English Outsider - The 'West' Is A Farce
by English Outsider
lifted from a comment
There's nothing funny here, though it's true that the Western military and political establishments are now pure farce. Nothing funny because the farce has had lethal consequences. The unrestrained carnage in Gaza will be a reproach to the West for ever. As for Ukraine, "b" summed up, must be two years ago now, what we are putting our proxies in Ukraine through. A "crime", he stated. So it is. Has been since 2014. Worse now, after a million and more deaths and economic and societal ruin for Ukraine to match.
As for the military reality Putin, in the video embedded in the Simplicius article above, sums up the military reality that has been clear to us Europeans since February 2022. NATO, the US and all, is a paper tiger. Even with the substantial manpower of the original Ukrainian armed forces NATO has neither the troops nor the equipment for a ground war on Russia’s doorstep and never has had. All we do have is the nuclear threat and neither Biden, nor, now, Trump, will risk Chicago frying for Vilnius. Nor for Berlin. Nor for London. That accepted, the only puzzle lies in working out what the European politicians hope to gain from prolonging a war long since lost.
Seems a simple enough puzzle assuming, that is, that the European politicians are rational. The gamble they took in 2022 was a gamble on destroying Russia with sanctions. Their only way out of that failed gamble is to save face by taking us into the new Cold War. We must strain every nerve, they tell us, to face the Russian threat. Only keeping us in a state of permanent war hysteria will serve. Otherwise, should we recover from that hysteria, the danger is that we shall look about us and hold the politicians to account for the damage they have done and are still doing to our own economies and to our own societies.
The outcome of the war with Iran is still unknown. That of the war in Ukraine is set in stone and always has been. It remains only to attempt to guess how the Russians will accomplish their local objectives there.
Those local objectives are simple enough. To protect the inhabitants of the Donbas, an objective often forgotten or glossed over but the primary initial objective of the SMO. To prevent NATO's use of Ukraine, and now of whatever remnant Ukraine turns out to be, as a means of attacking Russia.
That means no more sabotage and assassination missions run out of Ukraine into Russia from the bases we set up in Ukraine for that purpose. No more "look no hands" missile and drone attacks from out of Ukraine. If we wish to continue with those various lines of attack we'll have to do so out of Europe, or from elsewhere along the Russian perimeter. Remnant Ukraine will no longer be at our disposal for those purposes.
The wider Russian aims, those set out in the 2021 draft treaties, it's less certain the Russians will achieve. They might get somewhere with the Americans. That depends on whether the Trump team, itself divided, can manage to negotiate the conflict between the "populists" and the Ancien Régime in the States. But whether or not they get anywhere with the Americans, the Russians must know they'll get nowhere with the Europeans as long as the European Ancien Régime remains in the saddle. In 2022 I was writing on English blogs that all the Russians want to do with Europe is to shut the door on us and make sure that door has locks. I doubt they’ll manage to do any better with us now, so the garden in the jungle will remain an impotent and embittered enclave in a world that has long since moved on.
No wonder Boris Johnson told us that what was at stake in Ukraine was nothing less than the hegemony of the West. So it was, and looking at what we've put our proxies through in Ukraine, and at what we're doing or have assisted in doing in Gaza, who can regret that lost hegemony?
…………………
As for the attempt to keep us in a state of “permanent war hysteria”, examples of that abound in Europe, to such an extent that it’s difficult to find any statements from any European politician, that don’t illustrate it. An example from the States is to be found somewhere in this video of a discussion between two of the best American analysts, Daniel Davis and Andrei Martyanov.
Posted by b on June 17, 2025 at 14:55 UTC | Permalink
next page »Iran will have to stop enriching uranium beyond what they need for civilian purposes.
Or they can be cut to pieces forever.
Their choice.
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
"That accepted, the only puzzle lies in working out what the European politicians hope to gain from prolonging a war long since lost."
This is a "king is naked" moment in European history. For the last century or so, our elites have perfected mind control over their populations. They have unified almost all media (MSM) under their control. They have successfully crushed almost all dissent, or relegated it to the fringes of society. It's come to the point where they have us believe, as in the fairly tale, that the King is wearing fine clothes "that only intelligent people can see", although he is in reality naked. Their worst nightmare is the thought of that little boy, just saying out loud, "the king is naked". And letting those words sink in. We'd chase them out of power with pitchforks. And they are beyond reform. They do not have the skills to lead us in a fair and just way, without gaslighting everybody at every turn.
Things are coming to a head. The elites cannot but lie and gaslight ever more aggressively to keep their hold on power. But as they do so, the whole process becomes ever more visible, and hence more fragile. Trump, Macron, Merz, Stammer... Their trains are running out of steam and will end with pitchforks. It's time to start designing the political sytem that will avoid us ever being inflicted their likes again.
Posted by: Shahmaran | Jun 17 2025 15:21 utc | 3
EU leaders are ready to sacrifice EU wealth, safety and security to backup an aggression war declared by a genocidal maniac on a non existent threat from a country they're not formally allied with ... twice in 4 years.
With such "leaders", who needs enemies ?
Posted by: Savonarole | Jun 17 2025 15:26 utc | 4
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
Iran will have to stop enriching uranium beyond what they need for civilian purposes.
On the contrary, it is now crystal clear that Iran must acquire its own nuclear weapons or forever be a punching bag for the zionist entity and its feral backstoppers. Compare and contrast the fate of Libya and PR North Korea.
Posted by: pasha | Jun 17 2025 15:26 utc | 5
thanks english outsider and to b for highlighting it... the quote i am most drawn to is this -
"The gamble they took in 2022 was a gamble on destroying Russia with sanctions. Their only way out of that failed gamble is to save face by taking us into the new Cold War."
but they didn't mention anything about the importance of keeping the financial system of dominance is place, did they?? there is a reason for that... war=money, and must continue when the financial empire is in jeopardy.. the city of london and wall st are under threat.. that can't be allowed to happen..
Posted by: james | Jun 17 2025 15:32 utc | 6
Posted by: pasha | Jun 17 2025 15:26 utc | 5
Have to agree, there is a reason North Korea hasn't been attacked
Posted by: ctigetr | Jun 17 2025 15:35 utc | 7
EU leaders are ready to sacrifice EU wealth
Posted by: Savonarole | Jun 17 2025 15:26 utc | 4
---
The alternative is to embrace a fate similar to the break-up of the USSR.
https://www.google.com/search?q=post+soviet+russia+depression
As ex-Citi CEO Chuck Price explained the situation of the eve of the global financial crisis,
"As long as the music is playing, you've got to get up and dance".
