Everyone just needs to chill. It should be obvious that this is just a negotiating tactic. Staking out an extreme and unreasonable position is just part of getting to the deal. It’s worked with N. Korea, and China, hasn’t it?
5
No it has not worked with DRK or China
7
@Michael
You mean like the long running and escalating negotiating tactic of tariffs with China?
Keep in mind... Trump can never admit he is wrong or has made a mistake. He is also easily manipulated by whoever whispers in his ear last.. and Bolton knows this and will play it to advantage. Pompeo.. I am less certain about.... as he mostly seems to just be shilling for Trump.... but it does not matter because it is Bolton that is pulling the strings here.. and a lot of young Americans are going to die on foreign soil if he is successful... because Iran is not the regime change cake-walk that Iraq was. And look at Iraq.... regime change was the easy part... it was the bungled imperialistic moves by the US to dictate the new regime that literally melted down the entire region over the last two decades.
4
@Michael
It's "worked" with N. Korea and China?
In a word: NO
4
Is that John Bolton or Ramsey Bolton? Bolton, Pompeo and Trump are all known certified liars. This situation is being manufactured by Bolton and Pompeo, both of whom are extreme right-wing ideologues, and Trump will go along long because he has serious domestic problems here at home. Iran, by all legitimate accounts, was complying with the negotiated agreement under Obama. Trump unilaterally pulled out of that agreement without providing any evidence whatsoever that Iran was violating the agreement. In addition, these right wing ideologues know fully well that Iran is not going to cave to aggression and force from the US. After all, it was the US that changed Iran’s democratically elected government into a dictatorship with the Shah. Iran will never repeat that mistake. Engaging in illegal wars unauthorized by Congress has always been the action of choice for the right wing politicians who have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. You can be assured that none of this is in the interest of the American people. Why aren’t these people interested in regime change in Saudi Arabia, one of the most terrible, repressive dictatorships on planet earth that is murdering tens of thousands in Yemen and spreading Wahhabi hate around the world?
14
@DSD
The worst part is that Pompeo thinks God has chosen Trump to protect Israel and so a war with Iran will be a war blessed by God. Are politicians really talking like this in 2019 America? I feel like I'm watching a medieval movie on the History channel.
5
In 2002 Saddam kicked out the international inspectors and was surely going to restart his WMD programs, although the intelligence that he had already done so was wrong. Even the head of his former uranium centrifuge program said so.
Thwarted twice before, he wasn't going to give up. If we hadn't gone to war, today we would be faced with a nuclear-armed Iraq.
1
>>> "In 2002 Saddam kicked out the international inspectors . . ."
And subsequently announced that they could return, "without condition." Maybe you forgot that detail.
Another detail: Following the inspectors' return to Iraq, Blix and ElBaradei told the UN Security Council that no WMD had been found in Iraq.
It's more than a little silly to be insisting, 16 years later, that the disastrous invasion of Iraq was somehow justified.
27
@Jonathan Katz
The inspectors returned in 2002. They left shortly before war started in 2003, and not because Iraq forced them out. We did.
16
@Jonathan Katz Now that's some story. I remember the UN inspectors crying on the runway in Iraq, having to leave because we were going to do Shock and Awe. Try again.
15
“Weapons of Mass Destruction” all over again.
4
I wrote my representative to Congress and I suggest you do too:
DO NOT LET JOHN BOLTON AND PRESIDENT TRUMP TAKE US TO WAR WITH IRAN
Dear Rep. X,
I am one of your constituents and this is my first letter to you.
The United States has spent nearly two decades and two trillion dollars mired in Middle East wars. Now President Trump and his team are racing to establish a pretext to bomb Iran. This action will be even more disastrous than the war in Iraq.
The Constitution is explicit that the power to declare war sits with Congress alone. This is your responsibility! Do not let President Trump and John Bolton take the U.S. to war. Pass a resolution that explicitly limits the AUMF to exclude action against Iran and underlines that congressional authorization is needed for any action.
History will remember those who sat by and allowed the United States to begin another unpopular and deadly war. The American people will hold both the President and Congress responsible in 2020.
Yours sincerely,
8
The US Middle East policy as it relates to Iran is directed from and formulated in Saudi Arabia and Israel. In addition, the Trump family including Jared Kushner benefit financially from Saudi and Israel nationals. Thus, the drum of war against Iran is shaped from a personal selfish motive, which is worse than the war in Iraq which was ideologically motivated. The tragedy here is that Congress again is silent or cowered by irrational fear and politically personal calculation. Lives are cheap for American soldiers.
6
First of all, the removal of American embassy and consular personnel from Iraq is nothing more than one of several thinly-veiled moves to justify a pre-determined decision to wage war against Iran. We are witnessing the insanity of Iraq v2.0 while the catastrophe of v1.0 still bedevils the world.
It is ironic that Mike Pompeo cites "new intelligence" to "demonstrate new threats" by Iran toward the United States. It was only a short time ago when US intelligence was roundly ridiculed by President and Candidate Trump when it raised warnings about Russian meddling in our electoral system.
If we believed in the incompetence of the US intelligence community when Trump was dismissing it vis-a-vis Russian meddling, why should we believe it now? More to the point, why should we believe anything out of an Administration whose serial mendacity now tops 10,000 lies?
We've already seen this movie. It hasn't even ended yet.
6
Gaslighting, to deflect attention from Congressional House oversight of obstruction, tax fraud, foreign interference and corruption by trump and his administration. Vote blue everyone in 2020.
5
Iran will assemble bombs (yes, that bomb) from the parts it already has and demonstrate it . . . and then what?
Evacuation of non-essential embassy and consular staff usually coincides with Round House readiness (i.e DEFCON 3). The situation is sliding toward DEFCON 2 and with air flights canceled to Venezuela where Hizbollah and IRG operatives are active, all signs point to imminent conflict.
2
Is this really happening? Trump breaks an agreement that took years of diplomatic efforts, bullies Iran into a corner, then is ready to go to war over skirmishes whose origins have not even been determined.
This man is a menace to America and the world. Republicans are hopeless. Democrats, please do something! And world leaders, why aren’t you speaking up more? Is the U.S. really going to start a war with Iran? Please stop the madness.
11
to me it was clear from day one of Bolton's tenure that we would end up in a war with Iran. as it was clear to me that we would end up in a war we with Iraq when Bolton became under secretary of defense under Bush. this guy is a pathological eat monger. God help us.
6
War is clearly coming with Iran, at a time when Trump and National Security Advisor (and noted chickenhawk) John Bolton thinks it will serve them best politically. This is not hyperbole. It has happened before....in Vietnam, in Afghanistan and in Iraq among others....and mark my words, it will happen again.
6
@James Mazzarella
Oh when will we ever learn.
3
'The top British general in the US-led coalition against Isis has directly contradicted White House claims of an increased threat from Iran, exposing tensions among western allies as the US continues its military buildup in the region. Maj Gen Christopher Ghika said on Tuesday that there was no sign of a burgeoning threat from Iranian-backed forces in Syria or Iraq, but his statement was swiftly contradicted by US central command.'
5
Is it possible that Iran, China, Korea could join in a common war against the US at once? If not, why not.
3
It looks like another pointless, protracted war is on the cards. God bless America!
5
Another war, the US military is already spread too thin. Iraq, Afghanistan, threats from North Korea, China build up in the South China Sea, Russia attacking Ukraine and now Iran. We spend 7 times more than China on military spending. C'mon, get your stuff together
3
Waggin' the dog, aren't they?
3
Gulf of Tonkin, anyone? At least Europe stood up (sort of) and put the blame where it belongs, squarely with Trump, Bolton, Pompeo, and their ilk. If you let a bully get its way, there'll be no end to the intimidation and threats. And this is the world's peace we're talking about, not just some neighborhood shenanigans. Remember Iraq? Well Iran is more than three times the size, and we're still suffering the aftermath of the earlier fiasco.
6
No love lost on my end for the murderous mullahs in Teheran. However, Trump had no plan going fwd when withdrawing from the nuclear agreement. This void is now filled by Bolton and Pompeo preparing for war with Iran under half baked pretenses in order to facilitate “regime change” . Israel and the Saudis are in on it to have their regional adversary liquidated. The GOP bootlickers will go along because they can put on a patriotic theatre for their constituents and salute the flag. Trump thinks he is the next great Feldmarshall while “his” generals will follow orders because that’s what they do. Kushner is getting richer facilitating weapon deals with UAE, Sauds, etc. The rich will get another tax cut to keep still. The Christian right will pray for the president. The federal deficit reaches astronomical heights to finance the war while creating an opening for the Chinese. They start dumping US treasury bonds to drive up dollar market interest rates and choking the US economy unless we stop bothering them with trade issues. The Europeans will not get involved this time. The Russians love it because they won’t have to meddle in the next election while we self destruct and they can sell oil & gas at increased prices. Lindsey Graham will wag his finger in outrage before riding shotgun in Trump’s golf cart. Many thousand US service men and woman will come home maimed or in body bags. Most of them voted for Trump and are in support of the administration.
6
The mullah won’t suffer but innocent civilians will.
6
Get set for another Gulf of Tonkin incident. The first casualty in war is truth.
7
OK, with the manifest twin victories in Iraq and Afghanistan, it seems that America’s more than ready to take on Iran. #DraftIvanka #DraftJared
10
The House should pass a resolution/law/budget amendment that no money appropriated by Congress can be used to attack Iran. Send it to the Senate and see if Mitch McConnell and hiS GOP colleagues want to assert the power of Congress, rather than the President, to declare war.
We will then understand whether the Republicans wish to live by the rule of law or the rule by one. And given their objections to President Obama's executive orders as overriding the powers of Congress, it would be a very interesting vote indeed.
Is the GOP loyal to the Constitution or loyal to the GOP?
5
It’s very clear to me who is beating war drums and for all the wrong evil reasons. He wants to be a King and sent the paupers into war.
But if you only watch Faux Fox News, you get a diabolical storyline and lies.
It’s disgusting. And dangerous. You don’t think they will use their worst weapons? Their culture doesn’t have a tradition of fearing war, but we do despite that idiot, Bolton, saber rattling.
3
Given Irans historical and current support for terrorism and kidnapping this is probably a direct reaction to intelligence picking up on plots by Iranian proxies.
Similar events have happened before.
This vast majority of opinions in this comment section do not represent a very accurate appraisal of the current situation in the middle east, Iran or US Iranian relations.
There will NOT be a land invasion of Iran and I believe it is still highly unlikely that there will even be airstrikes.
Before the Iraq invasion, Bush 43 had a 90 percent approval rating as well as authorization of Congress. Mattis quit because Trump demanded he withdraws even more forces from Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
Trump may appear rash and reckless however this is largely a myth of persona I believe Trump purposely creates and the media buys. In reality, his foreign policy, especially regarding military action has been cautious.
I highly doubt Iran ever had any intention of complying with their end of the nuclear deal in the long term. Please recognize they were probably just playing for time and money.
Regime change is the only credible way Iran will give up their nuclear ambition. Continued nuclear proliferation will undoubtedly lead to horrors that make recent wars look tame. With more countries aquiring these weapons the probablity of them being used increases.
Please stop buying into simple partisian arguments.
2
Regime change has been a failed policy forever. Unless you think death squads that kill lots of civilians and indigenous people a success.
2
@2-6
Trump is quite simply an idiot, and if you can't see that you're his base, for sure. He's not remotely interested in "regime change," anywhere on the planet - he's interested in one thing only, ever: attention for Donald Trump. He doesn't even want to be president, he just can't bear the prospect of losing his reelection bid.
1
Maj Gen Fox Connor who was mentor to Eisenhower, Marshall, Bradley, Patton, Clark etc. The entire World War II generation had but three rules for when the U.S. went to war. #1. Don’t fight unless you have to. #2. Don’t fight alone. #3. Don’t fight for long. It seems a shame that we’re unable to remember three things.
5
But I thought Hillary was the one that was going to start a war. At least that’s what the Russian trolls and their far right American enablers told us. Tensions are rising in the Persian Gulf region. All it’ll take is some miscalculation by one side for a full scale war between the US and Iran to break out.
1
Bolton wants a regime change from afar but do not want his hands gets dirty to do the work. Classic oligarch behavior of him, Pompeo and Donald. They let the Pentagon does the dirty work. Then, let the Democrat clean up the mess.
1
Does anybody remember Iran responding to McCain’s threats about starting a war with Iran? I believe it was something like “we will light up the gulf”. Hope Trump’s base starts stockpiling gas now.
1
To separate Trump's actions from the GOP is not only to do disservice to our country but it ensures that more Trump's will come after their current fascist fraud president is gone! The dirty little secret of the ‘Trump Doctrine’ is it has always been the GOP Doctrine which is to fester the military industrial complex to protect industrial oligopolies, especially oil and gas.
The same people who lied to get us into catastrophic wars, tanking the global economies, not to mention the killing of millions of innocent people, will always commit more crimes on humanity until this evil party of plutocrats, the GOP becomes a minority party for decades to come.
3
The real threat is seating in the oval office; he is a clear an present danger to your country...
4
Tonkin Gulf redux.
3
This time around, NY Times, you have a chance to do your job properly.
3
I don't watch Faux Fox News. Are Hannity, Fox and Friends, and Lou Dobbs pushing for a war against Iran? If so, then Deranged Donnie is definitely going to war. Shows the power of the media, esp with tRump.
1
These comments are so depressing. I'm so depressed.
1
Both Bush and Trump have that same sick apocalyptic group of religious around them. The NY Times should clue us in on how insane and mad they are - check out that theater - for they foster and feed the insanity of needless wars such as Iraq - and now Iran.
3
Here we go again, setting the stage for conflict where there doesn't need to be, unless your Trump running for re-election. Show his base how tough he is, sending other people to fight a fight he avoided when he had to serve. What a coward.
2
SO.....according to Trump this is Fake News.
So all the people quoted here are liars?
Why would he say that about his own people?
And I thought Trump thought our intelligence agencies were a bunch of dumb bells who don't know anything. Isn't that what he brays to our enemies?
2
I thought we pulled the troops out. Donnie mission accomplished said ISIS was done...weird.
1
All very reminiscent of the first part of 1914. The factions are gathering - US, Israel and the Saudis (who harbour the sponsors of Sunni extremist groups Al Qaeda and ISIS) and they will be joined by the other Sunni Governments if this escalates. On the other side is Iran and of course, Russia. While Russia is certainly stronger than it was in 1990 post Soviet era, It may be reticent in getting into a full blown war with the US (but just might annexe the rest of Ukraine while everyone else is preoccupied). As for Europe? They don't believe the US line on breaches of the nuclear deal; they are facing a similar, but less violent and dramatic rerun of the widespread uprisings of 1848, but will they risk Trump leaving NATO if they refuse to join? AS for my own country? Hopefully they will have the integrity to realise what a unjustifiable war this is and also refuse to join. Meanwhile China won't believe their good luck - all these (former?) US allies in Europe and the Pacific becoming disenchanted with US leadership! If this war occurs, it might fundamentally change the world order much as the 1914 war did.
4
The White House, the Congress, the Courts are hopelessly corrupt. 98% of the mostly impoverished American people is politically inert. Beyond food, shelter and a small bit of creature comfort, they really don't care about almost anything else. So as long as there is no draft, and only the invisible very poor are sent to die, there will never be a strong and coordinated anti-war movement, as was the case in the 60's against the Vietnam War. Hence the coming war is inevitable. America is on autopilot, and like a Boeing jet, it plunges to earth and we passengers may as well sit back and enjoy the ride. Pity the poor people of Iran, the next U.S. toy.
