Central Tehran now increasingly being hit. Anti-regime feeling there may start to be overtaken.
Seems vengeful and daft. No military stuff there.
It is politically quite clever from Bibi with his domestic audience, and he now has Trump hanging onto his coat tails even more so. The man however is morally bankrupt and I am rather queasy that civilians are always legitimate targets for Bibi. I remember Max Hastings's analysis from the 1990s that Netanyahu has a problem with certain creeds and races. It would seem he doesn't mind arbitrarily killing these people either.
Central Tehran now increasingly being hit. Anti-regime feeling there may start to be overtaken.
Seems vengeful and daft. No military stuff there.
It is politically quite clever from Bibi with his domestic audience, and he now has Trump hanging onto his coat tails even more so. The man however is morally bankrupt and I am rather queasy that civilians are always legitimate targets for Bibi. I remember Max Hastings's analysis from the 1990s that Netanyahu has a problem with certain creeds and races. It would seem he doesn't mind arbitrarily killing these people either.
Trump somehow seems rather lucky with this conflict. Russia badly wants to stop it (Iran being their regional proxy) and Israel wants US support for it. So Trump holds the power. Perhaps Putin will stop in Ukraine if the Iranian regime is put in jeopardy. Of course, perhaps he won't.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
So what you are basically saying is How many deaths will it take till he knows That too many people have died?
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
So what you are basically saying is How many deaths will it take till he knows That too many people have died?
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
So what happens then?
Israel hopes that this has set back Iran’s capabilities and it just sits and waits, ready to strike again at any sign of Iran rebuilding and hoping the regime falls in the meantime?
I understand the rationale for the Israeli action - I am less clear what the endgame is.
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
He already is. Even by Israeli standards -and they've had a few- he is the worst. The double standards and outright racism from 'the west' is sick-making. Who would be justifying a the assasination of top scientists if some country had done this to Israel or the UK. Would Starmer be saying after they'd been attacked 'They're entitled to defend themselves'?.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
So what happens then?
Israel hopes that this has set back Iran’s capabilities and it just sits and waits, ready to strike again at any sign of Iran rebuilding and hoping the regime falls in the meantime?
I understand the rationale for the Israeli action - I am less clear what the endgame is.
Israel would then be de facto in the role of the US (and UK) in between the two Gulf wars with the ability to carry out Desert Fox style operations against Iran whenever it felt like it.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
How much damage could Iran's ballistic missiles do even if Israel couldn't destroy them on the ground or intercept them after firing ?
The V2s were pretty ineffective apart from on a few occasions:
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
Hmmm.... please use the Israeli populace as target practice so we can run down your stocks.
Perhaps if it was on the side of a bus, it would make more sense.
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
He already is. Even by Israeli standards -and they've had a few- he is the worst. The double standards and outright racism from 'the west' is sick-making. Who would be justifying a the assasination of top scientists if some country had done this to Israel or the UK. Would Starmer be saying after they'd been attacked 'They're entitled to defend themselves'?.
Starmer needs to learn the lesson from Blair hanging onto Bush's coattails over Iraq. Sending aircraft to Akrotiri is one thing, anything more and forget regime change in Tehran, we will need a regime change here. This isn't our war, Ukraine on the other hand is.
How popular was ... on day 300 as UK Prime Minister?
Net favourability:
+46 | Tony Blair +21 | John Major +19 | Boris Johnson +18 | Theresa May -6 | Margaret Thatcer -6 | David Cameron -22 | Rishi Sunak -30 | Gordon Brown -33 | Keir Starmer
👉 britainelects.com
The only way is down
Interesting numbers to see. They don’t correlate with long-term success that well. Johnson and May are in the top half, but both had ignominious ends. Major is second on the chart and lost badly his second general election. Cameron is in the bottom half, but had a relatively successful career; he was certainly around longer than his successors.
Indeed, if one completely ignores the data that doesn't fit with the hypothesis, it's pretty great for Starmer.
As I said, they don’t correlate “that well”. Some fit the expected pattern (Sunak and Brown at the bottom and out soon; Blair, the great election winner, at the top). I thought that was obvious, but happy to spell it out.
