Cut To UNIFIL Forces Is (Not) Another Great Trump Achievement
The Associated Press says that the Trump administration's achieved another great foreign policy victory.
UN council approves cut in Lebanon peacekeepers as US sought
Paragraph 1 and 2 of 24:
The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Friday cutting the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon and expanding its mandate to address U.S. and Israeli concerns about activities of the militant group Hezbollah in the area.The French-drafted resolution reduced the troop ceiling for the force, known as UNIFIL, from 15,000 to 13,000 under U.S. pressure.
Paragraph 6 and 7 of 24:
The resolution gives the United States a symbolic victory, but it almost certainly will also be welcomed by many countries that view UNIFIL as critical to maintaining peace in the volatile region and strongly support its current mandate which is largely maintained for another year.“Today we halt a long period of Council complacency on UNIFIL and the growing and destabilizing influence of Iran and its client, the terrorist organization Hezbollah,” U.S. Ambassador Kelly Craft said in a statement after the vote.
Paragraph 22 of 24:
According to UNIFIL, it currently has about 10,250 troops including more than 9,400 ground troops and over 850 naval personnel assigned to its Maritime Task Force. In addition, the mission has about 900 civilian staff, both international and national.
Before the mandate renewal UNIFIL had 4,750 fewer troops than the mandate allowed for. It now will have 2,750 fewer troops than it mandate allows.
There were additional minor changes to the mandate which will also have zero practical consequences. To achieve this great victory the Trump administration had threatened to veto the mandate renewal and to end the funding for UNIFIL.
France, which had the lead on the mandate rewrite, found that funny:
"Veto and then what? They will deploy 10,000 marines to replace UNIFIL?" a senior French diplomat told me.
It was an empty threat by the Trump administration but it led to an outcome that can be sold to the domestic fan base as great victory even as it changed nothing.
I for one find this kind of foreign policy action great. No one was hurt by it. Nothing got damaged. All involved got what they wanted.
Shouldn't we wish for more of this kind of policy?
Posted by b on August 29, 2020 at 17:11 UTC | Permalink
I for one find this kind of foreign policy action great. No one was hurt by it. Nothing got damaged. All involved got what they wanted.
Shouldn't we wish for more of this kind of policy?
Don't attack b for his sarcasm here!
Take note of the "(Not)" in the headline.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Aug 29 2020 17:32 utc | 2
Israel uses Beirut blast pretext to change mandate of UN force in Lebanon
After the explosion ...
US backs Israel demand for UN to bolster UNIFIL powers
thanks b... it seems like a very hollow victory, but the main thing is the usa is keeping up appearances.... i don't believe they will ever cut the umbilical cord with israel though.... both usa parties are the party of 1 when it comes to the topic of israel... more wasted pr as i see it..
@ 2 jr - good point... hopefully the thick headed will read your post!
Posted by: james | Aug 29 2020 18:27 utc | 4
Israel's requests for expanding UNIFIL role to control Hezbollah was ignored.
Is Trump trying to please the UAE or simply distancing from jail smelling Netanyahu?
Posted by: Virgile | Aug 29 2020 18:43 utc | 5
The JewishPress.com has a different take that absurdly is the same take--headlined.
UNIFIL Mandate Extended in Lebanon Without Changes or Upgrades
Hal C
Posted by: Hal C | Aug 29 2020 18:54 utc | 6
Reminds me of the missiles launched at Syria which, although based entirely on unfounded allegations, were a face-saving measure imminently preferable to direct war.
It's really sad that these symbolic gestures are the least damaging and thus most beneficial manifestations of US foreign policy, at least in my lifetime.
Posted by: J | Aug 29 2020 19:03 utc | 7
@6
That headline has changed, although it is preserved in the link.
The Revised headline is: UNIFIL Mandate Extended in Lebanon, Without Disturbing Hezbollah...or disturbing Israel or UNIFIL.