3
While we are going to war with Iran and Venezuela, what are our Brave Republican Senators doing?
Well, Marco Rubio wants to abolish Daylight Savings Time, Ted Cruz
wants to create our US Space Farce to "combat Space Piracy" (his words), Mitch O'Connell is getting Federal Judges who believe in law from the 1700s and Flimsy Graham is getting bigger cash tips as a Golf Caddy to Trump.
3
Where are those that so proudly hold up the 2. Amendment, designed to defend the nation from a tyrannical government? Oh - this is not the type of tyrant they were referring to?
2
Clearly after Bush (W) war in Iraq the correlation of forces in the Middle East changed in favor of Iran. It was not the fault of the Iranians whatsoever, just the result of the crushing of the Sunni (Saddam Hussein) government including the BAAS party which was by statute secular and inclusive, including all kind of constituencies, among them the Christians. The Shi'ite community, the majority, took of course the power with the natural consequence of opening the doors to such a powerful Shi'ite ally as Iran, particularly when le Sunni militants became organized first under Al-Qaeda attacking Baghdad. History is known: Al-Qaeda morphed into ISIS. In the war against ISIS of course Iran took a strong part, particularly supporting allied Shi'ite militias inside Iraq and Syria. What U.S. wants or can do in Iraq? Reverse course? Well this is realistically impossible... What U.S. is doing instead is starting a war against Iran, a war that would necessarily include Iraq and probably Syria+Russia... Saudi Arabia and Israel. So the prospect is not reassuring to anybody. From my personal perspective Europe and China, plus sane politics inside U.S., have a strong commitment to fulfill. U.S. has become a psychopathic war machine.
3
The con job is coming. Create a threat, hype the threat with fuzzy facts close to nonsense, then according to script vanquish the the enemy. The Congress could and should intervene swiftly.
4
I'm taking my walking shoes out of my closet so I can join all the anti-war marches that I foresee in my future. We have seen this before and they'll have their radio and cable stations spewing the message Trump and the GOP want.
However, this isn't going to work. The invasion of Iraq is not ancient history and the American people won't be suckered again. The only solution to this nightmare is kicking out Trump and the GOP in 2020.
2
"Gulf of Tonkin" anyway.
Looks like Bolton and Netanyahu are going to get us into war with Iran, and Trump can declare himself Dictator for Life while imprisoning any Americans who say No and destroying Our Free Press and our Civil Rights.
Funny, Trump nor Bolton ever served in a Shooting War, but they would be happy with a Body Count of other Americans.
2
What if he held a war and nobody came?
What if the first shot fired had Bolton strapped to the warhead?
I'd watch that one.
3
Trump is one big liar . How can we believe anything that comes from Trump ?
Are we headed for a made up war against Iran that Bolton wants? That has been his goal for a very long time now it looks as if our corrupt administration is headed for a DISASTER again . These are very troubling times indeed .
9
@KarenE
A reality TeeVee star taking military advice from a washed up FOX news guest commentator, while the talk show host Kudlow leads us in things economic.
What a joke.
3
He can't be impeached fast enough. No time to wait. Get trump out of office ASAP!
8
If Trump decides he can’t win, or if he wins and 4 years from now he is contemplating his legacy, he will want to invade something. As a sociopath it’s in his nature, like lying about everything, cheating on taxes and at golf, not paying bills, and physically assaulting women.
6
I believe that all this is being done in advance of Israeli airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and not for some mysterious missile movements in Iraq or whatever justification is now being put out by the Trump administration. I was a Navy air traffic controller who supported the Israelis by controlling US military air ops from a joint USN - Greek air force military airfield on Crete during the 73 Arab - Israeli war and this was the first thing I thought was really going on when initial reports of the troop movements were announced. Perhaps the NY Times could consider looking into this angle on what the real reason is for the massive mobilization and removal of nonemergency personel from Iraq ?
10
crystal clear: Trump, Pence, Pompeo and Netanyanu want war with Iran to distract from their disastrous policies and personal craziness at home. European countries are NOT going to support their wickedness again. They were fooled om de already by the American lies on Iraq.
6
When there is a public record that trump has told over 10,000 falsehoods, lies, bent the truth, fibs (or whatever you want to call it) to the American People over the past 2 years...how can anyone know what is true and what is false.
I have found little to nothing from this man to be the truth or good for the public interest. Most of his tweeter nonsense has been vile, petty and stupid. While all of his executive orders have been mean, punitive, and destructive.
Now he and his administration seem to be driving us to the brink of war with Iran and is asking us all to trust them. In my view this is trump's ultimate 'distraction'
Congress, as well as ordinary citizens need to demand a diplomatic solution to this escalating situation. Otherwise the pain, grief, and destruction will be unbearable for everyone.
5
So much for the $1 billion dollar price tag! Supposedly attack proof with its own power plant and water treatment center..
We could have fixed Flint, Michigan's polluted water system for this much!
2
Frankly (and unfortunately) Trump does not have any other choice. Because a war unites the country; patriotism prevails and politics are pushed aside. This is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Sad.
2
There is going to be a day when we are not the most powerful country. And we will see what it’s like to be at the whims of the big kid on playground. I’m not looking forward to it.
2
If Trump can knock out Iranian and even Venezuelan oil production, that means higher prices for Saudi, American and Russian production. Maybe that's what he and Putin discussed in their closed meeting early in his term?
3
The US under the direction of Trump and his yes-men make threatening gestures towards Iran. In response, Iran says they are ready. Trump tells people to flee Iraq because of threat from Iran. Does anyone want to guess who I hold responsible for this escalation of tension?
2
Trump is on the record saying that war-time presidents have an edge in being famous and he thinks his base likes it when he acts like a tough guy. His current national security team is more compliant with his gut instincts than was the team it replaced. Trump is looking for distractions from the Mueller report and other investigations and starting a war, whether trade or kinetic, is a proven way to distract and rally the country.
2
This is worse than double standards. While nations like Israel, india and Pakistan, which have not signed the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and have in secret produced nuclear weapons, are considered trustworthy nations.
In each case India, Pakistan and Israel, western powers has supported their nuclear weapons programs. On the other hand, it has stopped Iran from pursing its peaceful nuclear program.
3
We are watching Trump create a fake rationale for a war that may ensure either his re-election or, failing that, declaration of war powers to extend his presidency past term limits. The Senate will allow him to get away with it. Everyone else will watch in horror as America lurches off to war for absolutely no real reason. Huge numbers will die and in the end there will be no regime change. The relatively moderate Iranian populace will become more radical and the whole homicidal cancer of religious fanaticism spreading from the Middle East will grow. And while more and more of the world succumbs to chaos the climate will continue to deteriorate around us.
3
Wag The Dog. If you do not know what it means rent or at least look up the movie. Put it in context with what is happening and it becomes a scary movie.
2
Trump has told so many lies, changed his mind so many times, tweeted something brash and then taken it back, and so forth and so on. It's just hard to believe in anything with his name on it.
1
Where are Nancy and Chuck when you really need them to call a spade a spade.
Oh. That's right. They're still weighing their 'options' on Trump. They don't want to appear too "divisive".
Our country is going down the drain in one final, totally preventable, swirl.
4
There is no threat. Another grandstanding move by The Art of the Deal” loser to try to intimidate Iran. On the other hand, the Embassy Compund can be used as a military HQ Should troops be stationed there.
But what would the 120,000 troops Trump denied planning for do? Invade Iran?
Iran has rudimentary nuclear enrichment, no bomb, no nuke capable delivery system, and Trump goes ballistic on them, while Trump goes all palsy walsy with Kim, who has all three. Trump once again proves that he has mastered “The Art of the School Yard Bully.”
11
Gulf of Tonkin
Weapons of Mass Destruction
"We're going in!!!"
10
And yet again this country is laughed at.
8
The problem is that we are too rich and powerful to generate genuine mirth. If we go to war we will drag other countries in with us.
1
As a country we have still not recovered from the Iraq debacle. One of the key "experts" responsible for that invasion, who should have rightfully been designated a war criminal by the ICJ is now ginning up falsehoods to invade Iran.
Folks, let us not forget what he did, "Bolton played a key role in laying the groundwork for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
As the undersecretary of state for arms control and international security affairs from 2001 to 2005, he helped push the fiction that Saddam Hussein was actively developing weapons of mass destruction. British officials noted in a now-infamous secret memo to the prime minister’s office in 2002 that “the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy” of the Bush administration. ...
Of course, there were no WMDs to be found. But Bolton and his neoconservative allies got the war they wanted, a seismic event in modern history that prefigured so much of the instability that wracks the Middle East."
Here's just one report and there are hundreds to be found: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/03/26/the-return-of-john-bolton-paves-the-way-for-more-war/?utm_term=.14b9d93eb9dc
I don't know what its going to take to deliver us from this villain, I hope the Senate develops enough backbone to reclaim war making powers.
14
Here we go, trump needs a war to prop up his regime. Been waiting two years for this expected, staged move.
16
And who's going to fight this war? Not Donald or his ilk. They're
cowards. (See bone spur, etc.). A report from the Pentagon recently said that 70% of draft age recruits are ineligible! Plus, with a decent economy and a good job market, joining the military on the brink of war will be a tough sell. There's always the draft. Reinstitute it for more war in the Middle East and stand by for Vietnam all over again.
8
This people doesn't want war, they want to transfer our tax money to M.I.Complex.
They are selling a scenario already.
I am not buying the war, they are more in to Bombing Iran. however that is better than all out war like Iraq. Not really.
I am really wondering If America starts a hot conflict with Iran , how our glorious leader is going to control southern IRAQ which Shiite dominated and Iraq Main oil port falling in to Iran's hand.
Bolton and Pompeo are brilliant minds shining in the history's quagmire section.
4
We have a pathological liar, an advisor that thinks he's Genghis Con and a plethora of yes men, telling us what? Are they to believed?
Trump reneged on a deal that had inspectors, ON THE GRUOUND in Iran! Now what? Who wants to follow this shallow man into the trenches?
5
We have a pathological liar, an advisor that thinks he's Genghis Con and a plethora of yes men, telling us what? Are they to believed?
Trump reneged on a deal that had inspectors, ON THE GRUOUND in Iran! Now what? Who wants to follow this shallow man into the trenches?
6
Cooler heads need to prevail, hopefully it doesn’t come down to war
1
Funny how the two main provocateurs in this are men(?) who both ducked service in Vietnam. Come to think of it, so did GWB who ended up in the Air National Guard rather than flying combat in ‘Nam. Why is it that these characters are so anxious to get other people’s sons and daughters killed in pointless wars?
9
"credible threats"....where have we heard this before??
I would call it "incredible pretense"
5
What "allies" are they talking about? I fear this administration is in cahoots with Saudi Arabia. Sure would explain a whole lot
5
These LIES are so transparent - push back against this obvious baiting to begin a huge, murderous, criminal and costly war.
3
Trump lies so much. The threats are all in his head.
6
Smoke and mirrors to distract from Don Jr.
3
I don’t get it, I thought they were still looking for the WMDs. Our allies were skeptical of WMDs that started the last Iraq war. I doubt anyone believe the sky is falling now. Fool me one once, shame on you, fool me twice...
6
I guess Bolton wears the pants in the trump / Bolton relationship.
War with Iran will not turn out well for trump or the troops that get stuck fighting a senseless war.
Maybe don jr will volunteer for the front lines.
9
More violence from the US government (elected by US voters). Facebook is NOT the problem! Human selfishness is. Think for yourself. And, when reading the NY Times or any other paper, read between the lines.
4
Our administration is goading Iran. I am thinking they believe a good war could bring a win in 2020
12
If Trump does this, we will be a pariah, the rogue nation in the world. A rogue nation with an insane leader and a whole lot of nukes.
What could go wrong? I feel like we are living in Wonderland and the Red Queen is in charge.
Wish I could wake up.
14
For many of us, "Laughable" had to be the first thought upon seeing the number of headlines which surrounded this online NYT story.
These days, and throughout our recent history, it's definitely apparent, that we have had enough arrogance and infections of temporary insanity in the people who assume -- elected, and unelected -- power in the USA and beyond.
It all makes some sense when you hear that ex "Frasier" star actor Kelsey Grammer --- interviewed last night, now playing Don Quixote in London -- voted for Trump because Grammer thought all the fools elected in the USA over the last 10-20 years -- have been -- just that -- fools.
Even emigre Russian journalist Masha Gessen (from the NewYorker) interviewed last night on TV, said Putin was "not that smart" and that he is nothing but "an opportunist" -- "with no plan" -- simply responding to the latest opportunity offered to him.
Putin, and our Fox-News-mascot Trump, fit the character for all power-game players in the international arena. Fools -- who are not that smart; fools who leave us with no hope for a better future.
At least Don Quixote gives us hope and believes in dreaming.
Can voting Americans get smart enough -- soon enough -- to prevent these narcissistic war-games from continuing?
5
Trump withdraws USA from Iran deal made with several nations that was confirmed to being adhered to and now with Bolton trying to get his dream of a war with Iran starting to come true. Nothing like a war to distract the public from the messy Trump administration chaos and erratic Trump is obsessed with being macho . Trump and Bolton had their chance to be warriors and they hid under their desks but now they are ready to send poor kids to harms way for political gain. Dictators may get the trains to run on time but they usually leave their countries in rule ,Trump is a fascist and he almost admits it the way he fawns over other dictators that he wants to be like. America best wake up and put the brakes on this wanna be dictator once in power they hard hard to remove as Trump will not accept an election he does not win. THE RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ,DICTATOR ALERT.
5
The world and Iran already know that the United States has a military force capable of blowing them up a 1000 times.
So what’s with the sword rattling?
Once again our shameless Trump is using the military like a cheap political prop.
As a Vet watching this conman Trump sending our military to the boarder 1 week in front the midterm elections as a political stunt, and now watching the bone spurs in chief gin up yet another “crisis” that put’s our country and service men and women at risk, as a distraction from the pathetic job he’s doing as president, Makes me more than sick.
A shameless, politically driven, morally bankrupted, ignorant man in charge of our safety and military - vote my friend and get rid of this fool before he blows US up.
17
Why? What is the problem here? This "wag the dog" pony show is going to get us in another war. Bolton, Pompeo and Miller who seem to really run this country along with the "Goebbels" like Steve Miller are "trumping" up a phony war in the hopes that moronic Americans will unite behind the clown in the White House for another four years. Bush did it in 2004 and it looks as if we are in for another round. I didn't vote for Trump but now I extending that in never ever voting for another Republican for any office at all. I am so through with that crowd. Elizabeth Warren said it best - They are just a bunch of hate-for- profit guys, the whole crowd.
6
Remember the movie "Wag the Dog"?
9
This is Wag the Dog for real, happening right before our eyes.
1
Trump's a trash-talking one-trick pony.
China, Korea, Iran, it's all the same - big talk and posturing copied from World Wide Wrestling - an alt-reality of screaming and spandex, costumes and camel clutches, masks and monsters. That's why the media love him.
But there's nothing but a mouth. When ignored, he backs down.
Trump will never bomb Iran, it's just trash-talk. With threats he can bluster on and have his fun without commitment.