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
He already is. Even by Israeli standards -and they've had a few- he is the worst. The double standards and outright racism from 'the west' is sick-making. Who would be justifying a the assasination of top scientists if some country had done this to Israel or the UK. Would Starmer be saying after they'd been attacked 'They're entitled to defend themselves'?.
Starmer needs to learn the lesson from Blair hanging onto Bush's coattails over Iraq. Sending aircraft to Akrotiri is one thing, anything more and forget regime change in Tehran, we will need a regime change here. This isn't our war, Ukraine on the other hand is.
What's the difference? It can't be that Russia is our enemy and Iran isn't.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
Hmmm.... please use the Israeli populace as target practice so we can run down your stocks.
Perhaps if it was on the side of a bus, it would make more sense.
A country's civilians are low value assets during a war.
Countries which don't accept that are likely to lose wars.
Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
How much damage could Iran's ballistic missiles do even if Israel couldn't destroy them on the ground or intercept them after firing ?
The V2s were pretty ineffective apart from on a few occasions:
Isn't it extraordinary that they can find and kill all Irans nuclear scientists and heads of armed forces 2000 Kms away in Tehran yet they can't locate 25 hostages just a few KMs away in Gaza despite having occupied it for 18 months?
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
He already is. Even by Israeli standards -and they've had a few- he is the worst. The double standards and outright racism from 'the west' is sick-making. Who would be justifying a the assasination of top scientists if some country had done this to Israel or the UK. Would Starmer be saying after they'd been attacked 'They're entitled to defend themselves'?.
Starmer needs to learn the lesson from Blair hanging onto Bush's coattails over Iraq. Sending aircraft to Akrotiri is one thing, anything more and forget regime change in Tehran, we will need a regime change here. This isn't our war, Ukraine on the other hand is.
We should be willing to give help to Jordan and any other friends in the region.
I believe Starmer described Israel as our ally yesterday.
It isn't.
That shouldn't stop us from being pleased when Israel is hammering the Mullahs, it just means we shouldn't get directly involved.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
So what happens then?
Israel hopes that this has set back Iran’s capabilities and it just sits and waits, ready to strike again at any sign of Iran rebuilding and hoping the regime falls in the meantime?
I understand the rationale for the Israeli action - I am less clear what the endgame is.
I think the endgame for Netanyahu is he doesn’t go to prison.
I think for Smotrich, it’s a greater Israel including Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, southern Lebanon and southern Syria.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
How much damage could Iran's ballistic missiles do even if Israel couldn't destroy them on the ground or intercept them after firing ?
The V2s were pretty ineffective apart from on a few occasions:
Isn't it extraordinary that they can find and kill all Irans nuclear scientists and heads of armed forces 2000 Kms away in Tehran yet they can't locate 25 hostages just a few KMs away in Gaza despite having occupied it for 18 months?
The Israeli military can be incredibly competent when they need to be.
While we might cynically wonder why Israel's border with Gaza was effectively undefended.
Then again we might also wonder why Hamas has been so willing to be Iran's cannon fodder.
From that list of former PMs approval ratings after 300 days, positions 1-6 all won re-election (by being PM after the next election), numbers 7 and 8 did not, and Starmer is in 9th place.
Interesting.
Boris didn't. Day 300 was long after Dec 2019
What we don't have is an example of someone doing this badly and going on to win.
Indeed
Is is only Cameron and Thatcher who improved on this rating? Cameron I remember never being liked that much but sort of bumped along.
They all varied. Even Brown had recovery blips. In general, the immediate aftermath of reelections notwithstanding where it recovers in a honeymoon, the trend is downwards until removed by decap or election
Major's ratings improved meaningfully (but insufficiently) from '94 to '97. One difference now is that 31% then was a landslide defeat, now it's probably a meaningful victory as long as the anti vote isn't too efficient.
It's possible that we will see a return to two-party politics as the next general election approaches, and minds are concentrated by the prospect of one party or another winning - both for and against.
As to the identity of those two parties, that is more uncertain.
Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!
Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!
I wonder who types all this up for Trump.
And whether he reads his own account.
I'm disappointed that he didn't thank me for my attention on this matter.
Central Tehran now increasingly being hit. Anti-regime feeling there may start to be overtaken.
Seems vengeful and daft. No military stuff there.