Hal C
Posted by: Hal C | Aug 29 2020 19:15 utc | 8
UNIFIL forces saturate southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, about twenty miles from the border. So Hezbollah is relatively controlled on the ground. But Hezbollah’s efforts to acquire longer-ranged and precision-guided munitions have given it a formidable defensive capability from many sites further away from the border. Fox News recently published an article on it:
According to a report released this week by the Israel-based Alma Center, 28 new depots have been determined, with the highest concentration in the capital city of Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.
The 28 sites are connected explicitly to the launch, storage, and production of the terrorist group's [sic] medium-range Fateh 110 / M 600 missiles. However, the report underscores that these particular missiles are part of Hezbollah's "missile precision project," and their "improved models" – referred to as "D' Al-Ficar"--have a 435-mile destruction range, compared to their traditional missiles that could hit a maximum 186 miles. . .here
Posted by: Don Bacon | Aug 29 2020 19:42 utc | 9
Shouldn't we wish for more of this kind of policy?
Shuffling deck chairs on the USS Titanic, while Rome burns, sounds like a great way to look busy...
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Aug 29 2020 20:03 utc | 10
… an outcome that can be sold to the domestic fan base as great victory even as it changed nothing.Be assured that this trivia will not be sold to anybody as anything. I guess the U.S. wanted an easy win to salve its bruises after the recent flops in the U.N. on Iran, and the other Security Council members were lief to grant them a meaningless one out of pity – like two middle school soccer teams who conspire to let the girl on chemotherapy take the field and score an unopposed goal when the game’s outcome isn’t in doubt.
I understand it was intentional, but still, my hat’s off to MoA for doing a blog post truly about nothing. (cue “Seinfeld” theme)
A much better candidate for Trump administration/campaign gambit to score some favorable foreign policy coverage is next week’s meeting scheduled in Washington where the agenda seems to be to get Serbia to finally bend the knee and recognize the Kosovo criminal protectorate’s status as a “sovereign state”. If that can be attained, Trump will definitely play it to the max as a follow-on to the Israel/U.A.E. “peace deal”.
Posted by: David G | Aug 29 2020 20:08 utc | 11
Israel's requests for expanding UNIFIL role to control Hezbollah was ignored.
Is Trump trying to please the UAE or simply distancing from jail smelling Netanyahu?
Posted by: Virgile | Aug 29 2020 18:43 utc | 5
The latter.
It's amusing that Bibi is still oblivious to Trump's desire to boot "Israel" out of US Politics. On the other hand, they believe so much of their own balderdash that they'll probably prove to be the dopiest suckers that Trump ever gulled...
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Aug 29 2020 20:38 utc | 12
"If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change."
Better Tancredi than Machiavelli.
Posted by: Et Tu | Aug 29 2020 23:11 utc | 13
"@ 2 jr - good point... hopefully the thick headed will read your post!" [email protected]
You can count on that.
Posted by: bevin | Aug 29 2020 23:31 utc | 14
To understand David [email protected]'s point see this by Stephen Karganovic:
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2020/08/28/kosovo-endgame-a-perfect-storm-of-betrayal/
Posted by: bevin | Aug 29 2020 23:38 utc | 16
It's interesting how this biased article brings out delusional Trump bootlickers who pretend Trump is playing reverse psychology, 4-D chess, when in fact Trump is the most Zionist President to ever disgrace the White House.
But hey, you keep trying to put lipstick on the pig, I mean the man pig, oh never mind, you know what I mean.
You got a really low standard of great (not), great.
The truth would be so much less convoluted, but it's unpopular to admit I'm with Trump even though he's a depraved Zionist asshole but he's so good for Russia.