Posted by: too scents | Jun 17 2025 15:36 utc | 8
Chuck Price explained the situation of the eve of the global financial crisis,
Posted by: too scents | Jun 17 2025 15:36 utc | 8
---
Sheesh ...
Chuck Prince explained the situation on the eve of the global financial crisis,
Posted by: too scents | Jun 17 2025 15:39 utc | 9
My impression: No shit, Sherlock. I mean most of the bar knew Ukraine was toast years ago and all the rest of it.
Plus the repeated use of the pronoun "we" when referring to the actions of the Imperialist state, reflects a lower level political (and zero class) consciousness or rhetorical laziness.
Frankly, Ukraine has ceased to be interesting precisely because it is cut and dried. I like English Outsider, but this comment is nothing to crow about.
Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Jun 17 2025 15:39 utc | 10
If the west needs war all the time then the west needs to be destroyed
Posted by: Andrew Sarchus | Jun 17 2025 15:39 utc | 11
In the previous thread someone posted https://www.donotpanic.news/p/manufacturing-consent-machine-goes and I found it a good read, so thank you to whoever was responsible.
I'm now thinking about the disconnect between Russian "unprovoked, full scale invasion" and Israeli "right to self defence" umprovoked, illegal attack. It has become laughably tragic how the propaganda is so completely transparent - the BBC is full of reports on how Iranians are railing against their government which is suffering under a myriad of cunning strikes by the plucky Israeli professional airforce etc, so on and so forth. Its actually quite clever: a good example would be:
"The maps below show where Israel and Iran have been hit by air strikes over the past five days of the conflict.Iranian strikes have hit northern and central Israel, while more than 100 Israeli strikes have hit Tehran."
Can you see what the did there? Subtle, but effective. The link for those with full hazmat protection: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cx23e4jz2g0t
Posted by: Occasional poster | Jun 17 2025 15:49 utc | 12
Very fine comment and even better that it is now a post.
I was about to answer that, as I said earlier, if the trump's "leave tehran" was a warning about bibi and not a threat, the way for the us to recover a lot of influence (and even respect and empire) would be to use a tactical nuke where IDF holds theirs (and sink their subs for good measure)
Trump would then be able to force a global disarmament on the ME and make europe bend the knee in seconds.
It could then reach an arrangement with RF and china on clear spheres and rules.
my 2 cents
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 17 2025 16:00 utc | 13
A paper tiger that has wiped out Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and now is demonstrating the utter impotence and/or incompetence of Iran? I do agree the EU seems feckless insofar as it has been almost entirely pushed out of the ME, by the US and its viceroy, Israel, but this has been the case for many many decades. The effect of which is precisely that destruction of the ME and the consequent proliferation of "black box" terrorist groups, which may ultimately loop back to Washington, London, or TelAviv.
Otherwise put, it has been clear for sometime that whatever Machiavellian machinery of consequence is afoot in the ME has its immediate origins in Israel and ultimately Imperial Washington. The destabilization of the ME has swamped the EU with millions of refugees—and otherwise desperate undocumented immigrants—from the regions of US-Israeli destruction, which in turn severely stresses the European "social democratic" societies differentiate the Eurozone from the US tout court, and gives perilous impetus to quisling pseudo-populist parties, which if they were ever to achieve dominance in their respective states, not to the mention the EU as a whole, would with shameless alacrity asset strip the EU (both public and private) in toto for the benefit of a global, but all the same still largely US-based neoliberalism, at whose apex lies an Anglo-Israeli oligarchy.
Posted by: Ludovic | Jun 17 2025 16:01 utc | 14
Indeed. But as vile and corrupt as the western elites are, don't underestimate them. They are cunning and relentless and deceptive and will not stop. Look at what happened to Syria: for a long while it looked like Syria/Iran/Russia had 'won.' Meanwhile sanctions and the stealing of Syria's oil wealth bled the society white, and various splinter groups were being armed and trained and financed and set against each other and then... bang!
Is a Russian victory set in stone? Perhaps. But the western elites themselves are doing very well, they love huge military expenditures and 'austerity' for the proles and asset price inflation. It's not a loss for the people in charge, so far. And who knows what sort of subversion projects they have underway all along Russia's border, or even within Russia's borders. The western elites have more money than God and pretty much anyone can be bought, at some price. And even if Ukraine is demolished, it's a big place and I'm sure the west can still use it as a launching pad for missile and infiltration attacks into Russia. Maybe the west will start attacking Russia's commercial ships worldwide? Very hard to defend against that, I mean the Russian navy in the Black Sea has been given fits by Ukrainian drones. Maybe Putin will have a heart attack, or a critical number of oligarchs will sell out... I'm not saying that Russia is doomed, but if I was in the Russian leadership, I would take nothing for granted.
Posted by: TG | Jun 17 2025 16:05 utc | 15
The sovereign Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) must enrich its uranium capability to the point of developing its own nuclear weapon for the prosperity, long-lasting peace and stability in the region and the rest of the world.
This plausible achievement shall send a strong message to those in the West, the Zionist project and the Outlaw regime in the US of A.
Posted by: pepe | Jun 17 2025 16:23 utc | 17
Iran will have to stop enriching uranium beyond what they need for civilian purposes.
Or they can be cut to pieces forever.
Their choice.
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
It IS, and should always remain, Iran's choice. But whatever THEY freely choose, and not any choices imposed on them.
Problem is, after one of the biggest doublecrosses I've seen in my lifetime, perpetrated by Trump, I wouldn't blame Iran if they felt they had no choice now but to build some nukes. And frankly, I hope they do.
I'm ashamed to admit I'm a US citizen. The country I grew up in is long gone. The US is a disgrace, and their Zionist genociders are no different. A pox on them all.
Posted by: Michigan Dude | Jun 17 2025 16:34 utc | 18
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
—————————
That’s exactly what they agreed upon in the framework of the JCPOA and that they were implementing.
Posted by: scc | Jun 17 2025 16:43 utc | 19
A farce? Since when? Since the colonisation of the world by Europe, since the Opium War, since the Vietnam War?
How long can the English Outsider look back? More than 3 years?
The capitalist concept means the exploitation of the majority by a minority.
These states do not form communities of interest, but communities of convenience.
Security is not provided by contracts, but by the ability to defend one's own existence.
States whose prosperity is based on the property of others are dependent on the availability of plundered goods.
If capitalism were a predatory fish, e.g. a shark, then orcas are not the solution to the food problem.
The English have to make it into the 21st century first. As a German, I only know kings etc. as fairy tales from which one could learn something.
