[Merged] Iranian general Qassem Suleimani asassinated in drone strike / WWIII?

ChristianProgressive · 3rd January 2020, 03:16 AM

The US has assassinated a major Iranian leader overnight as a "target of opportunity" in an action that, according to CNN, was planned with only Republican members of Congress. Representatives of the Senate and the Minority Leader in the House (McCarthy) were seen leaving the secured area of Mar-A-Lago prior to announcement of the attack.

Key observations:

this assassination conveniently drives news about the unredacted emails regarding Trump's personal involvement in the Ukraine Scandal
Trump is treating the Speaker of the "People's House" as if she was not a legitimate part of the government process AGAIN

There is no depth to which this treasonous pig "president" will not sink.

a_unique_person · 3rd January 2020, 03:21 AM

I don't think that's the correct use of the expression "The tail wagging the dog".

Vixen · 3rd January 2020, 03:26 AM

USA takes out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

Quote:

Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani, has been killed by a US air strike in Iraq.

The 62-year old spearheaded Iranian military operations in the Middle East as head of Iran's elite Quds Force.

He was killed at Baghdad airport, alongside local Iran-backed militias, early on Friday in a strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Gen Soleimani's killing marks a major escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Under his leadership, Iran had bolstered Hezbollah in Lebanon and other pro-Iranian militant groups, expanded Iran's military presence in Iraq and Syria and orchestrated Syria's offensive against rebel groups in the country's long civil war.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50979463

This is under 'general politics' as it has repercussions worldwide IMV. Oil prices have already risen 4% and US citizens urged to get out ASAP.

Samson · 3rd January 2020, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by Vixen

USA takes out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50979463

This is under 'general politics' as it has repercussions worldwide IMV. Oil prices have already risen 4% and US citizens urged to get out ASAP.

Part of me says infantile men doing infantile things, and why do we keep taking these people seriously?
I truly believe women would run the world better.

The Great Zaganza · 3rd January 2020, 03:34 AM

Definitely WW III.
Quickly convert your assets into cash and buy Gold and Coffee from my prepper website.

3point14 · 3rd January 2020, 04:09 AM

Do we think there will be a retaliation?

I wonder what the reaction to 'Iran kills US general' would be.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 04:11 AM

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...an-us-tensions

Quote:

Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Iran’s most powerful general in the early hours of Friday, in a dramatic escalation of an already bloody struggle between Washington and Tehran for influence across the region.

Suleimani, who ran Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria, was hit by the drone strike while local allies from the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) drove him from Baghdad airport. The de facto leader of the PMU, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a close Suleimani associate, was also killed in the attack.

“General Suleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region,” a Pentagon statement said. “This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.”

Minutes before the announcement, Trump tweeted a US flag without comment. Later, the White House put out a statement saying the strike was a “decisive defensive action” carried out “at the direction of the president”.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, ordered three days of mourning and vowed that the US would face “severe revenge” for the killing.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 04:13 AM

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...04554855825408

Quote:

In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...31975432728576

Quote:

Remember that I predicted a long time ago that President Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly-not skilled!

Childlike Empress · 3rd January 2020, 04:38 AM

Now the region has a new Martyr of unprecedented level. All hell will break loose against US forces. Congratulations.

Relevant thread: https://twitter.com/ejmalrai/status/1212966187157663748

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by Childlike Empress

Now the region has a new Martyr of unprecedented level. All hell will break loose against US forces. Congratulations.

How about that? A topic in the US Politics forum that we can agree on.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 04:52 AM

From the thread above:

Quote:

If #US can't pack and leave #Iraq, the question is: What on Earth it is planning? It can't be just stupid?

Oh, I think it can.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 04:57 AM

https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/st...59356599357441

Quote:

When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared it would lead to greater destabilization of the region. That fear unfortunately turned out to be true.

The U.S. has lost approximately 4,500 brave troops, tens of thousands have been wounded, and we’ve spent trillions.

Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.

Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.

ChristianProgressive · 3rd January 2020, 04:59 AM

And it conveniently gets the news about the unredacted emails directly implicating Trump in the Ukraine scandal off the radar...imagine that...the warmonger uses war to distract the media from his treasonous crimes.

Also important to note as I did in my thread on the topic that he froze out the Democrats from the planning process AGAIN.

Arcade22 · 3rd January 2020, 05:11 AM

It's just three days into the new year and things are already getting very exciting!

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 05:13 AM

Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive

And it conveniently gets the news about the unredacted emails directly implicating Trump in the Ukraine scandal off the radar...imagine that...the warmonger uses war to distract the media from his treasonous crimes.

