empires. But Mr. McGlasson's comments about the current "moral vacuum" is spot on. In almost every sense imaginable.
20
Americans are about to learn that the ONLY way to have energy independence is with renewables. It does not matter how much we drill here, oil is a global market and so if a bunch of tribesmen in Yemen hit oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, it’ll damage the US economy because the price goes up. For my part, I have an EV powered by wind and solar, so I don’t directly get hit with higher oil prices. I only get hit because not every else is so snart
27
@Doug K America has been self-sufficient in oil for several years and can rely on oil supplies from Mexico and Canada. The only reason we're still propping up Team 9/11 is for military sales and loans to the tRump Organization.
23
@Ron
America is not self sufficient on oil and has a net import of about 2-3 million barrels of oil daily.
America imports 9-10 million barrels daily and exports refined products. Most of the fracked oil is exported since US refineries are not tooled up for refining extra light crude.
@Ron America produces 12 million barrels of oil per day, and uses 20 million barrels of oil per day. Not quite self-sufficient yet.
Great reason to switch to a distributed system: solar, wind, geothermal and the odd spin class.
25
two thoughts:
"...how the Houthis managed to hit facilities deep in Saudi territory, some 500 miles from Yemeni soil."
Perhaps they didn't. Sounds is a lot like the routine refinery accidents in the USA at key points close to peak season usage.
“an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply”
Perhaps, but it should be clear to everyone by now that given anything else you'd not only be looking at an alternative to that "source," you'd have one by now.
22
For years now, Saudi Arabia has conducted a brutal, highly asymmetric war against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, using their American made planes to drop American made cluster bombs indiscriminately on military and civilian targets alike. As it now turns out, modern technology seems to allow even their poor and disadvantaged enemies, the Houthi rebels, to cobble some cheap drones together that can actually strike deep in Saudi Arabia, and at the Saudi's economic core, their oil installations. The most worrisome aspect of this to me is that, despite Bolton's ouster, Trump will let America get dragged deeper into this mess of the Saudi's own making. Prince Salman and his Kashoggi-killing henchmen may want to reassess their strategy for Yemen. In the meantime, instead of buying ever more cluster bombs to drop on civilian targets like schools and hospitals in Yemen, Saudi Arabia should invest in some anti-aircraft and anti-rocket defense systems to protect their key oil infrastructure. Or, even better, try to start talks about a peaceful resolution of the conflict, which would also greatly benefit the people of Yemen. The current stalemate helps mostly one country: Iran. The longer this goes on, the better for the theocracy in Teheran.
25
@Pete in Downtown I worked for ten years in the Tragic Kingdom. Saudi military personnel, like everyone else there, are generally lazy and incompetent, and cannot do anything by themselves. If they try, you get disaster. This is why you've seen nothing but bombs dropped on civilians for the last five years.
Had we listened to Jimmy Carter back in the 1970’s we wouldn’t be in such a mess. He wanted us to research energy opportunities that don’t rely on the Middle East. Instead, one of the first things Ronald Reagan did was rip out the solar panels from the roof of the White House and tell us the USA is not going to innovate. In the meantime, oil companies have profited for decades at the expense of American soldiers and countless others. All dead or maimed in the pursuit of profit for a few people.
117
@Louisa Glasson Remember that the Carter Doctrine, which he said in a state of the union address, was that the U.S. would use military force to defend its interests in the middle east. There's a direct line of endless war from then to now.
9
@Louisa Glasson When you mention "a few people," are you referring to the 20.7 million people directly or indirectly holding stock in our oil companies?
Wish I could believe anything Secretary Pompeo says...especially when it comes to Iran.
He and the administration have been looking for a reason to engage aggressively with Iran for many months now.
Let me see if I understand this correctly...
The U.S. pulls out of a hard-won agreement with Iran - an agreement supported by our allies - we enact more aggressive sanctions against Iran...and then we wonder why Iran continues its pursuit of its nuclear program, as well as striking back at their enemies?
We no longer live in a "power" world, we live in a "partnership" world. A world in which we must collaborate with other nations in order to keep rogue nations like North Korea, Iran, Russia, and others from dominating.
Someone please notify Secretary Pompeo and the administration their "deal making" no longer works in the world of 2019.
59
The Saudi monarchical regime bought highly advanced weaponry in the billions of dollars from the United States and Britain, and yet is unable to defend its major oil installations from cheap drones that probably cost less than $1000 launched by Yemen, a country on the brink of starvation.
The asymmetry is breathtaking...plus the drone attack is well timed to coincide with the planned ARAMCO listing.
All the while the Iranians have loaded oil tankers ready to sail...
35
I can't say I feel sorry for Saudi Arabia. What are the Houthis supposed to do? Roll over and die as they are bombed to obliteration with American weaponry? Saudi Arabia keeps plowing death and destructing then wonder why the harvest is death and destruction.
The Houthis' ability to disrupt global oil supplies seems like just deserts for the global community for its "unprecedented" complacency to the humanitarian calamity inflicted on Yemeni people by Saudi Arabia that are forced to rely on a terrorist organization for their defense - much like the Palestinians are given no choice but to support Hamas (which they hate) for their defense. Bad arrangements, but expected outcomes under inhumane predicaments imposed on them.
For the sake of human rights and the environment, I hope the Aramco IPO is a massive bust - taking with it any sweet deal or preferred shares the trump and his cronies will undoubtedly get.
64
Good. I'll pay a little more for gas if it helps end that heartless cruel war perpetrated by the Saudi's. They have to fight back somehow and so does Iran. Nobody is going to take that from the Saudi's or the U.S. for long without all kinds of subversive activity. What are they supposed to do? Allow slaughter and starvation? I wouldn't, would you?
47
Not buying it. Pompeo was too quick to pin the attack on Iran. This is sabre-rattling and President Trump needs to stay out of it. What business is the Iran-Saudi conflict of ours? Both those countries are well-armed to defend themselves and if they want to fight, let them go at it. We've got plenty of our own oil. We export it, the last I heard. I am sick of our government meddling in the Middle East and cozying up to the Saudi regime.
