Middle East Open Thread 2024-021
This morning Israel bombed a three story house in Damascus. The attack killed General Haj Sadegh Omidzadeh, deputy intelligence officer of IRGC's Quds Force, along with his deputy Haj Gholam (Muharram). This was most likely a revenge act for the killing of Israeli intelligence assets four days ago by an Iranian missile strike in Erbil, Iraq.
---
Only for news & views directly related to the war in the Middle East.
The current open thread for other issues is here.
Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.
Posted by b on January 20, 2024 at 10:11 UTC | Permalink
next page »The karma is going to suck big time for these evil Israeli scum.
Posted by: Fed up of it all | Jan 20 2024 10:20 utc | 2
There won't be a WW III, of course./i But if it could happen it would probably start something like this.
Posted by: Gene Poole | Jan 20 2024 10:33 utc | 3
"The Commission of Detainees’ Affairs and the Palestinian Society Prisoner’s Club: Last night, Israeli forces kidnapped at least 22 citizens from the West Bank, including one lady and several children, bringing the total number of Palestinian detainees since October 7 to 6115".
There are now over 11,000 Palestinian hostages in total held by Israel.
One of those released yesterday, in a wheelchair, had been tortured to the point his broken collarbone was sticking up under his skin. Arm in a sling too.
The Fotros Resistance (AryJeay) telegram channel has a number of photos and videos showing the links between Kurdistanis and Mossad. But comments don't go through if I post the link. Sometimes. It must have pissed off Israel and /or they are on their last legs and going for big provocations to draw in USA.
Iran must be very heavily infiltrated.
But anytime Iran tries to clean house the Collective Waste suddenly shows concern for Muslims bring imprisoned or worse. Not for Palestinians of course.
Posted by: Pq | Jan 20 2024 11:08 utc | 7
Gene Poole | Jan 20 2024 10:33 utc | 3
Apart from the Americans and British shutting down the red sea to virtually all shipping, there has just been general sniping so far. Another war of terror on Yemen...
A matter of waiting to sea where this leads if anywhere. The Europeans again have Hitler/Napoleon ideas so attention may move back there without the middle east blowing up. A lot of things could go anyway as Anglo/American empire and European dominance in the world collapses.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 11:13 utc | 8
What gives Israel the right to invade other nations' airspace and bomb buildings, supposedly in revenge for an Iranian strike on an Israeli intelligence cell in yet another country?
But then Israel has been itching all along to attack Syria and the Iranian strike on the Israeli intel assets in Iraq - not Syria - was just an excuse.
Now the Israelis will expect the West to support them with weapons, ammunition, advisors and troops on the ground, should Iran retaliate straight away, or in the way the Israelis expect them to retaliate. Of course, Iran will choose its own time and method of retaliation.
Posted by: Refinnejenna | Jan 20 2024 11:14 utc | 9
Funny how Israel does know how to do precision strikes, everywhere and anywhere .... except Gaza?
Posted by: Rain | Jan 20 2024 11:23 utc | 10
"The Europeans again have Hitler/Napoleon ideas "
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 11:13 utc | 8
Hitler and Napoleon were much different men with much different themes. Comparing these two men is quite inaccurate.
canuck | Jan 20 2024 11:28 utc | 11
Montgomery - "Rule 1, on page 1 of the book of war, is: "Do not march on Moscow". Various people have tried it, Napoleon and Hitler, and it is no good."
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 11:32 utc | 12
A 'revenge' for what was already a revenge attack by Iran will only lead to more attacks.
It is astonishing how one party who is the aggressor since over a century continues to view itself as the victim and aggrieved party.
Unless Israel understands the fundamental issue underlying this conflict (its theft of Palestinian land and its extermination of Palestinian people) someone more powerful than Israel will just have to continue beating it into the thick skulls of those running it.
Posted by: Rubiconned | Jan 20 2024 11:39 utc | 13
Wait, Scott Ritter just said the other day that Mossad and Israeli intelligence is terrible, and Israel is losing BADLY and will be destroyed in the next few months. What gives?
Posted by: Jose J. | Jan 20 2024 11:49 utc | 14
Reviving ISIS: A US weapon against the Resistance Axis
https://new.thecradle.co/articles/reviving-isis-a-us-weapon-against-the-resistance-axis
Posted by: Michael | Jan 20 2024 11:56 utc | 15
The Zionazis have a lot of Davos egg on their ever Shapeshifting faces to cover up.
They also got a smack down in Baluchistan as they planned a new front in their never ending sordid Great Game.
The Riding Greenmantle’s , proxy mercenaries, the military men , the aristo martial families that form the praetorians who install and depose kings for the Owners are getting served. No hiding anymore , starting and killing millions and slipping away back to their estates.
The thousand cuts are not applied on just one limb. The Iranians are capable of replying.
/ ——————
Which leads me to contextualise towards proximate purposes of Culture - bear with me.
Now as even the Swedes are being ‘terrored’ into stockpiling toilet rolls and batteries and radios there is a move to disperse to various deep caverns - to emerge some generations later as the ghostly pale critters that are the highest of the high - a whole lot of Smeagles… they’ll be hunted down as vampires and zombies by the mutated super humans who evolved in the toxic world. The pale Masters of the Universe might wonder why their lifetimes were lived hidden from the real sun and moon.
But they will finally have achieved their ancestors grandest plans - to shapeshift into a whole new species of human …
Frankenstein, Metamorphosis, The Time Machine, Brave New World, War of the Worlds … these are not just scholarly highly literary works by individuals who were messing about … they are Road Maps written for their Masters.
Just as the Bible was. Just as every invented Eurocentric religion and philosophy has been for Millenia. Including Marxism and Economics. They are all for the same purpose, the indoctrination of the masses into keeping themselves enslaved through such self imposed mental chains. That is how slavery has worked for hundreds of years now.
Does anyone know where the ever increasing in value (inflation) works of Art are being stored and who manages that. Hmm?