His winning secret is always insisting on room to move, a way out. Lies will allow that, but war would not - he'd lose control. Trump knows his strengths so he avoids sustained effort and focus.
The mullahs will call his bluff and he will back away. Could bring up the Wall again, or do something about Canada.
3
The Pentagon’s Central Command released a statement saying that General Ghika’s comments “run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S. and allies regarding Iranian backed forces in the region,” and that as a result, United States forces in Iraq were “now at a high level of alert.”
Mike Pompous needs to get with the Pentagon and tell them to repeat his lies.
2
Rather than simply denying that Iran is putting American interests at risk, responsible people in the House, UN, NATO or U.S. allies should be investigating to what degree U.S. agents (including those based in Israel or Saudi Arabia) are responsible for staging threats and attacks. The transparency of the deception here makes the run-up to an Iraqi war over non-existent WMDs look tame by comparison.
4
It is so predictable and transparent, I wonder who they think they're fooling? Trump's 35% 'base'?
The stat which sticks in my mind: No incumbent president has failed to be re elected during wartime. NEVER.
The utter transparency of his presidential choices is now overwhelmingly obvious. His brilliant negotiating skills have not worked their magic on the world stage. His tax cut will cost the average person. The suspension of environmental protections is being challenged. The little man is desperate to be re elected.
But it's not the usual need of an incumbent to realize his vision, 'finish the job'. This coward is facing serious, federal, state and local charges, enough to put him away. And he has the mistaken notion that as a sitting president he is immune to prosecution.
Therefore, in Trump's universe of one, a war for the express purpose of insuring re election is ... a no brainer. And he has enough sycophants to do the dirty work.
But this time, the pattern will not repeat. It's gone too far.
In January 2021 Trump will leave the white house as a private citizen and receive the punishment he deserves.
9
@CD: the answer to your first paragraph covers it all: “yup”.
1
If we are in the middle of a war he may get re-elected, or he may declare a state of emergency and refuse to go. I think the NYT should research if there are war powers Trump could invoke to stay in office beyond term limits.
2
@Alexandra Hamilton
Let's make sure he is not re elected.
Well then. The magnificent warriors, the three amigos, Bolton, Pompeo and Bone Spurs, are ramping up for war.
The claim that intelligence says....is a reminder of that intelligence that another band of amigos used for their justification of going to war.
So, given that our military was met with rose petals and sweets when they entered Baghdad, well, not really, what will our military be met with when they enter Tehran?
If we could only witness Field Marshall Bolton, aide de camp Pompeo and Commandant Bone Spurs lead the charge then perhaps some support could be garnered. Otherwise, everything Trump tells is is questionable given his propensity to lie on a daily basis.
Yup. Ye armchair warriors who are cheering support for this war please get your weapon, get your kit and lead the charge.
7
This is a predictable consequence of the authoritarian style of Trump's Presidency. The President does not think that he should have to answer to anyone, especially Congress, for anything else that he does. Why then, should starting a War be treated any differently?
5
Now is the time an administration needs high credibility to lead the nation and allies.
Squandered it way back, though.
4
I recognize that the Times and other papers have to abide journalistic norms and standards but I would think it would be more accurate to replace the word "Americans" with "Republicans" in certain instances. To wit:
This excerpt:
"Iraqi officials have voiced skepticism about the threat described by the Americans..."
would be more accurate if it read:
"Iraqi officials have voiced skepticism about the threat described by the Republicans..."
If this war comes to pass, it will happen exclusively because of the Republican Party in America, which is fast becoming the biggest threat facing the planet.
10
If the US goes to war with Iran, I side with Iran. I fought in Iraq and I've had enough!
10
I don't think we'll have war with Iran. Trump himself hated the Iraq war and going to war with Iran would be political suicide.
Iraq was ruled by dictator with majority opposed to Hussein. Iran is opposite, most support their government. It's totally different scenario.
Trump knows invading Iran will cost him 2020. Unless he wants to quit, I don't see any sliver of potential for conflict. Everyone is sick of war, that's why we use drones and airstrikes.
Any misguided belief by media or commenters on us going to Iran needs to clear their vision a bit and realize war ain't going to happen with Iran. Just empty threat.
1
@df
Hmmm.
"... Trump himself hated the Iraq war ..."
In radio interviews which occurred at that time, Trump said he approved of the war. That stuff about being against the war? It was a lie.
"... Trump knows invading Iran will cost him 2020 …"
Trump knows nothing of the kind. He knows he desperately needs a war, in order to be reelected and thereby avoid prison.
"... . Iran is opposite, most support their government …"
In fact, the average Iranian has historically been very friendly toward America.
5
@df
Trump definitely thinks different. One big difference is he's not a war monger like Biden or Hillary. He's not really presidential. Might be his best trait.
Not a war monger? He is behaving in exactly the way a war monger does. Being non presidential is not good. It is why other countries laugh at us.
1
Absurdly, the Baghdad embassy is one of the most fortified and protected of any diplomatic facilities. If we aren’t safe there..,,
5
If Trump, Bolton, et al, want to take on Iran militarily, there’s one thing they won’t be able to rely upon: our former allies like Britain, France, Canada, Germany and others.
Trump has all but destroyed the level of trust that was an inherent value of our many alliances around the world. If there is war, they will sit it out.
6
What did we learn from Bush's rush to a hugely devastating war? Won't Republicans and Democrats in Congress do their job and step in this time to prevent another disaster?
5
No one in the Senate shows any intention of doing their jobs so far so why would they start now?
1
Help me out here....what is the argument that Iran is the epicenter of terrorism? It seems to me that it isn't even as strong as the argument that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction...and the evidence for that was what? Some basic questions need to be answered...and asked by a hopefully diligent press...hopefully before reporting is made illegal.
2
This is a stunt to lay grounds for war.
So which general will Trump order to go on TV and show the aluminum tubes? Remember Colin Powell at the UN? The pretext was false then and it's false now.
This whole situation is another distraction created by Trump to keep the heat off the investigations. I think Trump is too much of coward to send troops to war and be responsible for their deaths. I hope I'm right.
3
Well, I guess Mitch, Lindsey and the rest will fall in line behind Trump again. I know impeachment is just a gesture but it is time, way past IMO.
Impeachment will validate all of the investigative subpoenas and maybe even stop this insane rush to war...
120,000 troops gosh, against Iran will be awful
3
An obvious sleight-of-hand distraction technique to shift attention away from himself and rally his “troops’’ and in his mind, possibly others, behind him. Bush the second, and his minions, and other Presidents, have successfully employed the same technique, with terrible consequences for too many civilian populations.
2
I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping that Canada does NOT join in what will be an unnecessary war. This is just a diversionary tactic on the part of trump.
5
@mariamsaunders
Can't imagine anyone will. Why would they?
1
Is Trump trying to convince the iranians that they definitely need nuclear weapons??
5
It's hard to believe that Washington expects us to buy this.
1
Lies from the immoral Trump Administration. American families with teens and young adults need to be extremely nervous and politically active if they wish to prevent tragedy.
4
I realize that Trump may rumble, stumble and bumble into Iran without Congressional approval, but if a single Democratic legislator votes to approve any such gratuitous and ridiculous hostilities I will seriously consider starting a third party.
4
Pound the drums of WAR whenever things look dodgy at home, like a trade war with China going bad.
5
fascinating how a cabinet can bungle just about every decision regarding public policy, but be almost eerily ahead of the game in preparing for war. im terrified.
3
.
@Karehew,
.
It would take the cabinet to execute Amendment 25, the removal of an unfit Pres. Also, the VP would have to sign on for the removal.
.
1
As others mention, Trump needs a war before the 2020 election.
2
Has anyone considered that if we start a war we might lose? Then what? Maybe we loose a city, or a state, or a water supply or power grid. What if our oil supply is impaired and Americans can't drive to work, or the economy goes to *)(& in a hand basket. Has anyone explained the risks to the country and is the country behind this? Do we think Iran is going to lay down and say Please Donald don't hurt us? People in Washington seem to be taking a lot for granted.
4
We could easily lose a war with Iran, especially if Russia supports them and our allies stand back.
There is no reason for a war. A war pushed by men who never even fought. We won't survive. The planet won't survive.
But to us it's just entertainment. What a way to go.
2
Trump never agreed with any of his own intelligent community findings right from Russian interference, North Korean bluff to Saudi government's involvement in Kashoggi's killing. I wonder from whom he got the intelligence this time.
3
Unfortunately it wasn’t “intelligence” he got or seeked.
1
Someone pls remind our 'Dear Leader' that a new war means end of his presidency. Bush got away on the pretext of 9/11. There is absolutely nothing now to justify a new war. There will be immediate protests on the streets of DC. Just like Iraq there is no clear objective here. Regime change never worked in middle east. Why would this be different?
3
American intelligence has reported that Iran has developed a stealth flying carpet which will be used to attack American interests in the Middle East
3
We may soon find out if our military is loyal to our constitution and our democracy or to Trump.
2
I don’t believe for a moment that Trump intends to attack Iran.
Big bluff.
1
Where are the “Pro-Life” supporters? Eeerily silent when it comes to starting a war where the U.S. is not threatened, it seems.
5
There is a reason that Persia (Iran) has rarely lost a war: geography.
Basically, the people live in the mountains and tanks crossing the desert tar sands are going to get bogged down.
In short, Iran can neither lose a war or win a war -- as Iraq learned a few decades ago.
2
There is no surprise here. Even before Trump's pitiful inauguration, it was obvious that he would start a war in 2019 or early 2020, to bolster re-election chances. He is incapable of solving the real problems facing the U.S., such as climate change, income inequality and healthcare for all.
So he will fall back on good old reliable warmongering--start a war--win the election. Works every time. Like magic!
4
Congress, please exert your oversight duties now--Republicans and Democrats alike. You alone have the power to declare war. Put a stop to this craziness now. The Brits and our pre-Trump allies agree: there is no increased threat. This is almost certainly another Iraq WMD lie. And the Trump administration is infinitely more likely to feed us lies, compared to the Bush administration. In order to stay out of prison, Mr. Trump must be reelected. He desperately needs a war. Mr. Bolton is a Fox TV whacko. Mr. Pompeo is a rightwing extremist. And Trump is Trump. They are all in over their heads. Pompeo and Bolton are ideologues unconstrained by fact. They are all as dishonest as the day is long. And they need to justify their unjustified cancellation of President Obama's Iran agreement. The Obama agreement was not perfect but it was very good.
4
There will be no war , it’s just puberty stricken teenage boys showing off their muscles on the beach saying mine is bigger than yours.
And yet many Americans believe China to be a threat to global peace.
Donald Trump has wanted a military parade. He is jealous of Kim and Putin, both of whom show off their military might. He is jealous of George W. Bush, who got to show off on the aircraft carrier. He has recruited several relics from the George W. Bush administration, many of them signatories of the PNAC - Progress for the New American Century - document that said we needed a "new Pearl Harbor" to get our defense budgets to escalate. Donald Trump applauds like Kim. Get ready for a"Mission Accomplished" banner and a quagmire that will last for the next 50 years. He will also reap the perpetuity of trillion dollar defense budgets and national debt soaring into the neighborhood of 50 trillion.
2
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the sons of god, Mathew 5:9. Don’t let john Bolton and Donald trump push us into an unjustified war
3
Who is more evil, Dick Cheney or Mike Pompeo? My money is on Mike. Why? Cheney had a purposeful agenda with an endgame, Pompeo has no purpose other than to please Trump without regard for consequences.
2
This administration has done nothing but lie to the American public. Why would we give them the benefit of the doubt now?
2
Unless there is significant information that has not been released, the justification for the escalation of force is not apparent. Both sources on the ground in Iraq, and our allies consistent skepticism, are not confirming a level of threat which would justify the escalation. It may be premature to state the obvious interpretation of this situation as a diversionary tactic from the bad news at home from all the investigations that are ongoing and impacting the daily news cycle. But, barring the release of more significant threat information, we have to assume the obvious interpretation of what appears to be more of a ploy rather than a necessary response to real threats.
4
Trump and Bolton want an excuse to engage in a war with Iran which they think that they can win. The Senate under Republican leadership is likely to endorse such a war, not because they think it's a good idea, but because Republicans must go along with Trump or face primaries with extreme pro-Trump candidates likely to unseat them.
3
Another pretense from the suppose "intelligence" for U.S. military to invade and create havoc in already war torn middle east region. Like another Iraq war with the "nuclear threat" intelligence that costs all involved thousands of lives, billions dollars and massive corruptions and money laundry in both U.S. and middle east regions; nothing good but destroyed lives will be the outcome of this invasion ploy.
4
Every single day we are subjected to lies, distortions, criminality, and thoughtless decision making with no regard for the welfare of the United States or its citizens.
It is beyond surreal to think that I consider our government to be intrinsically and criminally dishonest, hostile to its own people, and actively working against the ideals upon which the country was founded. I would gladly renounce my american citizenship given the opportunity to work and live elsewhere.
6
This has "Remember the Maine" written all over it.
This war mongering by trump is overtly political. . .no military necessity. . .Iran hasn't attacked us.
Short of putting boots on the grounds with the goal of conquering Iran; what's the point?
Iran isn't afraid of the U.S. They will fight back; and fight back hard (Iran-Iraq war comes to mind).
Iran has a home court advantage here, and could easily take steps to disrupt the world's oil supply.
With russia next door, this presents an opportunity for putin to manipulate circumstances to his advantage.
If anything, this behavior by trump can only serve to justify to the Iranians why they need nuclear weapons. . .exhibit A, N. Korea.
5
This administration has no credibility. That’s been lost due to Mr. Trump’s incessant prevarications. Any “intelligence” cited by officials as evidence of anything should be regarded with the highest index of suspicion. Are we really to believe anyone in his administration in light of these facts? The news media and politicians of the time gleefully went along for the “Iraq War - Weapons of Mass Destruction” ride. Let us exercise some real due diligence this time folks.
4
The only thing to fear is fear itself. And trump needs to introduce fear ahead of the 2020 election.
5
The White House is instigating all of this critical tension that could result in military conflict..... does anyone believe Trump has actually ever studied the agreement that is in place or listened one minute to our Allies who also signed it ?
We need to get this administration out on the pavement NOW.
3
Look for this war to begin precisely as the economy starts to exhibit the real effects of this trade war, all just in time for the 2020 elections.
5
Here we go, the Iraq war all over again. Hawks leading the country into a war citing dubious reasoning that's ultimately proven false after many lives lost and trillions of dollars spent. Add to that a president who is desperate for distractions from the many investigations into his and his family's conduct. Sad.
3
1st, trump falsely claims that Iran is not living up to the treaty.
2nd, trump pulls out of the treaty, but won't meet with Iran.
3rd, trump re-imposes and then doubles-down with sanctions, effectively crippling the Iranian economy.
4th, trump won't meet with Iran.
5th, trump hires Bolton knowing Bolton is a war hawk.
6th, trump declares the Iranian army as terrorists.
7th, trump threatens nations against doing business w/Iran
8th, trump sends US military warm to Iran - "Just in case"
9th, trump lies about war planning and true to form, says No we are not planning - and then with his tell about lying, says "I absolutely would...and I'd send a lot more troops too!
trump says we will only attack if us or our allies are attacked - the same allies trump has alienated but they do come in handy...