65
Murderous tribalism will be the death of the Middle East.
While the globe is getting hotter, potable water is getting scarcer and populations continue to grow.
Meanwhile, tribalism thrives, conflict is preferred to diplomacy, arms sales are skyrocketing, wealthy autocrats feel no compassion, and oil is the commodity valued above all else.
One of the cradles of human civilization was to be found in the Middle East. Maybe they’re leading the way to the only future humans can achieve.
12
One of the principal ways a despot tries to keeps his office is to start a war. Mike Pompeo jumps on the wagon to accuse Iran,,, before the Houthis or the Saudis accuse anyone. Did the drone come from the US? We knew it before anyone?
How much do you want to bet that we are shortly to be in a shooting war with Iran? Or will it be Venezuela? It is unlikely to be North Korea,,, Drumph likes them.
Or, do Republicans just like starting wars? But keep in mind,, I am still vastly disappointed that Obama neither closed Guantanamo, nor got us out of any war.
19
Nor prosecuted the Wall Street bankers.
With all the money Saudi Arabia has spent on its military this attack should give them carte blanche to invade Yemen with ground troops and its full military apparatus. After all, if refineries on US soil were bombed by drones, then the US would not sit back and meditate about it. It would be shoot first and ask questions later.
6
So as to be expected, a shaky monarchy whose penchant is for repression, murdering journalists, and yes, encourage the Whahabi code that resulted in 911 suddenly looks vulnerable in their own war of choice in Yemen... and the US somehow now is supposed to defend this monarchy?
Let the Saudi monarchy fend themselves and figure out a way to end the wars they started. Not an American drop of blood, nor a dollar of our treasure should be spent in this.
81
Pompeo better have the evidence. If not - resign
29
Maxiumum pressure on Iran has its consequence. Cutting the lifeline income of 80 million people for no reason may not bode well for regional and world peace. Bombing and devestating a small ethnic group, namely the Houthis, who wants nothing more than their fair share of representation and rights has consequence. Anything that happens it is MBS, Trump, Netanyahu and Pompeo to blame. Iran was abiding by the nuclear accord and the accord is still valid with the rest of the world. Trump has set himself for failure by allowing Netanyahu and MBS to pursue their narrow agendas through the power of White House and State Department. Choking Iran to death does not mean peace or stability. Middle Eastern nations are economically depressed and it is time to bring some stability so people can breath a tad easier. All they have experienced in almost two decades is war and destruction snd US is a major and in cases the only reason.
82
"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of being behind what he called “an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply” "
Pompeo has been anxious to attack Iran for a long time. It wouldn't be surprising at all to discover that he and Trump were behind this attack on the Saudis and not Iran, as an excuse for the US to now attack Iran as they want to do (along with the now defunct John Bolton).
If that turns out to be true, then Pompeo and Trump and any others involved in this belong behind bars. Just impeaching Trump would not be nearly enough.
27
Who knows if the Iranians are behind the attack, but it sure would be a good way to disrupt the world's oil supply and help tilt the American economy into recession just as we head into the next US election—which is an excellent way for Iran to get back at Trump for the sanctions he's imposed them.
13
Who to cheer for in this matter?
Saudi Arabia? Hardly seems appropriate.
Iran? Absolutely not.
Trump? Not a chance.
Let the drones fly; most people couldn't care less.
17
I don't pretend to understand ALL the nuances of the Yemen conflict, but one thing we do know is that the Saudis, backed by American weaponry and tactical support, have been raining death and destruction on innocent Yemenis for years.
I also know that what General Smedley Butler wrote all those years ago in his prescient book, "War is a Racket," is true for the Iran situation and all other other American interventinoist wars since WW II.
41
Pompous is a bit late with his pronouncements. I believe that yesterday (or earlier) Iran took the blame, working through Yemeni Houthis whom Iran supports against the aggressor, Saudi Arabia.
Why are we not protecting the Yemen population that wants no involvement with either country, least of all Saudi Arabia?
8
Saudi Arabia spends billions of dollars buying weaponry and military technology, much of it from us. But they leave the production capability of its oil - its sole reason for existence - totally exposed to drone attacks. Unbelievable!
15
Kudos to Mike Pompeo for knowing his audience of one inside out.
17
What happens if Saudi Arabia returns the favor and arms Kurdish separatist groups with drones?
A real opportunity exists in selling a radar system that can detect drones. And long loiter time slow speed aircraft to deal with them.
4
@Lawrence"
"A real opportunity exists in selling a radar system that can detect drones"
Raytheon got over 10 billions selling them exactly that.
The problem is: it's a defective and faulty system.
They bought a lemon.
Maybe now MBS realize his pal Jarred only cared about getting a billion bailout to save his faltering real estate empire.
@morGan
What they have is yesterdays system. Good for larger faster targets. Congressional approval is needed for the newer system and it has yet to be granted.
https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/dsei/2019/09/11/raytheon-anticipates-international-boom-in-counter-drone-sales/
Meanwhile, I just read that Trump has floated a proposal for a mutual defense treaty with Israel, which could easily get us into an all out war in the Middle East. Although Trump’s shortsighted intent is to boost Netanyahu chances days ahead of Israeli elections, the long-term impact could be devastating. Senate Republicans, please do your jobs for once.
48
Someone is clearly trying to pull the US into another major war.
And it would almost be worth it, just to watch what Trump would do.
7
By saying it's Iran Trump can start a war to save his reelection.
Where's the proof that it's Iran?
20
@Mary Kennedy War, according to Bolton he was about to pay Iran off 15B to help ease what his sanctions have done. I believe Bolton over Trump.
3
@DG -- Bolton is wrong.
What is proposed is that the Europeans give Iran access to a $15 billion letter of credit, secured by the proceeds of oil sales to Europe. This avoids paying them, avoids giving them cash to use, but it lets them sell to Europe and buy things in return from Europe, subject to European approvals. It is the very opposite of giving them a lot of cash to use however they please.
8
Mike is working on the Iraq Playbook. Has he got a little vial of mini drones to show us stamped ‘made in Iran’?