Does anyone believe that Hollywood , Musical Heroes, TV and Media and whatever passes as Modern Western Culture are NOT a wholly invented and controlled means of such mental self subjugation? Yes even the God Zimmerman- who seemed to make a confessional song at the end of his ‘career’.
—————- /
Where will the next hit be? So many bases so far from any eyes … this war goes on and they are directly targeting the generals. So it makes plain sense that those who normally are never close enough to the front lines of murder and mayhem in every war created and profited from should BE the first targets. From the caves of Switzerland to the secret isles of the Indian Ocean to the Devilry of Tasmania …
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 20 2024 11:58 utc | 16
Funny how Israel does know how to do precision strikes, everywhere and anywhere .... except Gaza?
Posted by: Rain | Jan 20 2024 11:23 utc | 10
precision point strikes require a point target.
Gaza and Jemen you just ventilate more earth,sand and building rubble.
How many real Hamas fighters has the IDF actually "removed" ?
( I don't count bundled dead children placed side by side to automatic weapons.)
Posted by: MAKK | Jan 20 2024 12:16 utc | 17
Ironic, how the Suez route marks the end of 2 empires now.
Posted by: hypewaders | Jan 20 2024 12:22 utc | 18
An American MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and strike drone was very likely shot down in Iraq by an advanced Iranian missile known as Missile 358. It was launched formally by local Iranian proxies. The distinguishing feature of the "Rocket 358" is its compactness, which allows it to be launched by a small team from a mobile platform like a pickup truck.Using micro-turbojet engines, the missile is thrown to the desired altitude, after which the thrusters are switched on and it starts moving towards the target. The missile can stay in the air for a long time and is both a barrage munition (which has already been tested in combat conditions in Idlib, where Iran destroyed a fuel depot with its help, and in Afghanistan, where it hit a CIA air command post) and as an air defense tool, destroying helicopters, large and medium UAVs, attack aircrafts and careless airplanes that do not expect that in the absence of active air defense systems, it can throw a missile from the ground at supersonic speed to 8 km (which is significantly higher than the standard ceiling of modern MANPADS), and then on the marching engines at a slower speed and up to 12 km (in any case, these are the parameters declared for it) at a range of up to 100 km.
The appearance of this missile in the armament of Iranian proxies in Iraq creates additional problems for the US.
The same missile is already in service with Hezbollah in Lebanon - at least 1 Israeli Hermes drone was hit by this missile.
Today, this is one of the most dangerous Iranian anti-aircraft weapons that can be supplied to various irregular formations in different theater.
@Slavyangrad
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 20 2024 13:02 utc | 19
Two Iranian advisors killed in Syria four people died, though to be an Israil missile.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jan 20 2024 13:04 utc | 20
canuck | Jan 20 2024 11:28 utc | 11
Montgomery - "Rule 1, on page 1 of the book of war, is: "Do not march on Moscow". Various people have tried it, Napoleon and Hitler, and it is no good."
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 11:32 utc | 12
Sweden's King Charles XII should be on that list as well as Peter the Great stopped him ay Poltava in 1709.
As for Montgomery let me describe this bureaucrat from a contemporary anecdote from WW2. The British generals all enjoyed martinis -gin and vermouth. However, every general had a different take on the amount of vermouth in the 'perfect martini".
Montgomery had the highest vermouth to gin ratio (15-1) which made Sir Harold Alexander a fellow general to quip: "Montgomery uses the same ratio before he will launch an attack". (1)
For barflies see below-the James Bond character drinking vodka martinis instead of gin caused depressed gin sales to this day!
Posted by: Jose J. | Jan 20 2024 11:49 utc | 14
Tbh, Israel is losing badly, unless you count the massive genocide they are achieving as a victory.
They are still getting ambushed all over Gaza and losing lot of troops and vehicles. Half a million people have left the country, its oil refineries were hit, ports are getting hit, the Red Sea is blocked and FUKUS is unable to resolve it.
Now in addition to the previous economical and military black hole in Ukraine, US has another black hole in Israel.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 20 2024 13:15 utc | 22
It is a medium to long term battle.
What Israel does is instant-no-think tit for tat. It part of their philosophy since the ''spirit of victim'' from Holocaust has impregnated them - with the ensuing vendetta justice taking over.
What I figure Teheran does is something deeper, longer in aim and
range. Let s see who s got the best and coolest brains.
I find it surprising how well Iran and Pakistan managed their little missile strike exchange. The Pakistan regime was put into place by the US and is acting as an agent of Washington and usually not in the interest of the people of Pakistan. It has suppressed all popular revolt and public calls for elections. The legitimate president is under arrest. Yet they seem to have enough sovereignty to not be used as a proxy against Iran. Washington does not seem to have full control over it's client. Will Pakistan eventually slip away from the US? Wouldn't be the first time one of their puppets started moving on it's own.
Posted by: Hamburger | Jan 20 2024 13:26 utc | 24
Now would be a good time for a multi party invasion of israel by all its nabours,
Cease the momment, like lancing a festouring boil on the face of humanity.
That wouldd take the pressure right off of Gaza, the Arab streets would be both gratefull and gratefied by such a just action ditto the rest of the sane world.
The izzies clearly wish for a wider conflict draging in yanky boots on the ground, so give it to them.
They would very quickly find out yanks are just a paper tiger. Cowards, look at how cowardly they were in Ukraine.
No stomach no balls and head up their own arse.
Front line telaviv.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jan 20 2024 13:30 utc | 25
Dumb to be so easily trackable.
Posted by: Surferket | Jan 20 2024 11:00 utc | 6
Doesn't make sense.
These people knew a response was imminent.
Anyone care to comment.
Posted by: jpc | Jan 20 2024 13:33 utc | 26
"Ironic, how the Suez route marks the end of 2 empires now."