English Outsider reads more like a disappointment, as he criticises the consequences of actions, but not the actions, a fan of the success of his system.
Posted by: BlindSpot | Jun 17 2025 16:48 utc | 20
In principle, I am totally against nuclear weaponry (not nuclear power generation). However, the many commenters that mention the N.Korean example have it entirely right. They have indeed secured their sovereignty through the acquisition of nuclear arms. Thus, it is logical than Iran should have produced it's own nuke arsenal.
It is too late now for Iran. Satan and his li'l brother are now in full war mode. For Trump to say that "he doesn't care" what the head of his primary intelligence agency is saying about an Iranian bomb - Tulsi Gabbard states that there is no evidence that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon, tells you all you need to know about Trump's intentions. I do not believe that Iran has the time required to build itself a deterrent. Further, with Trump saying that Tehran needs to be evacuated, I think one of two things. 1. It is a scare tactic to intimidate Iranians and their leadership, or 2. an israeli nuclear action is in the works.
Trump has completely discarded the MAGA crowd that put him in power, and has entirely gone over to the dark side. It must be some very juicy dirt that Nuttyahoo has on Trump. IMO, a way to stop another u.s. forever war would be to release Epstein's client list. That would derail a great many politician's careers, most of whom are of the 'let's bomb everybody' mindset.
Going back to my first statement, the great problem with nuke proliferation though, is the more countries that possess these things, the greater the chances somebody will use them.
Posted by: rgl | Jun 17 2025 16:48 utc | 21
Posted by: too scents | Jun 17 2025 15:39 utc | 9
In any cases, 40 years of establishing costly rules nobody wanted for nebulous values much nears the stupidity contest than the efficient ruling have a cost. Who will pay ? The usual suspects ? Nahhh ... or maybe ?
Posted by: Savonarole | Jun 17 2025 16:57 utc | 22
Salaam,@ pepe | Jun 17 2025 16:23 utc/, Iranians can also use conventional weapons,destroy the occupier and set them apacking- reverse nakba.Humanity in all it's civility cannot accept the existence of that Zionist outpost in west Asia or anywhere on the planet.What, with the genocide in Gaza of Palestinians and the mass slaughter of infants.No nukes used and west Asia is made a permanent nuclear weapons free area.The coming into being of the state of Palestine from the river to the sea.Those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity and terrorism be held accountable and punished.Reparations paid to the Palestinians.No contamination of the environment.As the Chines win win.
Posted by: 4q8 | Jun 17 2025 16:58 utc | 23
Trump would then be able to force a global disarmament on the ME and make europe bend the knee in seconds.
It could then reach an arrangement with RF and china on clear spheres and rules.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 17 2025 16:00 utc | 13
Jesus, you guys are really sick. Did you kiss the feet of your Trump statue today already? Or practiced shouting "Heil Trump!"?
Posted by: Zet | Jun 17 2025 17:00 utc | 24
From the beginning I said Russia would prevail in ex-ukrainia and I still believe that to be the case. That said, I was caught completely unaware they would go about it in the slowest most destructive manner possible by employing Westmoreland's Viet Nam "strategy" of attrition. Yes..yes..Russia's fanboys here think the slaughter of over a million unwilling conscripts while leaving today's Waffen SS untouched by the carnage was absolutely brilliant. The attrition war has strengthened the Galicians control of Kiev.
I was also caught flatfooted when I observed that Russia did little to cut off ex-ukrainia's major supply lines. All of this has greatly contributed to China's security by tying down and destroying western military assets after they've arrived at the front. China has requited this favor by demanding lower prices on Russia's energy exports and now they're trying to extort technology transfers...with friends like that, who needs enemies?
However, by giving so much time to it's "NATO" opponent, new threats along Russia's perimeter have been developed all the while "NATO" has seized Russia's over the horizon assets.
Color me unimpressed.
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 17:02 utc | 25
and now is demonstrating the utter impotence and/or incompetence of Iran?
That's a fairly ridiculous take on current events, where Israel is preventing citizens from fleeing the country while Iran striks at will throughout the country. Take your propaganda back to the Western cesspits you circulate in.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jun 17 2025 17:02 utc | 26
Surprised I don't see a comment yet on this.
"UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER"
- tRuMp
Posted by: Otto Penn | Jun 17 2025 17:06 utc | 27
Oh I forgot to add..the US is about to get humbled in a way it won't be able to hide. You heard it here first folks.
Interesting rumors about quantum entanglement hacking of AD. Surely not. Those Chinese only copy other people! Right? Right?
The real question is how the fat manbaby will react when a carrier goes down. Seems ww3 is in the cards. Hang onto your asses.
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jun 17 2025 17:07 utc | 28
Trump says US knows where Khamenei is, demands Iran's ‘unconditional surrender'
Posted by: Otto Penn | Jun 17 2025 17:07 utc | 29
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
If you are going to post un-argued propagandist tripe like that on here, expect to be completely ignored, or alternatively be viciously attacked for cretinism.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 17:10 utc | 30
The uranium enrichment is a canard being used as a pretense. The US was always going to help but only after Israel floundered. No one is coming to Iran’s rescue other than with military technical supplies. It is up to Iran to face this alone and to hang tough until it gets intolerable for the US to support. This is a regime change operation and has been Netanyahu’s wet dream since 1984.
Posted by: Old Microbiologist | Jun 17 2025 17:13 utc | 31
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 17:02 utc | 25
Concern trolling has been very unfashionable for quite a while now. Everyone knows about it. Maybe time for a new approach? Or just get a new and more respectable job?
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 17:17 utc | 32
Who will pay ?
Posted by: Savonarole | Jun 17 2025 16:57 utc | 22
---
What can't be paid won't be paid.
To bad so sad for the creditors.
Posted by: too scents | Jun 17 2025 17:17 utc | 33
Trump would then be able to force a global disarmament on the ME and make europe bend the knee in seconds.
It could then reach an arrangement with RF and china on clear spheres and rules.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 17 2025 16:00 utc | 13
Jesus, you guys are really sick. Did you kiss the feet of your Trump statue today already? Or practiced shouting "Heil Trump!"?
Posted by: Zet | Jun 17 2025 17:00 utc | 24
At the time of posting, the hasty and chaotic movements yesterday did not seem to match a planed war.
Damage control without prior warning did. And what could force iran to go all in?
Bibi nukes Tehran and the adults have to minimize casualties, and protect all oilfields, refineries, harbors, cities in the ME.
That or tactically nuking and defanging israel prior to, or just after, the Tehran event (one can dream)
Unfortunately recent posts appear to show no such luck.