IF it is Iran - despite Yemen ‘rebels’ saying it was them AND silence from the Saudi’s own Totalitarian Government that the US is funding what have they to gain in this?
The US broke the deal with Iran because Trump hates anything that his predecessor succeeded in.
If Trump wants anything to be proud of in Foreign Relations he needs to fire Mike and broker a peace in the Yemen humanitarian disaster AND do the same with Iraq. Unfortunately I don’t think he has the skill set given the ‘great really great’ results he made in stopping Kim in North Korea. If we are about to loose the dogs of war I can only hope the rest of the world will sit back and just play in their own backyard’s this time. Mike and Donald will have to go to Disneyland on their own.
16
Is there irrefutable evidence Iran was involved or is Pompeo doing a Trump and making things up-again.
Trump needs something, anything, to give him some "street cred" even at the cost of U.S. military lives to assist his loan shark MBS.
16
I am more inclined to support Iran. It was the Saudis who were responsible for the 9/11 attack.
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It's hard, considering 911, the crimes against humanity in Yemen, and the brutal murder of the WaPo journalist, to have any sympathy for the Saudis. And I don't. But I don't want yet another middle east war either.
38
US should not change the terrorist regime in Iran. This is because US & Iran share the interest of keeping a corrupt government in Iraq. Any decent regime in Iraq may sue US for invading & destroying Iraq..this may cost trillions in compensation. The same may happen to Iran for the Iraq-Iran war which Iran prolonged from 1982-1988 after its refusal if UN ceasefire calls & Iraq acceptance. This mutual interest may keep both US & Iran barking at each other on the expense of other states in the region.
1
Let see Mike Pompeo blames Iran. Trump will go on a massive Twitter rampage and will put more sanctions against Iran. Will use this to bypassing Congress to sell more arms to Saudi Arabia.
5
It’s a sad day when my first reaction is to distrust anything the current administration (aka the Ministry of Truth) says.
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@J.
I remember that day. So long ago ;-(.
Glad you're catching up.
9
Secretary Pompey makes a false accusation calling the drone attacks “an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply.” Since when has the energy in Saudi Arabia been the world’s energy supply? If the Saudi Arabian oil and gas belonged to the world, wouldn’t the Saudis be paying the same price as the world for gasoline at the pump? In fact, because the Saudis have enough wealth from selling us their oil, they have more than enough of our dollars for their own military protection, so much so they could well pay for ours. Oil rich Saudi Arabia is more able to defend its oil than NATO. Let it!
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@Bayou Houma fact is Saudi Arabias GDP is barely more than our military budget. Saudi Arabia is only rich in per capita terms. as is the case with all the middle easts oil producing states. have some perspective
2
War-time presidents are often re-elected to a second term. Re-election or the strong possibility of jail time. Who here thinks Trump would put America’s interest above his own?
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“Blowback” was Chalmers Johnson’s book on how US imperial crimes and meddling comes back to bite us. Supporting the Saudi aggression and war crimes in Yemen, our “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran might have something to do with this attack.
In any case, it appears that our billions in high tech weaponry to Saudi Arabia can’t protect them from low-tech drones. One hopes this will give some pause and consideration to our political-military elite to pull our support for the Saudi war on Yemen.
16
And why is it the US is exporting oil and gas ? Guess it’s the right thing for US national security, I mean campaign funds, no sorry ... the economy.
13
@Lars
US policy should be to reduce domestic petroleum demand as much as possible, and then pump only that much. I would think that would give us decades of total independence.
5
@Lars Are you saying that the revenue derived from US sales of oil and gas are going into the coffers of one political party instead of the USTreasury?
4
Which oil companies are actually paying taxes?
There's been so many attempts by the US to provoke a war with Iran it is hard to tell whether this is legit or not. Still, let Saudi Arabia sort this out.
No more endless wars with pointless regime change so that we can take the natural resources of other countries....
27
Irsn is trying to goad Trump into a war.
As the US economy slows, Trump will find this a more enticing option, especially as we get closer to November 2020.
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@D
I doubt Iran wants a war, but Trump may prefer and benefit from the perception that this was largely due to Iran, instead of the Houthi rebels. Considering the lower cost of drones as expressed in this article and the prior attack in May. I think one need not jump to conclusions without more evidence.
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>>> "Iran is trying to goad Trump into a war."
There isn't even the slightest chance of that. All of the recent goading has been by the US and its allies.
15
Cue the entirely predictable Pompeo response, ratcheting up the Trump re-election campaign strategy ...
15
Iran is sending a message to Trump. Lift the sanctions or we'll double gas prices just before the election.
5
This is the most important oil facility in the world? People have been concerned about an attack? All the intelligence and equipment the U.S. has provided to the Saudis seems to have been used to bring suffering to the Yemeni people while the "stable geniuses" neglected to plan a defense for their own backyard.
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@Vince Rojas
Starting with your premise, I expect all the war-happy men in Saudi at least now to create a scenario in which oil refineries would be attacked and figure out how to protect them..(Sloppy thinking IMO that there was no detection/protection against drones.) BUT...
Having lived thru more than one blackout of various durations and months without a gas stove... now with Fios instead of copper cable phone service... in a blackout I will have only a can opener, candles , few kerosene lanterns and heaters are illegal, in case of a blackout.
I don't think our electric grid is safe or secured... and in terms of defense, figure out how to defend that not how to spend a billion plus on an airplane. (Of course, I know most of America thinks NYC does not matter and maybe I should get a propane stove/heater. Stock up on canned, dried food and water -- altho the Hudson is a short walk, I guess get water when the tide is going out? If boiled is it drinkable? (not too much salt??)
There's more than just the greed of the obvious industries and interests that Trump is playing to in his denial of climate change. The Military Industrial Complex benefits from the West's dependance on oil, and as long we are slaves to its export from the Middle East, we will continue to play into their hands.
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" how the Houthis managed to hit facilities deep in Saudi territory, some 500 miles from Yemeni soil."