I think that's likely one of the reasons. It can also be claimed as an excuse to stop the impeachment proceedings entirely as a matter of security. And being at war is usually a good move when it comes to being re-elected.

Pretty much the only things I don't think this was about are making America or the Middle East safer.

Quote:

Also important to note as I did in my thread on the topic that he froze out the Democrats from the planning process AGAIN.

I don't know enough about the American political system - could starting a war with another country while shutting one party out from the discussions be illegal? I could certainly see it being impeachable.

Childlike Empress · 3rd January 2020, 05:23 AM

For those who didn't pay attention, here's the lead-up from an article Elijah Magnier wrote before the assassination: How the US was hoist by its own petard in Iraq and the wishful thinking of its thinktanks.

Originally Posted by Elijah Magnier

[...] What happened last week in Iraq?

On 27th December 2019, several rockets were fired from unidentified attackers against the K1 Iraqi military base in Kirkuk, north of Iraq. In this base, as in many others, Iraqi and US military are present on the same ground and within the same walls, even if they have different command and control HQs. Two Iraqi policemen and one American contractor were killed and 2 Iraqi Army officers and four US contractors were wounded.

The following day, Defence Secretary Mark Esper called the Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister to inform him of “his decision to bomb Kataeb Hezbollah bases in Iraq”. Mr Abdel Mahdi asked Esper to meet face-to-face, and told his interlocutor that this would be dangerous for Iraq: he rejected the US decision. Esper responded that he was “not calling to negotiate but to inform about a decision that has already been taken”. Mr Abdel Mahdi asked Esper if the US has “proof against Kataeb Hezbollah to share so Iraq can arrest those responsible for the attack on K1”. No response: Esper told Abdel Mahdi that the US was “well-informed” and that the attack would take place “in a few hours”.

In less than half an hour, US jets bombed five Iraqi security forces’ positions deployed along the Iraqi-Syrian borders, in the zone of Akashat, 538 kilometres from the K1 military base (that had been bombed by perpetrators still unknown!). The US announced the attack but omitted the fact that in these positions there were not only Kataeb Hezbollah but also Iraqi Army and Federal Police officers. Most victims of the US attack were Iraqi army and police officers. Only 9 officers of Kataeb Hezbollah – who joined the Iraqi Security Forces in 2017 – were killed. These five positions had the task of intercepting and hunting down ISIS and preventing the group’s militants from crossing the borders from the Anbar desert. The closest city to these bombed positions is al-Qaem, 150 km away.

What is the outcome of the US bombing of the Iraqi security forces?

Iran had been struggling to achieve consensus among various Iraqi political parties. In Baghdad, it had been impossible to unite them to select a new Prime Minister following the resignation of Adel Abdel Mahdi. Political parties, above all groups representing the Shia majority, were divided amongst themselves and incapable of selecting a suitable candidate. Protestors were occupying the streets and the Hashd al-Shaabi flag was not tolerated in Baghdad square.

The US bombing of the Iraqi security forces’ positions fell as manna to Iran. Secretaries Pompeo and Esper’s actions were in perfect harmony with the goals of the IRGC-Quds brigade commander Qassem Soleimani. The two US officials broke the Iraqi political stalemate and diverted the country’s attention towards the US embassy and the break-in of protestors to contest the US bombing of Iraqi security forces.

Members of Hashd al-Shaabi and other Iraqi forces units, along with families and friends of the 79 (killed and wounded) victims demonstrated outside the US embassy in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Flags of Hashd al-Shaabi were flying over the entrance of the US embassy. The withdrawal of the US forces from Iraq became the priority of the Iraqi parliament, and even of Moqtada al-Sadr. [...]

All this plays into the hands of Brigadier General Qassem Soleimani, whose only need is to capitalize on American mistakes in the Middle East. The US is making Iran stronger, demonstrating the truth of Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s comment: “Thank God our enemies are imbeciles”.

Who is now a martyr and has already been replaced by a man most likely not much less capable than himself.

ChristianProgressive · 3rd January 2020, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

I think that's likely one of the reasons. It can also be claimed as an excuse to stop the impeachment proceedings entirely as a matter of security. And being at war is usually a good move when it comes to being re-elected.

Pretty much the only things I don't think this was about are making America or the Middle East safer.

I don't know enough about the American political system - could starting a war with another country while shutting one party out from the discussions be illegal? I could certainly see it being impeachable.

