Cadet Bonespurs starts a war with Iran

[Ariane]

Trump is responsible for the airstrike that took out the leader of Defense of Iran, escalating a conflict to all out war.

US kills Iran's most powerful general in Baghdad airstrike

BAGHDAD (AP) — The United States killed Iran's top general and the architect of Tehran’s proxy wars in the Middle East in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport early on Friday, an attack...

apnews.com

If this escalated to WW III, it will be the entire world, except maybe Israel, against us.

 

[Ishina]

Happy New Year!

 

[Caliandris]

Currently, I fear the USA far more than any other country in the world. It is the country which has invested more than any other in war, and where people in power make a lot of money from the war industry. This is going to hurt ordinary people on both sides far more than those who take the decisions. I pray for peace and the ability for all of us to stop spending money on killing and instead spend money on solving the problems of climate change, poverty and ill health. We have the resources to do that, but not the will at present.

Edited to add the comment from the UN rapporteur on extr judicial killings:
The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing has said the targeted killings of Qassem Suleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis violates international human rights law.

In a Twitter thread, Agnès Callamard said the US would need to prove the individual targeted constituted an imminent threat to others. “An individual’s past involvement in ‘terrorist’ attacks is not sufficient to make his targeting for killing lawful,” she said.

On the White House statement about the airstrike, Callamard said: “The statement fails to mention the other individuals killed alongside Suleimani. Collateral? Probably. Unlawful. Absolutely.”

 

[Sid]

Qassem Suleimani's death threatens to open grisly new chapter in Middle East

Killing of powerful Iranian general will have far-reaching consequences for Trump

www.theguardian.com

The leader of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds force was a bearded icon of the Islamic Republic, arguably its second most powerful figure after the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Killing him was a blunt act of war against a substantial regional power. Its half-million-strong armed services are the most potent military force the US has faced since confronting the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army more than 60 years ago in Korea.

And while the consequences of Suleimani’s killing are unclear, what is almost certain is that Trump has not thought them through. He made the decision while on holiday at his Florida resort. He did it without the sombre presidential address to explain his actions to the nation as is customary at such pivotal junctures in the country’s history, merely tweeting out a US flag and leaving it to the Pentagon make the announcement.

 

[Argent Stonecutter]

Was listening to NPR this morning and they had a couple of random experts being interviewed about it going "the timing is difficult to understand" and not one of them mentioned impeachment.

 

[Fionalein]

Trump is responsible for the airstrike that took out the leader of Defense of Iran, escalating a conflict to all out war.

If this escalated to WW III, it will be the entire world, except maybe Israel, against us.

Expect the rest of NATO having their own mind on following a madman. Remember how reluctant NATO already was following G.W. Bush into his "War on Terror". This will only contribute to the decline of the former powerhouse US. The parallels to the Russia's struggle to regain importance in world politics after the Fall of the Sovjet regime are disturbing here.

Rest assured, WW III is still a long way from us (not that this matters to US cannonfodder abused for a reelection campain).

Was listening to NPR this morning and they had a couple of random experts being interviewed about it going "the timing is difficult to understand" and not one of them mentioned impeachment.

I don't expect them to be so stupid, maybe they are part of the propaganda machine.

 

[Jolene Benoir]

Was listening to NPR this morning and they had a couple of random experts being interviewed about it going "the timing is difficult to understand" and not one of them mentioned impeachment.

Nor did they mention upcoming election.

 

[Eunoli]

You guys do remember Wag the Dog, right? Lots of people have been predicting something like this would happen soon.

 

[Sid]

Expect the rest of NATO having their own mind on following a madman. Remember how reluctant NATO already was following G.W. Bush into his "War on Terror". This will only contribute to the decline of the former powerhouse US. The parallels to the Russia's struggle to regain importance in world politics after the Fall of the Sovjet regime are disturbing here.

NATO members have no obligations to members who go to war. NATO is a defense coalition.
But if Iran decides to military strike other NATO members or military attacks or invades US soil...... it will be no longer non-committal I guess.

 

[Isabeau]

 

[Fionalein]

NATO members have no obligations to members who go to war. NATO is a defense coalition.
But if Iran decides to military strike other NATO members or military attacks or invades US soil...... it will be no longer non-committal I guess.

Embassies are technically part of that nation's soil. They could try fabricating a "defense case" like Bush tried with 9/11. Problem here is: even if it should be an Iranian attack it would be a retaliation strike.

 

[Sid]

I was thinking of more serious war actions like missiles on Washington or troupes landing on the west or east coast of the USA.
Don't underestimate the striking power of Iran (there is even a possibility they have nukes) and their fanaticism against everything that even smells remotely like USA.

Added:
Terrorist attacks are most likely though. Iran has plenty of those warriors trained and available.
And that would mean the rest of the NATO can play the "are you kidding" card just like with GWB's war on terror.

 

[Sid]

In times like this it is a good idea for Americans to follow serious international news sites like the Canadian and British ones.
Aljazeera can give a good counter weight as well to the propaganda machinery, that now is triggered by the deeply rooted US patriotism in their society and media.

 

[Ishina]

 

[Cristalle]

In times like this it is a good idea for Americans to follow serious international news sites like the Canadian and British ones.
Aljazeera can give a good counter weight as well to the propaganda machinery, that now is triggered by the deeply rooted US patriotism in their society and media.

Yes, but then "You're being influenced by Russia" if you can handle inconvenient facts.

 

[Kamilah Hauptmann]

Persian rug is now a Freedom carpet.
So I hear.

 

[Isabeau]

Two months ago:

 

[Isabeau]

 

[Veritable Quandry]

Thing is, I have known a number of Iranians who came to the US. Most in the period from 1978-1980. Americans from Iran or with Iranian ancestors are more likely to be opposed to the Islamic government.

 

[Fionalein]

Thing is, I have known a number of Iranians who came to the US. Most in the period from 1978-1980. Americans from Iran or with Iranian ancestors are more likely to be opposed to the Islamic government.

as if that matters... once upon a time Germany put every Iranian immigrant on a List of possible Muslim "endangerers" fun fact: Many Iranian immigrants in Germany come from the persecuted Christian minority....