Posted by: Circe | Aug 30 2020 0:00 utc | 17
It's never too late to get out of the closet:
WATCH: Charlie Kirk says Trump is guarding ‘Western civilization’
With those math skills, it's looking dire for the West.
they believe so much of their own balderdash that they'll probably prove to be the dopiest suckers that Trump ever gulled...Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Aug 29 2020 20:38 utc | 12
Nope. Actually, the very top of that distinction goes to you, dopey.🙄
Posted by: Circe | Aug 30 2020 0:10 utc | 19
Circe @17
It is sad that your "Trump Derangement Syndrome" blinds you to what is being said.
Trump isn't making amazingly awesome decisions that are doing wonderful things for the USA. Trump is instead making amazingly horrible decisions... for the American empire.
What you cannot grasp is that these horribly bad decisions for the American empire are very good for the entire rest of the world. In fact, these horribly bad decisions for the American empire are actually very good for America, but in a counter-intuitive and long-term sense (not at all intended by Trump, of course).
The sad reality is that you desperately want the American empire to persevere and continue to dominate much of the planet, it not all of it. Trump's decisions are making that goal difficult, and you despise him for that.
Me? I like that Trump is destroying the American empire. That is good for humanity. I hope he gets reelected so he can continue that destruction.
Posted by: William Gruff | Aug 30 2020 0:27 utc | 20
But hey, you keep trying to put lipstick on the pig, I mean the man pig, oh never mind, you know what I mean.
Posted by: Circe | Aug 30 2020 0:00 utc | 17
No. I don’t know what you mean. :)
Do you mean manbearpig — introduced by the former veep, I lost by one vote, Al G.?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ManBearPig
Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Aug 30 2020 0:30 utc | 21
Disclaimer for my post above: I realize that it is entirely possible that Trump is deliberately dismantling the American empire knowing that trying to maintain it is strangling the American economy. Whether deliberate or accidental, what Trump is doing to the empire is necessary.
Posted by: William Gruff | Aug 30 2020 0:33 utc | 22
@20 William Gruff
What you cannot grasp is that these horribly bad decisions for the American empire are very good for the entire rest of the world.
Tell that to the Iranian people suffering the worst sanctions ever.
Your @22
I realize that it is entirely possible that Trump is deliberately dismantling the American empire knowing that trying to maintain it is strangling the American economy.
Right, that's why he's put more money into the Military, MIC, than any preceding President and is trying to regime change Venezuela and driving Cold War with China.
Posted by: Circe | Aug 30 2020 1:08 utc | 23
WG
And as far as TDS; you're the one that's deranged projecting your delusional hopes on Trump or maybe you're just peddling Trump snake oil.
Posted by: Circe | Aug 30 2020 1:11 utc | 24
I wrote I'd get to the bottom feeder later.
It looks like today is that later.
William Gruff, you care squat about humanity. Trump is advancing the Empire and you're promoting Trump by trying to market the swampland Trump thrives in as post-Empire Xanadu to us disaffected Bernie supporters.
The only way Trump will tear down the Empire is if he sends Federal troops into more cities, rigs the election by suppressing left-wing and minority voting and triggers a real Revolution or a Civil War while the economy has yet to recover from Covid. Then maybe it'll burn.
I want the Empire to persevere, my ass.
Posted by: Circe | Aug 30 2020 1:38 utc | 25
@ Posted by: Circe | Aug 30 2020 1:38 utc | 26
Fingers crossed.
--//--
Related news: will Moore strike home again?
Highly recommend his newest movie: Planet of the Humans.
--//--
On a not so related note, more on Europe's hidden genocide:
@ 20 William Gruff
I agree with you. Some biggies amid the bungling --
>Killing the Trans Pacific Partnership, the basis of Obama's "pivot" to China
>The disenfranchisement of NATO, alienating the former 'coalition of the willing"
>No new wars, a first for recent presidents
>Calling out the 'intelligence community' for the DNC asses they are
>etc.
The attackers don't get down into facts, it's apparently too much effort for them.
Posted by: Don Bacon | Aug 30 2020 2:06 utc | 27
Trump apologists: Up is down and black is white
Gruff and others say we should support Trump because he's bad for the Empire. This line of thinking is the latest BS from the "Trump hasn't started a war" crowd.