Posted by: hypewaders | Jan 20 2024 12:22 utc | 18
I believe it is three Empires: French, British 9City) , US (City). In the 1870's the Pasha ran out of money Rothschild loaned the British treasury the money to buy the Pasha shares in the canal and by 1888 Britain was the sole owner. In 1956 the US wouldn't back up the Brits so that's two-today would be the third:
"Construction of the Suez Canal
In 1854 and 1856 the French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps had obtained a concession from Said Pasha, the viceroy of Egypt, to create a company to construct a canal open to ships of all nations, according to plans created by Austrian engineer Alois Negrelli. The company was to operate the canal by leasing the relevant land, for 99 years from its opening. The Suez Canal Company (Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez) came into being on 15 December 1858. Over the next 11 years the canal was built, and although the British recognised the canal as an important trade route, they objected to the use of forced Egyptian labour to build it, and perceived the French project as a threat to their geopolitical and financial interests.
Suez Canal shares
Initially international opinion was skeptical and Suez Canal Company shares did not sell well overseas. Britain, the United States, Austria and Russia did not buy any shares, although all French shares were quickly sold in France. The canal opened to shipping on 17 November 1869, and had an immediate and dramatic effect on world trade, playing an important role in increasing European penetration and colonization of Africa.
External debts forced Said Pasha's successor, Isma'il Pasha, to put up his country's shares for sale. In 1875, the London banking house of N M Rothschild & Sons advanced the Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, acting for the British Government, £4million to purchase Suez Canal shares. Disraeli was a close personal friend of Lionel de Rothschild, and according to legend, this was transacted on a gentleman’s agreement, with no documentation, a technically unsecured loan for a sum of several £billion today. The funds were repaid within five months; however, Disraeli was accused by William Gladstone of undermining Britain's constitutional system, due to his lack of reference or consent from Parliament when purchasing the shares with funding from the Rothschilds. France still remained the majority shareholder in the canal.
The Suez Canal post-1875
The Convention of Constantinople in 1888 declared the canal a neutral zone under the protection of the British; British troops had moved in to protect it during a civil war in Egypt in 1882. Under the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936, the UK insisted on retaining control over the canal. In 1951 Egypt repudiated the treaty, and in 1954 the UK agreed to remove its troops, and withdrawal was completed in July 1956. The company operated the canal until its nationalization by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1956, which led to the Suez Crisis. In 1962, Egypt made its final payments for the canal to the Universal Suez Ship Canal Company and took full control of the Suez Canal. The company remains extant, after a series of mergers, as GDF Suez. Today the canal is operated by the Suez Canal Authority."(1)
b: "The attack killed General Haj Sadegh Omidzadeh, deputy intelligence officer of IRGC's Quds Force, along with his deputy Haj Gholam (Muharram). "
======================
OMG.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 13:35 utc | 28
From RT.com https://www.rt.com/news/590981-borell-accuses-israel-iran-aid/
For once Borrel shocked me by this statement:
Josep Borell said the only peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict included the creation of a Palestinian state, and suggested this might need to “be imposed from the outside,” without Israel’s agreement.
Maybe some common sense is starting to set in...
Posted by: ctiger | Jan 20 2024 13:38 utc | 29
canuck | Jan 20 2024 13:06 utc | 21
You are well read and a good memory for what you read.
The martinis... :) From your link
“I like to have a martini, two at the very most –After three I’m under the table,
After four, I’m under my host.”
Dorothy Parker"
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 13:38 utc | 30
canuck | Jan 20 2024 13:06 utc | 21
You are well read and a good memory for what you read.
The martinis... :) From your link
“I like to have a martini, two at the very most –After three I’m under the table,
After four, I’m under my host.”
Dorothy Parker"
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 13:38 utc | 30
Ha, ha. I like vodka martinis myself but two is my limit. When the waiter or waitress asks me if I want a third I reply: "Do you know what women's breasts and martinis have in common?" The waitress shudders thinking I am going to tell a nasty joke. She hesitating replies, "No what? " I then exclaim : " One is not enough and three is too many"!!!!
The Pakistan regime was put into place by the US and is acting as an agent of Washington and usually not in the interest of the people of Pakistan. It has suppressed all popular revolt and public calls for elections. The legitimate president is under arrest. Yet they seem to have enough sovereignty to not be used as a proxy against Iran. Washington does not seem to have full control over it's client.
Posted by: Hamburger | Jan 20 2024 13:26 utc | 24
Yes, we tend to forget what happened to Imran Khan and thanks to whom. There were lively debates about Iran striking Pakistan even on MoA but Imran Khan is one name to bear in mind. Where is he anyway?
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 13:49 utc | 32
this might need to “be imposed from the outside,” without Israel’s agreement.
Maybe some common sense is starting to set in...
Posted by: ctiger | Jan 20 2024 13:38 utc | 29
=====================
Too little, too late.
I don't think the neighborhood will tolerate a "Palestinian state."
The neighborhood is thinking: Palestine. Full stop.
Just my 2 c/ worth.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 13:49 utc | 33
ctiger | Jan 20 2024 13:38 utc | 29
Survival instinct not common sense. The Euro twits don't want the US sidetracked by the middle east. The hired help/bobbling heads need the US in their war against Russia.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 13:50 utc | 34
… Today, this is one of the most dangerous Iranian anti-aircraft weapons that can be supplied to various irregular formations in different theater.
@Slavyangrad
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 20 2024 13:02 utc | 19
Great find. I remember one of those from photographs of a captured arms shipment but its operational parameters weren’t stated at the time. In fact it’s a rocket launched jet-cruise anti-aircraft missile that’s launched initially into a general area of interest to auto-seek a flying target, anything that’s moving slowly enough to be intercepted at its operational speeds. No radar station needed and the jet-powered intercept is less likely to be detected than a rocket flare.
Posted by: anon2020 | Jan 20 2024 13:51 utc | 35
The Euro twits don't want the US sidetracked by the middle east. The hired help/bobbling heads need the US in their war against Russia.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 13:50 utc | 34
Nothing like getting European attitudes 180° wrong.