Treasonous Donald Trump doesn't give a rat about legality let alone impeachment.

varwoche · 3rd January 2020, 05:27 AM

At least we can rest easy that President Trump is telling us the truth about the threat, and that he always puts the interests of the USA above his own political interests, and he knows how to build coalitions, and he would never act rashly because he's a very stable genius who is keenly aware of geopolitical realities, and he knows more than the generals anyway.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 05:27 AM

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...4560904773633?

Quote:

Now that Obama’s poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...1157201784832?

Quote:

Don't let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected--be careful Republicans!

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...7298296086529?

Quote:

I predict that President Obama will at some point attack Iran in order to save face!

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...3478157910016?

Quote:

Remember what I previously said--Obama will someday attack Iran in order to show how tough he is.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 05:28 AM

Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive

Treasonous Donald Trump doesn't give a rat about legality let alone impeachment.

I didn't say he did. I was wondering about potential consequences.

There's no reason a rational discussion about this can't be had.

angrysoba · 3rd January 2020, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...4560904773633?

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...1157201784832?

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...7298296086529?

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...3478157910016?

You can be pretty confident in knowing what Trump will do at some point in his presidency according to what he condemned Obama for doing (or imagined Obama might do).

Vixen · 3rd January 2020, 05:33 AM

So now Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary, has expressed support for Trump, whilst advising de-escalation (as if!). So, it looks like British troops will once again be dragged into an unwanted war.

Quote:

Donald Trump and his Iranian foes were urged by Britain to step back from the brink of all-out war today after a US airstrike took out a top Tehran general in Iraq.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged restraint from both sides amid talk of revenge for the targeting killing of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.

As British troops in the region were placed on high alert amid fear of reprisals after an attack that the UK is believed not to have been told about in advance, he warned against escalation in the volatile region.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...n-general.html

Meanwhile Trump portrays a tweet of the Stars and Stripes in a desperate attempt of a scoundrel seeking refuge in jingoism.

Safe-Keeper · 3rd January 2020, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

How about that? A topic in the US Politics forum that we can agree on.

Broken clock, twice a day, etc.

SuburbanTurkey · 3rd January 2020, 05:41 AM

New decade, time for a new military entanglement in the middle east. Hope we liked the dismal failure of the Iraq war, because this one will only be the same, but more so.

SuburbanTurkey · 3rd January 2020, 05:47 AM

Democrats will be aghast at his pointless escalation of conflict in the Middle East, conveniently forgetting that they have approved every military budget Trump has asked for.

At this point, I almost feel like we need a "rip the bandaid off" approach to US military excesses. Some president needs to just withdraw every US troop from foreign soil and let the chips fall where they may. This would be a disaster, but this country has proven to be totally incapable of acting with good judgement in these matters.

Are we seriously ginning up a war because Iran killed some military contractor? Who gives a **** if he was an American, he was a literal mercenary.

Garrison · 3rd January 2020, 05:50 AM

I would imagine an uptick in terrorist activity aimed at the USA somewhere in the near future is far more likely than 'World War III'.

Meadmaker · 3rd January 2020, 05:51 AM

I find myself feeling incredibly ill informed. There's US troops sitting halfway across the world doing something or another, but I'm really not sure what. Now, there have been protests, and so a US airstrike takes out an Iranian general in Iraq.

My first question was, "What was an Iranian general doing in Iraq?" If the answer was any variation on "conducting a war", it's hard to get too bent out of shape about him becoming a casualty. That happens in war.

On the other hand, I would like to think this was part of a well thought out course of action, as opposed to some sort of knee jerk, "They can't do that. Find me someone to kill!" reaction from our president.

The whole thing seems very sad. I always wonder why people think these things are so important that they have to hang out killing each other. Can't we just give everyone internet service so they can play chess or watch porn or view cat videos? It seems like a better life than smuggling rocket propelled grenades.

3point14 · 3rd January 2020, 05:53 AM

Right out of the Maggie playbook.

I'd really like to live in a world where starting a war makes a politician less likely to be re-elected. Ho hum.

Captain_Swoop · 3rd January 2020, 05:55 AM

John Bolton Tweeted

@AmbJohnBolton
Congratulations to all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani. Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide. Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran.

Crazy Chainsaw · 3rd January 2020, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Meadmaker

I find myself feeling incredibly ill informed. There's US troops sitting halfway across the world doing something or another, but I'm really not sure what. Now, there have been protests, and so a US airstrike takes out an Iranian general in Iraq.

My first question was, "What was an Iranian general doing in Iraq?" If the answer was any variation on "conducting a war", it's hard to get too bent out of shape about him becoming a casualty. That happens in war.