10th, someone (Russia? Saudi Arabia? Israel?) manufactures an attack on three tankers and somehow, it's blamed on the Iranians.
What's Iran to do?
6
The strong do as they will, the weak as they must. Iran is weak, for someone like Bolton, that sounds like Iraq.
This will become another national emergency, I suppose.
4
The defiance of the white house over executive privilege raises legitimate issue that courts have been called upon during several administrations to resolve.
But there is a real constitutional crisis unfolding over who exercises the war powers of the United States. It is clear that the president is the commander of the armed forces.
But it's equally clear that the constitution doesn't not place the authority to declare war in the hands of the executive.
The reasons for this are obvious. The American colonists were being taxed for wars that were initiated by the king and by him alone.
We declined to repeat that experience and so placed the power to declare war exclusively with the congress.
The founders knew that to successfully wage war the nation needed to be united and needed to have the support of the people as expressed throughout their elected representatives.
The Trump administrations march to war with Iran has neither popular support, nor legal support from congress. Yet they persist as if this most constitutional check against an imperial president does not exist.
If we have learned anything from the similar conduct from Bush it is that presidents respond to agenda's that have nothing to do with legitimate national interests.
For Bush it was oil for his oil buddies. For Cheney it was billions for Halliburton. And for Trump it's future perks from Netanyahu and MBS in Saudi Arabia.
This is the constitutional crisis we are really in and congress must stop it.
4
Congress should not allow the President to start a war with Iran. This is time for the Congress not the President to decide about war and our policy towards Iran.
4
Nobody believes the President who cried wolf. This is how Trump's daily lies come back to haunt him and his administration.
3
You can now add provoking a war to the list of political tools used by Mr. Trump. It all makes sense though. I am pretty sure Putin was pre-warned and thought it amazingly cunning, what with his own hackers already at work like little beavers at the foot of a tree in preparation for the upcoming American election cycle. Indeed, you need not be American to also appreciate Mr. Barr’s announced investigation of FBI activity with regard to the Trump campaign in 2016. Yes, it all makes sense - unless, of course, you happen to be a concerned American.
4
I wonder if the President knows how to paint. He should get lessons from W on how to paint portraits of the victims of senseless war. It's a subject Mr. Bush is quite familiar with. He's going to need a lot of paint.
4
After so many years of trumped up charges leading to military disasters (Gulf of Tonkin incident in Vietnam, weapons of mass destruction in Iraq) as well as this president's penchant to lie whenever possible, it is very hard to know if Iran is the one causing a crisis or if we are.
1
It isn’t all that hard, we are. Trump needs a war to win re-election and the Saudis and Israelis would all love to see Iran destroyed.
1
What happened to the unedited Mueller report for all American's to read? What is taking so long?
Who cares what Trump or Bolton is saying. They need to be stopped NOW. We have more than enough evidence.
3
Wag the dog! Whip up a crisis and let the President lead us. I'll bet money he suddenly solves the crisis without solving the crisis himself if at all. It's never about what he actually does. It is about claiming all the credit. He has been pretty short on credit lately.
If he can sell the idea China is paying all the Tariffs, what isn't possible?
1
Just remember.... the axiom goes that "We never un-elect a president while were at war." Trump knows it. Now watch closely...very closely.
1
We saw the creation of the UN post WWII. It worked during the Cold War. It does not seem equipped to deal with a United States that believes it is the Unitary power and has the right to make war.
Reinvention of the UN was proffered as an option by French Ambassador & Chairman of the French UN Association Andre` Lewin in 2003 in the NYTs March 15.
I corresponded with Chairman Lewin on the basis of my model nation of airports. He believed the UN needed a professional standing army of its own triggered by egregious human rights violations. I have come to believe in the creation of a second UN based on precepts written down in Chairman Lewin's paper.
It is unfortunate Andre` died in 2012.
P.S. I did send Chairman Lewin's paper to Nikki Haley early in her tenure. Transcendia, my model, picks up where the UN leaves off.
If this leads to war then the Congress has no reason not to impeach. He's impeachable now but I can see how they might defer. Starting an absolutely unnecessary and unjustified war is treasonous.
6
There is no point impeaching him unless the Senate is on board and we can actually get rid of him. Impeaching him in the House alone will play into GOP hands and just make the Democrats look weak and too partisan.
I really hope that all of those on the outer left are watching this, and reconsidering their positions re Joe Biden. Trump must be stopped. All Democrats should make a commitment to vote for whoever the candidate is. To think that this madman has the power to start a war over a phony pretext, a war which would further destabilize the region and the world, and result in the deaths of thousands of people, is very, very frightening. To sit back and allow him a second term would be not just irresponsible, but morally criminal.
2
@David
I am really disappointed in the Democrats. We have not heard from them yet in this lead up to war in Iran. And where is the MSM to challenge the lies?
1
@David
I am really disappointed in the Democrats. We haven’t heard from them yet in Trump’s lead up to war. And why isn’t the MSM challenging their lies?
Mr. trump is going to start the war to get support for his reelection bid. Time to impeach him.
1
Welcome to the Republican [Trump] campaign for President.
It's the only way they know to win.
2
Meanwhile, where I live, the farmers I talk to have never seen a year like this: winter into summer, and rain never-ending.
A friend's mother died a few years ago. Her last words were: "is the war over? Will we have enough to eat?"
I wonder whether this will be the world my children inherit.
7
To tell you the truth, I wouldn't be surprised if Iran feels emboldened by the knowledge they have the support of both Russia and China. Iran is a military ally of Russia in the Middle East and China is a major importer of Iranian oil. So both would likely give behind the scenes support to the current Iranian gov while America's traditional allies might prefer to sit on the sidelines due to the damage Trump has done to US connections with NATO.
There's also some unintended consequences from Trump's trade war with China. Due to Trump's sanctions against countries who buy Iranian oil, it's in China's interest to see it's Iranian oil purchases continue without interruption from Washington. So I suspect the topic of Iran might complicate US trade talks with China.
All things considered, the Trump administration's previous foreign policy failures could be making the prospects for a satisfactory resolution to Iranian situation worse than they need to be.
4
Let me get this straight. Trump campaigned heavily against the decision made by Bush II to invade Iraq. He campaigned against getting involved in conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere. Yet he named John Bolton his National Security Advisor, one of the chief proponents of the Iraq war and who has also advocated a preemptive strike on N. Korea and also has advocated strongly for regime change in Venezuela. Makes a lot of sense.
16
@JSA: John sounded strong on FOX. That's all it took. No sense, no logic, just our tv president watching tv all day long during executive time.
4
Pushing Iran under the umbrella of Russian aid, protection and support, this could not possibly be part of a Putin-Kremlin plan? Of course not.
1
It makes me wonder about the one hour phone call trumpie recently had with his kamrad.
1
This is all so predictable, and so incredibly sad. Trump needs a war, Bolton has wanted to bomb Iran for years, you put the two together and what do you get? "Significant identifiable threats," a phrase that will live in infamy alongside Bush's "WMDs."
Starting a war under false pretenses is probably the worst thing a president can do. Given that Trump is our worst president, and given his need for a war to prop up his re-election campaign, we should expect nothing less.
265
@Joe M. Agree totally. Must be viewed not as possibile but highly probable. Dark days are ahead.
16
@Joe M.
This can't be tolerated and that's exactly why the country took back the House of Representatives last November. The House has a mandate to protect us from this man who would start a war based on a gut calculation about its political, brand-building value. That's not hyperbole - it's demonstrably the basis for all of his actions since occupying the office. With the likes of Mr. Pompeo at his side, Mr. Trump now has completed construction on his wall against reason and multilayered thinking. Until November 2020 we have only the House to rely on - but carrying signs and speaking our minds can't hurt.
16
@Joe M.
He is even more desperate than previous presidents because he harbors the illusion that as president he is immune to all the fed, state, and local charges waiting for him when he becomes a private citizen.
Sadly, if this war costs treasure and lives that is of zero importance to the coward in chief.
18
Where is Congress? The Administration, particularly John Bolton, is piling up excuses for a war with Iran. We need to have Congress look into what's presented, with all relevant facts revealed to the public, before any further military action is allowed. Congress gets to declare war, or not not the President, not John Bolton, not Saudi Arabia.
161
@Mike McGuire
Exceptional comment!
A lot of folks tend to forget about that band of bad boys, but they are members of CONGRESS.
7
@Mike McGuire It does appear we are doing both Saudi Arabia's and Israel's bidding.
7
@Mike McGuire
What's this thing you refer to as "Congess"?
Do we have one?
4
And how will this be paid for? Selling war bonds to the trump base?
Bolton's war must be constricted to a pay-as-you-go plan.
Any attack on Iran must be met with an immediate Congressional response raising tax rates on those who can afford to pay for yet another war.
To pay for the war the the top 5% of the (mostly non-working) income recipients pays 50% on gross income, corporate taxes increase to 35% on gross profits, all capital gains is taxed as ordinary income.
Second act of Congress? Tie immediate reinstatement of the draft, with no exemptions, to any act of war initiated without Congressional approval under the 1973 War Powers Act.
90
@Myrasgrandotter
Tariffs will pay for this of course... because it is the current talking point de jour of Trump. :)
5
@Myrasgrandotter Or maybe we just, like, don't have a war at all?
13
@Myrasgrandotter: Money is important. I'm more worried about the body bags coming back to their rural red-state homes. There will be a great gnashing of teeth and lots of talk about how patriotic the newly killed were. They'll be honored at NFL football games' halftimes. Won't that just be wonderful?
7
Worst fears are being realized - someone who is actually competant but just as morally corrupt, is steering Trump towards a War he probably doesn't even realize is coming.
By then, it will be too late.
It's shameful how the very people who voted for Trump will be the ones to send their sons and daughters to die in a pointless war they won't even understand.
Why do we care about Iran? What threat is there? What is our goal if we declare War?
7
The biggest threat posed to American forces is an administration willing to casually start a war for no reason other than to distract voters from the avalanche of credible investigations of their criminal behavior. Led by alpha chicken-hawk and liar John Bolton and encouraged by Bibi Netanyahu.
What could possibly go wrong given our stellar record of success in the region? We'll be greeted as liberators. Again.
8
I guess the Gulf War is not over. Mission accomplished , NOT.
2
This is not hyperbole. War with Iran, at this time, under this president, with this NS advisor, will be the final nail in the coffin in American democracy and will likely trigger a global economic collapse.
9
Thinking today of all the smart "progressives" who told us Hillary will get us into new and un-ending wars in the Middle East.
6
So the drumbeat of Trump / Bolton's war in the middle east grows louder. Bolton one of the architects of the Bush Cheney war in Irag (which gave us ISIS) is at it again. Lies, exaggeration's, selective reading of intelligence and an a escalating series of confrontations designed to provoke a reaction by the adversary. Then there's Trumps troubles at home. Ongoing investigations into his corrupt family & business and an upcoming election where war hysteria would distract from a deeply incompetent administration. That includes Trumps tweet about prematurely pulling out from Syria which encouraged our adversary's in the region and signaled Russia that Putin's sock puppet was surrendering the remaining country to the Iranians and Russia. What a mess these fools & Trump have made of our country and its place in the world. How many more Americans have to fight and die for the Saudi monarchies interests? Lets do it again since we haven't learned from all the times before. Sad
8
The saddest fact of all is that no reasonable human being can trust a single thing that Donald Trump or anyone else in his administration says.
13
Mr Putin if you are listening please stop Iran war and save American troops from dying for no reason. Please bring sanity to this administration.
Ooops, I may have committed crime .....
4
So all of a sudden Trump finds the intelligence community credible? Man bites dog.
5
This is shameful behavior from this administration. Peace, not War!
5
Iran is about as much of a threat as the murderous hordes attempting to invade Mc Allen, Texas. Mc Allen, one of the safest cities in the USA.
I don’t think that dropping a Nuke on Montreal could get Trump impeached in this country that has gone mad.
8
“And what rough beast, its hour come round at last". The entire world should be afraid of Trumpism and it's slouching toward war and destruction.
3
@Thomas: The whole world needs to come together against us and stop us cold.
3
Boom, boom, boom, the little drummer boy beats his little drum. Off to conflict we go, off to conflict we go. Boom, boom, boom.
1
I look forward to seeing Baron Trump enlist.
5
@Diane: I'm sure he'll Be Best infantryman!
1
Trump administration finds weapons of mass distraction.
Heaven help us.
5
Oh, dear. We're going to do this again, aren't we?
2
Totally bonkers , finally Trump has crossed the red line himself . Could it be another ploy to distract ? A "fake" war to start a real war , typical of dictators the world around to poorly cover their own aggressive motives . Frightening because once you start one there is no going back and more so because those in his administration that were there as stop gaps are gone leaving only the inept . God save America .
2
On any given day for 18 years a warning of Iranian inspired militia possible attacks could have given. Sunnis have killed 100 times, maybe 1000 times more the number of Americans in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan then Shias or Iranians over those years.
Yet Republican administrations fall for the Sunni KSA line over and over again. I don't know how they can be so stupid for over 70 years.
7
@Newman1979
Very few Americans are even aware that the Shia and Sunni are different sects within Islam or that followers of those different sects generally inhabit different regions and countries of the world. If there is one common American attribute, it is a vast ignorance of most things outside US borders.
3
To George h. W, Bush:
If there ever was a time to redeem yourself, this may be it. SPEAK OUT, George! Tell the world what you've learned.
2
There are whispered rumours that Iran is harboring pistachios of mass destruction.
The US must stand tall and deal with this scourge.
8
Fake threats dreamed by the regime in Washington.
3
John Bolton the hawk who never saw a battlefield he didn't like as long as he wasn't on it.
It is still hard to believe that Trump, the leader of the crazed birther movement has now been POTUS for over 2 years.
How could anyone in their right mind believe anything these 2 spew out of their mouth is way beyond me.
5
If people die and this turns out to be a fake ruse I hope Trump and Bolton are tried as war criminals. Decent Americans should be ready to turn them in. We have president who send Americans to die to satisfy their personal objectives. Our Democracy is dying a death by 1000 cuts.
5
The US has been doing the same thing for years. In 1898 they sailed their Battleship Maine, into Havana harbor, blew it up, blamed Spain, and invaded Cuba. They did the same thing in the Gulf of Tonkin, justifying total war in Vietnam. And they stink up every country they invade.
6
Not a peep out of the Democrats?
Schumer what’s your position ? Don’t bother, we know your position.
1
Now Trump is putting out his own fake news.
2
And so Iraq 2.0 and Iran 1.0 begin...
2
I can’t imagine any President knowingly dragging us into a shooting war with Iran and a trade war with China at the same time. . .
Except Trump. MAGA or bust!
2
Remember poor Collin Powel at the UN swearing that Irak was on the verge of using exixting "arms of massive destruction"?
Now are NK or Iran are on the verge of attacking the USA?.
As my grand mother said, if you see a bee or even a wasp going on its business, leave them alone. Do not go around to try to destroy their nest as long as they are not outright really dangerous.
1
Are we really going to let Bolton and Pompeo kill as many people as they can and in Bolton's case yet again. Haven't we learned from history that killing people only causes more and more problems.
2
I thought trump promised "no more stupid wars".
He's started a trade war, a war on women's health, the environment and now wants war with a country who's done nothing to warrant such.
He's told over 10,000 lies so far.
"Promises made, promises kept!"