Houthis do not have the technical capabilities to attack 500 miles away, this is the work of Iran or Saudi Arabia.
Anyway, the US should not get involved in this war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
We have had enough wars already in the Middle East.
8
While Pompeo blusters about Iranian complicity in Houthi drone strikes, no mention is made of the UN report naming the US as complicit in Saudi war crimes. One man’s war crime is another man’s business opportunity.
And nothing will come of the report anyway, not as long as the US has a permanent seat on the Security Council, which effectively means MBS has a seat on the Security Council. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
21
The Saudis are incredibly vulnerable. Their most critical infrastructure is in plain sight, impossible to protect. Despite spending billions on weaponry, they cannot fight. All they can do is launch remote attacks. When the war comes home to them it will be cataclysmic.
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"American and Saudi officials suspect that Iran has dispatched technicians to Yemen to train the Houthis on drone and missile technology."
I used to often be somewhat suspicious of US government claims on foreign matters, however now I just don't believe anything anymore.
So is Yemen or Iran ultimately responsible for the attack? Pompeo say Iran. I guess it was Yemen then.
15
A lot of parties could have done this: Houthis, Iranians, Israelis, or the Saudis themselves. The Russians, Chinese or Western powers (including the U.S.) could have been involved, as could Al Qaeda, ISIS, or oil companies. There are a huge number of possible actors and motives. In Saudi Arabia, where the is no freedom of information or any other type of freedom whatsoever, it is impossible to say. All we can do is not jump to conclusions and be skeptical of the official story. And above all, don't accept this as an excuse for war!
13
Whoever has been behind the drone attack - assuming there has been a successful one - cannot be an ally of Iran. To put it simply, after Mr. Trump indicated he is open to relax the US economic sanctions and let the EU set up a line of credit for them, the Iranians have little incentive to get into a military conflict with the US or make their relationship with the US worse than what it has been for the last 40 years.
But there are those who have much to gain from a war between US and Iran. The first in the list is Mr. Netanyahu who desperately wants to get re-elected, so he could block the on-going legal actions against him. The war will be the ultimate election ad for him, proving to Israeli voters his unlimited wisdom and influence in Washington.
The Saudis and Emirates have also much incentive to get a war started. Not only it will destroy their main enemy, but it will push oil prices well above $100, which means hundreds of billions of additional revenue in their coffers.
And, of course, the Neo-cons in the US are among those who badly want to see either an invasion or a major military attack on Iran, one that could lead to regime change in Tehran. They are driven by the notion that, for the US to attain complete supremacy and absolute global leadership, it is imperative to control all oil reserves across the world. Hence the US "unconditional love" of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, and its "much interest" in Venezuela, Russia, Iraq, and Iran.
14
I have no doubt -- unfortunately -- that Trump will start a war, almost certainly with Iran, but possibly another actor, before the elections. He knows - believes - this will give him a lift that will help keep him in the protected office of the president.
How could it be otherwise if you were Donald Trump?
4
We need to stop taking sides depending on the way the wind is blowing. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria have nothing to do with the US. Our interference in the past has hardly made the Middle East any safer. When will we ever learn to mind our own business.
8
While this situation seems like a good excuse to go to war with Iran, my guess is that despite pressure from Pompeo, Pence, Netanyahu and a few others for war, Trump resists. War with Iran will not get him reelected unless US targets were hit directly.
4
That’s why he’ll want to stick US troops in the region.
Saudi Arabia has no compunction about bombing Schools and hospitals in Yemen. I'm not sure that the Saudis have much of a basis for complaint, when the Houthi retaliate by incinerating their petroleum infrastructure. Back in the 1960s, the Egyptian military found that it bit off far more than it could chew when it sought to dominate the Houthi of Northern Yemen. This is just history repeating itself. A determined incursion into Saudi Arabia, towards one of the large cities in Eastern Arabia, could truly sow panic.
13
I can’t wait for the IPO. I’m buying puts and riding it all the way down.
6
@NorthernVirginia. Agree. Wouldn't buy Aramco shares for pennies on the dollar.
Given Bin Salman's way of extorting cash from his own relatives, he wouldn't think twice of confiscating Aramco shares held by non-Saudis if it's convenient for him to do so.
3
This exemplifies everything that is wrong about relying on a source of energy - fossils fuels - that is concentrated in a few geographic spots, in a world heavily split along geographic lines. Oil is owned and controlled, and fought over. Meanwhile the sun shines for everyone, abundant and untapped.
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@Sebastian
Even if every single vehicle was taken off the road, fossil fuels would still be necessary. All those friendly "vegan" leathers and fake furs are made of oil (and incidentally not biodegradable like the real thing). Every single plastic thing is made of oil.
So good luck getting rid of all that.
3
@Viv But why are we still relying on Saudi Arabia for oil?
4
@Viv
Did it ever occur to you that most of the world is already living a vegetarian lifestyle, and they're not too happy about it.
We have plenty of oil and nowhere to go. China stopped to buy oil and related products from us due to trade dispute. Other countries have plenty of cheaper stuff to buy due to more supply than demand. This is a good opportunity for us to sell to other countries if there is a shortage of refined products and goods.
1
Canada and the U.S. have enough oil to liberate themselves from dependence on Saudi oil. It is time to allow the regional players to determine the outcome of this battle for supremacy in the Middle East. Billions of $$$ would be saved in patrolling Hormuz. Let Saudi Arabia, Iran and Israel fight; if fighting is what they desire. This is not a vital fight for democracy, it is a fight for foreign oil interests. Diversify energy use ( solar, nuclear, wind, thermal) and stop sending military forces to uphold foreign nations that are to many persons, too far removed from the moral privilege of diplomatic/military/financial support. Perhaps after sustaining damage and casualties of their own, instead of North American and European casualties, they may become more amenable to achieve a lasting peace.
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As a result of the attack the price of oil will probably rise. I guess that’s good for the Aramco IPO.
13
@CA. Would be, if their oil installations wouldn't be the ones burning. That's bad, also for their IPO.
2
I guess we could call this payback on the part of the Houti’s.