On the other hand, I would like to think this was part of a well thought out course of action, as opposed to some sort of knee jerk, "They can't do that. Find me someone to kill!" reaction from our president.

The whole thing seems very sad. I always wonder why people think these things are so important that they have to hang out killing each other. Can't we just give everyone internet service so they can play chess or watch porn or view cat videos? It seems like a better life than smuggling rocket propelled grenades.

Alive he could only kill a few Hundred people, as a martyr he has the potential to kill millions.
When will America get tired of using it's young people as bullet stoppers for fools?

The Great Zaganza · 3rd January 2020, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop

John Bolton Tweeted

@AmbJohnBolton
Congratulations to all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani. Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide. Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran.

If anything helps the Regime stabilize, it's the perceived threat of an attack by the US.

carlosy · 3rd January 2020, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive

And it conveniently gets the news about the unredacted emails directly implicating Trump in the Ukraine scandal off the radar...

Can you point to those news?

SuburbanTurkey · 3rd January 2020, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by Garrison

I would imagine an uptick in terrorist activity aimed at the USA somewhere in the near future is far more likely than 'World War III'.

God willing Trump will waffle on this nonsense as he does on everything and things manage to de-escalate. Can't really say I'm optimistic.

The US public is going to find out, once again, that we're only good at about 1/2 of the the whole "regime change" thing. Sure, the US military can curb stomp the Iranian state, but we'll be totally unable to stop the chaotic destruction that will rush to fill the vacuum of power.

So yeah, no WWIII. Just a breeding ground for terrorists and extremism and a fresh source of IED wounded US troops. Victory!

3point14 · 3rd January 2020, 06:12 AM

Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey

So yeah, no WWIII. Just a breeding ground for terrorists and extremism and a fresh source of IED wounded US troops. Victory!

I'm starting to think this is a feature, not a bug.

DuvalHMFIC · 3rd January 2020, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by 3point14

Do we think there will be a retaliation?

I wonder what the reaction to 'Iran kills US general' would be.

It would depend on his political affiliation, likely.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 06:18 AM

https://twitter.com/adamcbest/status...30817850257409

Quote:

Here’s Trump ranting about Obama supposedly starting a war with Iran to get re-elected. Telegraphs precisely what he is doing now. It’s like Minority Report except his dumb ass mouth is the precogs.

Video embedded in tweet.

The Greater Fool · 3rd January 2020, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by DuvalHMFIC

It would depend on his political affiliation, likely.

This reaction is both uninformed and nonsensical.

It would depend on how much praise the general lavished on Trump beforehand.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 3rd January 2020, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by carlosy

Can you point to those news?

It's been posted a couple of times in the impeachment thread. Look in there.

Childlike Empress · 3rd January 2020, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by Meadmaker

My first question was, "What was an Iranian general doing in Iraq?" If the answer was any variation on "conducting a war", it's hard to get too bent out of shape about him becoming a casualty. That happens in war.

If you want to pin a single man who did the most to defeat ISIS, it was General Soleimani. He coordinated between forces from the whole region and was respected by all opposing the terror cult, noch just Shi'ites. He is said to have played a major role in getting Hezbollah (the Lebanese group, not to be confused with the Iraqi Khataib Hezbollah which was attacked by the US last week) involved, and even that he got Putin convinced to intervene. You can't overestimate the damage this assassination has done to what was left of any positive image of the US in the whole region. This man was adored by "the Arab street", and that will have consequences.

Bikewer · 3rd January 2020, 06:28 AM

I remember hearing news commentary at least a couple of years ago to the effect that...

“The only winner of the Iraq invasion is Iran.”

3rd January 2020, 03:16 AM	#1
ChristianProgressive Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2,805	Iranian general Qassem Suleimani asassinated in drone strike / WWIII? The US has assassinated a major Iranian leader overnight as a "target of opportunity" in an action that, according to CNN, was planned with only Republican members of Congress. Representatives of the Senate and the Minority Leader in the House (McCarthy) were seen leaving the secured area of Mar-A-Lago prior to announcement of the attack. Key observations: this assassination conveniently drives news about the unredacted emails regarding Trump's personal involvement in the Ukraine Scandal Trump is treating the Speaker of the "People's House" as if she was not a legitimate part of the government process AGAIN There is no depth to which this treasonous pig "president" will not sink.
	__________________ "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28

3rd January 2020, 03:21 AM	#2
a_unique_person Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Waiting for the pod bay door to open. Posts: 42,986	I don't think that's the correct use of the expression "The tail wagging the dog".
	__________________ *Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity.* Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. “Perception is real, but the truth is not.” - Imelda Marcos