One more lie. The cost of which will be lives. Many of them.
The biggest lie of all - making America great again.
When he's finished, there will be nothing great about America ever again.
5
Another manufactured crisis, just like the one on the southern border, except this one has the potential to involve numerous heavily armed players. This 'presidency' can't end soon enough.
9
We need persons to take a strong position against US attempts to manufacture another phony justification for a senseless war. Where are the Democratic candidates on this very important issue at we get closer and closer to another war. Sanders has come out strongly against it in an address but I can't find anything from the others.
8
Without the shadow of doubt, starting a war is a Trump election strategy. Has Trump done anything so far for the good of the country? And guess who's going to put their lives at risk?
8
Tonkin Gulf, anyone? If I recall correctly, that went really well for the US.
5
Maybe Americans should remove the line “bombs bursting in air” from their national anthem. Patriotism seems linked to war.
4
Get ready for the manufactured evidence. It worked for Bush/Cheney in Iraq.
9
With all this saber rattling no one will notice gas prices hitting $4 a gallon in parts of the US.
5
Rest assured this has absolutely nothing to do with Trump's 2020 election campaign.
4
Trump trying to wag the dog to deflect attention from his attempts to withhold the Mueller Report that we paid for from our duly elected Representatives in Congress. Shame on us if we let put a single young American, and the peace of the world, at risk for his craven political purposes.
5
@Anne: My daughter, who is 32, remarked yesterday that after the world wide protests to protest/stop the Iraq war and the huge marches to protest Trump and nothing changed, a lot of people have turned away from trying to protest anything.
We Americans should be living in the streets and not allow ourselves to be herded into 'protest zones' far away.
We cannot do another war. And with Iran? Iran is not Iraq. Iran will be a much more formidable enemy.
We should not allow one American service member to be killed in a Bolton/Pompeo war of choice.
2
Does anyone besides me think that this is just the run up to the season finale of Trumps current reality show?
6
Mueller report, Immigration, and Tariffs, maybe Iran is Trumps way of "wagging the dog"
1
This sounds very much like the hype that surrounded the invasion of Iraq in 2003 under the pretext of the existence of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Hopefully, there are people, outside the White House, who have learned from the lessons of the past and will push back.
4
Bolton, Pompeo and Trump should be indicted by the ICC any launches against any country which are unjustified.
5
We've known all along that when the walls started closing in on him, Trump would start a war. Here we are.
8
This is all hype. Once all the nonessential people comes home, they should stay home. There is no need to have so many people in Iraq. Cut the state department budget. Trump trusts Putin over our intelligent agencies. So, if Putin says there is credible threat, then I believe there is credible threat.
The Saudi's are behind this. Make no mistake about it.
That "credible intelligence" US officials claim to have to support heightened military presence at this moment in time ---> Saudi sourced I'm sure, and no amount of CIA pushback on it will stop it... because Trump only trusts Israeli and Saudi intelligence sources.
4
BALONEY! European military officials in the region say there is NO CHANGE in the conditions there. It's all a HOAX!
5
If Obama and Pelosi had not let the last set of war criminals off the hook, we might not be facing another unnecessary war today.
2
Can anyone say Gulf of Tonkin?
Pretext for a war that John Bolton supported but felt that he, personally, shouldn't have to risk his like in. A war that Donald Trump invented bone spurs to avoid having to risk his life in as well.
2
John Bolton wants his war and so does The Donald.
The people of Iran and the US will pay dearly for this.
2
Sounds like expensive sabre rattling to me.
2
John Bolton's lifelong dream of attacking Iran is getting dangerously close to happening.
It's time for Congressional Republicans to wake up and rein in their monster. Now.
6
What's the best way to get reelected? Start a war. Only, Americans aren't as gullible as they were in '03.
2
@WP
They're not?? Tell me, who's the president again?
1
Let's make a deal....
We'll agree to ban abortions to protect the lives of "unborn children," if (and only if) we also ban our military from killing men, women, and children in other parts of the world.
The lives of unborn American children are no holier or more worth saving than the lives of other people in other countries.
End of story.
1
Hilarious.
Dear Americans, I know you have a short memory, and an even shorter attention span. So... I can tell you the movie Trump, Bolton, Bibi and MBS are trying to sell is very second hand. The production is costly and the budget out of control. And If you try to sell this to your allies, you will be laughed out of the concerned capitals.
2
I only wish laughter would have some effect, but it won’t.
The hawks are mongering for a War.
Good for profits if you invest in weapons. Probably only prospects - short of stealing the election outright- that our commander two bit Bonespurs has of staying in the White House.
Cynical.
Can we please make a Nueremberg process for these demons?
In the age of no privacy for everyone else, those in power should be recorded, voice, video and brain patterns.
Armaggedon beckons.
2
After losing two wars next door, they must figure the third folly is a charm. Once more for the endless endless war. Tell me about the troop withdrawals in, say, twenty years. Imbecile Trump. Promises Made, Promises Abandoned. (US troops still in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria).
4
What did the Middle East ever do to John Bolton? Wasn't he already going down in history as the architect of the foreign policy mother of all disasters in that same region, and now he's back for more? This provides a good lesson, people like Bolton who cause such trouble should be held fully to account for their elaborate and costly deceptions - not permitted to skate!
3
There are thousands, perhaps millions of words that should never appear in the same sentence as Donald Trump
At the top of that long list you will find these three:
War with Iran
3
You buried the lead - the last paragraph should have been first.
Bolton had an Op-Ed published in the NYT that war was the "only" option. It also called for regime change. Do the Google, folks.
A similarly corrupt game is being played by Bolton and Eliot Abrams in Venezuela.
3
Bolton has always been and always be a war hawk. He is a scary actor.
But in the administrations defense, this may be extra caution in attempts to avoid another Benghazi.
"We think it is roughly around half a million people dead. And that is likely a low estimate," says Hagopian. "People need to know the cost in human lives of the decision to go to war."
The survey responses point to around 405,000 deaths attributable to the war and occupation in Iraq from 2003 to 2011. At least another 56,000 deaths should be added to that total from households forced to flee Iraq, the study authors estimate. More than 60 percent of the excess deaths of men, women, and children reported from 2003 to 2011 were the direct result of shootings, bombings, airstrikes, or other violence, according to the study. The rest came indirectly, from stress-related heart attacks or ruined sanitation and hospitals.
Source: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/10/131015-iraq-war-deaths-survey-2013/
All based on A LIE. America the disgusting.
6
They’re most likely just making the threat up. Can’t trust a thing from this administration.
3
It is within Congress' authority to declare war. It is a co-equal branch of government, and Trump should be so apprised.
Accordingly, the Trump administration should be meeting with the appropriate Committees of Congress so they can be briefed, and authorize any such, further action.
This is starting just as our last Iraq war, and alleged WMD, which turned out not to be true.
And our allies in this matter differ from the White House in this matter.
Unless and until that time, there appears to be no reason to proceed without appropriate, Congressional legislative authority.
15
@Quandry
Trump has willfully disregarded Congress without any serious consequence. If he starts a war without their vote of approval his action will effectively bring an end to our democratic republic. The 243 year old experiment will have run its course.
Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground.
1
The Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees in Congress have not been briefed or given any intelligence on these illegal moves by the White House. British intelligence denies there is any reason for Trump’s bluster.
The White House is refusing to turn over any documents regarding Jared Kushner’s “Middle East” policies or anything else Congress needs to perform their job - “Oversight.”
This is a runaway train headed by a president who has absolutely no foreign policy experience, a National Security Advisor who has wanted a war since the nineties and a Secretary of State who is not fit for his job.
This is a Constitutional Crisis that could start a World War. Where are the Republicans? Where are the checks and balances? We are creating Tyrannical Rule in this country and I am not hearing enough outrage.
27
If Obama had not paid for the rearmament of Iran, this would not be happening.
Thanks Obama.
Russia will hopefully sit on the side and this will soon be over.
@AutumnLeaf
First of all.
Obama didn't pay for the "rearmament of Iran"
Get the fact straight.
Do the research or Google it.
1
I certainly hope that a war is not part of Trump's reelection plan. It seemed to work for George W. and I wouldn't put it past Trump to try the same.
9
The anguished handwringing of democrats due to the former republican party's failure to stand up to this president reflects the denial of so many democrats that the GOP as it existed 30 years ago simply has vanished. It is Trump's party now as we see. The sooner it is grasped and accepted the pushback can be accelerated more effectively. The opposition should be vibrating at maximum intensity in order to counter this dangerous rogue regime.
4
This is just the start. I remember during the run-up to the Iraq war, the right labelled anyone who criticized W a traitor. Don't be surprised if the mere act of supporting a Democratic candidate will be seen as treasonous. "We can't change leaders in the middle of a war. Our enemies will see us as weak." Remember that? Fox and conservative pundits will hammer that point into the ground.
19
Once this tragic presidency occurred, all I asked what that Trump not start a war with a hostile government with any nuclear capability - Iran, North Korea, for example. Guess that was too much to hope/ask for.
10
"It does not matter whether the war is actually happening, and, since no decisive victory is possible, it does not matter whether the war is going well or badly. All that is needed is that a state of war should exist.”
― George Orwell, 1984
20
The German Defense Ministry announces it was suspending all military operations in Iraq due to growing regional tensions. Apparently the US isn’t the only Western country who feels there is a legitimate threat.
Yes, the Germans think Trump is starting a war and they want no part of it.
1
"responding to what the Trump administration said was a threat"
No, all independent information is that this is preparation for an attack on Iran intended by Bolton and his crew.
8
I wish people would take a look at a map of the Persian Gulf, Trump won’t you can be sure. You will note that all of the ships coming out of the gulf with their cargos of oil has to pass through the very narrow and winding Strait of Hormuz. If we attack Iran the Strait will be closed to all shipping. This will cause economic disaster throughout the world. It is time to pull the plug on the warmonger Bolton and his crazy ideas.
8
@Harry
Guess whose oil exports don't have to go through the Strait of Hormuz?
(hint: rhymes with Prussia)
1
Wait. The US making up reasons to attack another country? One that has lots of oil?
Why am I not surprised? Oh, right: because it's our history.
9
If we are going to War without having first been clearly attacked, then I want to see Trump's two sons, Jared and any eligible sons/ grandsons of Pompeo and Bolton enlisting in the Army or the Marines and volunteering for combat jobs.
8
Sadly, all of this just makes me think there is something massive coming in one of the many pending investigative fronts, causing Trump to preemptively seek new means of distracting the American public from his disgraceful conduct.
Truly a race to the bottom.
9
Here's a Christian thought on warmongering...
.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
.
That just about let's us off the hook. And the message applies. Boltrump is certainly not without sin. SecState Pompeii likewise, and we remember God's wrath there.
1
Another ratcheting up for war! This is disgraceful, disgusting, and dishonest. Iran is not a military threat; but Trump and his neocon foreign policy team of Bolton and Pompeo are. If Trump had not torn up the Iran nuclear accord, there'd be no reason to threaten a military attack if they restart their nuclear enrichment program. This is Iraq and WMDs all over again, but against a much more powerful adversary with the potential to engulf the entire Middle East in a war that may bring outside forces like those of Russia. The House needs to pass a resolution condemning this and open impeachment hearings on the reckless, seemingly out-of-control autocrat in The White House. One day it's a major economically destructive trade war with China, the next it's the potential for a major military war with Iran. Adult supervision is required; the Congress (the House) must step in.
6
American Public must hold its politicians who are beating war drums to account before it is too late.
2
Congress must stop Trump's war-mongering lackeys from attacking Iran. Bolton and Pompeo are itching to create another Gulf of Tonkin incident. and they likely have help from Israeli and Saudi proxies. We have seen this movie before and it does not end well. Remember how Nixon and Kissinger prolonged the Vietnam war to ensure Nixon's reelection in 1972. We must stop this insanity NOW.
6
If ever there were a need for "trust but verify," it is with the Trump regime. Let's see the details of the provocations. Why is the situation now so fraught; the timing of this sudden "threat is awfully suspicious.
Based upon what's so far been revealed by our regime, something isn't passing the smell test. The overnight truculence toward Iran is only explainable by pending domestic events: Don Junior's Senate appearance, and a court ruling opening the gates of Don Senior's financial statements.
What color is skeptical? Color me that.
26
@PaulB67 - For me the "trust" in "trust but verify" ended quite a while ago. I wouldn't trust Bolton or Bannon as far as I could drop-kick them, and their boss isn't much better.
6
@PaulB67 No - with Trump, NOT "trust but verify." It's DISTRUST and try to find out what the truth is.
5
@PaulB67 - For me the "trust" in "trust but verify" ended quite a while ago. I wouldn't trust Bannon as far as I could drop-kick him, and his boss isn't much better.
1
Only Congress has the power to declare war (per the Constitution, remember it?)
Every citizen should call their representatives and senators and demand that they prohibit military action in Iran unless POTUS comes to them and asks for a declaration of war. That is the way it is supposed to work.
If trump starts a war (no matter what he calls it) with out Congressional approval, the Joint Chiefs should refuse to act (as they took an oath to the constitution, not POTUS) and Congress should impeach POTUS.
This is serious. This issue is the difference between America and whatever we become if we don't adhere to our Constitution.
72
Congress has not been very respected lately by this administration.
6
@George Bradly
I daresay the general American public has a better sense of the U.S. Constitution than this president does,
8
@George Bradly
They just classified a iranian group as a terrorist group, which would circumvent this law.
1
It's not a new idea, but if Bolton, Pompeo et al really want a war so badly be it with Iran or Venezuela, let it be stipulated that Ivanka, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. along with any children Pompeo and Bolton may have and their parents be the first in a fire fight with, say, the Revolutionary Guard.
Then we'll see how long these ideas fly.
34
@Chris Of course like everything else in modern America the system is rigged so the wealthy never bear any consequences. The front-lines of our military are now manned almost exclusively by working class Americans.
4
Our future is in the hands of the Senate now. If they don't stop this dreadful administration we will certainly be in another unnecessary war. Mitch holds the answer.
14
@Michael Roberts
The only thing this Mitch McConnell/Republican-controlled Senate has shown is a willingness to block every Democratic-sponsored legislation and continued blind support for this president.
There's your answer.
6
@Michael Roberts You mean the same Senate that put boofer brett on the supreme court and cover for trump's lies and dishonorable behavior every day? Rots of ruck.
2
well, we’re truly lost.
2
If there’s one thing we can be sure about Trump hates war and king US entanglements in the Middle East/Afghanistan and in fact has been trying to get us out of these. It’s fine to have hardliners like Bolton on board, but Trump comfortably ignores, disagrees with and fires advisers and cabinet members he doesn’t agree with. Unless Iran attacks us outright, Trump is not committing to war. This is just New York Times pseudo-saber rattling to stir up the base since the Mueller witch hunt didn’t work. A great economy and an anti-war President - what’s not to like?
2
@XLER Do you remember when campaigning he said that if he did go to war: " It would be the GREATEST WAR EVER?"
1
@XLER
If he is "anti war" why is he sending a carrier force on the door steps of Iran?
On the other hand, and taking into account Bolton's and Trump's will to topple the existing regime, and the precedent of the hostage taking in Teheran, prevention is better than hypotetical cure.