After all, the criminal hands of the Saudis are all over the destruction in Yemen.
187
The Houthis bomb oil sites, increasing the global price of oil--good for cutting carbon in the air.
The Saudis bomb school buses full of children.
This is a Shiá-Sunni war--the Houthis are Shiá. The Saudis have beheaded Shiá clerics for nothing more than being Shi'a. The Shiá in Saudi Arabia are an oppressed minority,
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@dr. c.c.
It is also of interest that the oil production regions of Saudi Arabia have a significant Shia population, which have been systematically oppressed and disenfranchised.
6
@dr. c.c. did we view the same article? You somehow scrolled past the images and video of burning crude oil billowing so much smoke as to cover the Saudi skyline? You think that's carbon neutral? Did you also scroll past the part of the article where they mention the Saudis will continue to export oil from reserves?
@dr. c.c. But the US won't "nuke" the Saudis.....that tells us something.
And is anyone in our government aware that the USA is the largest oil/gas producer in the world?
1
And ..... this is how the war starts to ensure Trump gets re-elected. It’s so obvious a caveman could see it.
165
@Temp attorney. True. Although, for me, a war with Iran will NOT win over my support. I'm not interested in another melee in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is not our friend or ally; I do not support any action undertaken on their behalf.
40
Sadly, it seems, however, that America never wants another melee in the Middle East until it finds itself embroiled in yet another one.
7
@otowngrl77. I hope that many others will also see it that way. We just commemorated the 18th anniversary of 09/11, terrorist acts carried out by mostly Saudi extremists, who were able to kill thousands of Americans because their government did, at minimum, very little to stop them.
1
Staged attack. Saudi Arabia will do anything to get the US to attack Iran. My fellow Americans: trust nothing from the Saudis or the US on this matter. Saudi Arabians are murderous liars and should never be trusted. The US government is incompetent.
406
Saudis dont want war with Iran. Where in the world did you get that idea.
@Willt26 I wanted to click the "Recommend" button 50 times but it wouldn't let me.
@HJ Of course not. What they want is for the US to go to war against Iran. I bet they would even chip in all the fuel, free, gratis and for nothing, needed for any operation.. Odd that the Saudis and Israelis have/want the same outcome.
1
Thanks, Houthis. First for punishing Saudi Arabia, the real mastermind of 9/11. Second for helping US shale oil companies to expand their market. Third for giving the warmonger DJT an excellent reason to attack Iran.
Nice! Killing three birds with one drone!
17
@YC
Please, no.The jury isn't even in. We do not need to attack Iran, Let's not be blind to the evilness of Saudi Arabia. Let's remember that we are already developing sustainable sources of energy. More people are working in this area than in coal, Our best scientists are determined to save our planet
Does anyone remember who the perpetuators of 9/11 were? What about their medieval killing and dismemberment of a person from America who was with their reach to clarify his wedding procedures.
Young people should refuse to fight and die in another war that will not solve problems. Diplomacy is our best hope.
14
And Pompeo and Trump can’t wait to get the USA off to war.
Get rid of Bolton and proceed!
22
Oh, by the way the poor people of Yemen are dying from hunger every day. Whose great ideawas that?
107
Half a century ago, the US put a nuclear warhead in 8" artillery shells and the Davey Crocket mortar shell. It has been reported they could put them in 155-mm artillery shells too. This means a nuclear weapon has been made and handled with a total weight under 200 lbs, maybe under 100.
A drone can carry that. It can carry it further than some of the ballistic missiles that have inspired so much concern (Scuds) and according to this article, more accurately too. All for maybe $15,000.
Perhaps our concerns about nuclear delivery systems are misplaced.
Perhaps our entire approach to non-proliferation needs to be updated, if even the Houthis can do it as rebels in a desperately poor place.
31
@Mark Thomason
Have you calculated the energy needed to carry a 200 lbs artillery shell over hundreds of miles at, say, 100 miles/hr? Can a drone's battery provide the reqired energy and power?
Trump’s looking over his shoulder wondering what happened to Bolton.
10
Every time I read or hear about this guy, it begins with "Pompeo blamed..." Does he ever actually DO anything?
116
@kenneth: Pompeo was first in his class at West Point.
Dog help us...
Trump and Pence will make this the casus belli with Iran. They and Netanyahu are no doubt rubbing their hands with glee.
93
@Publius
The fact is, unless Netanyahu is ready to start a nuclear war, Iran can defend itself and inflict a lot of civilian casualties on Israel. Iran has been arming it allies in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and who knows where else, because of Netanyahu's constant rants about the threat they pose. Iran defended itself for years against Iraq, even after a Republican administration gave Saddam the OK to use chemical weapons against them. They won't fold up and run away, against Israel or the USA.
13
@KOOLTOZE
I am glad someone knows the truth about Saddam and the US.
Not only did the US give permission, the US sold the chemical weapons to Iraq. And the US also used their satellites to target the Iranians so Iraq could use those chemical weapons to maximum effect.
Oh and The US put Saddam into power so he would be our puppet.
3
@Publius
No, this is not even close to enough.
Trump, Netanyahu and bin Salman will need to sacrifice some more Americans (similar to the 9/11 Saudi attack that prompted the Bush invasions) to trigger a direct attack on Iran by the U.S.
It is difficult to predict who this evil triad may be planning to kill.
2
Sunni Saudi Arabia has been committing what amounts to genocide against Shi'ite Houthis in Yemen. Houthis have every right to defend themselves and strike back.
Pompeo keeps singing the same old song: "Blame, blame, blame...blame, blame Iran."
164
@Mark McIntyre
Yes, perhaps they should fight back, odd we have no reports from the censored Saudi press if anyone was killed in these huge explosions.
Irony of Ironies: Where is ole John Bolton when you need him? He must be laughing all the way to a meeting with his publisher.
37
All but one of the 9/11 attackers were Saudis. The current leader had a journalist hacked to death with a chainsaw.
I have yet to hear any leader of the United States publicly explain why we should trust anyone in that country.
Until then, this seems all about oil, and America’s hands are dirty.