3rd January 2020, 03:26 AM	#3
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,240	WWIII on the way? USA takes out Iranian General USA takes out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Quote: Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani, has been killed by a US air strike in Iraq. The 62-year old spearheaded Iranian military operations in the Middle East as head of Iran's elite Quds Force. He was killed at Baghdad airport, alongside local Iran-backed militias, early on Friday in a strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. Gen Soleimani's killing marks a major escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran. Under his leadership, Iran had bolstered Hezbollah in Lebanon and other pro-Iranian militant groups, expanded Iran's military presence in Iraq and Syria and orchestrated Syria's offensive against rebel groups in the country's long civil war. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50979463 This is under 'general politics' as it has repercussions worldwide IMV. Oil prices have already risen 4% and US citizens urged to get out ASAP.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på! Last edited by Vixen; 3rd January 2020 at 03:28 AM.

3rd January 2020, 03:33 AM	#4
Samson Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 9,257	Originally Posted by Vixen USA takes out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50979463 This is under 'general politics' as it has repercussions worldwide IMV. Oil prices have already risen 4% and US citizens urged to get out ASAP. Part of me says infantile men doing infantile things, and why do we keep taking these people seriously? I truly believe women would run the world better.
Samson Philosopher Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 9,257	Last edited by Samson; 3rd January 2020 at 03:34 AM.

3rd January 2020, 03:34 AM	#5
The Great Zaganza Maledictorian Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 14,385	Definitely WW III. Quickly convert your assets into cash and buy Gold and Coffee from my prepper website.
	__________________ Ceterum autem censeo fox et amicis esse delendam.

3rd January 2020, 04:09 AM	#6
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,405	Do we think there will be a retaliation? I wonder what the reaction to 'Iran kills US general' would be.
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,405	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

3rd January 2020, 04:11 AM	#7
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	Iranian general Qassem Suleimani asassinated in drone strike ordered by Trump https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...an-us-tensions Quote: Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Iran’s most powerful general in the early hours of Friday, in a dramatic escalation of an already bloody struggle between Washington and Tehran for influence across the region. Suleimani, who ran Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria, was hit by the drone strike while local allies from the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) drove him from Baghdad airport. The de facto leader of the PMU, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a close Suleimani associate, was also killed in the attack. “General Suleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region,” a Pentagon statement said. “This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.” Minutes before the announcement, Trump tweeted a US flag without comment. Later, the White House put out a statement saying the strike was a “decisive defensive action” carried out “at the direction of the president”. Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, ordered three days of mourning and vowed that the US would face “severe revenge” for the killing.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

3rd January 2020, 04:13 AM	#8
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...04554855825408 Quote: In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...31975432728576 Quote: Remember that I predicted a long time ago that President Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly-not skilled!
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

3rd January 2020, 04:38 AM	#9
Childlike Empress Ewige Blumenkraft Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ivory Tower Posts: 18,859	Now the region has a new Martyr of unprecedented level. All hell will break loose against US forces. Congratulations. Relevant thread: https://twitter.com/ejmalrai/status/1212966187157663748
	__________________ I studied matter for all of my life just to find that there is no such thing - Hans-Peter Dürr

3rd January 2020, 04:48 AM	#10
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	Originally Posted by Childlike Empress Now the region has a new Martyr of unprecedented level. All hell will break loose against US forces. Congratulations. How about that? A topic in the US Politics forum that we can agree on.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

3rd January 2020, 04:52 AM	#11
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	From the thread above: Quote: If #US can't pack and leave #Iraq, the question is: What on Earth it is planning? It can't be just stupid? Oh, I think it can.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

3rd January 2020, 04:57 AM	#12
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/st...59356599357441 Quote: When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared it would lead to greater destabilization of the region. That fear unfortunately turned out to be true. The U.S. has lost approximately 4,500 brave troops, tens of thousands have been wounded, and we’ve spent trillions. Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars. Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

3rd January 2020, 04:59 AM	#13
ChristianProgressive Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2,805	And it conveniently gets the news about the unredacted emails directly implicating Trump in the Ukraine scandal off the radar...imagine that...the warmonger uses war to distract the media from his treasonous crimes. Also important to note as I did in my thread on the topic that he froze out the Democrats from the planning process AGAIN.
	__________________ "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28

3rd January 2020, 05:11 AM	#14
Arcade22 Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 6,769	It's just three days into the new year and things are already getting very exciting!
	__________________ We would be a lot safer if the Government would take its money out of science and put it into astrology and the reading of palms. Only in superstition is there hope. - Kurt Vonnegut Jr And no, Cuba is not a brutal and corrupt dictatorship, and it's definitely less so than Sweden. - dann