Posted by: laguerre | Jan 20 2024 13:58 utc | 36
@ Posted by: canuck | Jan 20 2024 13:06 utc | 21
In late 1942 the British army began to receive the quantity and quality of equipment envisaged during the rearmament of the 1930s. t the same time the army had a manpower shortage which dogged it for the rest of the war. Whether Monty was cautious or not, he and other army commanders in Africa, Italy, the Far East and Europe were constrained by the shortage of manpower, the extraordinary attrition of infantry and the need to end the war with battleworthy forces (to have influence on the post-war settlement). Even the Americans, with their numbers began to use firepower as a substitute for manpower towards the end of 1944. Casualty conservation was important in itself and also for morale maintenance amongst the men who were being sent forward to kill and to die. The war ended with the British armies in being, their casualties gratifyingly small (except for infantry) and on the side of the coalition that smashed the Axis.
Posted by: Squeeth | Jan 20 2024 13:59 utc | 37
Yves Smith at Naked Capitalism has an excellent interview - complete with very accurate transcript - of Michael Hudson (interviewer Danny Haiphong). Truly excellent. Russia, Iran and the Red Sea: NATO's war economy collapses. Hudson has the rare ability to explain complex economic concepts in very straightforward, understandable and engaging terms. Nakedcapitalism(dotcom)
Posted by: Mexicana | Jan 20 2024 14:09 utc | 39
Al-Asad airbase in Iraq under attack with 17 impacts recorded. Must be answer to FUKUS newest strike in Syria.
Posted by: unimperator | Jan 20 2024 14:09 utc | 40
Iran has no chance in confrontation with Israel as Israel is ready to use nuclear weapons.
Posted by: zorge | Jan 20 2024 14:14 utc | 41
Posted by: zorge | Jan 20 2024 14:14 utc | 41
So Israeli nukes have no radioactive fallout?
Posted by: Surferket | Jan 20 2024 14:17 utc | 42
Haiphong Hudson video commented on by Mexicana.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlAZQlVe1hE
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 14:20 utc | 43
🔴 Iran: Assassination of Iran military advisors in Syria shows deep ties between Israel, Daesh, other terroristshttps://t.me/presstv/85385
Posted by: Norwegian | Jan 20 2024 14:27 utc | 44
A belated response to someone asking in an earlier Palestine thread why the westerners in the West would want its suicide. His presupposition was westerners would not want the suicide of the west. Perhaps that is true of some. However, in his new book published last week, La défaite de L’Occident, Emmanuel Todd argues that the west has been suiciding itself at least since neoconservatism killed the nation state and turned the west into a faceless nihilistic empire. The paradox is that those who wish the decline of the west, even on this forum, are in fact playing into the hands of the empire. But I guess we already got that sorted out.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 14:30 utc | 45
Posted by: sln2002 | Jan 20 2024 14:35 utc | 46
Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 14:30 utc | 45
Rather than deliberate suicide it is simply repeating the same mistakes of past empires and civilizations. It on old movie that has been played over and over throughout history.
Hubris, illusions of continuing greatness... and we get to watch it rather than just reading about it in history.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 14:40 utc | 47
Here we go: Biden Says Netanyahu Not Opposed to All Two-state Solutions for Palestinians (Haaretz)
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 14:41 utc | 48
Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 14:30 utc | 45
I haven't read Todd so I don't know whether he makes the point that neo-liberalism is what has killed the nation states by subverting the 'social contracts' on which they rested. Together with that 'faceless nihilistic' empire the way has been cleared for a new society founded on social principles.
That does not mean, of course, that such a society will eventuate, merely that it is a logical alternative to anarchy.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 20 2024 14:42 utc | 49
Other gleanings from Haaretz:
Netanyahu's Government Gets More Delusional as Israel's Campaign in Gaza Grinds On (analysis by Amos Harel)
PODCAST | 'Can Netanyahu be ousted?' and other burning questions from Haaretz readers
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 14:43 utc | 50
Together with that 'faceless nihilistic' empire the way has been cleared for a new society founded on social principles. That does not mean, of course, that such a society will eventuate, merely that it is a logical alternative to anarchy.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 20 2024 14:42 utc | 49
Excellent point. In fact I was just talking to somebody today and said exactly that.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 14:45 utc | 51
Posted by: Squeeth | Jan 20 2024 13:59 utc | 37
Yes you make some good points on Montgomery's strategy; however, I am still not a fan of his military prowess. Here's my list of the best WW2 generals-let's see if they match up with other people's choices:
1. von Manstein
2. Rommel
3. Zhukov
4. Macarthur
5. Guderian
6. Patton
During a meeting of his generals late in 1939 Hitler had a private chat with General von Manstein who outlined the later called, 'Manstein Plan' to invade Belgium/France.
A few minutes later the Hitler without shame explained to the generals what his plan was for the invasion-the Manstein Plan..
Oh my...does anyone know if Michael Hudson is in ill health? He has much trouble starting and completing thoughts in speech. He says "uh" about thrice for every main word he utters. I'm worried he may have had a stroke without knowing it. Has anyone talked to him recently? Karlof1?
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 20 2024 15:18 utc | 53
WW3 has been called off in favour of The International War of Drones.
Cheers M
....land massed armies will become a thing of the past......
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 20 2024 15:25 utc | 54
Oh my...does anyone know if Michael Hudson is in ill health? . . .
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 20 2024 15:18 utc | 53
======================
I, too, have recently been worried about Hudson's health (wondering whether he smokes).
Please, Dr. Hudson, take care of yourself!
We mustn't lose you.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 15:25 utc | 55
Outside MoA, Brendan O'Neill had this to offer. I used to consider him a good writer but lately he has turned out to be a Zionist and a bit dumb at that:
"This week, the idea of ‘the Muslim world’ took one hell of a beating. The notion of an ummah has been left in tatters. The fantasy of a global people with shared interests and experiences – almost an Islamic class – is now surely kaput. For while woke activists in the West might still speak of Muslims as a bloc, if not a blob, elsewhere in the world Muslims are at war. Two of the most powerful Muslim-majority nations, Iran and Pakistan, got dangerously close to all-out conflict this week. Tell me: who should the ‘Muslim community’ in Britain or the US or Canada support in this violent border skirmish?"