1
Unfortunately, this Administration has no credibility whatsoever - rather, in fact, the opposite: you have to assume they are lying until proven otherwise. The Iranian government is indeed pretty reliable, also, as a lying bad actor. So now we as the U.S. public have absolutely no way of knowing in any given instance which government - theirs, ours, or both - is lying to us. Given the very unequal military strengths, it is a little hard to believe that the Iranians, whatever other mischief they are up to, are spoiling for a fight with the U.S. military. It is far more likely to be the other way around. Or, to be more precise, not the U.S. military spoiling for a fight, but the Trump Maladministration. This time, though, unlike with Bush and Iraq, Trump will get zero support out side of his base. No one will rally to him because no one will believe him.
21
It is very difficult to keep the military industrial complex in the ascendancy without the odd war now and then.
11
As Haaretz tells us that Putin has urged the USA use caution in its meddling in the Mid-East I cannot help but remember the old maxim "Be careful what you wish for!"
Russia achieved what it desired and has roiled Europe, North America and the Western democracies. I hope and pray that Russia and Putin can control the disrupter they put in the White House now that the entire world cannot sleep at night. We live at a time when even Atheists are lifting their voices to the heavens because a good outcome is as likely as winning the lottery, at best it is a distant long shot.
5
How convenient. This is starting to feel like the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Trump preparing for the election?
20
Does anybody believe this? After the non-stop barrage of lies throughout this Administration? The slow death of the USA is accelerating more and more. I had some hope after the 2018 elections, but it's fading as we witness the cowardly silence of Democrats on this matter. If the Republicans are not soundly defeated in 2020, I will reluctantly conclude that the death of the USA is sadly deserved.
8
Listen to BBC News and France 24. Our traditional allies UK, France and Germany are not with us. The British commanders in Iraq have been quoted "there has not been any Iranian engagement in the area".
The UK is dealing with an unpopular government because of BREXIT, Trump has alienated Germany and France for a variety of reasons including his trashing of NATO.
If Trump wanted to start a war with Iran we will be alone. Bolton, Pompeo and Trump doesn't know that we rely on our European allies not only in boots on the ground but in logistics.
Trump trashes out NATO allies for not paying up, meanwhile they paid for it in blood during the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I highly doubt they're going to get tangled into Iran because President Dumpster Fire needs a distraction.
19
The Trump administration has no credibility. Pompeo and Bolton are warmongers. They must be stopped. We cannot endure yet another war based on pretense. The dominoes are falling. Take to the streets now before it's too late.
16
Sounds like Russia is trying to provoke the US into another Middle East quagmire. Nothing would tear this country apart more than an un-necessary, un-winnable Middle East war...
6
Very worrisome. Re-occupation of Iraq by a large U.S. army seems to indicate that Bolton/Pompeo - now in full control in the Trump WH - intend a land invasion, not just air and missile attacks, on Iran.
This may be part of Trump's 2020 election strategy; start a war with Iran, then accuse the Democrats of treason for opposing it.
8
“But officials in Iraq and elsewhere have voiced skepticism about the threat described by the Americans.”
“Intelligence and military officials in Europe said that over the past year, the aggressive moves have originated in Washington, not Tehran.”
Bolton and Pompeo are determined to force the US wage war against Iran in order to overthrow the Iranian government and replace it with the terrorist group, MEK/MKO/NCRI even though the terrorist group is despised by an overwhelming majority of the Iranians inside and outside Iran. In this context, they will falsify and fabricate reports in order to justify the war against Iran.
What is despicable and unpatriotic is the fact that Bolton is a paid spokesman for the terrorist group whose members have murdered top American military officers, top US civilian contractors, attempted to kidnap the US ambassador in Iran, took part in holding American diplomats as hostages, and bombed American companies in Iran. Not only that, instead of arresting the members of MEK/MKO/NCRI and prosecuting them for murders, kidnapping, hostage taking, and bombing American companies, Bolton, Pompeo, and many US lawmakers, and former officials speak on their behalf and host them. How can the US administration, lawmakers, and former officials ignore the cold blooded murders of the American military officers and civilian contractors, and hostage taking of American diplomats in Iran? Why is the media not demanding the prosecution of the terrorist group?
4
I think it should be clear that Trump is not a reasonable man. His continual misrepresentations of reality to conform with his efforts to manipulate a political base that is poorly informed and mistrustful of anyone who tells them truths which they don’t
want to believe is becoming dangerous. Trump does not appreciate real risks and he does not study issues about which he makes decisions with reason and care. He makes gut decisions based upon no experience. He accounts for no consequences beside his immediate objective. Reasonable people do not believe anything he says without independent confirmation. This man is dangerous, not because of his nasty behavior but because he is reckless.
10
America is only one war away from the bankruptcy. This war is nothing more than Trump and republicans’ way of distracting Americans including his own base and putting our men and women in harm’s way.
9
So when the entire intelligence community comes out and says Russia manipulated the elections in favor of Trump, he denies it with bald-faced lies, but when an unknown intelligence source — one that is not verified by a single Ally in the area — says there’s a threat of attack in Iran, he’s all over it, pulling out the state department? Right. Now the real crises is here and it’s name is Trump. Every single alarm bell in Washington should go off. This President needs to be removed from office. He is starting an illegal and unjustified war. There can be no other explanation.
16
Face it, Trump's intelligence source is Fox News.
5
This is it right here. The consequences of advisors with their own agenda who are able to manipulate an incurious president with the information they feed him. The consequences of a president who gets his policies from Fox And Friends and acquaintances with dubious judgement who pander to his ego.The consequences of not having a Secretary of Defense who really understands of what the heck is going on and gives considered advise. The consequences of not treating congress as a co-equal branch entitled to the facts of this situation. And most of all the consequences of a President who cannot be trusted to tell the truth about anything to the American people. This is how the world will end, not with a bang but a Twitter.
7
Bolton still nurses a grudge over the hostage crisis of almost 40 years ago. Trump can’t remember why Iran sends him into a sputtering rage.
3
Given the current White House crew’s record on veracity, it seems more likely our allies are not in the mood to spin the yarn of a dangerous Iran.
The lack of historical perspective is astounding:
- More than a thousand uniformed US and, depending on your source, 150,000 to 1,000,000 Iraqis lost their lives due to our misguided efforts to uproot Saddam and his henchmen (who still are out there stirring up trouble)
- Estimates vary, but the US sank $2 trillion dollars in Operation Iraqi Freedom, which after all interest is tallied, will be $6 trillion
Surely there is a better path forward than the one being contemplated.
7
John Bolton is trying so hard to start WW3. He and Trump would love nothing better than to send thousands of U.S. servicemen/women to their deaths. For Trump, this is a diversionary tactic. For Bolton - I think he just has mental issues and wants to start a war. Where is the opposition in Congress to this insanity? I am tired of winning.
10
A war designed to distract the American people.
75
@James A
From all the other distractions?!?
2
This is likely a ploy to get Putin to call Trump. Once Putin calls and strokes Trumps ego all will be forgotten.
What’s new in Venezuela?
17
WMD redux. Bolton and Pompeo instead of Chaney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz.
56
@ML Sweet
Totally correct, but why doesn't the american people ever wisen up? Are they living in a vacuum?
2
@ML Sweet
All Republicans. Has to be our blood for their money.
2
America definitely doesn’t love its children.
50
And here we go. War with Iran. Trump supporters will find a way to blame it on Nancy Pelosi and socialism somehow. My brother is a US marine and this is a disgrace.
76
For sure, anyone against war will be labeled un- American and will be targeted by the deplorable base.
3
Can we please get back to what the Mueller report really said before this faux president gets us in a major war to divert attention from his criminal self???
85
Is that the USS Maddox I see floating in the Gulf?
4
If we do go to war in Iran, I think Mexico should pay for it.
58
@Larry
This is a very serious article but I cherish your comment for making me laugh out loud. Thank you so much Larry.
5
@Larry Oh, that's rich! Thanks for the chuckle, we need it.
2
“In order to get elected, Barack Obama will start a war with Iran.”
Donald J. Trump, November 29, 2011
Is there anything Trump wouldn’t do to serve his own interests?
136
Dear Patrician, what did the people of New York City truly think of Donald Trump back in the 80s 90s?
4
@Jack M B Selway
We knew him as a liar, a blowhard and a con man whose endless self promotion (like buying up copies of his book to make it a best seller) went from mildly amusing to odious. Despite all that, we didn't think much about him, as he wasn't a threat to human life, American principles and the Constitution.
That was then.
19
No. Clearly not.
2
John Bolton. Yale educated, so he's not stupid. Why in the devil's name does he think invading Iran is a good idea? But what do they teach them there, at Yale? He has a law degree. Does that qualify one as an advocate for mayhem? Is he another skull and bones guy? Are there underlying financial considerations?
24
Is the dog wagging yet?
28
Here it comes. Dubya came close to relegating us to Third World status. Trump is determined to make it stick this time. A literal “Ship of Fools.”
42
As John McCain liked to sing, “Bomb, bomb, bomb . . . Bomb bomb Iran . . . “
5
All for show, to give the illusion that Iran is moving against the US so we can once again justify a war. Only this time, since this administration has alienated all other allies, there will be absolutely nobody standing shoulder to shoulder with America except for Israel and Saudi Arabia. Let's see how much treasure they commit to the cause.
49
@confounded Not to mention how much unnecessary blood will be spilled.
2
The Trump tragedy continues. Trump thinks he's going to be different, he's going to be America's hero, but just like everyone else whose inhabited the oval office he is forced to fall into line with the party that brought him to the dance. He's done next to nothing to stem illegal migration, he's not drained the swamp, he's not made abortion illegal, he's not tamed our military, and he's not making the American economy the colossus it once was. He's accomplished remarkably little and what he has instituted is basic Republican boilerplate, tax cuts for business interests, deregulation on behalf of the same interests, business friendly Supreme Court rulings, and, finally, enrichment of the military industrial complex, including large increases in warfare-welfare. I don't think Trump wants to take America to war but the choice is not up to him. His only success so far, such as it is, is to institute high import tariffs against China. We'll see if he is able to maintain that stance. Sadly, men may write their own history, but they do not write it as they please.
14
A wartime president is unlikely to be voted out of office. Low information citizens will buy the official claim that the U.S. was attacked by Iran and that Iran acted first. Yes, there will be casualties. No, the administration doesn't care. Tax cuts for the wealthy will remain in place until 2025.
41
@Fishkill Please remember Nixon.
None of this should come as a surprise. Not the war (if there is one), not the runaway deficits (which there are), not the callous sinister treatment of children, not the dishonesty and deciet...none of it. DJT if anything is consistent.
22
A few (not entirely rhetorical) questions:
How many lives will be sacrificed at the altar of Trump's ego? We've seen this before, haven't we? Where are the Howard Bakers or the Lowell Weickers? Where are any Republicans with a modicum of integrity or common sense? What have we come to in this country?
19
@rlc
If Trump listens to Bolton and Pompeo, and the US unjustly attacks Iran, other than thousands of innocent Iranians losing their lives, thousands of American soldiers will be killed and many more will be severely wounded.
3
If there is a threat from Iran (there might be), it has been created by Trump & Company where there was previously no threat.
Trump is beating the drums for a war with Iran that is completely avoidable and unnecessary.
American service men and women will die in this war just to help get Trump reelected.
Many more will receive physical and mental injuries that will alter the course of their lives and their families lives just to get Trump reelected.
America will be bled by this war just to get Trump reelected.
If you support Trump and the Republicans in 2020, you will be partially to blame for this war, and the consequences to the Americans that will suffer as a result of a war designed to get Trump reelected.
46
Myself and others started commenting a year ago that when the walls started closing in on trump that he would not hesitate to send troops to die for his political life.
Here we are.
33
Our intelligence indicated that Russia tried to affect the 2016 election, and now its indicating that Iran is posturing for some sort of attack. People like to doubt intelligence reports as it suits them, just like our allies who wish to do business with Iran and balk at the Trump administration.
2
@Don Q
We only have Trump, Pompeo & Bolton's word that there is intelligence that Iran or its' proxies are planning to attack us (just why Iran would do something to invite war with us is a good question). Given that Trump is the most blatant and shameless liar I've ever seen in US politics, his word isn't good enough, and his flunkies are no better.
1
Where are the voices in Congress opposing these aggressive moves by Bolton and the re surging neo-cons in an effort to start a war with Iran? Come to think of it where are the questioning voices in the media?
20
Glad to hear the Brits so quickly pushing back against the misinformation/propaganda being proferred by Bolton and Trump.
Adds new meaning to the phrase "Trumped Up." Hopefully, our allies, if they are still such, won't put up with what are obvious lies from the White House to start a war to bolster Trump's flagging poll numbers.
20
The Democrats are eerily silent. Why are they cowed to this threat of another war being led by the Neocons? I would not be surprised if Trump already knows the Democrats will say very little about this threat of war against Iran.
12
Are we seriously going to let this happen? Blood n' Guts Bolton has been transparent for decades about his desire to wage war on Iran. This is as predictable as it is Trumped-up. Where is Congress? Where are the Americans who care about the world becoming far more dangerous, and about putting our overtaxed, undersupported troops in harm's way to serve the fringe agenda of the oddballs and misfits who make up this administration? Hello?
14
Bolton and Pompeo are so transparently creating the fiction of an aggressive Iran, which I think is a harder sell to the American public than the previous case for war against Iraq. Unfortunately, Congress seems too dysfunctional to step in and put a halt to it. Trump, who doesn't seem to pay attention to what his cabinet secretaries do until it hits the headlines, probably has no idea what's going on. And although he is the worst president we have ever had (see the previous sentence), he does seem averse to this kind of foreign entanglement. He would likely put a stop to full scale war.
But I could see Pompeo and Bolton being wily enough to begin provocations with air strikes. Once we lose pilots to Iran's air defense, then they make a case for a ground invasion.
To avoid this mess, we should all be writing our Congressional representatives asking them to halt Pompeo and Bolton. Tie them up with unceasing Congressional grilling.
17
First in contempt; first in deceit; and last in upholding the Constitution.
13
Fox may convince its viewers there's a threat, but the consequence of all the administration's lying is that it lacks any credibility with more than half the American people or with any of our allies. If we try to attack Iran, only Israel and the Saudis will be at our side, and the world will know why we're doing it. Let's hope that our generals start resigning rather than carry out attack orders.
11
How much damage is this so-called President going to do to distract us from his corruption?
13
Gulf of Tonkin. WMDs. Lies. And more lies. The war machine is at it again, socializing costs, privatizing gain.
15
Sounds like complete insanity. I thought Trump rejected the complete waste of people, time, resources, credibility these adventures of the past incurred. No good, only bad comes of follies like this. Makes Bush's Iraq foray look benevolent. Forget about learning the lessons of the past, Trump is keen to make even bigger blunders. Why even think along these lines, because his war mongering NSA fancies it? All this does is make friends enemies, enemies more so and accomplish nothing except body bags. Total madness.
9
Wow! I can't believe the rumors after the invasion into Afghanistan turned out to be true - the master plan of the United States is to slowly but surely capture and capitalize on the Middle East. Let's start with a solid base in Afghanistan, and slowly make our way into Iraq, and now Iran. If Iran fails, no US opposition remains and the Middle East is in full control of the United States. This is horrific!
1
@PC
And Dan Bilzerian is the King of the world!
USA has not been able to contain Taliban, made a mess of Iraq and Syria, and if we truly interfere with Iran... this will destabilize ME. And who knows what consequences?