639
@C
Couple nits. I believe 15 of the twenty were Saudis. Not that that negates your point.
I’m not sure why we’d trust anyone in either the Trump administration or the Saudi governments.
7
Well, Donald Trump broke what was fixed. What else can he expect from Iran? Flowers?
133
@Red Sox, ‘04, ‘07, ‘13, ‘18 - weren’t we supposed to be greeted with flowers upon the Cheney/Bush illegal invasion of Iraq?
Oh great. We have such a dream team to handle this. Jared will call MBS and find out what the Kingdom wants the US to do, tell Donald, and we are all set. Mike Pompeo can go on the Sunday news shows tomorrow and defend whatever it is that stable genius orders.
148
Considering the endless lies that led to endless war in Iraq, and this administration's allergy to the truth, and the chaos of the Bolton firing, how can any American trust one word out out of the mouth of Secretary of State Pompeo's mouth?
151
The term "rebel" has been used by the NYT and other outlets to describe the Houthis, but this is arguably inaccurate. The group is older than Yemen's current internationally-recognized government (I use that term loosely), and has controlled Yemen's capital for years.
31
@Eye by the Sea
The "group" is a religious-ethnic entity. The government is something entirely different
Even if it were true that Iran was to blame, no one would believe Pompeo. That’s the problem with having a professional liar as Secretary of State. He has zero credibility. Just like his boss.
258
Pompeo looking for an excuse to attack Iran.
118
Maybe, but Trump does not want to run with a shooting war going on that shows no likely resolution. The U.S. can look mighty for a few months but it will not last once it looks like there is not end.
1
@David Underwood Pompeo looking for attention on the front page.
1
Senator Chris Murphy, a member of the foreign relations committee, wrote: “This is such irresponsible simplification and it’s how we get into dumb wars of choice ...
The Saudis and Houthis are at war.
The Saudis attack the Houthis and the Houthis attack back.
Iran is backing the Houthis and has been a bad actor, but it’s just not as simple as Houthis = Iran.”
Unless of course you are looking for another dumb war of choice to add to the horrifying list of dumb wars of choice.
122
@angel98
"Iran is backing the Houthis and has been a bad actor, but it’s just not as simple as Houthis = Iran.”
Saudis are backed by the US, Israel, UAE, UK, France, Egypt, Sudan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and many more still the Houthis are defending Yemen
1
@Wizarat True, but that was not part of Chris Murphy's quote, which was telling for the lack.
Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/14/pompeo-iran-saudi-arabia-oil-yemen-houthi
Sounds like a setup. Who would benefit from this other than Iran? Bibi and Trump.
97
@Stephan
Don't forget to include Mohammad bin Salmon, Saudi Arabia's tyrant.
He may have figured that he could not get away with another 9/11 and sacrificed a few of his own trillions of dollars?
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran, which backs the Houthis, calling it “an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply” and asserting, “There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.”
----
He certainly set a much higher bar regarding who killed Jamal Khashoggi . . .
92
Who would trust anything from the Trump Administration?
65
@Cherri
No sane, decent human being trusts anything anyone in the Trump administration says, promises or does.
@Cherri . . . every individual in the basket of deplorables. . . THAT'S who
Trump has expressed our country’s readiness to cooperate with the kingdom in supporting its security and stability.
With all of the military equipment Trump says the Saudi's are buying from us shouldn't they be able to protect themselves?
And since we do help with security shouldn't they be paying us for protection like Trump asks from other countries?
33
You would think so. Plus he's handing them nuclear technology. What more do they need from us?
5
@Vivien Hesselj As much as they can get.
It's surprising there were not US special ops forces working in conjunction with the Saudi intelligence adequately informed by the interests of oil traders, and a Hollywood special effects team employed instead to do the same. Would have been. such a good idea had they thought. of it instead - spike oil prices toward Saudi needs, thereby also spike the stock market towards trumps, and protect traders from the Corporate bond collapse that started the end of last week, which threaten US. shale...
Amazing the Houthis thought ahead of all of them and managed to penetrate so easily into an area that, from my experience, is not easy for anyone to get into, never mind peasant fighters from thousands of miles away....
13
@BritAbroad
Yes, it would seem like this is a dream come true for trump. Couldn’t come at a better time if he had planned it himself
Well, if Pompeo said it, I believe it . . . . .
9
It wouldn’t surprise me if Iran supplied the drones and logistics to support the attacks. We have crippled large portions of the Iranian economy through sanctions and have destroyed much in Yemen. A response is to be expected.
I think the US military has probably already informed the administration that these attacks are hard to stop and that there is a large portion of the world oil infrastructure sitting vulnerable. Like it or not, Iran can keep upping the ante if it wants and it will fall to the administration to decide to talk or go to war. Tough luck Donald! So much for the Art of the Deal.
15
Someone attacks Saudi oil production, cutting their production in half. The US uses financial threats to shutdown Iranian oil sales. Meanwhile our current leadership is preparing to open our last protected natural areas to more oil production. Coincidence? Draw your own conclusions.
35
One would like to think this would get the Saudis to the negotiating table to end the war on Yemen. But I doubt it.
Instead, we can expect a "surgical strike" by the U.S. dealing a "precision blow" to a "drone factory" somewhere.
And the escalation will continue.
16
@Daniel Reynolds,,,, Is the drone factory in Virginia, Maryland, Washington State, or California?
1
Drone attacks were conceptualised, engineered and used to minimise the need for ground forces and loss of US/alliance troops. It looks like the UAV technology has matured enough to mount an attack using a $15,000 vehicle against a country that spends & 67 billion in arms procurement! This should be a worry for everyone, everywhere!
Using technology just because one has it or one can needs to serious reflection!
16
@VP Could this be the end of weapons manufacturers. Just like PCs killed mainframes, at least for a few years.
3
@Tamza These drones ARE weapons !
Can a battleship withstand a fleet of ten drones or Iranian speedboat missile attacks?
9
Well, we don't have "battleships," these days, but modern naval forces are well-equipped to defend themselves against attacks like this.