It is politically quite clever from Bibi with his domestic audience, and he now has Trump hanging onto his coat tails even more so. The man however is morally bankrupt and I am rather queasy that civilians are always legitimate targets for Bibi. I remember Max Hastings's analysis from the 1990s that Netanyahu has a problem with certain creeds and races. It would seem he doesn't mind arbitrarily killing these people either.
Trump somehow seems rather lucky with this conflict. Russia badly wants to stop it (Iran being their regional proxy) and Israel wants US support for it. So Trump holds the power. Perhaps Putin will stop in Ukraine if the Iranian regime is put in jeopardy. Of course, perhaps he won't.
That is a bizarre take on Trump's almost complete irrelevance to these events.
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
He already is. Even by Israeli standards -and they've had a few- he is the worst. The double standards and outright racism from 'the west' is sick-making. Who would be justifying a the assasination of top scientists if some country had done this to Israel or the UK. Would Starmer be saying after they'd been attacked 'They're entitled to defend themselves'?.
Starmer needs to learn the lesson from Blair hanging onto Bush's coattails over Iraq. Sending aircraft to Akrotiri is one thing, anything more and forget regime change in Tehran, we will need a regime change here. This isn't our war, Ukraine on the other hand is.
What's the difference? It can't be that Russia is our enemy and Iran isn't.
Of course it can. Trump is the case in point. A friend of Russia and an enemy of Tehran.
Netanyahu evil and Tehran evil are two cheeks of the same evil arse. We should have nothing to do with either cheek. This is not our fight.
Labour have always been ahead of the Tories on this one too, but it has never stopped enough people voting Conservative
Not true, when Dave was in charge and in the Corbyn era the Tories regularly led on public services.
Heck at one point even Mrs May led Corbyn on the NHS!!!
In terms of NHS productivity, the Conservatives actually had a brilliant record. They increased it by 15% (1.6% per year) between 2010 and 2019 - that's much faster than what the private sector achieved.
Their failure was to cut prevention, public health and capital investment - so we have a highly effective hospital service only.
Given that prevention means stopping people from getting old, and people get old no matter what, that's a difficult problem to handle.
Demographics are changing either way.
The way to lower demand is to lower life expectancy, but nobody is going to strive to do that.
I know we disagree on this but the vast majority of the growing pressure on the NHS is not age related. It's growing at 3% in real terms per annum - that's simply far too fast to be explained by a bump in the demographic profile.
That's why I have the pessimistic view that a universal healthcare service is doomed to fail unless there is a punchy public health campaign to bring the general standard of health up significantly, or else start to restrict spending on treatments for preventable diseases or for those who are not looking after themselves.
Anyway, I'm off for 25k slow run. I've nearly lost my big toenail so that will probably offset the health gains...
Our age profile is growing too. Demand is overwhelmingly and exponentially set by age.
I'm 42 and I've set myself the goal of looking after myself since I turned 40, I've lost over 60 pounds by switching to my carnivore diet . . . But being in my 40s that has changed my interactions with the NHS from zero to zero.
Does the carnivore diet really work?
In one sense it’s just another fad that works by restricting calorie intake: The high fat intake probably helps with satiation, which is the main problem most dieters face - hunger is difficult to cope with. It’s also an expensive way to get your calories.
On the flip side, if it works for you then it works. Just make sure to supplement your diet with enough veggies to supply the essential bits and pieces you won’t get from meat alone - quite a few of the nuttier end of the US right wing “eating meat makes me more manly” brigade made themselves quite seriously ill due to things like vitamin C deficiency.
Expensive is relative.
Is meat expensive versus some other stuff? Yes, absolutely. On the other hand other choices aren't always cheaper.
Eg a pack of black pudding from Aldi is 99p. That will do my breakfast for a couple of days, or on the rare times I'm hungry after dinner I'll quickly cook a slice (25p). Most packets of crisps or sweets cost way more than 25p.
A kg of chicken thighs costs £6.50 at Aldi. That can do my lunch and evening meals for two days.
So £7.50 say for 3 meals a day, for 2 days. Just over a pound a meal.
A single McDonald's meal can cost £8.
A bag of Doritos as a snack, not a meal, can cost £2.50
WTF thinks after dinner , I fancy a slice of black pudding because it is cheap , or thinks multiple days dinner of battery hen thighs is yummy because they are dirt cheap. Fine if you like eating crap but what a f****ing life.