3rd January 2020, 05:13 AM	#15
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive And it conveniently gets the news about the unredacted emails directly implicating Trump in the Ukraine scandal off the radar...imagine that...the warmonger uses war to distract the media from his treasonous crimes. I think that's likely one of the reasons. It can also be claimed as an excuse to stop the impeachment proceedings entirely as a matter of security. And being at war is usually a good move when it comes to being re-elected. Pretty much the only things I don't think this was about are making America or the Middle East safer. Quote: Also important to note as I did in my thread on the topic that he froze out the Democrats from the planning process AGAIN. I don't know enough about the American political system - could starting a war with another country while shutting one party out from the discussions be illegal? I could certainly see it being impeachable.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

3rd January 2020, 05:23 AM	#16
Childlike Empress Ewige Blumenkraft Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ivory Tower Posts: 18,859	For those who didn't pay attention, here's the lead-up from an article Elijah Magnier wrote before the assassination: How the US was hoist by its own petard in Iraq and the wishful thinking of its thinktanks. Originally Posted by Elijah Magnier [...] What happened last week in Iraq? On 27th December 2019, several rockets were fired from unidentified attackers against the K1 Iraqi military base in Kirkuk, north of Iraq. In this base, as in many others, Iraqi and US military are present on the same ground and within the same walls, even if they have different command and control HQs. Two Iraqi policemen and one American contractor were killed and 2 Iraqi Army officers and four US contractors were wounded. The following day, Defence Secretary Mark Esper called the Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister to inform him of “his decision to bomb Kataeb Hezbollah bases in Iraq”. Mr Abdel Mahdi asked Esper to meet face-to-face, and told his interlocutor that this would be dangerous for Iraq: he rejected the US decision. Esper responded that he was “not calling to negotiate but to inform about a decision that has already been taken”. Mr Abdel Mahdi asked Esper if the US has “proof against Kataeb Hezbollah to share so Iraq can arrest those responsible for the attack on K1”. No response: Esper told Abdel Mahdi that the US was “well-informed” and that the attack would take place “in a few hours”. In less than half an hour, US jets bombed five Iraqi security forces’ positions deployed along the Iraqi-Syrian borders, in the zone of Akashat, 538 kilometres from the K1 military base (that had been bombed by perpetrators still unknown!). The US announced the attack but omitted the fact that in these positions there were not only Kataeb Hezbollah but also Iraqi Army and Federal Police officers. Most victims of the US attack were Iraqi army and police officers. Only 9 officers of Kataeb Hezbollah – who joined the Iraqi Security Forces in 2017 – were killed. These five positions had the task of intercepting and hunting down ISIS and preventing the group’s militants from crossing the borders from the Anbar desert. The closest city to these bombed positions is al-Qaem, 150 km away. What is the outcome of the US bombing of the Iraqi security forces? Iran had been struggling to achieve consensus among various Iraqi political parties. In Baghdad, it had been impossible to unite them to select a new Prime Minister following the resignation of Adel Abdel Mahdi. Political parties, above all groups representing the Shia majority, were divided amongst themselves and incapable of selecting a suitable candidate. Protestors were occupying the streets and the Hashd al-Shaabi flag was not tolerated in Baghdad square. The US bombing of the Iraqi security forces’ positions fell as manna to Iran. Secretaries Pompeo and Esper’s actions were in perfect harmony with the goals of the IRGC-Quds brigade commander Qassem Soleimani. The two US officials broke the Iraqi political stalemate and diverted the country’s attention towards the US embassy and the break-in of protestors to contest the US bombing of Iraqi security forces. Members of Hashd al-Shaabi and other Iraqi forces units, along with families and friends of the 79 (killed and wounded) victims demonstrated outside the US embassy in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Flags of Hashd al-Shaabi were flying over the entrance of the US embassy. The withdrawal of the US forces from Iraq became the priority of the Iraqi parliament, and even of Moqtada al-Sadr. [...] All this plays into the hands of Brigadier General Qassem Soleimani, whose only need is to capitalize on American mistakes in the Middle East. The US is making Iran stronger, demonstrating the truth of Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s comment: “Thank God our enemies are imbeciles”. Who is now a martyr and has already been replaced by a man most likely not much less capable than himself.
	__________________ I studied matter for all of my life just to find that there is no such thing - Hans-Peter Dürr