Yes, optimistic, but still not sure how strongly trump's hand is being forced.
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 17 2025 17:21 utc | 34
Iran will have to stop enriching uranium beyond what they need for civilian purposes.
Their choice.
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
This is the kind of ignorance that is inculcated into the minds of the western public who are too stupid to learn from past experience. Sadly, that is a majority.
He is literally giving the Iran position in the negotiations, but he "thinks" that he is giving the US position. And then he prances around like Trump, thinking he has the winning cards.
This is why we can't have nice things.
Posted by: wagelaborer | Jun 17 2025 17:25 utc | 35
Posted by: Doctor Eleven | Jun 17 2025 17:07 utc | 28
"The real question is how the fat manbaby will react when a carrier goes down."
The US has been creating artificial reefs from old warships for decades now. They can just proceed with the programme and laugh it off as a new stage. Or cry.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 17:27 utc | 36
It's really important to understand the appeal of WAR! Inc. War gets people riled up and self-righteous that is as addictive as any drug. Most people in the Western Empire are functionally illiterate and unable to reason therefore they rely on others to do it for them. Europe's current absurd state of passivity and willingness to go along with it's clearly psychopathic leadership is a prime example of "ignorance is bliss" and "daddy will fix it" that I used to assume was a central aspect of US culture. Instead I see Americans as more willing to embrace at least the idea that our leaders are shit and that the propaganda organs are, indeed, propaganda organs. Still not a majority, but a significant minority of Americans are beginning to think for themselves (no more than 20% at best). In contrast Euro-people are begging their leaders to enslave them and colonize their minds--hopefully after this ME war ramps up into more serious territory Europeans might start to doubt their oligarchs.
Posted by: Chris Cosmos | Jun 17 2025 17:27 utc | 37
Or they can be cut to pieces forever.
Their choice.
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
LOL, it's Israel that's getting cut to pieces and begging for help.
--
It is too late now for Iran.
Posted by: rgl | Jun 17 2025 16:48 utc | 21
No, it's too late for Israel. Not winning is losing, and losing is a death sentence either now or later.
--
However, by giving so much time to it's "NATO" opponent, new threats along Russia's perimeter have been developed all the while "NATO" has seized Russia's over the horizon assets.
Color me unimpressed.
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 17:02 utc | 25
Time has always been on Russia's side, and the attrition war has not only bled Ukraine from manpower it's also gutted NATO and the EU economies.
Those so-called threats are new liabilities for an overstretched west than a problem for Russia.
--
Too many assumptions based upon historical biases:
1. The US will engage directly.
2. That none of Iran's allies will intervene.
3. The US, once engaged, will prevail.
4. That the US or Israel can employ a nuke (since MOABs won't do the job) without starting WWIII.
None of these are a given.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 17:39 utc | 38
The OP at least uses scare quotes to refer to so-called populists in the US government (meaning Trump cultists.) But it also refers to the Ancien Regime, which could mean, the Democratic Party Deep State commie conspiracy, or some such Trumpery.
The personal threat against Khameini, the open denial of any interest in a ceasefire, are all ominous. The TACO insta-cliche still seems to me to be wrong. It was Trump who initiated this course when he revoked JCPOA. I've never been convinced that Trump's playing around with Witkoff's passenger airmiles signified any willingness to actually reverse course, genuinely change policy. I don't think he does that. Democratic Party hack nonsense about Trump the Russian asset aside, the truth is that Trump has always been hostile to Russia, even when he schmoozed Putin personally. Again, I don't think Trump has changed that.
Posted by: steven t johnson | Jun 17 2025 17:42 utc | 39
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 17 2025 17:21 utc | 35
"Yes, optimistic, but still not sure how strongly trump's hand is being forced."
Trump has no good choices left now. Either he goes in with Yahoo and alienates the 85% of US citizens who don't want him to. Or he stays out and offends the money men who expect him to produce war profits. In any case, with his crowing about knowing, and then his denial of any knowledge, he has painted himself (accurately) as just an ignorant clown.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 17:44 utc | 40
Hmm, Israel achieves total air superiority in three days over Iran, something Russia has failed to do over three years, in its war with Ukraine. Culturally and politically the West is indeed farcical, in fact has probably transcended that term and moved towards the absurd, which has a direct impact on many other sectors, but in some things they are anything but. This though is the danger, the difference in the political capabilities and that of the military, that they command, is a relationship akin to giving an eight year old the keys to a super-car. The only people who benefit from such an arrangement are the car’s insurer’s.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 17:45 utc | 41
Posted by: steven t johnson | Jun 17 2025 17:42 utc | 41
"Deep State commie conspiracy"
Are you completely nuts? a 'deep state commie conspiracy' I can only wish for such a thing, but the fact that you can (I presume) seriously write these words indicates that you are a complete off-the-trolley merchant. Either that or your ignorance of political terms is as deep as the Marianas Trench.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 17:48 utc | 42
Posted by: Loose-cannon Lefties | Jun 17 2025 17:26 utc | 37
You have demonstrated an MSM level of understanding of the region, the Arabs are fearful of the Iranians, and firmly subscribe to the ‘my enemies enemy is’ maxim. Iran’s behaviour in the region has also won them few friends, and it seems your punishment squads will also have to go after a considerable number of senior Iranian regime figures, who seem to have been tripping over themselves to give critical info to the ‘hated’ Israelis.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 17:52 utc | 43
Posted by: Chris Cosmos | Jun 17 2025 17:27 utc | 39
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 17:53 utc | 44
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 17:45 utc | 43
Back with more unsubstantiated propaganda?
Please provide your proof of Israeli air superiority, apart from hasbara.
The fact that Iran has shot down three Zio F-35's (four?) in the first day or so, but none after that, indicates that these over-rated, over-priced metal balloons have either retreated way back to where they are safe - (by now probably Cyprus) or the rest have been destroyed on the ground.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 17:54 utc | 45
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 17:52 utc | 45
Look, if you are going to post complete bullshit, could you at least do it in a foreign language, so that we could skip it without the risk of taking any in?
"the Arabs are fearful of the Iranians, and firmly subscribe to the ‘my enemies enemy is’ maxim. Iran’s behaviour in the region has also won them few friends"
Saudi Arabia has had a pretty good rapprochement with Iran in recent months. The 'Arabs' whoever they might be, are even more fearful of the US, where all their money resides. They have also become quite close to Russia, presumably on the basis that: ‘my enemies enemy is’.. All in all, what you said is just more western propaganda and wishful thinking.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:03 utc | 46
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
###########
It is appalling that someone with your obvious lack of intelligence is using the moniker of one of the smartest men of his time.