I think that even b falls for it sometimes.
The propaganda is incessant as we near the rigged re-election of DJT. Rigged by the Democratic and Republican Parties that collude with the Deep State.
We are supposed to believe that Trump's belligerence, militarism, and hat-tipping to racists will somehow end in something good?
All evidence I see points to Trump's absolute support among the Deep State, business execs, wealthy globalists, Zionists and other asshats. They want to prevail against America's Enemies which include Russia, China, Iran and USA citizens that are fed up with massive income inequality and malinvestment thanks to a government that has been hijacked.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Aug 30 2020 2:31 utc | 28
Off topic:
Vk and others should look up how many people live in —as an example— Nigeria. It won't help if I tell you.
Then (if I understood you correctly in what you seemed to imply) figure out if making it seem realistic to survive a trip across the world's largest desert and a large sea using/paying all you own to hardened criminals with a penchant for slavery only to get a go at a roulette wheel depending on liberal bleeding heart delusions for survival and relative safety in a world they will discover is completely alien to them and where they are lucky to get a menial job is a good idea or outright ultra-racist and murderous (more proof the real nazis are always on the left, they make it so easy for them there; just tell everyone what a nice person you are and how much you care and their brains never switch on).
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Aug 30 2020 2:50 utc | 29
RT links twice to its "partner" mixi.media for Uighur mistreatment: https://www.rt.com/russia/499308-russian-man-brutally-raped-with/
scroll to below the main story...
Xi-China next door is not a comfortable partner for any nation, including Russia.
When will Siberia become officially Chinese?
Posted by: Antonym | Aug 30 2020 2:52 utc | 30
Re: UN business - Interesting story, seems like a nice diplomatic compromise, but not sure what is the significance of it. There has been a great deal of destabilization in the ME already and probably more to come leading up to the US election.
Re: Michael Moore on Trump (@vk) - I was reading through the detailed questions in one of the YouGov (US political) polls. Not the best sampling methodology in the world (according to 538, yea they are biased I know), but Yougov does them frequently so trends are visible, and they ask about specific issues and provide detailed demographics. I especially look at older voters and independents (since R and D have overwhelmingly made up their mind). Trump is surprisingly strong for these categories, even though he is consistently behind Biden overall in the poll series. Interestingly, his support increases with income.
The detailed issue questions surprised me a little. People who respond to these polls actually do seem to think he is 'better' for foreign policy than Biden. I interpret this as encouragement for more random aggressions. Other categories where he is viewed favorably are economy and immigration. Significant majorities in nearly all demographic categories think he is a dishonest, disrespectful to women, that the administration's Covid response was poor, that the Covid situation is out of control nationally (duh), and that Covid a one of the most important issues facing the country. Independents seem to more often than not agree with the above list, yet a modest majority them prefer Trump to Biden anyway. However, as they are more likely of the opinion that both candidates are junk, which implies they are more likely to not vote -- that is where Covid is going to really hurt Trump, I think. It will be interesting.
Posted by: ptb | Aug 30 2020 4:01 utc | 31
Re: UN business - Interesting story, seems like a nice diplomatic compromise, but not sure what is the significance of it. There has been a great deal of destabilization in the ME already and probably more to come leading up to the US election.
Re: Michael Moore on Trump (@vk) - I was reading through the detailed questions in one of the YouGov (US political) polls. Not the best sampling methodology in the world (according to 538, yea they are biased I know), but Yougov does them frequently so trends are visible, and they ask about specific issues and provide detailed demographics. I especially look at older voters and independents (since R and D have overwhelmingly made up their mind). Trump is surprisingly strong for these categories, even though he is consistently behind Biden overall in the poll series. Interestingly, his support increases with income.