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 15:34 utc | 56
@ Posted by: Squeeth | Jan 20 2024 13:59 utc | 37
“ The war ended with the British armies in being, their casualties gratifyingly small (except for infantry) and on the side of the coalition that smashed the Axis.”
What manner of reimagination is this?
What were the not small small casualties? Who was that ‘unfortunate’ infantry formed of?
You do know that what part of the ‘coalition’ smashed ‘the Axis’?
You do know that Hitler ‘allowed’ the British Expeditionary force to be evacuated instead of mincing it on the beaches?
As he was directed to.
You do realise that the Nazis and their Axis were wholly created by the ‘coalition partners’ as a direct proxy to take Russia?
As the Ukrops are now.
And you will have some inkling that Bletchley and Enigma were actually about secret communication between the Proxy Nazis and their Natzio Masters ? And spying on the Russkies!
What do you suppose Hess was doing in the U.K. all through the war and why the Soviets insisted on having him incarcerated for life?
You will of course know that the US didn’t enter the coalition until the Red Army had stopped the proxy invaders and destroyed that invading force?
The rest of that war was about slowing down the Russian advance and getting boots on the ground in Germany before the Red army marched all the way to the Channel through the proxy Nazis of Europe. And has occupied Yurp with Yankee boots ever since.
It was kabuki between the supposed ‘great battles in the deserts, the Mediterranean and the fake sea wolf battles of the North Atlantic.
The supposed bombing of cities the V1’s and V2’s which were ironically aimed at U.K. and ultimate at USA as the dumbest nazis realised too late they had always been proxies and had been sold down the river! They were all hung.
The firebombing of Dresden and other cities which were going to be handed to the Soviet ‘partners’ were to destroy the evidence of the proxy being wholly part of the FUKUS Zionazis. Yup it needed day and night bombing so not a single shred of evidence physical or human would survive.
The only real significant losses were Soviets. The majority.
Where does repeating the same old hollywoodised history of WW2 get you? Why are you doing it?
@ Canuck
See above.
The greatest of that lot was Zhukov ! He said that the Red Army had saved Europe from fascism and they would never forgive Russia for that!
That’s the full fascist Europe and the 5 Eyes now nearly wholly formed and will be by the end of this year. With the new leaders , the young and beautiful next generation, sporting their snazzy new uniforms of ‘freedom’. With gorgeous hats , boots and a lovely holster.
Guess who they going after again? This time the Zionazis can’t hide across the Oceans war in Yurp means war in the US. Nukes or not.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 20 2024 15:38 utc | 57
@44
A plethoria of US supported terrorist sown by its war on terror.
When do the Sunnis revert to Islam?
Posted by: Paddy | Jan 20 2024 15:40 utc | 58
Makes you wonder why these targets were off limits before.
Well it's personal now I suppose, given that one can have eyes on them anywhere I trust everyone is now thinking about a little camoflauge and not living in big houses with luxuries.
Frankly it's nice to see the generals being forced into trenches as well.
Overall, pretty cool.
Posted by: Neofeudalfuture | Jan 20 2024 15:50 utc | 59
In these news they talk about the former gambian president Yahya Jammeh.
Could anyone tell me what happend to this former President of The Gambia???
Posted by: swiss | Jan 20 2024 15:54 utc | 60
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 15:34 utc | 56
According to Wikipedia, O'Neill describes himself as a Marxist libertarian.
O'Neill has served as a visiting fellow and columnist with the Australian right-wing think-tank, the Centre for Independent Studies, as well as being a keynote speaker for the pro-Israel advocacy organisation StandWithUs.
Posted by: Siddhartha | Jan 20 2024 15:56 utc | 61
Fascinating, detailed article on Houthi drones and the targeting methods involved in Red Sea activity. (And the comments section is very enlightening!)
Some are using SIMs/cellular linked to a Ukrainian ISP, and also to Iridium satellites where the traffic goes through Spookyville (McLean, Virginia.).
"Houthis Using Commercial Satellites Combined with Radar to Target Ships in the Red Sea
https://weapons.substack.com/p/houthis-using-commercial-satellites
Also of note: "Stephen Bryen is a former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense and is a leading expert in security strategy and technology. Bryen writes for Asia Times, American Thinker, Epoch Times, Newsweek, Washington Times, the Jewish Policy Center and others."
He does know what he's talking about however.
Posted by: daffyDuct | Jan 20 2024 15:58 utc | 62
I'd much rather see Israel kill those Revolutionary Guard leaders than kill all those civilians in Gaza.
Posted by: Inka | Jan 20 2024 16:03 utc | 63
@ Canuck
See above.
The greatest of that lot was Zhukov ! He said that the Red Army had saved Europe from fascism and they would never forgive Russia for that!
That’s the full fascist Europe and the 5 Eyes now nearly wholly formed and will be by the end of this year. With the new leaders , the young and beautiful next generation, sporting their snazzy new uniforms of ‘freedom’. With gorgeous hats , boots and a lovely holster.
Guess who they going after again? This time the Zionazis can’t hide across the Oceans war in Yurp means war in the US. Nukes or not.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 20 2024 15:38 utc | 57
I agree with your conspiracy theory of the war and the Soviets did 4/5 of the effort and sacrifice so they won it.
Now about Zhukov being the 'greatest general' it depends how one measures success: who is greatest baseball player? Barry Bonds (his team never won a World Series) would be my pick, but if you said the most successful baseball player you would have to pick Yogi Berra as he won 10 World Series.
People forget Zhukov's heroic fighting the Imperial Japanese army in Mongolia-if a poorer general had been there the world might today be a much different place.
But in WW2 I would still place von Manstein ahead as he was as brilliant on the Western attack front as he was in his intricately layered defense on the Eastern front.
Finally, "on the European/USSR sour note"-when I was a child my late mother would say a phrase that never made any sense to me ,"No good deed goes unpunished".
Now that I am older I get it...
Posted by: swiss | Jan 20 2024 15:54 utc | 60
You found SwissInfo now run the man's name through the search engine, like any Swiss story it is long, the wheels have been turning for years.