This is not about Iran enriching uranium. That is a 'big beautiful" lie.
This is another proxy war between Russia, China and the US being waged on Iran's soil. Iran supplies a great deal of OIL to China. Who is China in a trade war with? The US (I am not sure you would know that/s). Regime change in Iran will cut off OIL to China. That is how Trump plans to get China to bend on trade.
Please get a brain.....
Posted by: CeaClearly | Jun 17 2025 18:03 utc | 47
Interest cost of federal debt as percentage of federal revenues:
Actual
~2% 2019
~9% 2021
~18% 2024
Projected
~24% 2025
~xx% 2026
~xx% 2027
My back of the envelope shows 28-30% in 2026 and 30-34% in 2027. If that’s true, then the Federal Gov‘t will face an insolvency crisis in early 2027.
Watch 10 year treasury interest rate: if stays above 4% then bond market agrees with my prediction of an insolvency crisis; if 10 year drops below 3% then I am wrong. TBD
Posted by: Exile | Jun 17 2025 18:03 utc | 48
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
###########
"It is appalling that someone with your obvious lack of intelligence is using the moniker of one of the smartest men of his time."
It's the Dunning-Kruger effect again.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:06 utc | 49
A good take by English outsider.
The lunacy of what the west is doing madness and has been for some time. First the massive promotion of every sexual activity under the sun but zero promotion of the family. Now the madness of war and hostilities for no reason other than dominance.
The west has destroyed itself, though in the process destroying a lot of other people.
Now the madness of the Jewish regime and the slaughter there. Trump..... trash talking like war is some American MMA fight. Childish garbage but that s the intellect of the American voters.
Ukraine - incredibly low numbers of civilian casualties for such a conflict, Gaza - a genocide pure and simple.
Now the war launched against Iran to conduct regime change and place a puppet government in power. Large movements of US fighter aircraft towards the region.
Trump said something along the lines of "We now have total air dominance over Iran". We is the critical word. casting aside the fig leaf of US not being involved in the strikes.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:06 utc | 50
Doctor Eleven #28:
Great comment as always. I hate the climate here in Norway but its conveniently out of the way of WW3. I dont think Russia will bother about this pile of rocks except flatten some NATO/US bases perhapd.
I had a bad feeling the last month or so seeing paralells in the mood similar to pre-1914.People here seem so brainwashed and triggerhappy to "take on Russia". I have a suspicion they will be less cheerfull when relatives or their children have to die for the Western elites lies.
I find it highly likely the US is going to jump into the Iran-Israel fight unless Congress/Senate is able to reign in Zio Don. I had hopes for Trumps new term but it was obviously just lies and theater.
Nothing could warm my heart more than seeing Israel flattened and the Palestinian people setting up their own Nuremberg court for the remaining Israelis.
And i hope China and Russia will back Iran with whatever equipment and intelligence thats needed.
Posted by: Norwegian Bob | Jun 17 2025 18:09 utc | 51
We is the critical word. casting aside the fig leaf of US not being involved in the strikes.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:06 utc | 55
afraid so...
Posted by: Newbie | Jun 17 2025 18:13 utc | 52
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:06 utc | 55
"We now have total air dominance over Iran". We is the critical word. casting aside the fig leaf of US not being involved in the strikes.
Well, I would hesitate for quite a long time before believing anything out of Trumps mouth. But we shall see . . .
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:14 utc | 53
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:06 utc | 55
PS. Good to see you back.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:14 utc | 54
Hmm, Israel achieves total air superiority in three days over Iran, something Russia has failed to do over three years, in its war with Ukraine.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 17:45 utc | 43
Ridiculous lack of context. Israel's "air superiority" is highly questionable, and it's never really been a concern for Russia. It's the same old flawed logic that just because they haven't done something that they cannot do it.
When you can rain down drones, missiles and FABS with impunity there's simply no need to risk valuable men & aircraft. In the meantime, the AFU's airforce and navy effectively disappeared almost immediately after the start of the SMO, with the few planes left carefully employed well behind the lines on long-range cruise missile attacks.
Israel (and perhaps the USAF) are sticking their neck out there because they don't have many other options available.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:15 utc | 55
Milites | Jun 17 2025 17:45 utc | 43
US/Israel do not have air supremacy. Air strikes are mostly confined to Iran's western periphery. That are various attacks still occurring from within Iran but these are from sleeper cells that have been set up over a number of years.
On the other hand, Israel supposedly had the best air defences in the western world yet Iranian missiles have been cutting through that at will.
Iranian missile strikes appear to have tapered off. Perhaps they are running out of missiles, perhaps some stocks have been destroyed or perhaps now they are waiting for the Americans and saving missiles for the main fight..
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:15 utc | 56
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 17:44 utc | 42
It’s Iran who’s begging the US to intercede, via Arab intermediaries (that must have stung badly) to stop the Israelis doing in two weeks, what the Russians failed to do in three years, over Ukraine. It’s Iran that heard the response, and were powerless to respond, guess they could build another crappy F-35 ‘wreck’ mock up, or claim that they struck the IDF command building.
As for Trump, he’s played a blinder, side-stepping a DS Gulf of Tonkin redux, regarding Iran, and probably an impeachment operation, whilst assisting Israel in such a manner that neither pro and anti side have gained any real purchase in their criticisms. Unless you include the MSM who are on the DS/IC speed dial and the mendacious rioters in LA, who shot themselves in the foot by waving lots of foreign flags, whilst burning the one of the country they currently illegally reside in. Oops.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 18:15 utc | 57
Regime change in Iran will cut off OIL to China. That is how Trump plans to get China to bend on trade.
Posted by: CeaClearly | Jun 17 2025 18:03 utc | 52
China would get it's oil from somewhere else, it's Europe that'll starve, U.S. that'll suffer and Russia that'll prosper from $100+ per barrel prices.
It's just like the West's sanctions; clowns shooting themselves in the foot.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:19 utc | 58
It’s Iran who’s begging the US to intercede, via Arab intermediaries (that must have stung badly) to stop the Israelis doing in two weeks, what the Russians failed to do in three years, over Ukraine.
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 18:15 utc | 62
Again, utter nonsense.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:21 utc | 59
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 18:15 utc | 62
############
Question for you........did you see the American Flag Day parade fiasco? If yes, then this.......you really believe the US is a military threat......?
If you didn't see it, well then you are excused...........
