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Sounds like Iran dodged a bullet this time after Trump's speech. Must be some back-channel negotiations going on and probably explains why Iranian missiles only blew up sand. He did say more economic sanctions will be forthcoming but didn't sound like any type of US military response was imminent.
Tightening of the economic noose. That doesn't bid well for those in power in Iran. They've been dealing with public unrest since November. They're dealing with 70% inflation.
Another wasted opportunity.
Wish we would have put warheads on foreheads before the first missile landed.
Reagan shut down Gaddafi in '86 - not with "greater sanctions" on Libya - with bombs on target.
Iran will continue their terror campaigns across the globe, and as soon as they are successful in a substantial attack, they will claim it was the real revenge for Salami's assassination.
Just more kicking the can down the road with the potential for Iran to become more dangerous and have greater defenses when the time comes.
Do you think that Libya was "fixed" by Reagan? Gaddafi was ultimately taken down internally, long after Reagan was dead.
You can't bomb Iran straight. It will require the people of Iran to do it. We will, however, not stand idly by and let them propagate their war of terrorism in the rest of the region. We also won't fund it (Thanks Obama!).
I agree it certainly doesn't solve the Iran problem. But did you watch his brief speech? The very first thing he said, even before greeting the nation, as he got to the podium was:
I think that's sending a pretty strong message. He also left the door open for further strikes. He also threw Obama under the bus re: the cash he sent them.Quote:
As long as I'm president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
It also helps immensely to keep our people safe over there. Iran obviously didn't want this to escalate because they know we'd hammer 'em. They don't want that. But they do want to save what little face they have left at home, especially with how volatile the social situation is there. They waste a few missiles blowing up dirt, nobody gets hurt, little if any damage to anything, and they don't get their asses handed to them on a plate. We know the whole regime thing doesn't work...it never has. So to what end do we really want a larger scale conflict?
As much as I like to see our military in action I like seeing them kept safe even more. I think this was a pretty darn good move quite frankly. Trump comes across as stable and level-headed and that can only help to build support for us in the future. Believe me...I'd like to see Iran left as a smoking hole in the desert. But that's not gonna happen so this is a pretty good alternative.
Side note: The bottom is falling out on oil prices.
Looking at the satellite battle damage pics on Fox, some missiles definitely hit operational areas and damaged equipment/infrastructure. Shifting the impacts 100 yards could have resulted in major damage to aviation assets.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/pictur...r-base-in-iraq
Not sure if lack of casualties was intended or just luck.
No one can fix anyone in the Middle East. But they can break enough of their stuff and scare them enough to keep them quiet for decades - Reagan. They will rebuild and start up again, and you will have to smack the crap out of them all over again, but at least you had a few decades with less concern.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gman
When was the last time Japan caused trouble?
Ultimately, get every last American out of the Middle East and let them kill each other. This proxy-war money-transfer nonsense needs to end.
I did see Trump's speech today. I also saw his statement on Saturday, "if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets... Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD."
Well?
Where did they hit any Americans or American assets? Ain Al Assad Airbase is Iraqi. We have some people there, but where's the support for your statement?
The two suspected missile types launched by Iran against US forces, Fateh-110 and Qiam-1, are not "precise" enough to have intentionally avoided causing extensive damage.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-missiles.html
Fateh-110 has a 100m CEP (Circle error Probable). Qiam-1 has a 500m CEP.
https://missilethreat.csis.org/country/iran/
Iran did not avoid casualties and damage through intentional precision.
Look at the crater pics and estimate a 500m diameter circle around the impact points to see what could have been hit.
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/01...8508711371.jpg
As to the bases being Iraqi and therefore no US assets present? You have got to be kidding.