Posted by: SwissArmyMan | Jan 20 2024 16:11 utc | 65
Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 20 2024 15:18 utc | 53
My thought is that the sheer insanity of the current so called west has shaken him. In the sense that the west would see sense and pull in its horns rather than doubling down and heading full speed into an apocalyptic storm.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 20 2024 16:12 utc | 66
Oh my...does anyone know if Michael Hudson is in ill health? . . .
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Jan 20 2024 15:18 utc | 53
======================
I, too, have recently been worried about Hudson's health (wondering whether he smokes).
Please, Dr. Hudson, take care of yourself!
We mustn't lose you.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 15:25 utc | 55
==============================
I just watched the whole interview with Dr. Hudson.
Thanks for the link!
Yes, he says "ah" a lot, but I think that is just a habit while thinking. AFAI can see Hudson's mind is crystal clear. He has a command over a huge amount of information and history, and I think the "ahs" are just pauses while he searches his mind for the exact facts and also frames them basically in complete sentences. And grafs. He creates a very long sequence of connected thoughts to build a coherent argument. As Haiphong exclaims: Wow!
Hudson makes it very clear that the US is wagging the Israeli dog and giving Netty the go-ahead to use US bombs to bomb bomb bomb wherever he wants and take whatever he want. howver, Hudson also e classifies Israelis basically as Ukrainians in the sense of "fighting Russia/Iran to the last Ukrainian/Israeli." This implies to me that Hudson thinks the US is giving Net permission to take terrain that the US wants to control. Gaza. The West Bank. Golan. A chunk of Syria. A chunk of Lebanon.
But he also clarifies nearer the end of the interview that (a) the US really doesn't have the required muscle to bring to the worldwide fight it seeks, and (2) the Democrats in DC are filled with both rage and fear. Fear that they will lose their hold on the country----to retain control of the country they will risk all (war). And fear that a Trump win will bring retribution big-time to the FBI, CIA, and other Deep State critters and Dem Party operatives. I am sure there is plenty to argue about there. But this is Hudson's conclusion and he makes it credible.
An extraordinary man.
Please, everyone, watch the interview, to get Hudson's magisterial overview of what the hell is going on in the world now, and what are the visible options for the outcome. If you are short of time, start at 14:00.
Here is the link again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlAZQlVe1hE
Jane
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 16:12 utc | 67
Iran has no chance in confrontation with Israel as Israel is ready to use nuclear weapons.
Posted by: zorge | Jan 20 2024 14:14 utc | 41
The total area of the State of Israel is 22,145 sq.km (8,630 sq. miles) + 9.364 million people of which 21% arabic israeli citizens i.e. palestinians.
The total area of Iran is 1.648 million square kilometers (0.64 million square miles) + 90 million people.
Israel may try to use nukes, but its area being so small and Iran having so many missiles will (try to) destroy zionist nuke assets by one massive first strike ...
Posted by: Greg Galloway | Jan 20 2024 16:14 utc | 68
If I was an Israeli I would feel unsafe to go anywhere outside the citadel...
Hatred and revenge are growing exponentially against isrealis and their Jewish supporter.. Don't mention antisemitism...
Posted by: Virgile | Jan 20 2024 16:17 utc | 69
https://mondoweiss.net/2024/01/palestine-awakens-the-revolution/
These 100 days of genocide have replaced every cell in my body and made me into a different person. I am not the same as I was before witnessing these atrocities; my soul has shifted to revolve around this revolution. I’m not alone. The world has changed right along with me.
Posted by: Aleph_Null | Jan 20 2024 16:24 utc | 70
@ Jane | Jan 20 2024 15:25 utc | 55
Hudson is 84 years old. I wish to function at this age as he does.
Posted by: Grey Cloud | Jan 20 2024 16:26 utc | 71
Al-Qassem daily SitRep :
https://english.almanar.com.lb/2030448
Comment - continued triumphant tone. 1 video with 2 vehicles hit. The second shot in video is extraordinary - figure lobs a Yassin-105 round over a rampart.
Tally now 151 Merkavas claimed.
Posted by: Exile | Jan 20 2024 16:27 utc | 72
"...Just as the Bible was. Just as every invented Eurocentric religion and philosophy has been for Millenia. Including Marxism and Economics. They are all for the same purpose, the indoctrination of the masses into keeping themselves enslaved through such self imposed mental chains. That is how slavery has worked for hundreds of years now..."
[Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 20 2024 11:58 utc | 16]
This morning I came across a text I had copied down, which I will address on the current open thread whose link b has provided. Here I will simply place a separate extract from Gregory the Theologian, his 37th Oration:
"... And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there, where the multitude was greater. If He had abided uon His own eminence, if He had not condescended to infirmity,if He had remained what He was, keeping Himself unapproachable and incomprehensible, a few perhaps would have followed Him - perhaps not a few, possibly only Moses -- and he only so far as to see with difficulty the back parts of God. For he penetrated the cloud, either being placed outside the weight of the body or being withdrawn from his senses; for how could he have gazed upon the subtlety or the incorporeity, or --- I know not how one should call it --- of God, being corporate and using material eyes? But inasmuch as He strips Himself for us, inasmuch as He comes down (and speak of an examination, as it were, a laying aside and a diminution of His glory), He becomes by this comprehensible..."
This being a new, middle east open thread, I give this early definition of two middle eastern occasions: the position of Moses on Mount Sinai, and the position of Christ before the multitude, as described by an early orator of Christian heritage named the Theologian. While I admire many of your posts, and I understand your intensity in the face of the atrocities b has described to us, I do not think you are correct to call the Bible 'eurocentric' in your statement above, DunGroanin. But I will take my argument further on the open thread b has linked here.
Thank you, b.
Posted by: juliania | Jan 20 2024 16:27 utc | 73
Israeli Media reports missile -drone attack on Haifa
https://southfront.press/israeli-army-fires-at-suspicious-target-over-haifa/
Comment - barflies; we are moving rapidly up the escalation chain, hold-onto-your-hats and pray for peace at same time.