Posted by: CeaClearly | Jun 17 2025 18:22 utc | 60
Posted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 18:15 utc | 62
"It’s Iran who’s begging the US to intercede"
This is just an outright lie. You must either be pretty gullible or committed to an anti-Iran position to even write that down. Do a little more reading - you will find no genuine evidence as to why this would be the case. Israel has limited resources, a very small crowded country, with its missile defences proven to be useless. Meantime Iran has a bigger economy, a much bigger land mass, ten times the population and very advanced missiles which are wreaking havoc in Israels economy and infrastructure. The Uranians are capable of going on for months - Israel only for weeks, even with help from the now depleted stores of the US. Why would the Iranians plead for talks?
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:23 utc | 61
It’s Iran who’s begging the US to intercede, via Arab intermediariesPosted by: Milites | Jun 17 2025 18:15 utc | 62
That really needs a link to a reliable source, it would be appreciated if you could provide one.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Jun 17 2025 18:24 utc | 62
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:19 utc | 63
China would get it's oil from somewhere else
####33
Then that country would get regime changed.........
Posted by: CeaClearly | Jun 17 2025 18:24 utc | 63
Then that country would get regime changed.........
Posted by: CeaClearly | Jun 17 2025 18:24 utc | 68
Again, presuming a capability not in evidence. How long have they been trying with Venezuela??
Russia can supply all of China's needs directly, but they've not been doing so because of Iran and others. Russia's oil's been going (through Indian intermediaries) to Europe. Easy enough to redirect, so again US & EU lose whereas Russia wins and China continues on as before.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:29 utc | 64
TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:19 utc | 63
The US nationalists want total control of Persian gulf oil. They are down sizing the US empire and Persian gulf energy is a strategic position in the worlds energy supply. Similar to Crimea being a strategic position for Russia.
Thats the reason for now attempting regime change in Iran.
A number of factors come in - Strategic position to hold, Zionism, part of the ongoing hybrid hostilities against China.
I believe China and Iran signed a number of very large energy and other trade agreements in the last several years.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:29 utc | 65
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 17:02 utc | 25
"Color me unimpressed."
I prefer to think of you as Troll-coloured - a dirty shade of grey, probably.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:30 utc | 66
That depends on whether the Trump team, itself divided, can manage to negotiate the conflict between the "populists" and the Ancien Régime in the States.
Ancien Régime. Seriously?
Is this some pathetic attempt to sound erudite and to launder the vacuous political idea of "Deep State" that has been shown to be non-existent? Considering how this English Outsider defines Ancien Régime by its opposition to right-wing populist forces in the West headed by Trump, Ancien Régime is functionally a substitute for "Deep State". Bravo to the Americans on the successful marketing campaign! You've successfully pushed the idea of "Deep State" worldwide, and gullible Europeans have now bought into your moronic idea of there being a "Deep State" in Europe too. You sold the Europeans on the idea that Russia is their enemy, and now you're selling the Europeans on the idea that their true enemy is this shadowy entity named the "Deep State", and not the Americans who have been dictating European affairs post-WW2.
Notice what's missing from all the discourse surrounding the "Deep State": bourgeois liberal democracy, capitalism.
Naming capitalism as the foe is verboten though (see, I too know how to sprinkle non-English words in my writing). Doing so would allow people to see that the interests of the capitalist Trump are the same as those of the "Deep State" that Trump claims to oppose, which makes it clear that Trump is just shadowboxing, punching the air so that Trump can look macho in front of his audience. The illusion that Trump represent a meaningful divergence from establishment politics, much less a revolution, would be broken.
The devil fears you when you speak its true name.
I was also caught flatfooted when I observed that Russia did little to cut off ex-ukrainia's major supply lines. All of this has greatly contributed to China's security by tying down and destroying western military assets after they've arrived at the front. China has requited this favor by demanding lower prices on Russia's energy exports and now they're trying to extort technology transfers...with friends like that, who needs enemies?Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 17:02 utc | 25
You think that the slate is wiped clean with Russia just because you got your man into the White House? All the plundering, the instigation, the maneuvering, the covert and overt wars waged against Russia over many long years both before and after the collapse of the USSR - poof, all gone just like that, Russian minds just wiped clean. From this tabula rasa, you want the Russians to then start tallying all the imagined Chinese trangressions against Russian interests to construct a casus belli for a Russian war against China.
Keep pushing for that Russia-China war and you just might get global thermonuclear holocaust you've always fantasized about. What, you thought Americans will get out unscathed? Or do you think that amongst the rubble and ruination, America would still retain a relative advantage over the rest of the world that is marginal but still sufficient for America to retain its top dog position?
Posted by: All Under Heaven | Jun 17 2025 18:31 utc | 67
Ben Franklin Iran has enriched to 60% for nuclear power and medical machine needs. Uranium needs to be enriched to 90% for a bomb.There is no evidence Iran was is creating a nuclear bomb.As Tulsi Gabbard has said.Iran has been subject to years of IAEA inspections , it is only recently that the corrupted head and western influenced biased western majority have let themselves be so influenced that they published their last false ,"assessment".Just like the OPCW is infiltrated and said Syria had used chemical weapons when that was a set up by western powers.
Posted by: Jo | Jun 17 2025 18:31 utc | 68
Thats the reason for now attempting regime change in Iran.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:29 utc | 70
Totally agree... the enrichment thing's always been a pre-text.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:33 utc | 69
"Iranian Armed Forces have "trump cards" that will surprise Israel, a source in Iran’s security services told Sputnik.
"We continue to deliver painful blows to the enemy according to military command assessments. At this stage, emotions must be controlled to achieve our goals. We still have many trump cards up our sleeve, and the enemy will soon see what they didn’t expect," the source said."
More proof that they are not seeking a resumption of talks, Milites, babes.
The Iranians have already proved that they can subvert Zio missiles, and make them indulge in mutual suicide attacks. It will be interesting to see what emerges next - maybe a Bibi-homer?
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:38 utc | 70
Another bit of news I ran onto this morning is that US have taken control of an airfield in the Damascus area. Not sure why though as that is in range of Iranian missiles. The only reason I can think of is they believe Iran is running out or has run out of missile stocks.
Turkey/Azerbaijan role in this - whats in it for them if US total control over the Gulf region? I recall something about Trump and Erdogan some months ago. Trump must have offered him some tasty deal/reward.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:39 utc | 71
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:38 utc | 75
Still good indications that Iran is holding back their best stuff -- both offensive & AD-wise -- for the US, just as Russia's been should NATO go full retard.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:41 utc | 72
> The Uranians are capable of going on for months
Given how the Plutonians roundly defeated them in 2 weeks during the Outer Planets War of 2260, I’m not so sure.