I never took you for a snob Malcolm. Personally I don't like Black Pudding - its a texture thing - but the vast majority of my friends think it is fab and would certainly have it as a snack if it were available.
I think Malcolm point is that your friends choose it because they think it is fab, not because of cost
I'm never one to want to see the price of petrol go up, but if paying more for a litre of unleaded is the price we need to pay to see the elimination of the Iranian regime then I'm prepared to pay it.
I hope the Israelis smash the Iranian nuclear, industrial and oil refineries into dust unless or until there's regime change.
What about flattening Tehran, Gaza style?
How many people across the Middle East is Bibi allowed to kill since 0ctober 7th 2023? How many deaths has he sanctioned since he became Prime Minister? He will go down in history and one of the World's greatest monsters.
Now before you charge me with anti-Semitism, my concern is for Netanyahu's morality. I am not questioning Judaism or the right for Israel to exist.
He already is. Even by Israeli standards -and they've had a few- he is the worst. The double standards and outright racism from 'the west' is sick-making. Who would be justifying a the assasination of top scientists if some country had done this to Israel or the UK. Would Starmer be saying after they'd been attacked 'They're entitled to defend themselves'?.
Starmer needs to learn the lesson from Blair hanging onto Bush's coattails over Iraq. Sending aircraft to Akrotiri is one thing, anything more and forget regime change in Tehran, we will need a regime change here. This isn't our war, Ukraine on the other hand is.
We should be willing to give help to Jordan and any other friends in the region.
I believe Starmer described Israel as our ally yesterday.
It isn't.
That shouldn't stop us from being pleased when Israel is hammering the Mullahs, it just means we shouldn't get directly involved.
Do we believe in the right of Israel to exist? Do we believe Israel has a right to defend itself? Of course we do. However, do we believe Bibi has the right to indescriminately kill whoever he wants to kill behind the convenient cloak of defending Israel's right to exist?
Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!
I wonder who types all this up for Trump.
And whether he reads his own account.
I'm disappointed that he didn't thank me for my attention on this matter.
Amongst everything else, he's an ungrateful bastard. Commiserations.
Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!
I never took you for a snob Malcolm. Personally I don't like Black Pudding - its a texture thing - but the vast majority of my friends think it is fab and would certainly have it as a snack if it were available.
There is a posh restaurant in Edinburgh that will sell you a plate of butter beans with crispy blackpudding crumbled over it for a healthy sum
Trump somehow seems rather lucky with this conflict. Russia badly wants to stop it (Iran being their regional proxy) and Israel wants US support for it. So Trump holds the power. Perhaps Putin will stop in Ukraine if the Iranian regime is put in jeopardy. Of course, perhaps he won't.
If Israel wants Trump to help them, and Russia wants the war to end, then the likely next step is Trump tells Israel to end the war
Smart analysis of the No Kings protests estimates roughly 4-6 million people protested Trump across America yesterday. The anti-Trump resistance is unprecedented, and exceeds his first term.
Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!
I wonder who types all this up for Trump.
And whether he reads his own account.
Whoever types it up clearly has no authority or duty to say "Mr. President that makes you sound like a blithering idiot. Would you like me to rephrase it?"
Smart analysis of the No Kings protests estimates roughly 4-6 million people protested Trump across America yesterday. The anti-Trump resistance is unprecedented, and exceeds his first term.
"Sir Keir Starmer pledged to close the Wethersfield asylum facility during last year's election campaign, but the BBC understands that site and another in Huddersfield are among those under consideration for extensions."
Probably the right thing to do, but one more porkie pie from Starmer.
"Sir Keir Starmer pledged to close the Wethersfield asylum facility during last year's election campaign, but the BBC understands that site and another in Huddersfield are among those under consideration for extensions."
Probably the right thing to do, but one more porkie pie from Starmer.
It seems an eternity since Starmer told us he was all about honesty, integrity and public service.....
From that list of former PMs approval ratings after 300 days, positions 1-6 all won re-election (by being PM after the next election), numbers 7 and 8 did not, and Starmer is in 9th place.
Interesting.
Boris didn't. Day 300 was long after Dec 2019
What we don't have is an example of someone doing this badly and going on to win.
Indeed
Is is only Cameron and Thatcher who improved on this rating? Cameron I remember never being liked that much but sort of bumped along.