I don’t need even want to imagine.
1
Here we go again. It’s the second coming of the GWB administration. Bolton, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz planned to march to Tehran after toppling Saddam. They were foiled only by the disastrous occupation and civil war in Iraq. Now Bolton has his chance one again, and he’s taking it. This is very very bad.
13
The Saudis just had two of their oil tankers attacked and their oil pipelines were attacked by drones deep inside the country. Iran is the alleged culprit.
These are neither imaginary or ordinary events.
1
@AVR
Alleged culprit - alleges by whom? Lot's of groups in the mid-east have it in for the Saudis and the Emirates - Al Queda, ISIS, Houthis, any number of groups. And with a Crown Prince who ordered the murder and dismemberment of a journalist (for being mildly critical of the regime) who are you going to belive?
1
@AVR
So where is the threat to the US?
Or are we going to go to war for the Saudi's? The ones responsible for the 911 attacks.
1
I guess our president has determined the only way to get re-elected is to start a war. Right from the failing GOP’s playbook, party over country.
8
The only threat related to Iran is the cheap sabre rattling by the loathsome Trump administration.
Why the US can never change an aggressive position once taken is beyond me.
Cuba has been an enemy for 60 years. Obama was on the right track but has been derailed by Trump.
Vietnam was a disaster. The US learned nothing from the defeat of the French.
Iraq was a lie told to the world by Bush and Rumsfeld who have the blood on their hands of not only the 3,500 Americans who dies but that of hundreds of thousands of iraqis. In a perfect world both would be in prison for war crimes.
And the disaster that is Afghanistan after 18 years and a near complete military defeat shows no sign of ending.
The world will condemn military action against Iran. What has the US to gain except the usual misplaced support for a government at war that Trump likely thinks will give him a 2020 win?
15
Wonder how many of our young soldiers will be returning in flag draped coffins as a result of Trump declaring war on Iran.
11
@Alex Vine. Before you get there, how about the coffins of the diplomats you risk first? You know, the ones without the guns? The whole point of the article is the Embassy drawdown.
@Alex Vine
Many thousands more than those killed in Iraq.
1
@Isavelives
First, there is no threat from Iran. It is a fabricated lie. Second, our embassy in Baghdad is like a fortress. It is very difficult to approach it.
Regarding the threats to our troops and diplomats in Iraq, Iraqis have never given up fighting the US occupation of their country. They despise the US for destroying their country and as a result, want the US out. No need for Iran to tell them what to do.
3
“Americans may be upset by my scandal, but I am doing such important things in foreign policy that you should think twice before wanting to throw me out." ---Richard M. Nixon
War with Iran? This is Trump trying to create a reason to keep him in office. Deplorable.
7
Trump's plan for an Iranian invasion:
1. Tweet about sending more than 120,000 troops if he has to.
2. Praise Bolton.
3. TBD sometime, or reverse course tomorrow.
4
Number 45 aches for a war, which in his antiquated thinking will make him a hero. He "reasons" only traitors will vote against a war-time president. He wants re-election more than he wants to protect peace, bah-lieve me.
Follow the money. He is backed by Big Oil and the Military-Industrial complex (arms manufacturers), who all profit from a Middle East war.
And incidentally, where does #45 get off re-directing billions of budget dollars approved by Congress for the military "needs," to build miles of wall at the southern US border???
7
Wars, in literal terms or against trading partners or against migrants, appear to be what's left for this White House to do, in order to please the GOP base.
The country is going to pay, with rotten soybeans, with military spending, and ultimately with our soldiers' lives. This is shameful.
3
"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week that the administration had received intelligence related to “Iranian activity” that put American facilities and service personnel at “substantial risk.”
I wonder if this is the same "intelligence source" that informed Trump that he had destroyed ISIS.
This administration is as deceptive as the Iraq days of Bush and Chaney.
It's a scary and ominous atmosphere when one tends to lean towards Iran's claims over that of the U.S. President. My lack of faith and trust in this administration is growing exponentially.
217
@Marge Keller -These same people who refer to our intelligence agencies as "fake news" and "deep state"?
I don't believe a word from Pompeo or Bolton. They lie as easily as trump.
40
@Deb
I agree. They all feed from the same slop trough.
21
@Marge Keller an "intelligence source" for trump is a dream he had, something he read in a conspiracy tweet or some Russian note passed to him through the line of lunatics he takes advice from.
No rational person should believe ANYTHING he says especially when he refers to "information" he has "been given" (ie: things he has made up to make his position palatable to his base)
20
Ridiculous but worrisome move. Reminds me of the evacuations of U.S. embassy staffs from virtually all "Muslim countries" in the month before the Gulf War broke out, which was supposed to "send a message to Saddam Hussein." As a former foreign service diplomat, I was living at that moment, the first week of January 1991, in Morocco with my family and we were evacuated back to Washington. Believe me, there was zero security need to evacuate from Morocco except for the "signal sending" that the U.S. was engaged in. Conclusions: The U.S. did put together a large coalition to invade Iraq a month or so later to retake Kuwait from Saddam, and after the short war we all were able to return to our Embassy posts. Fast forwarding to today, it looks like the same "message sending" with the difference that there is no rationale for starting an armed conflict with Iran.
50
@C.L.S.
Unfortunately, there is a rational reason; To create a diversion from Trump's failures back at home and to get the military-industrial complex back into action.
Make America Great Again, War is Peace.
6
Having watched the Iraq war from the sidelines, the Iranians know full well that if the US want to destroy Iran they will make up a reason and then do it. An unfortunate consequence of this is that they (the Iranians) have very little reason to think that they have any choice but to act preemptively. They cannot hope for intervention from the UN, other countries, or common decency to intervene on their behalf. Having seen the Iraq war, and now looking at an administration lead by the likes of McConnell/Trump/Bolton what is a country to do but defend itself in any way possible? American, I fear that we are putting ourselves in a very bad position
300
No, Iran is not going to act preemptively, because nothing they can do will successfully preempt US military action, if that's what our reckless "leaders' have decided on. Iran's leaders absolutely understand that reality.
On the other hand, and as usual, our senior warmongers do *not* understand that Iran is more than capable of making the US (along with much of the region and the world) pay dearly and for a very long time for any attack. What Bonkers Bolton imagines as a cakewalk would almost certainly become a nightmare in short order. Again.
Of course, our "defense" contractors and the other sectors of our economy who make out like bandits on every military misadventure, successful or not, would . . . make out like bandits. Again.
47
Wag the dog.
103
@EMiller. Exactly! Also a side effect of their lying 24/7/365 is that if ever there were a real wolf, would anyone pay attention?
4
Wagging the dog, folks.
51
Fool me once ..., fool me twice ... Sounds like a Weapon of Mass Deception.
134
Bibi and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia are cheering Trump on since they want the US to attack Iran. No thought given to loss of American lives. Who could believe ONE word coming out of the Trump administration of gaslighters.
163
Is this similar kind of international drama optics, that Bush-Rumsfeld-Cheney trifecta staged before going for Iraq incursion?
WH and Bolton reek of war-mongering.
85
The looming dangerous actor is Fox News.
If Fox takes up Bolton's agenda and continues the drumbeat to war, it is on.
94
@John Adams
The buck stops with Trump!
If there "really" is a threat, then let the Saudis deal with it. It's in their back yard, not ours.
121
If there is a "threat," it's really likely that the Saudis are participating in cooking it up.
27
@NM Slim
The Saudis are the threat.
1
@NM Slim What happened to plain old MAGA?
1
Trillions of dollars wasted and thousands of American lives lost and they still hate us. The worst US blunder in our history. Why even have such a large embassy.
16
No, tensions are not rising between the U.S. and Iran. Tensions are rising between Pres. Trump and the U.S. electorate.
116
@Joe Ryan
One can only hope that there is a growing chasm.
9
@Joe Ryan If only...
Has anyone in congress seen this information? What is its source. Can the source be trusted. Does the source have an interest in provoking a US/Iran incident. We American do not know. Is this another WMD story?
Bolton will provoke a war and no one will know why.
45
What intelligence? Could this be intelligence from the same people that the president called inept, an intelligence agency that he wouldn't listen to? I am confused now he listens to some type of chatter that says the Iranians may or may not be planning to attack our Embassy? Why is that because it changes the narrative? Where is the Senate in all of this?
30
Everything we seem to have been fighting in the Middle East seems to have Iran hiding in the shadows of it. Perhaps it's time we spent our time fighting in the light to actually see the real enemy there. War of the Worlds meets Allegory of the Cave, if you will.
4
@John Doe Don't kid yourself, John. First shot fired and the Gulf becomes impassable to shipping. Instant oil crisis.
On one hand, we have Republicans all in to protect any American life with a heartbeat, no matter the cost to the mother. On the other hand, we have many of the same Republicans falling in line to casually snuff out as many Iranian heartbeats their President says are necessary to advance his evil political agenda. No matter the cost to their Iranian mothers.
64
@Brucer
Republicans only care about money and power. They don't care about the lives of others, otherwise, they would demand the prosecution of the members of the terrorist group, MEK/MKO/NCRI, murderers of American military officers and civilian contractors, and hostage takers of American diplomats in Iran especially when there is no statute of limitation for murder.
2
Obvious provocation and escalation. This administration really wants a war with Iran, and is trying to drum up any pretense for invasion
26
And the drumbeat grows louder, a bit at a time. The analogy of the boiling frog comes to mind, as Americans are slowly lured into invading yet another country, creating chaos and tragedy on all sides, just so one small man can hold on to his job. (Hey, it worked for Bush...)
23
The Trump administration is proud to willingly lie its way back into yet another war by creating conflict out of thin air. While they try to take away your healthcare by actively sabotaging Obamacare, they’ll justify another trillion dollar war and blame the Democrats for fiscal irresponsibility.
16
Stop them please. Senators please no more blood and treasure for Bolton and Bannon.
Cheney is certainly involved. This is an openly clandestine operation if that is possible. It is with precedent in 2003. Only much worse. We are now a dictatorship out on the open and a theocracy in the making and our leadership is full of false prophets and Nephilem. There isn’t a light shining anywhere for Americans as a nation united anymore.
Florida was usurped in the election twice. 2016/2018. And DeSantis won’t say which counties. It’s a mess on every level.
21
The EU and especially Germany better be paying more attention or they will have several million Persian refugees in their laps. At least these refugees will be much better educated than the last wave from Obama. Trump will unleash Israel to take out the Iranian nuclear program once and for all if he is provoked by more drone attacks.
7
@Charlie
I am an American living overseas.
You obviously have no idea of the character of the Iranian people.
1. They are a country of over 100 million people. They are not Iraq or Afghanistan or even Saudi Arabia.They have a proud and long history that goes back 2,000 years. They have been themselves an empire several times before.
2. It doesn’t matter how many dissenting voices you might have Iran, and how cruel and oppressive their government can be, nothing compels unity among Iranians as fighting a foreign enemy.
The way that this is going down on the part of the US, its media and elected officials is total madness.
6
It all sounds so Russian!
7
@Lily:
to me, things never sounded more non-russian.
it has the echo of "WMD in iraq!" ringing LOUD.
another "bush-fire" spreading ...
fire-fighting planes operating anywhere?
Where's the " yellow cake " ???
Sad.
16
this is a religious war. we are fighting for the sunni mohammeddans against the shiite mohammeddans.
5
@snark magic: ... religion
has NOTHING to do with it.
it's about ECONOMIC POWER.
resources. dollars revolving ...
Weapons of mass destruction anyone? This administration is an abomination. I’ve been saying they will drag our nation into a war. Have we learned nothing from the past?
20
@Aejlex
You hit the nail right on the head. Has Congress been advised of these threats and don't the American public have a right to know as it is our military in harms way. But Trump and Bolton the draft dodgers have no problem starting a movement that could lead to war.
9
Pompeo, Trump's pit-bull, is hawking alternative facts about Iran being the boogeyman in the Middle East today. He'll say or do anything to distract Americans from the realization that their president is bound for impeachment sooner or later. "Iranian activity" -- Mike Pompeo's words --harks back to Saddam's fake WMD in 2002. The Honorable Gen. Colin Powell bartered his well-earned high office, our Secretary of State, for the mess of pottage that was G.W. Bush's demented war in Iraq (and Afghanistan).
Keep an eye out for the way Donald Trump will say or do anything to help him win a second term next year. The Pentagon is again crying wolf --- that Iraq is now on "a high level of alert". Iran is the next "regime change" target for President Trump and his war hawks in the White House. Don't forget that John Bolton, now Trump's National Security Advisor of the U.S., was the guy who asserted in 2002 that Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction. Enuf said.
26
The administration plans on placing 120,000 human targets in the Gulf, to instigate another misbegotten war. Republicans, you have already sacrificed your reputations on Trump’s altar. Redeem yourselves. Don’t throw our soldiers on the pyre.
44
All of the proven liars from the Bush administration are back in power.
Why do they falsify data to embroil America in another middle east quagmire? It appears that we have no strategy other than chicken-hawks strutting about sending other people to play out their macho war fantasies.
We did not punish the liars last time, so they are back!
If I were in the military I'd report to sick bay with bone spurs.
24
This intelligence comes from a reliable, highly placed informant code-named Curveball. John Bolton has personally verified it.
6
@Jack
I read "Our Man in Havana" years before the Iraq sequel. I thought at the time Greene's story was meant as an intellegence parody--amusing but hardly "real life". And then...life almost exactly replicated what happened in the book!
I don't consider myself an intellectual becuase I've read Graham Greene, however there is a cost to having a society that never reads or studies any history and prefers talking about and watching pro-sports. Chomsky marvels at this. I'm disgusted: does John Bolton (a hypocrite coward in my book) get to decide about our next invasion?
2
Donald Trump running a war with Iran. Can we even imagine anything worse?
29
@MIMA
Yes, Tr*mp being re-elected with a Republican majority in the Senate.
We are living treacherous times, but not necessarily because of Iran's expansionary role in the Middle East; by the unscrupulous and irresponsible warmongering appetite by Trump and Bolton instead. Have we learned nothing from the past, as Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld drove us to invade Irak under false pretenses, with untold suffering and killings and waste of resources, for which we are still paying? Are we this stupid? Where is Congress, to clip Trump's wings towards a fabricated disaster in the offing? Unless we moderate our worst instincts, we may be at the brink of an institutionalized violence, where an unhinged president divorced himself from Congress' oversight, the rule of law and the constitution. This is abhorrent!
13
Surely Iran has no greater ally in DC than John Bolton. By arguing for war against Iraq in the aftermath of 9/11, he helped unleash a catastrophic invasion and occupation that strengthened Iran’s hand in the region, and in Iraq specifically, not to mention the hand of radical clerics and jihadist troublemakers.
And by arguing for war again now, using the same playbook of provocation and manufactured intel, he will isolate America diplomatically from allies, further weaken us financially as we engage in another unwinnable war, and sustain losses to life and military hardware, and expose our assets to blowback all over the world, in addition to dividing and further weakening our nation on partisan fault lines.
13
It’s Duck Soup come to life.
3
Hunker-down this embassy and blame Iran.
Move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Any further orders for Trump, Bibi Netanyahu, as you prepare to push the United States against Iran on behalf of Israel?
18
Whatever happened to the war criminals who invaded Iraq in 2002?