The detailed issue questions surprised me a little. People who respond to these polls actually do seem to think he is 'better' for foreign policy than Biden. I interpret this as encouragement for more random aggressions. Other categories where he is viewed favorably are economy and immigration. Significant majorities in nearly all demographic categories think he is a dishonest, disrespectful to women, that the administration's Covid response was poor, that the Covid situation is out of control nationally (duh), and that Covid a one of the most important issues facing the country. Independents seem to more often than not agree with the above list, yet a modest majority them prefer Trump to Biden anyway. However, as they are more likely of the opinion that both candidates are junk, which implies they are more likely to not vote -- that is where Covid is going to really hurt Trump, I think. It will be interesting.
Posted by: ptb | Aug 30 2020 4:01 utc | 32
One thing that makes me pause when analyzing Trump is how thoroughly Zionists in the USA hate him. The enemy of an enemy may still be an enemy...but maybe the two can wipe each other out?
Posted by: Haassaan | Aug 30 2020 4:40 utc | 33
@34 are you sure? Conservative Christians and conservative/orthodox Jews in the US, i.e. the two groups most supportive of Israel, are both pretty satisfied with Trump.
Posted by: ptb | Aug 30 2020 4:58 utc | 34
Certainly is more complicated than I stated, but many Zionist NeoCon Republicans have broken away from the party and are now supporting Biden. Same with the hawkish Pro-Israel John McCain types.
The Conservative Christian's are with Trump, but in the big picture they aren't Pro-Zionist, they view Israel as a necessary player in their Rapture Fantasies.
One can see some of this dynamic play out in the Air Force where conservative christians known as Dominionists (Xist) fight for control of the nuclear arsenal in opposition to Zionist Jews and neoliberals.
Posted by: Haassaan | Aug 30 2020 5:16 utc | 35
@35
At a more personal level, i married into a Zionist family, and they HATE Trump. Ancedotal, yes.
Posted by: Haassaan | Aug 30 2020 5:21 utc | 36
Posted by: vk | Aug 30 2020 1:56 utc | 27 Highly recommend his newest movie: Planet of the Humans.
Heh, couldn't turn me off a movie faster than that title. It would have been more accurate if he titled it "Planet of the Apes". Oh, wait... :-)
Posted by: Richard Steven Hack | Aug 30 2020 6:45 utc | 37
Restore all stolen land to Syria would be a reasonable UN resolution.wl Withdraw all foreign forces from Golan Heights would be another.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Aug 30 2020 6:59 utc | 38
I can't say that Israel has really profited a lot from Trump's presidency and "favouritism" of Israel. Moving the embassy to Jerusalem was really the one act of significance. Formal recognition by the UAE was a compensation for abandoning the annexation of the West Bank - and even then Avi Shlaim says that annexation came from the Trumpies not from Israel. The Israeli embassy in UAE will soon become a cold war siege like the one in Amman, because recognition was just an act of caprice by an absolute ruler who doesn't have to answer to anybody. As we see here, Israel's position against Hizbullah has not advanced at all.
Posted by: Laguerre | Aug 30 2020 10:08 utc | 39
@Haassaan
@35 Trump gave Netanyahu everything he wanted and more, significantly beyond the Obama administration. Even Trump's most vocal opponents in Congress, like Schumer (the top Democrat in the Senate who kicked off the impeachment proceedings on the basis of the Steele dossier), have no big disagreements with Trump on issues relating to Israel, Iran, etc, and manage to cooperate in that policy area without the drama that is produced for most other issues. Voters who have Israel relations as a high priority know this well, regardless of their religion.
@36 sorry to hear it is causing tension (politics will do that sadly). I'm not sure what exactly you mean by zionist in that context, if you mean a stictly observant jewish family being opposed to Trump, while hardly unusual, it would put them in the minority in the US, within demographics of sub-religion.
Posted by: ptb | Aug 30 2020 10:47 utc | 40
@Laguerre 39
The biggest item was reversing Obama-Biden's attempt to normalize Iran relations, i.e. elimination of JCPOA
US giving tacit consent to open plans for annexation of the west bank is another one. In practice this was already happening under previous administrations, but now there is not even pretend-support for the two state solution.