They all varied. Even Brown had recovery blips. In general, the immediate aftermath of reelections notwithstanding where it recovers in a honeymoon, the trend is downwards until removed by decap or election
Major's ratings improved meaningfully (but insufficiently) from '94 to '97. One difference now is that 31% then was a landslide defeat, now it's probably a meaningful victory as long as the anti vote isn't too efficient.
It's possible that we will see a return to two-party politics as the next general election approaches, and minds are concentrated by the prospect of one party or another winning - both for and against.
As to the identity of those two parties, that is more uncertain.
As soon as Farage is gone there will be a return to leftish and rightish. Farage won't be around for long
The NHS is on track to consume 40% of all state spending by the end of this decade. That is another advance along a trajectory to a point where we will have a health service with a government attached.
The health secretary’s master plan for what he calls “NHS version two” will be outlined in a “10-year health plan”, to be unveiled in July. He wants to make “three big shifts”. One aim is to update the NHS from being a sluggish and inefficient analogue service that still does a lot of its work using paper files and letters sent in the post. Another reform is to put more emphasis on prevention, as it is better for the citizen and cheaper for the state to stop people from becoming ill in the first place. The third reform is to switch to putting a lot of care into the community.
None of this is wildly new. These are shifts that have long been advocated by health reformers. The novelty would be to see them implemented. The British people will want him to succeed. Satisfaction with the NHS hit an all-time high of 70% at the end of Labour’s last period in office. The approval rating had collapsed to an all-time low of 21% by the end of Conservative rule.
The biggest hole in the health secretary’s modernisation model is the lack of a plan to overhaul social care. For fear of the cost, sorting that out has been kicked into the long grass of yet another review.
The obstacles to reform will be significant, but the spurs to succeed are compelling. Pollsters invariably report that health is at, or very near, the top of issues most salient with the public. Fixing the NHS won’t guarantee Labour a second term in power; failing to do so will greatly increase the chances that it loses the next election. The health secretary’s ambitions to move upwards towards No 10 depend on him delivering. So do his party’s electoral fortunes. And so does restoring Britain’s faith in its beloved but battered NHS.
From that list of former PMs approval ratings after 300 days, positions 1-6 all won re-election (by being PM after the next election), numbers 7 and 8 did not, and Starmer is in 9th place.
Interesting.
Boris didn't. Day 300 was long after Dec 2019
What we don't have is an example of someone doing this badly and going on to win.
Indeed
Is is only Cameron and Thatcher who improved on this rating? Cameron I remember never being liked that much but sort of bumped along.
They all varied. Even Brown had recovery blips. In general, the immediate aftermath of reelections notwithstanding where it recovers in a honeymoon, the trend is downwards until removed by decap or election
Major's ratings improved meaningfully (but insufficiently) from '94 to '97. One difference now is that 31% then was a landslide defeat, now it's probably a meaningful victory as long as the anti vote isn't too efficient.
It's possible that we will see a return to two-party politics as the next general election approaches, and minds are concentrated by the prospect of one party or another winning - both for and against.
As to the identity of those two parties, that is more uncertain.
As soon as Farage is gone there will be a return to leftish and rightish. Farage won't be around for long
At least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli attacks, including car bombs-Reuters
Mossad are either on the ground in Iran or they have turned locals to work for them.
Don't give all the secrets away. Are you Whisky Pete?
I think it is why I failed with my application to work for GCHQ...
At least you didn't take it all home with you.
In all seriousness, it was never something I was interested in. I did have a mate who applied and I was security checked because of it. Given he got the job, my university antics didn't seem to be a barrier to him being hired. I believe he has been locked in the basement of GCHQ ever since as nobody has ever heard from him in years.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
How much damage could Iran's ballistic missiles do even if Israel couldn't destroy them on the ground or intercept them after firing ?
The V2s were pretty ineffective apart from on a few occasions:
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
Hmmm.... please use the Israeli populace as target practice so we can run down your stocks.
Perhaps if it was on the side of a bus, it would make more sense.
It is armed conflict, civilians die. Given the Iranians appear to be unable to hit a barn door with a banjo but instead land on non-state targets instead is by the by.
Or they are deliberately striking civilian centres.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
How much damage could Iran's ballistic missiles do even if Israel couldn't destroy them on the ground or intercept them after firing ?