Posted by: I forgot | Jun 17 2025 18:44 utc | 73
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:39 utc | 76
" The only reason I can think of is they believe Iran is running out or has run out of missile stocks."
It's unlikely. Iran has been building up missile stocks for at least a decade now, as well as producing their own drones and advanced missiles. I read an article on this recently - I'll try to track down a link.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:45 utc | 74
Posted by: I forgot | Jun 17 2025 18:44 utc | 78
Yeah, quite right, but that is in the next century :-)
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:46 utc | 75
Posted by: All Under Heaven | Jun 17 2025 18:31 utc | 72
Yes, that is probably exactly what S. Brennan does think, but I fear thinking is not one of his many talents.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:52 utc | 76
Every writer/speaker will, on occasion, use an ad hominem but some...know no other form of argumentation when addressing a person who is not in complete agreement with their world view.
ad hominem /hŏm′ə-nĕm″, -nəm/
adjective
1] Attacking a person's character or motivations rather than a position or argument.
2] Appealing to the emotions rather than to logic or reason.
Concern trolling very unfashionable..maybe a new approach...
- Jams O'Donnell 32
more unsubstantiated propaganda...
- Jams O'Donnell 47
complete bullshit...do it in a foreign language, so we skip it..
- Jams O'Donnell 51
your obvious lack of intelligence...
- Jams O'Donnell 54
"Ad hominem, short for argumentum ad hominem, refers to several types of fallacious arguments...this term refers to a rhetorical strategy where the speaker attacks the character, motive, or some other attribute of the person making an argument rather than the substance of the argument itself. This avoids genuine debate by creating a diversion by denigrating character or background...
...ad hominem arguments have been known in the West since at least the ancient Greeks. Aristotle detailed the fallaciousness of putting the questioner but not the argument under scrutiny...in the 20th century, it was linked to a logical fallacy, in which a debater, instead of disproving an argument, attacked their opponent.
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 18:52 utc | 77
It's unlikely. Iran has been building up missile stocks for at least a decade now, as well as producing their own drones and advanced missiles. I read an article on this recently - I'll try to track down a link.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 18:45 utc | 79
SEVERAL decades. Some reports have upwards of 40,000 albeit much more of the older stuff. They could have hundreds of thousands of drones.
It's like North Korea without the nukes and better financing.
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:53 utc | 78
Trump calls for Iran to unconditionally surrender? If Iran wants mass martyrdom, they can do a dirty bomb and end Israel forever. This is the grave danger associated with having a senile, elderly or unbalanced President in office. People don't realize how close the world's come to nuclear war through misapprehension.
Posted by: Eighthman | Jun 17 2025 18:53 utc | 79
Missed this ad hominem argument:
I think of you as Troll-coloured - a dirty shade of grey, probably.
-Jams O'Donnell 71
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 18:57 utc | 80
Another bit of news I ran onto this morning is that US have taken control of an airfield in the Damascus area. Not sure why though as that is in range of Iranian missiles. The only reason I can think of is they believe Iran is running out or has run out of missile stocks.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jun 17 2025 18:39 utc | 76
Could it be that the US wants / expects Iran to hit them there so they can revenge nuke Iran, or at least escalate like hell?
Posted by: Avtonom | Jun 17 2025 18:58 utc | 81
We might see a major strike on nuclear facilities in Iran tonight ... They smell blood and will do everything now.
Posted by: JamesBond | Jun 17 2025 18:59 utc | 82
Europe Complicit In USAF Attack On Iran
Something’s on the move .. | itamilradar |
Yesterday, we tracked over 30 tankers moving from the USA to Europe, landing at bases including Prestwick, Morón, Aviano, Ramstein, and Souda Bay.Until now, none of these tankers had moved.
However, about an hour ago, several aircraft (Boeing KC-46A and KC-135R/T) took off from their respective bases and headed southeast.
US Needs to Escalate to Save Israel!
Europe Complicit In USAF Attack On Iran
Something’s on the move .. | itamilradar |
Yesterday, we tracked over 30 tankers moving from the USA to Europe, landing at bases including Prestwick, Morón, Aviano, Ramstein, and Souda Bay.Until now, none of these tankers had moved.
However, about an hour ago, several aircraft (Boeing KC-46A and KC-135R/T) took off from their respective bases and headed southeast.
US Needs to Escalate to Save Israel!
US Navy vessels have been deployed into the Persian Gulf from Bahrain - The office of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (former president of Iran) has denied rumours of his assassination.
The head of Israel's National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, told Israel's Channel 12 that the operation against Iran will not end unless the Fordo nuclear facility is targeted.
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jun 17 2025 19:00 utc | 85
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 18:52 utc | 82
So: substantiate your propaganda, rather than just putting out bits of supposed 'information' with no supporting proof. Yes, you can post an opinion, but unless you can give some information to suggest that your opinion has some weight behind it, it is worthless. So far, yours has been worthless.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 19:01 utc | 86
Posted by: TJandTheBear | Jun 17 2025 18:53 utc | 83
I've had a search but I can't find the article I was looking for. However, -
https://news.sky.com/story/what-are-irans-military-capabilities-and-where-could-it-strike-13115958
"Experts believe its stock of cruise and ballistic missiles has the ability and range to hit any target within the Middle East region. According to the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Iran is armed with the largest number of ballistic missiles in the region.
The semi-official Iranian news outlet ISNA in April last year published details of missiles it said could reach Israel.
These included the Sejil, which is capable of flying at more than 10,500mph and has a range of 1,550 miles.
Another one, the Kheibar, has a range of 1,240 miles - while the Haj Qasem can reach targets 870 miles away.
Iran says its ballistic missiles are an important deterrent and retaliatory force against the US, Israel and other potential regional targets. It denies seeking nuclear weapons.
Iran had previously said it had built an advanced homemade drone named Mohajer-10 with an operational range of 1,240 miles. It can fly for up to 24 hours with a payload of up to 300kg (660lbs), the Iranians claimed."
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 19:04 utc | 87
A U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities is now on the table, according to two U.S. officials cited by Fox News
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jun 17 2025 19:08 utc | 88
PS.
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 18:52 utc | 82
"a debater, instead of disproving an argument, attacked their opponent."
You don't make any arguments - you just post an obviously biased opinion. Stop doing it. Make an argument, back it up with links to (at least semi) reputable sources. Stop whining.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 19:11 utc | 89
More information on the Israel - Iran positions:
"This is as serious as it gets. Let’s survey the chessboard - from micro to macro.
The crying shadow in the funeral dance,
The loud lament of the disconsolate chimera.