Posted by: Exile | Jan 20 2024 16:32 utc | 74
I am sure that izzy has the best targeting info available and can hit anyone anytime. Spy planes, satellites, on the ground...
"UK Has Flown 50 Spy Missions Over Gaza"
https://consortiumnews.com/2024/01/19/uk-has-flown-50-spy-missions-over-gaza/
Posted by: jef | Jan 20 2024 16:34 utc | 75
Exile
Intense diplomatic activity of Sissi and Shoukry seem to confirm what you say, check al-Ahram
Posted by: Minaa | Jan 20 2024 16:36 utc | 76
There won't be a WW III, of course./i But if it could happen it would probably start something like this.
Posted by: Gene Poole | Jan 20 2024 10:33 utc | 3
If anyone ever uses nuclear weapons against civilians again it will be Israel. They have the right mix of fanaticism, paranoia and hatred of other
races.
The Americans get somewhat of a pass because of the novelty of the weapon and the ignorance of the effects of nuclear radiation and poisoning on humans. For the Israelis, that will be a major part of their appeal
Posted by: Delhiliterally | Jan 20 2024 16:42 utc | 77
1. von Manstein
2. Rommel
3. Zhukov
4. Macarthur
5. Guderian
6. Patton
During a meeting of his generals late in 1939 Hitler had a private chat with General von Manstein who outlined the later called, 'Manstein Plan' to invade Belgium/France.
A few minutes later the Hitler without shame explained to the generals what his plan was for the invasion-the Manstein Plan..
Posted by: canuck | Jan 20 2024 14:46 utc | 52
Thank God you mentionned Zhukov one out of many of the true victors of WWII.
Why choose as prominent generals mostly the losers?
I would say:
1- Zhukov Winner - from Moscow to Berlin
2- Koniev Winner - from Vitebsk to Smolensk to Kalinin to Berlin
3- Rokossovsky Winner - from Dubno to Smolensk to Moscow to Stalingrad to Berlin
4- Vatutin Winner - Kursk
5- Chuikov Winner - from Stalingrad to Berlin
6- Guderian (as strategist),
7- Montgomery (stern figure, made mistakes but managed to win on his own in Africa and contented himself with victory - didnt seek vain glory).
8- Eisenhower ok Ike lovely enough ... had brains and charism ...
9- Rommel (good in offense up to 43, average in defense afterwards).
10- Kesselring (much underestimated for the Italy stalemate he succeeded to reach against much stronger forces - he was overshadowed by others stronger in the PR field).
11- Patton
Von Manstein illegible book shows how much a self aggrandizing person he was ... full of self serving "inaccuracies".
Rest of german General staff: despicable betrayers of the German people for the sake of their career and swaggering Prussian nobility ...
Posted by: Greg Galloway | Jan 20 2024 16:42 utc | 78
It's from a couple of days ago but it's news to me
Russia announces air patrols over Golan borders
Posted by: Awe | Jan 20 2024 16:43 utc | 79
**Wow that's what, 7 or 8 bigwigs taken out recently by Israhell??
Seems to me that this may end up being Total War on Mossad and partnered intel assets by the Axis moving forward!
Intelligence and surveillance will improve exponentially after this is all over with.
Posted by: bisfugged | Jan 20 2024 16:55 utc | 80
@Jane | Jan 20 2024 16:12
Hudson, who’s related to Trotsky and still maintains an anti-Stalin, anti-communist paradigm, gives a good forensic analysis of finance capital and its failings – but he fails to see that there is no turning back to Keynes and a more humane, kindler, gentler form of capitalism. He argues that creating a capitalist economy free of rentier burdens must happen before the conflict between capitalists and worker can be “reformed”. For all his detailed insight, Hudson can’t see that what he is describing is the evolution of finance capitalism, not a hangover from feudalism. And worse, he is in denial that the class conflict in each country between the capitalist class and the working class is unavoidable and cannot be set aside until the right time. He says that today’s Russia needs to replace the “rentier kleptocracy” that developed after the Soviet Union fell…” They are in power! Replacing them would take a revolution. His analysis of China is similar. He suggests that China's sustained economic growth depends on “…preventing its economy from being taken over by an emerging financial billionaire class.” But China already has a financial billionaire class, which supports a new predatory landlord class. The conflict between the US, post-Soviet Russia and China is not ideological as Hudson claims, but is a conflict between rival powers at different stages of capitalism. Ultimately, what Hudson can’t accept is the need for revolutionary change to end the rule of capital.
Posted by: zeke2u | Jan 20 2024 16:58 utc | 81
Hudson is 84 years old. I wish to function at this age as he does.
Posted by: Grey Cloud | Jan 20 2024 16:26 utc | 71
=====
Thanks. I was wondering. I was thinking late seventies.
Yep, Hudson is still going great guns!
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 17:01 utc | 82
Posted by: zeke2u | Jan 20 2024 16:58 utc | 81
=====================
Did you watch the linked interview?
Starting at ca. 14:00 Hudson describes how developments in nations that have not privatized their public goods and infrastructure are naturally tending toward socialism.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 17:05 utc | 84
The conflict between the US, post-Soviet Russia and China is not ideological as Hudson claims, but is a conflict between rival powers at different stages of capitalism. Ultimately, what Hudson can’t accept is the need for revolutionary change to end the rule of capital.
Posted by: zeke2u | Jan 20 2024 16:58 utc | 81
==============
Did you watch the interview?
Hudson states that the global conflict is one of different economic systems.
Naturally everything can ultimately be expressed as or reduced to ideology. Belief in the need for revolution is, obviously, an ideology.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 20 2024 17:08 utc | 85
@Jane|Jan 20 2024 17:05
Hudson should re-read Lenin's Reform or Revolution. Capitalist countries don't "trend" to socialism - Workers have to take control!
Posted by: zeke2u | Jan 20 2024 17:12 utc | 86
Funny how Israel does know how to do precision strikes, everywhere and anywhere .... except Gaza?