3rd January 2020, 05:26 AM	#17
ChristianProgressive Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 2,805	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim I think that's likely one of the reasons. It can also be claimed as an excuse to stop the impeachment proceedings entirely as a matter of security. And being at war is usually a good move when it comes to being re-elected. Pretty much the only things I don't think this was about are making America or the Middle East safer. I don't know enough about the American political system - could starting a war with another country while shutting one party out from the discussions be illegal? I could certainly see it being impeachable. Treasonous Donald Trump doesn't give a rat about legality let alone impeachment.
	__________________ "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man." - Matthew 24:37 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." - Luke 21:28

3rd January 2020, 05:27 AM	#18
varwoche Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 15,371	At least we can rest easy that President Trump is telling us the truth about the threat, and that he always puts the interests of the USA above his own political interests, and he knows how to build coalitions, and he would never act rashly because he's a very stable genius who is keenly aware of geopolitical realities, and he knows more than the generals anyway.
	__________________ To survive election season on a skeptics forum, one must understand Hymie-the-Robot. My authority is total - Trump

3rd January 2020, 05:28 AM	#20
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive Treasonous Donald Trump doesn't give a rat about legality let alone impeachment. I didn't say he did. I was wondering about potential consequences. There's no reason a rational discussion about this can't be had.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

3rd January 2020, 05:32 AM	#21
angrysoba Philosophile Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 28,991	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...4560904773633? https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...1157201784832? https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...7298296086529? https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/...3478157910016? You can be pretty confident in knowing what Trump will do at some point in his presidency according to what he condemned Obama for doing (or imagined Obama might do).
	__________________ "The thief and the murderer follow nature just as much as the philanthropist. Cosmic evolution may teach us how the good and the evil tendencies of man may have come about; but, in itself, it is incompetent to furnish any better reason why what we call good is preferable to what we call evil than we had before." "Evolution and Ethics" T.H. Huxley (1893)

3rd January 2020, 05:33 AM	#22
Vixen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Suomi Posts: 20,240	So now Dominic Raab, UK Foreign Secretary, has expressed support for Trump, whilst advising de-escalation (as if!). So, it looks like British troops will once again be dragged into an unwanted war. Quote: Donald Trump and his Iranian foes were urged by Britain to step back from the brink of all-out war today after a US airstrike took out a top Tehran general in Iraq. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged restraint from both sides amid talk of revenge for the targeting killing of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. As British troops in the region were placed on high alert amid fear of reprisals after an attack that the UK is believed not to have been told about in advance, he warned against escalation in the volatile region. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...n-general.html Meanwhile Trump portrays a tweet of the Stars and Stripes in a desperate attempt of a scoundrel seeking refuge in jingoism.
	__________________ Blott en dag, ett ögonblick i sänder, vilken tröst, vad än som kommer på!

3rd January 2020, 05:35 AM	#23
Safe-Keeper Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 10,375	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim How about that? A topic in the US Politics forum that we can agree on. Broken clock, twice a day, etc.
	__________________ "He's like a drunk being given a sobriety test by the police after being pulled over. Just as a drunk can't walk a straight line, Trump can't think in a straight line. He's all over the place."--Stacyhs "If you are still hung up on that whole words-have-meaning thing, then 2020 is going to be a long year for you." --Ladewig

3rd January 2020, 05:41 AM	#24
SuburbanTurkey Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 7,276	New decade, time for a new military entanglement in the middle east. Hope we liked the dismal failure of the Iraq war, because this one will only be the same, but more so.
	__________________ Gobble gobble

3rd January 2020, 05:47 AM	#25
SuburbanTurkey Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 7,276	Democrats will be aghast at his pointless escalation of conflict in the Middle East, conveniently forgetting that they have approved every military budget Trump has asked for. At this point, I almost feel like we need a "rip the bandaid off" approach to US military excesses. Some president needs to just withdraw every US troop from foreign soil and let the chips fall where they may. This would be a disaster, but this country has proven to be totally incapable of acting with good judgement in these matters. Are we seriously ginning up a war because Iran killed some military contractor? Who gives a **** if he was an American, he was a literal mercenary.
	__________________ Gobble gobble Last edited by SuburbanTurkey; 3rd January 2020 at 05:49 AM.