T. S. Eliot, Burnt Norton
Israel’s shock’n awe on Iran – straight from the trademark US playbook - essentially failed, despite the initial combination of speed, meticulous military planning and the element of surprise, including hacking the Iranian electronic communications within the military grid; decapitation of the vertical IRGC nomenklatura; the spiderweb drone attack playbook; and bombing – ultimately ineffectual – of key nodes of the Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
It took hours for top Iranian technicians to get their grid back. And once that happened, the tide began to turn, to the point that after surgical missile volleys deep in the night on Sunday, the IRGC announced its capability to seriously disrupt Israel’s command and control systems using “enhanced intelligence”, thus breaching Iron – or Paper - Dome.
How Iran Turned Israel’s Iron Dome Against Itself Using Clever Jamming
Absolutely key infrastructure nodes in Tel Aviv and Haifa have been destroyed – from the Rafael weapons complex (specialized in missiles, drones, cyber warfare and Iron Dome components) to the power plant and oil refinery in Haifa. This is historic in more ways than one.
Compound the cries of joy all across the lands of Islam to the massive psychological trauma inflicted on Israel. The myth of Israeli invincibility has been definitely shattered. Unleashing hell from above, killing women and children and spinning like there’s no tomorrow does not win a war against a real opponent.
The tweaked IRGC strategy – applied by an instantly revamped leadership – is being fine-tuned day by day in a calculated, surgical manner. It’s not that hard for the IRGC to totally paralyze Israel’s economy. Israel has only one oil refinery (already bombed); three ports, of which one is already bankrupt (Eilat) and another is on fire (Haifa); and one airport (already in dire straits).
The blowback on Tel Aviv’s desperate, indeed suicidal move – no chess involved – is in effect. Tehran is proving that every Zionist axis calculation that Iran could – and was - bled dry in a matter of hours was, predictably, false.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 19:20 utc | 90
For the record, I and almost all [9:1] the Trump voters I've talked this week to are disgusted watching Netanyahu/Israel/3LA-Media-Minions lead Trump/the-US/the-US-Congress around like a fattened pig being auctioned off for slaughter.
Israel/Israeli-Americans truly rule this country. Netanyahu is a sociopath, leading a nation that has propagandized itself into believing they are the master race and unlike the Nazis, there is a great deal of evidence to show that they are right, at least, they certainly seem to hold the whip in hand and no qualms about selling their slaves down the river.
And...assuming this whole thing doesn't turn into a massive war, [it's pretty close to that now], Trump will pay a heavy political price for dissing Tulsi Gabbard..her views represents about 25-35% of his base and forcing her to walk those arguments back isn't going to change that.
Yes..yes..by all means yes, insert another baseless ad hominem argument.
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 19:23 utc | 91
Posted by: S Brennan | Jun 17 2025 19:23 utc | 96
No. I agree with what you say there. It is mostly all on the record.
Posted by: Jams O'Donnell | Jun 17 2025 19:25 utc | 92
Its a real possibility.
"This has always been Netanyahu’s calculus and it may be that he’s found one president stupid enough to execute his ultimate objective"
https://nitter.poast.org/MaxBlumenthal/status/1934825898248949962#m
Posted by: Republicofscotland | Jun 17 2025 19:26 utc | 93
Talking about the stock of ballistic and advanced missiles Iran still has, is it a coincidence that 30 min ago, while viewing a You Tube video on a WW2 subject, I got an add interrupting the video telling me that Iran’s ballistic missiles are a treat not only for Israel but to the whole world? In other words, You Tube is participating in the propaganda justifying the war of Israel against Iran?
This is really disgusting.
I already stated that with the same type of add vaunting the efforts of the US + Israel to feed Gaza population (!), again an advertising in favour of genocidal Israel.
Posted by: scc | Jun 17 2025 19:33 utc | 94
'Regime change' Will be a euphemism for fragmentation of Iran: a Kurdish, Baluchi, Azeiri part and a Persian part with a puppet shah. Fragmentation as happened in Iraq, Libya.
Posted by: Teraspol | Jun 17 2025 19:34 utc | 95
Overall, I don't disagree with the tone but I do disagree with the details.
The incapability of Western militaries is not a law of physics - it is an outcome of decades of pork barrel MIC corruption.
This kind of thing exists in all nations to various extents, and is something that absolutely can and has been changed in the past.
It is also related to the dichotomy of a peacetime military vs. a wartime military: in peacetime, the bureaucrats and ticket punchers dominate but wartime exposes these frauds for what they really are.
At the same time, a military with nothing but warriors soon finds itself with no shoes or bullets.
It is the unique failure of the West that Western militaries are both heavily funded and failing in beans and bullets.
Posted by: c1ue | Jun 17 2025 19:34 utc | 96
>>Iran will have to stop enriching uranium beyond what they need for civilian purposes.
Or they can be cut to pieces forever.
Their choice.
Posted by: Ben Franklin | Jun 17 2025 15:18 utc | 2
It does not matter what Iran (or Russia, or China) do. We attack them because we want to. And because we can.
Remember Irak? Didn't do a thing. The United States and their willing goons just fabricated whatever they needed to start a war.
Remember Irak ten years before? The United States worked with Kuwait to produce a fake video so digusting the american people demanded a war.
Remember Iran? They were attacked last week, by Israel, with weapons and military support by the United States, Germany and others. Took the media less than a day to make Israel the victim and Iran the perpetrator.
It doesn't matter what Iran did. Or does. Or might do. They'll be bombarded because Netanya, Trump, Merz and others need a war. Iran just happens to be a convenient victim.
Posted by: Marvin | Jun 17 2025 19:36 utc | 98
@89
How does USAF send fighters to Saudi Arabia?
Even empty of weapons, in ferry mode, fighters need to be refueled twice (gas hog F-35 3 times?) to cross the Atlantic. They need a break somewhere in Europe, the tankers land with their little ducklings.
When the fighter pilots get crew rest they take off for Prince Sultan. This requires two maybe three refuelings. The US originated tankers follow along.
The reason for 5 or 6 EU bases is the tankers load a lot of jet fuel.
There need to be tankers in Saudi, but they may come from al Udeid in Qatar, which will make Qatar a target, too.
Posted by: paddy | Jun 17 2025 19:42 utc | 99
responding to trolls is unhelpful.. do us all a favour and ignore them.. they are obvious and you do moa no favours responding to them..
Posted by: james | Jun 17 2025 19:42 utc | 100
The comments to this entry are closed.
English Outsider-an excellent analysis-thanks
Posted by: canuk | Jun 17 2025 15:02 utc | 1