That's why the drones and other tools of asymmetric warfare will be used against softer targets. Like, you know, oil refineries.
1
@Douglas I should have said aircraft carriers. Can they detect drones flying below radar or any kind of tracking and quickly target them before they strike?
The Churchill/Lawrence/Gertrude Bell group thought they’d neatly carved Mesopotamia into ‘governable units’ after WWI in the aftermath of the Turkish collapse. These so-called ‘governable units’ have proved themselves to be utterly incapable of reconciling their intertribal & intersectarian animus. The West’s answer to these perpetual conflicts has been to buy their oil with US$ and sell all sides arms paid for with those same US$. This constant flow of dollars for oil and armaments for dollars seems to work quite well for the West with huge profits being reaped by both sides. When and if Mesopotamians come to accept that ‘me against my brother, my brother & I against our cousin, and me & my brothers & cousins against the world’ is no way to live perhaps some sense will come to dominate. Until then mayhem will continue to dominate.
20
@Lewis Sternberg Which says what about the drones?
Pompeo’s comments were predictable.
US support for the Saudi givernment is but one among innumerable instances of the American ruling class backing murderous dictatorial regimes.
The death of every Yemeni child by US armaments is one more war crime by the US goverment, for which none of the criminals will ever be brought to justice.
61
Yemen seems to look like a new Vietnam for Ryadh/Abudhabi axis ?
Time for negotiation and peace talks are more than necessary.
19
Just think, soon we may have a fresh opportunity to be for a war, before we are against it.
23
Pompeo's logic would than apply to the pain and suffering of the Yemen's people caused by Saudi aggression being directly connected to the USA who support Sandi Arabia. Yeah, now it's beginning to make sense (not really). It's a proxy war with Iran and the USA, isn't it? At this point it's what ever means possible to blame or connect Iran with anything bad...Our government regardless of political party have become absolutely pathetic in their efforts to destabilized Iran. `
29
Gee. Trump dumps all over Iran. Imposes sanctions. Gets out of the treaty. Now Iran is acting out. Wonder why? Push and someone into a corner they have no alternative except to fight. Negotiations 101. Too bad Trump can’t negotiate with someone who has a little power
30
Saudi Arabia has with its modern air force (and with considerable assistance from the Trump administration, including in-flight refueling of strike aircraft) massively attacked Yemen's Houthi rebels. Despite limited resources, the Houthi have tried to strike back at Saudi Arabia, including with primitive drones that had little effect. Earlier this week it became public that the Houthi had acquired more sophisticated combat drones. Two major Saudi oil installations have been hit by such drones, and the Houthis immediately claimed responsibility. The New York Times, which has a better command of global military intelligence than President Trump has demonstrated himself to have, so reports.
Secretary Pompeo then claims that "there is no evidence" that this attack came from Yemen, despite the several pieces of publicly available evidence to that effect. I am not claiming that the matter is proven - I do not have access to that kind of intelligence. I am simply noticing that Secretary Pompeo is telling a bald-faced lie. What might his motive be? Is it possible that he is trying to pin the rap on Iran? His boss loves lies in general (12,000+ verified whoppers since inauguration) and would love that lie in particular. It would energize his base, and beat the drums for escalating conflict with Iran.
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@Marvant Duhon I think Pompeo is talking about where the drones were launched, which no one has yet claimed or proven. He would, of course, like to find out that they were launched by Iranians somewhere or other.
@Marvant Duhon. The current occupant of 1600 Penn Ave wants a war that he starts on his own. These other current 'wars' were started under false pretenses, therefore this 'new' war is his and he will 'show' them all who has the biggest bombs and biggest ships.
Hey, folks, last time I checked, drones cant fly thru nets. Ya might wanna give our facilities around the US with these sorts of storage tanks some budget to install the sorts of netting that would prevent this from happening here.
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@Michael J. Arndt
How tall do you think the net should be? I would imagine they crash the drone into the facility from high above, like a dive bomber.
We need to reinstitute the draft. That would assure no wars.
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Except the ones making the call don’t have worry about going
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@Becky Beech
I support the feeling, but back in the 60s' when I was eligible, the rich had no problem getting out of the draft. Which is why the war was fought mostly by the poor of the US. Which the powerful in the US don't worry about.
It didn't stop the war back then, it wouldn't stop any war right now.
@Becky Beech
It's ironic that some of our most hawkish leaders in charge of some of the highest offices and military avoided the draft when it was in effect and had no problem sending other people's children off to war.
$67 billion spent on weapons.
Imagine taking just half of that and "buying" as much peace and good will between neighboring states as possible.
Imagine the Saudis reaching out to Yemen with peace initiatives, including spending on human needs, building economic ties, demonstrations of cooperation, mass media, social media reinforcement of the new relationship between the nations.
Imagine how public opinion and thinking would be altered in a better direction.
Hatred turning to trust turning to friendship.
In other words, innovative thinking about peace and harmonious interactions instead of the constant, bull-headed, unproductive (and very tiresome) constant tilt toward annimus and focus on our differences.
Peace is the least expensive, least risky, most productive state of being between nations - individuals too.
A little creativity, at long last, a few baby steps in that direction. A little imagination!
Soon, the baby walks and grows and thrives and thinks in a whole new way.
You think the current way is better?
Ha.
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@Paul King
You are correct. The Chinese have been leaders in the very "creativity" you describe. They are not only buying peace but, garnering political goodwill and forging future economic alliances as well all without setting off so much as a firecracker.
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@Paul King
I have been saying for 15 years that we need to build Wal-Mart like stores (none selling guns, of course) all over Afghanistan, for starters, and give everyone there a $25 gift card per month for two years. For very little cost, the problem of warring against one another, and us, would be solved. People would anxiously await their gift cards and focus on what they could buy with it, all around each village. Imagine what a $25 per person income increase could do for the poorest families? And for middle class, having that much disposable income, would be thrilling.
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@Paul King
Perhaps you already forgot that the Russians and then the Americans tried that with Afghanistan. It didn't work. What makes you think that anyone in their right mind would be swayed by Saudi bribes?