Posted by: ptb | Aug 30 2020 10:54 utc | 41
Posted by: ptb | Aug 30 2020 10:54 utc | 41
Ah, a believer in superficial interpretations of politics.
The Iran policy is anti-Obama (the greatest hatred of Trump), not pro-Israel, which is why they are now claiming not to have withdrawn. Annexation is finished, the language notwithstanding - it was just there to smooth the way.
Posted by: Laguerre | Aug 30 2020 11:13 utc | 42
It is not about the number of troops but about the surrender of the lebanese government defence force to israel's racist army.
It calls on the Lebanese government to facilitate “prompt and full access” to sites requested by U.N. peacekeepers for investigation, including tunnels crossing the U.N.-drawn Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel. And it urges freedom of movement and unimpeded access for peacekeepers to all parts of the Blue Line, and condemns “in the strongest terms” all attempts to restrict U.N. troop movements and attacks on mission personnel.
Posted by: gary | Aug 30 2020 11:52 utc | 43
Attention to the Turkish factor...It is said Turkey aims at taking over North Lebanon in the middle of the government vaccuum after blast...
Turkish nationalist fever...Twitt by Erdogan´s director of communication....
https://twitter.com/EnricJuliana/status/1299725717559750658
Unleashed....
Posted by: H.Schmatz | Aug 30 2020 13:06 utc | 44
To be reflected Twitt by Enric Juliana...in Catalan...bold mine....
https://twitter.com/EnricJuliana/status/1300022409496584192
Agost se'n va. Un libre: 'Vint mil llegües de viatge submarí', de Jules Verne. L'episodi del Mar Roig. Una cançó: 'Oceano di silenzio' (Battiato sempre torna). Una peli: 'Das Boot', submarins alemanys. Una frase: 'Erdogan ha scoperto il mare'. (Marco Ansaldo, periodista italià).
Has anyone, apart from me, the feeling that Erdogan has turned to taking over what could not through IS? Or, may be, is the general mood on looting...as if there was no tomorrow...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfqwo73wjVU
Posted by: H.Schmatz | Aug 30 2020 13:24 utc | 45
Heh, it's rather like Caligula crossing the Rhine all over again.
And meanwhile, the mob still argues over the differences between a party that walks right up and stabs them in the chest, and the party that shakes their collective hand while slipping the blade into the collective back.
Carry on everyone, and don't forget the masks XD
Posted by: robjira | Aug 30 2020 16:46 utc | 46
@Antonym | Aug 30 2020 2:52 utc | 30
When will Siberia become officially Chinese?
How about never? In at least the last 2000 years, China has had many opportunites to conquer Siberia and did not do so. Instead, the Chinese built the Great Wall.
Posted by: Cyril | Aug 30 2020 17:27 utc | 47
@ptb | Aug 30 2020 10:47 utc | 40
Trump gave Netanyahu everything he wanted and more
Trump has absolutely refused (so far) to grant the Bibi monster's dearest wish, an invasion of Iran (and probably World War 3). The Donald has maintained his clear refusal despite enormous pressure; I give him major credit for that. Yes, he has done many scuzzy things, but that refusal to ignite the third world war (so far) is probably the most important act of his presidency.
Posted by: Cyril | Aug 30 2020 17:46 utc | 48
@48 Cyril
ok, fine, that is true. I suppose we should be thankful. By the same token, though, the administration has done a number of things to try to deliberately provoke Iran, including armed attacks, assassination, etc, which is the slow road to the same destination.
Posted by: ptb | Aug 30 2020 20:53 utc | 49
@ptb | Aug 30 2020 20:53 utc | 50
the administration has done a number of things to try to deliberately provoke Iran, including armed attacks, assassination, etc, which is the slow road to the same destination [war against Iran, possibly leading to WW 3]
That is possible, but let us cross that bridge (or dive for cover) if it happens. In the meantime, I am grudgingly admitting that the Donald is deserving of some credit.