3rd January 2020, 05:50 AM	#26
Garrison Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: UK Posts: 5,478	I would imagine an uptick in terrorist activity aimed at the USA somewhere in the near future is far more likely than 'World War III'.
	__________________ So I've started a blog about my writing. Check it out at: http://fourth-planet-problem.blogspot.com/ And my first book is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077W322FX

3rd January 2020, 05:51 AM	#27
Meadmaker Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 24,804	I find myself feeling incredibly ill informed. There's US troops sitting halfway across the world doing something or another, but I'm really not sure what. Now, there have been protests, and so a US airstrike takes out an Iranian general in Iraq. My first question was, "What was an Iranian general doing in Iraq?" If the answer was any variation on "conducting a war", it's hard to get too bent out of shape about him becoming a casualty. That happens in war. On the other hand, I would like to think this was part of a well thought out course of action, as opposed to some sort of knee jerk, "They can't do that. Find me someone to kill!" reaction from our president. The whole thing seems very sad. I always wonder why people think these things are so important that they have to hang out killing each other. Can't we just give everyone internet service so they can play chess or watch porn or view cat videos? It seems like a better life than smuggling rocket propelled grenades.

3rd January 2020, 05:53 AM	#28
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,405	Right out of the Maggie playbook. I'd really like to live in a world where starting a war makes a politician less likely to be re-elected. Ho hum.
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,405	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

3rd January 2020, 05:55 AM	#29
Captain_Swoop Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 31,381	John Bolton Tweeted @AmbJohnBolton Congratulations to all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani. Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide. Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran.

3rd January 2020, 05:58 AM	#30
Crazy Chainsaw Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,465	Originally Posted by Meadmaker I find myself feeling incredibly ill informed. There's US troops sitting halfway across the world doing something or another, but I'm really not sure what. Now, there have been protests, and so a US airstrike takes out an Iranian general in Iraq. My first question was, "What was an Iranian general doing in Iraq?" If the answer was any variation on "conducting a war", it's hard to get too bent out of shape about him becoming a casualty. That happens in war. On the other hand, I would like to think this was part of a well thought out course of action, as opposed to some sort of knee jerk, "They can't do that. Find me someone to kill!" reaction from our president. The whole thing seems very sad. I always wonder why people think these things are so important that they have to hang out killing each other. Can't we just give everyone internet service so they can play chess or watch porn or view cat videos? It seems like a better life than smuggling rocket propelled grenades. Alive he could only kill a few Hundred people, as a martyr he has the potential to kill millions. When will America get tired of using it's young people as bullet stoppers for fools?

3rd January 2020, 06:04 AM	#31
The Great Zaganza Maledictorian Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 14,385	Originally Posted by Captain_Swoop John Bolton Tweeted @AmbJohnBolton Congratulations to all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani. Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide. Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran. If anything helps the Regime stabilize, it's the perceived threat of an attack by the US.
	__________________ Ceterum autem censeo fox et amicis esse delendam.

3rd January 2020, 06:05 AM	#32
carlosy Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 387	Originally Posted by ChristianProgressive And it conveniently gets the news about the unredacted emails directly implicating Trump in the Ukraine scandal off the radar... Can you point to those news?
carlosy Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 387

3rd January 2020, 06:10 AM	#33
SuburbanTurkey Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 7,276	Originally Posted by Garrison I would imagine an uptick in terrorist activity aimed at the USA somewhere in the near future is far more likely than 'World War III'. God willing Trump will waffle on this nonsense as he does on everything and things manage to de-escalate. Can't really say I'm optimistic. The US public is going to find out, once again, that we're only good at about 1/2 of the the whole "regime change" thing. Sure, the US military can curb stomp the Iranian state, but we'll be totally unable to stop the chaotic destruction that will rush to fill the vacuum of power. So yeah, no WWIII. Just a breeding ground for terrorists and extremism and a fresh source of IED wounded US troops. Victory!
	__________________ Gobble gobble

3rd January 2020, 06:12 AM	#34
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,405	Originally Posted by SuburbanTurkey So yeah, no WWIII. Just a breeding ground for terrorists and extremism and a fresh source of IED wounded US troops. Victory! I'm starting to think this is a feature, not a bug.
3point14 Pi Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 20,405	__________________ Up the River! Anyone that wraps themselves in the Union Flag and also lives in tax exile is a [redacted]

3rd January 2020, 06:15 AM	#35
DuvalHMFIC Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,543	Originally Posted by 3point14 Do we think there will be a retaliation? I wonder what the reaction to 'Iran kills US general' would be. It would depend on his political affiliation, likely.
	__________________ Ben is sick ladies and gentlemen, thats right, Ben is sick.

3rd January 2020, 06:18 AM	#36
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 30,993	https://twitter.com/adamcbest/status...30817850257409 Quote: Here’s Trump ranting about Obama supposedly starting a war with Iran to get re-elected. Telegraphs precisely what he is doing now. It’s like Minority Report except his dumb ass mouth is the precogs. Video embedded in tweet.
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.