Oh, right. They got book deals, professorships, and seats in boardrooms.
There never is a Nuremburg Trial for the victors.
23
@CgatesMD " They got book deals, professorships, and seats in boardrooms." Not to say positions in this administration.
3
Well, without Veep around at least Trump and Co. are decent enough to leave us with a laughable scripted comedy in its place. Selena has better timing too.
5
You mean the President and his administration lied? How could that be? They're usually so honest.
5
The embassy is a huge fortress, the safest place you could be in over there. Are they going to evacuate to the Holiday Inn?
7
I work in Iraq with a humanitarian organization. I am a woman, and I carry an American passport. Even with Iran-backed Shiite militias, (Hashd al Shabi, etc) I rarely face trouble at checkpoints here related to my passport, and I have done in-the-field distributions of relief supplies in areas that still experience attacks by IS insurgents despite their effective defeat.
Today I am sitting in my office, and it is just another day. Except that the U.S. Embassy has apparently evacuated. But please trust that it is not based on any apparent escalations here.
303
@T.S.
Thank you - we need to hear from more of you. Your voices need to be irrefutably loud to drown out the D.C. scammers.
36
@T.S.
Seems it is the US that told them to evacuate, apparently due to threarening action or rhetoric against Iran and they may fear retaliation by Iran. Iran is not going to start a war they know they likely will not win.
7
@T.S.
Escalations are unpredictable and affect primarily the first victims. Anyone can be their own data point if they wish.
1
How obvious is it that the threat of impending impeachment necessitates a war of distraction?
24
Oh boy, a war with Iran. That would really rile the stock market, but the price of oil would sky rocket. That’s good, right? All Trump needs to do is weaken the dollar and that will help push oil to new highs.
These Republicans really know how to make money.
13
We have 2.5 years and more's worth of extremely strong reasons to suspect that this is going to be a wholly cooked up military campaign, the ultimate expression of all that makes Mr. Trump horrifically, nightmarishly unfit for the office. Either it was always just a matter of when or he has just recently crossed the mental threshold to "yes, I really can do it and nobody can stop me." I think it's probably the latter - first he had to aggressively churn the ranks of senior staff members until he felt snug within a coterie of likeminded lackeys. I'd add to that the observation that Benjamin Netanyahu, for whom this would appear to be a gift, now has the confidence (provided by Israel's recent elections) to push his White House associates in this direction.
6
Yesterday, in the cold and rain of a fine Maine spring, I and five others held signs up to the evening rush hour. I’m 79 and the youngest was over 60. It was a sad attempt to say no to the Trump administration and the continuing war on our citizenry, if there is hope it is not to be found in the shaky legs of old folks. We need the youth. With all respect for the energy and reason of likes of Ocasio, Omar, Presley, we need the youth of the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War protestors. We need people to take to the streets. We need to, at the least, jam the machinery of oppression. And we need the youth for that; young legs that can outrun arrest to protest again. We need Black, Brown, White, Asian and Indigenous to act in unity for their future. Old legs can hold the ground for a moment, but we need the youth and we need disruption, Please.
110
@Jeremy Chapman
Well said Mr. Chapman!
10
@Jeremy Chapman, your comment moved me. Non-violent, respectful disruption ... we can do that.
2
@Jeremy Chapman
Thank You. We did this in the 60's & 70's and now we're in our 60's & 70's... your comment/action is motivating. I will pass this message along with much more urgency to every millennial I encounter.
When the feet hit the ground is when everything changes.
2
The Trump Administration and its billionaire backers are out to convert “alternative facts” to reality, just a few more steps toward the chaos these folks are building to assist the demise of democracy and install their Oligarchy.
22
"We won't get fooled again."
Care to bet on that?
Fooled or not, looks like we're going in. And no matter who you voted for, WE elected him. We let that happen. He's doing this in our name.
11
I am exhausted and am trying to rally myself yet again to protest war. I am 72 years old. Many 18-year-olds have never lived in a society free of United States' engagement in violence in multiple countries.
We demonstrate bogus outrage at the nuclear weapons of others, and remain the only country that has rained nukes down on ordinary citizens,
Whom can we blame?
The military industrial complex? The cowardly Republicans who relish war as long as there are surrogates to fight? The Democrats who vote for war and then compose "mea culpa" memoirs "regretting" their decision?
Maybe even Obama, whom I voted for because of his antiwar stance and who then selected a war hawk as his Secretary of State, vigorously promoted her ultimately failed presidential run, and thus inadvertently unleashed on the world a vile and nihilistic Trump?
I am furious with all of them! They have betrayed us time and time again and we return for more. Whom will we hold accountable and when?
I watch and listen to the outrage of the young people over the death and psychological destruction of their generation, and fervently hope that their resolve will carry them through to an eventual victory over this cancer of endless war.
But I myself am beyond weary.
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@TM
Excellent post. Sadly, the people of this country do not matter to them. So our elected officials really do not represent us, it appears. Seems they are only interested in being re-elected and raising money and support for that purpose.
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I’m old enough to remember the Gulf Resolution that started us on the road in Vietnam!
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Trump and more importantly Bolton are whipping up hysteria about Iran to justify military action. They need to be stopped now.
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Is anyone surprised that this is happening? From the moment Trump brought Bolton on as NSA we knew war with Iran was the endgame. Bolton has been pushing this war for decades. Trump just wants an easy enemy and distant war he can use to galvanize the conservatives and please the hard liners in Israel. With Netanyahu’s re-election the deal was sealed.
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I think I know what was in John Bolton's letter to Santa.
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The coalition of pro-Israeli American wealthy donors and the evangelical Christians has driven Trump - in his quest for votes in 2020 - to allow Bolton and Pompeo to come up with this contrived intelligence on Iranian "activity" and lead to war.
Another set of voters for 2020 supporting a war are the military industrial complex corporations and their Congressional representatives who push for jobs in their districts.
This is what it's all about - 2020.
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This story has a familiar ring to it. A Republican president, himself a chicken-hawk), surrounded by chicken-hawk advisors (Bolton) eager to gin up a war for totally dubious reasons. Reminiscent of Bush, ringed around by Cheney, Wolfowitz, and Rice. Trump, of course, has the additional motive of wanting to deflect attention from his many actions that should land him in jail and destitute. Contemptibly enough, he wants to undermine the sane balance of power his fine predecessor had achieved -- but then, as we all know, he wants to undermine all things Obama.
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meaningless show to promote the lies of the US being threatened.
Bolton's problem is that we KNOW he is lying. Same with Pompeo. We KNOW he is lying.
We KNOW they want war and will use every trick (AGAIN) to get there.
Trump's problem is that he hasn't fired these 2.
The UK military leaders say there is no sign of any Irranian activity.
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We have sat through this noir movie before. And what did it get us? Dead or wounded soldiers, parentless children, childless parents, widows and widowers. All for what, and why? At some point Congress MUST intervene. It was complicit, Democrats included, before our preemptive strike against Iraq. Now Bush has become Trump; Cheney, Bolton; Powell, Pompeo. We Americans MUST stand up to Congress and an unhinged Mr. Trump. If we go to war again, we are no better than this deceitful, lying, exploitive administration. We are perpetuating the violation of human rights from our borders to the Middle East.
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I think trump has evacuated more embassies than Obama now! Another win!
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Well, that may have something to do with their heightened feelings of fear. Fear of Iran. Fear of mothers. Fear of children. Fear of women. Fear of science. Fear of facts. Fear of loss. Fear of the real world.
Fear and a lack of respect others.
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So either the credible threat isn't real or we don't waste our time sharing our intelligence with coalition partners. With friends like us, who needs enemies? Or is it that we only share intelligence with those who are gullible enough to believe it? Let's see is there anyone around the world who would believe anything that comes out of Trump's mouth? Hmmmm. Let me think for a.......millisecond. Yup, There are people like that. But it ain't the Brits.
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@Walking Man
oops, the UK went off-script
"The Pentagon’s Central Command released a statement saying that General Ghika’s comments “run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S."
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Trump has apparently read one document. It’s the playbook written by W and Cheney for the Middle East. He’ll soon be screaming No Collusion and Mission Accomplished.
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How I wish Mathis were still Secretary of Defense—
Instead of a Trump-sycophant Boeing executive.
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@srwdm But going to war will help Boeing recover from their greed-caused engineering debacle of the 737 Max. Gotta keep those multi-million dollar bonuses coming in for Boeing execs and the Secretary of Defense's own retirement.
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@srwdm How I wish Obama was still President of The United States...
Designation of Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a 'terrorist' organization is ominous. Can the 'terrorist' designation be used to side-step Congressional war declaration and instead use the AUMF against Iran?
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@John B: "to side-step Congressional war declaration"
Since the last US declaration of war was June 5, 1942, against Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary, and since we've done plenty of war-fighting in the intervening decades, I don't think that the 'side-step' will be hard to execute.
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Are we being played???
“No, there’s been no increased threat from Iranian-backed forces in Iraq and Syria,” Maj. Gen. Chris Ghika, speaking from Baghdad, told reporters at the Pentagon by video link. There were dangers in the region that were constantly assessed, he said, referring to “noncompliant actors” among the militias, but those have not changed.
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@Claudia Jones: This comes from a country that is definitely not friends of Iran. It shows clearly that our Government AKA Trump is continually lying to us.
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Without any Iranian provocation, the U.S. is moving towards starting a war against Iran. They have done nothing to start such a war. Rather, it’s the U.S. who is the outlaw regime. It’s the U.S. who unilaterally breached the successful Iranian nuclear arms control pact. It’s the U.S. who imposes crippling sanctions on Iran. It’s the U.S. engaging in provocative military actions (such as moving our fleet to the region to saber rattle), among other things.
We have no allies (except the repugnant Saudi regime and Israeli crook Netanyahu) in this quest to start an unnecessary war. There is no reason to fight the war.
The only way to stop this march of war is to impeach and remove Trump. He has to go. Now.
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@Demosthenes
I know we've all heard the jokes about the current administration starting a war to increase their chances of re-election, but this is starting to look frighteningly real.
My first concern is that if the current occupant of the White House want to go to war, he will bypass all oversight and unilaterally declare war (probably via Twitter).
However, my primary concern is that this administration is drastically underestimating the human cost of any action against Iran. Don't get me wrong, the US military is incredibly powerful, but Iran isn't Afghanistan or Iraq.
The US will be facing a far larger, more organized, and better equipped opposition than they have in a very long time. I'm certain the losses will be much heavier for Iran, but there will be sizable American losses.
This won't be fighting a guerrilla force, planting IED's and scampering away. This will be an entrenched (and experienced) military with a wide range of anti-vehicle and anti-air equipment.
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@Demosthenes Or, we choke Iran off from the rest of the world. They give up trying to erase Israel off the face of the earth and can't send more rockets to Hezbollah in Syria?
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@Charles Segal ~
SO causing tens of millions of innocent civilians suffer and die is a good idea? With a government that is likely to attack us in ways that cannot be prevented.
No wonder why so many countries don't like the US.
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Iran will need an embassy in Iraq when the dust settles. Or the Embassy may become a monument to and reminder of the outrageous excesses of a formerly great world power.
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How does the evacuation order square with Pompeo saying that the "United States does not seek a war with Iran"? We're either moving purposefully towards another unnecessary war in the Middle East or we're witnessing the Trump administration's ridiculous theatrics. What happens if there's a skirmish between American and Iranian forces while tensions are high? Alternatively, could our allies in the region (especially Saudi Arabia and Israel) misread our bluster for serious intent and initiate their own anti-Iranian actions? It's highly unlikely that any good will come from our saber rattling whereas the potential for adverse consequences is rising quickly.
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Dan, the democrats (sic) didn’t vote for war. No one has voted for war since World War II. For a while (Korea, Vietnam), we called them “police actions”. Now we call them “wars”. Of course our current president, by his own admission knows more about all things military than the generals. He went to military school after all (and dodged the draft). And Bolton did 18 weeks of active duty (to also dodge the draft). We'll be fine. With those two military experts at the helm, what could go wrong?
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“Mission accomplished!” That was almost two decades ago. Now, one of the key players responsible for “securing” Baghdad is National Security Advisor. God help us all.
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@Bradford Neil
"Mission accomplished".... I shudder every time I think of those words. I had just a big of a shudder when I saw John Bolton being appointed as the National "Security" Advisor - what a misnomer of a title that is.
1
The dog is being wagged before our eyes.
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@Gary Schnakenberg The Wag the Dog war was a fake war. This war will be all too real.
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@James D BUt the reasons for the war are all fake.
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Whatever happens with Iran - I hope POTUS pays attention to all 64 plus slides that the Pentagon may show him as part of a PowerPoint on Iran war preparations.
I say this because the 43rd was similarly briefed with 64 slides on Iraq which itself is hard to believe.
I worked in the oil patch for 43 years - I don't ever remember anyone putting such a stack together for a presentation to a boss.
Buried on the 45th or so slide, risks to invasion and war preparations were listed. One bullet point among ten or so on that slide alone was lack of post war preparations.
The 43rd obviously missed that bullet point - no one can blame him after having sat thru 64 slides.
And the 45th is known for even less patience.
But I hope, someone on his staff asks that important question before they jump into the expected fire.
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A government run on propaganda for fuel, paying lip service hypocritically to the now-dead Constitution - while the sheep graze stupidly - that's America!
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@Max duPont
Or, at the very least, a substantial subset of it?
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Given the track record of lies and deceit of the current administration, one wonders if this is yet another manufactured "alternate reality" with the sole purpose of starting a war, any war, or is it an emerging pattern of the GOP in general? Remember the Bush claims of WMDs in Iraq, which were found to be totally baseless and used an an excuse to get the U.S. into a war.
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@Ellwood Nonnemacher
Anyone who has been paying attention knows regime change in Iran has been on the agenda for years. This is for the benefit of Israel and Saudi Arabia and likely not for any benefit to the US
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Now that Boeing May find it difficult to sell their products around the world when other countries impose tariffs making the Airbus plane a better choice. Trump and company can just gin up yet again another Middle East war to transfer massive amounts of tax payer money to the military industrial complex.
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It’s plainly obvious that the Trump administration and Republican Party is attempting to create a pretext in order to distract the US voting public away from its abominable behavior and record of the past two and one-half years. We’ve been here before during the Bush/Cheney years. This time we need the Democrats in Congress, the mainstream press, and the conscientious public to resist the lies and mendacity being promulgated by Trump, Bolton, Pompeo and the warmongering cabal of Republicans regarding Iran.
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@Ben
I Couldn’t disagree more with you that this is a distraction. At the heart of this conflict is Israel and Saudi Arabia, and the military industrial complex working towards Iran’s annihilation.
The American people will be fooled again, and millions of people will be displaced and hundreds of thousands will die.
The Neocons are still in power, now more than ever.
The democrats will vote for war again as they did in Iraq.
The conscientious public you mention is a minority, easily overrun by the likes of Fox and the ABC/Disney empire.
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@Dan
And I’ll disagree with you. At the heart of this faux conflict is Donald Trump. He wants a war. He appointed people who want a war too. Any sane Israeli knows that a war involving Iran can blowback in their direction. Any sane American leader knows a war with Iran will cause death and destruction with no benefit. Donald Trump is not sane. He really really wants a war. The generals will have to stop him.
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@Dan Have you learned nothing in the past 2 years? You seriously think that Trump is going to bother getting congressional approval?
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