These warring factions of Islam hate each other because they do not want to fall under the thumb of theocratic zealots. There is no middle ground for extremists, nor should there be. Iranians have shown themselves over the decades to be smart people who value science, contribute to its development and treat the sexes equally.
Since its inception, the Saudi states have contributed nothing to their own development or their own education. Every single piece of infrastructure they have they have imported from abroad by hiring foreigners to design and build it for them. Despite all their wealth, they have done nothing to move beyond barbaric 12th century thinking in government and public life.
Wasn’t Saudi Arabia supposed to run out of oil a long time ago? In the 70s a lack of Saudi Oil meant long lines at the pump; now it doesn’t mean that much, especially since every single car company now coming out with electric cars, says their E-Cars are responsible for zero CO2 emissions! Of course they’re fibbing, but essentially no oil being pumped is good for the “climate crisis” right? Wouldn’t our hero, Greta Thunberg, rejoice in this lack of oil capacity?
I’m sure our hero number two, Norway, can increase present output from 2% to 4% of world oil production—no problem! Piece of cake!
Or—starving Venezuela could tap into that massive bathtub of oil to help feed its starving people—oh my bad—they don’t count because they’re not democratized yet! They gotta de-socialize themselves before we top tier mammoths allow them access to markets, but the bone-saw guy and his restrictive country is a-o-k! Even though NYC residents are suing them for attacking their loved ones on 9/11. It’s all so confusing!
Are we supposed to think here? The president has made it clear that he doesn’t want thinkers! We’re supposed to ride the 600 into the valley of death without asking any questions!
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@William Perrigo nobody ever said electric cars aren't responsible for emissions. Zero emissions means nothing is coming out of the car (see wikipedia). In the US they are responsible for a fraction of the co2 emissions of a combustion car cradle to grave. Engineering Explained has a great video with sources if you want to explore this more.
btw, the criticism of EVs seems to come mostly from people who tend to put climate crisis in quotes as if to say climate change is fake. Wonder why that is..
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@William Perrigo
You nailed it, William! You get my vote for comment of the month!
@Bill Okay, Bill. electric cars are wonderful. Can we now get back to discussing the Saudi drone strikes?
The Houthis struck an airport in Saudia Arabia wounding dozens of people. Here is what strikes me and causes me to pick sides.
"The conflict in Yemen has killed thousands of civilians, many of them in Saudi airstrikes using American-made weapons. It has also created a massive humanitarian crisis with millions at risk of starvation and millions of others homeless."
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"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran, which backs the Houthis, calling it “an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply” and asserting, “There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.”
OK, and the US must then be blamed for all the atrocities committed by our proxies, the Saudis.
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And why should we believe Pompeo or anyone in the Administration about this incident? They lie all the time, from the President on down.
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Ya know, maybe, just maybe, conducting a genocide and forcing famine on an entire people has consequences.
The Saudi led coalition that has committed atrocities in Yemen has an entire river’s worth of blood on its hands. The only surprise here is that there wasn’t a larger retaliation sooner.
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The houthis are at war with Saudi Arabia, is it not their right to strike back , with or without Irans support ?
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Based on no information. Wag the dog. Trump wants a war for 2020 elections.
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I do not believe our government, the Saudis or the Israelis any more. As for that horrible Putin regime, at least you know what they are doing.
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I don’t believe any of them anymore. There are no good guys anymore.
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I thought with Bolton gone, the likelihood of war with Iran had diminished. Perhaps I was wrong.
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Ok, here we go again. Why would anyone believe anything coming out of this administration's mouth. Best believe waging another war where American and innocent civilian lives will be in peril are a heart beat away from this imbecile of president and the hawks beside him. Anything to avert attention from the constant corruption, mismanagement and impeachment inquiries. And too bad Americans haven't learned the lesson yet, ditched the gas guzzling trucks and suv's and totally moved away a dependency on fossil fuels, nah, we still have the largest oil consumption rates by far of any country worldwide - https://ourworldindata.org/fossil-fuels
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Per SoS Pompeo, “There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.”
That’s quite the indictment of Iran. Apparently we’re watching Yemen more closely than Iran.
John Bolton and his hawkish approach have just been repudiated. Maybe. Or maybe Trump is really a wannabe hawk, a big talker but mostly chicken and able to be swayed by the likes of Tucker Carlson.
Trump doesn't really have a national security process, just window dressing to please the clown show ringmaster. Pompeo, while smart and evangelically opinionated, only survives by being a yes man. My bet is we'll have an acting National Security Adviser indefinitely, and Mideast policy mostly dictated by the needs of Bibi and MBS.
Given that the UAE are now out of the Saudi alliance, Iran and the Houthis probably think now is the time to shift the advantage away from Saudi Arabia. Make them pay a real price for their murderous aggression and crippling US sanctions.
A US counter strike might be in the offing, but somehow I doubt the Saudis or Bibi would want to risk escalation and a war with Iran. Even without nuclear bombs, Iran can inflict severe damage on all our countries. If desperate enough, Iran might resort to cyber or even dirty radiologic bombs.
Nobody would win a war with Iran. Everybody would lose. Absent serious negotiations, my bet is that Iran and its allies will use measured escalation until it forces negotiations and concessions.
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@Michael Tyndall
Well written. Iran is following a pattern of escalation enough to scare the Saudis and keep the US with less options.
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The law of unintended consequences strikes again. the chickens of Trump's random foreign policy have come home. The question now is where do we bomb now? Iran, Venezuela, Yemen, Cuba, etc. the list of Trump's enemies is quite long.
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@rfb . . . maybe just bomb Puerto Rico or Nantucket & declare victory & call it a day, 'eh?
There's never been a better time to switch to an electric vehicle that runs on domestic energy sources.
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@Bill Perhaps only a Texan would think America's "domestic energy sources' will make the difference in Yemen.
By far the biggest concern in this attack is the failure of US anti missile systems to counter low level drones. Apparently the current Russian S400 system has this ability, as was demonstrated by the Iranians
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