Posted by: Cyril | Aug 30 2020 22:22 utc | 50
Posted by: Cyril | Aug 30 2020 17:46 utc | 48
So has every POTUS since Carter and not through any sense of morality. In fact, credit should go to the JCoS for probably yanking Trump back from the brink a number of times.
Further, I fail to see how Trump should get credit for inching the world closer to the precipice instead of wholly sending it over the edge.
He is in the end part of the problem, not the solution.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Aug 31 2020 0:27 utc | 51
Hi All/Anyone
Would anyone have any historical information indicating that the IDF may have/had tunnels and underground constructions near or under the Lebanese border?
Thanks in advance
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Aug 31 2020 0:35 utc | 52
Jackrabbit @28
Sooo... vote Dim, right?
"All evidence I see points to Trump's absolute support among the Deep State, business execs, wealthy globalists, Zionists and other asshats."
And yet the bunny argues:
""Trump has not started any new "hot" wars."
"Not for want of trying.""
All of the world's power elites are tight with Trump, but he still cannot start a war? What's stopping him? Does the military have a shortage of bombs or something?
If people cannot see the bunny's hare-brained nonsense from this, then I cannot help them.
Posted by: William Gruff | Aug 31 2020 13:17 utc | 53
@Arch Bungle | Aug 31 2020 0:27 utc | 51
So has every POTUS since Carter [not started WW 3] and not through any sense of morality.
Previous presidents did not lead an America that was in as deep a financial hole, nowhere near. As everyone knows. poor people are easier to manipulate; the same is true for poor countries. Hence the pressure on Trump has been intense -- and he has resisted, refusing to invade Iran (and probably igniting World War 3). I am grudgingly giving him some credit for this.
Posted by: Cyril | Aug 31 2020 20:33 utc | 54
William Gruff @Aug31 13:17 #53
If people cannot see the bunny's hare-brained nonsense from this, then I cannot help them.
I wish you were trying to help them, Gruff.
At any rate, your feigned confusion is easy to address: I see that both major Parties in USA collude with the Deep State and cater to major wealthy donors. This makes USA's money-driven "democracy" a sham. So I don't support either Party or their Deep-State approved candidates.
The policies that are pursued by Democratic or Republican Presidents are largely the same: tax cuts for the rich, more funding for the military, full support for powerful "vested interests" in the form of industry groups and Israel.
Why participate in that sham? Voting for one of the major parties is wasting your vote much more than voting for a third-party.
Third-Party options: Greens, the People's Party (offshoot of Sander's Campaign), the Pirate Party (committed to Direct Democracy).
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Aug 31 2020 21:02 utc | 55
Playing for time is acceptable compared to death.
Not only is it acceptable but also arguably the only "choice"/option for any form of known life (including those regenerating "immortal" jellyfish) and thus it is the "struggle of life" which is perhaps the closest or only thing to universally define life and living itself.
More time? Yes please.
- - -
UNIFIL technical capabilities is an interesting question, one would think it should be very public but it might not be easily accessible (it's nearly guaranteed to be hidden behind enormous amounts of political prattle). I don't have the energy to start.
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Sep 1 2020 0:29 utc | 56
@27 Don Bacon | Aug 30 2020 2:06 utc |
>No new wars, a first for recent presidents
My, did you already forget the invisible enemy we're all fighting against…?
Posted by: LXV | Sep 1 2020 15:09 utc | 57
They were about the superfluence of any international court or system of justice --because the US of North A reserves the right to juc´dge all others to themselves.
Posted by: Tollef Ås/秋涛乐 | Sep 8 2020 15:58 utc | 59
The comments to this entry are closed.
Reminder, a first time for some.
The invasion of Lebanon in 2006 was precipitated by an Israeli false-flag.
Posted by: librul | Aug 29 2020 17:20 utc | 1