Posted by: Rain | Jan 20 2024 11:23 utc | 10
------
Wait, Scott Ritter just said the other day that Mossad and Israeli intelligence is terrible, and Israel is losing BADLY and will be destroyed in the next few months. What gives?
Posted by: Jose J. | Jan 20 2024 11:49 utc | 14
------
I googled "journalists killed in gaza". The answers varied from 89 thru 100 to 119 = just under 1/day to just over 1/day.
Q1: Are the jews killing journalists to conceal the fact that they're not losing their 'war', or to conceal the fact that they're not winning?
...
Q2: Now that we know that the jews can strike remote targets with extreme precision, is it ok to assume that they avoid precision targetting inside Gaza in order to maximise casualties?
...
Q3: A few weeks ago the IDF slaughtered 3 of their compatriots who had escaped detention in Gaza and were seeking rescue by the IDF. Does this mean that racist jews can't distinguish jews from non-jews, and don't know, or care, what their racism is based on?
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 20 2024 17:14 utc | 87
Wait, Scott Ritter just said the other day that Mossad and Israeli intelligence is terrible, and Israel is losing BADLY and will be destroyed in the next few months. What gives?
Posted by: Jose J. | Jan 20 2024 11:49 utc | 14
If Ritter said it the other day and he gave the IDF a few more months, the projected time of the IDF's demise has not arrived yet. Enjoy the successes while you can. That said, he didn't claim to be infallible did he?
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 17:22 utc | 88
Hudson can’t accept ... the need for revolutionary change to end the rule of capital.
Posted by: zeke2u | Jan 20 2024 16:58 utc | 81
On the other hand, as someone said: give the capitalist enough rope to hang himself. No revolution before that happens. And the "rope" now manifests itself militarily as attrition warfare.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 17:26 utc | 89
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 20 2024 15:38 utc | 57
Calm down, DunGroanin. I don't see anything in what Squeeth was describing that needs to be attacked. The second world war involved troops on all sides as allies, and he is describing part of that. My mother's brother died - sure, only one casualty in a war begun before I was born, but I was born into the midst of it and soldiers from the US came to my grandmother's house where I lived, then disappeared in the Pacific battles. They were heroes who gave their lives, and that was real even if not on the magnitude of the Russian experience. For families there were sacrifices in all the fields of battle, and Squeeth is bearing witness to that.
There may have been Nazi sympathizers in Britain and in the US and it is well to point that out, but I think you are going too far in your assessments. It was not then as it seems to be now.
Posted by: juliania | Jan 20 2024 17:29 utc | 90
Amazing one can become a high ranking military officer, yet haven't the brains to take precautions in a conflict zone. Set up? Could you be that stupid? Meet, in a house, really? ACME school of tactics? Who plans such stupidity?
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 20 2024 17:30 utc | 91
I rate Mao Zedong as one of the best generals of WWII. He accomplished the most with the least, and his strategic and tactical lessons are more valid today than ever. The west, stuck on Manstein and Guderian, is failing against opponents following Zhukov and Mao.
Posted by: Honzo | Jan 20 2024 17:31 utc | 92
Middle East Open Thread is a good idea, though maybe it should be called the Middle East / West Asia Open Thread.
Posted by: Vortex | Jan 20 2024 17:35 utc | 93
It's from a couple of days ago but it's news to me
Russia announces air patrols over Golan borders
Posted by: Awe | Jan 20 2024 16:43 utc | 79
Don't know why they and their ground troops on Israels border weren't able to deter Israels attack on Syria yesterday.
Posted by: Delhiliterally | Jan 20 2024 17:37 utc | 94
Posted by: canuck | Jan 20 2024 13:06 utc | 21
Montgomery had the highest vermouth to gin ratio (15-1) which made Sir Harold Alexander a
fellow general to quip: "Montgomery uses the same ratio before he will launch an attack". (1)
For barflies see below-the James Bond character drinking vodka martinis instead of gin caused
depressed gin sales to this day!
1. https://downtondistillery.com/pages/the-perfect-martini
Thanks for a nifty factoid, but you got the ratio backwards: Montgomery's recipe was 15 parts gin to 1 part vermouth. And gin seems to be making a strong comeback as distillers have run out of novel flavors to put into their vodkas.
Posted by: Clever Dog | Jan 20 2024 17:38 utc | 95
Israel may try to use nukes, but its area being so small and Iran having so many missiles will (try to) destroy zionist nuke assets by one massive first strike ...
Posted by: Greg Galloway | Jan 20 2024 16:14 utc | 68
Yes, but Israel has also nukes on submarines.
Iran has no nukes at all so Iran is powerless in this conflict.
Moreover, Israel is ready to use nukes, Israel is not afraid, like Russia is afraid.
Posted by: zorge | Jan 20 2024 17:43 utc | 96
Europe's attitude towards Russia in WW2 will always be tainted by the fact that they were allies of Hitler for the first 2 years of the war. The bombs that fell on London and elsewhere were made of Russian steel and were dropped by planes flying on Russian fuel. Then there's Finland, oh and Poland. So forgive us if we don't find you wholly trustworthy.
Posted by: Tooting Boy | Jan 20 2024 17:46 utc | 97
Escalate originally meant "to climb by means of a ladder" thus suggesting an upward movement. And "escalate" they might but the reality is that the West is going down the drain in a vortex. Who would have thought just 3 years ago it would happen this fast?
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 17:47 utc | 98
Europe's attitude towards Russia in WW2 will always be tainted... So forgive us if we don't find you wholly trustworthy.
Posted by: Tooting Boy | Jan 20 2024 17:46 utc | 97
You got that part right.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 20 2024 17:54 utc | 99
@Fed up with it all (who said on 20th Jan 24 at about 1000 GMT) The karma is going to suck big time for these evil Israeli scum.
As the whole world knows, sooner or later, the karma is going to catch up with those evil American scum, co-ordinating and cowering over there at the western edge of the map.
Posted by: petra | Jan 20 2024 17:54 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
There is really no plans. It's all so boring if I can use that phrase.
Posted by: nam | Jan 20 2024 10:20 utc | 1