The V2s were pretty ineffective apart from on a few occasions:
At least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli attacks, including car bombs-Reuters
Mossad are either on the ground in Iran or they have turned locals to work for them.
Don't give all the secrets away. Are you Whisky Pete?
This sort of talk might be exactly what the Israelis want. Mole hunts always disrupt; and more often than not, they round up innocent as well as the guilty. If the Iranians are busy looking for the enemy within, they cannot spend that effort on the enemy without. It's a great way of damaging Iran at this time.
Also, it doesn't have to be just human intelligence. The Iranians have formed a massive surveillance state to watch over, and guard against, the protests. It would be a shame if the Israelis had access to all those lovely live feeds and other information...
At least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli attacks, including car bombs-Reuters
Mossad are either on the ground in Iran or they have turned locals to work for them.
Don't give all the secrets away. Are you Whisky Pete?
This sort of talk might be exactly what the Israelis want. Mole hunts always disrupt; and more often than not, they round up innocent as well as the guilty. If the Iranians are busy looking for the enemy within, they cannot spend that effort on the enemy without. It's a great way of damaging Iran at this time.
Also, it doesn't have to be just human intelligence. The Iranians have formed a massive surveillance state to watch over, and guard against, the protests. It would be a shame if the Israelis had access to all those lovely live feeds and other information...
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
Hmmm.... please use the Israeli populace as target practice so we can run down your stocks.
Perhaps if it was on the side of a bus, it would make more sense.
It is armed conflict, civilians die. Given the Iranians appear to be unable to hit a barn door with a banjo but instead land on non-state targets instead is by the by.
Or they are deliberately striking civilian centres.
The Iranians can only dream of matching the IDF’s targeted strikes in Gaza.
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
How much damage could Iran's ballistic missiles do even if Israel couldn't destroy them on the ground or intercept them after firing ?
The V2s were pretty ineffective apart from on a few occasions:
Isn't it extraordinary that they can find and kill all Irans nuclear scientists and heads of armed forces 2000 Kms away in Tehran yet they can't locate 25 hostages just a few KMs away in Gaza despite having occupied it for 18 months?
It isn't extraordinary. The hostages are being deliberately hidden. Scientists and heads of armed forces like to go home to their families of an evening, and need to attend meetings. Put brutally: they have (or had...) lives to live. The hostages may be alive, but they are being denied a life. That makes hiding them much easier.
At least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli attacks, including car bombs-Reuters
Mossad are either on the ground in Iran or they have turned locals to work for them.
Don't give all the secrets away. Are you Whisky Pete?
This sort of talk might be exactly what the Israelis want. Mole hunts always disrupt; and more often than not, they round up innocent as well as the guilty. If the Iranians are busy looking for the enemy within, they cannot spend that effort on the enemy without. It's a great way of damaging Iran at this time.
Also, it doesn't have to be just human intelligence. The Iranians have formed a massive surveillance state to watch over, and guard against, the protests. It would be a shame if the Israelis had access to all those lovely live feeds and other information...
Hooray for car bombs!
Not in the least. I'd much rather this entire horrid mess had never happened, and the leaders of all the states involved go into retirement, just as that foul mass-murdering dictator Assad has, and leave adults to sort out the mess. But sadly that's not happening.
Does anyone have any thoughts about why the UK would be helping israel wrt attacks on Iraq?
I'm seeing some reports (tbf possibly speculation) saying that we could be doing so?
Why? It just does not fit cui bono with the answer being the UK?
I'm off for a walk and I'm hoping for some plausible answers when I get back !
When has this government ever done anything with the intention of the UK bonoing?
Though as it happens, the UK does bono if Iran is made weaker. Cos they're a hostile power. Just as we bono from Ukraine attacking Russia's long range bomber capability.
So: I used to be a keen swimmer, and would do a mile in 35 minutes every lunchtime. So, a 2.4 mile swim doesn't sound that daunting. It's open air water, mind, and it'd probably take me an hour and a half. Still, with practice, I could do that.
Cycling is my main exercise at the moment. But 112 miles is a *long* way. That's like London to Brighton and back. I can do London to Brighton fairly easily (so long as I have a decent lunch half way). But twice, after the swim, would be no fun at all.
The running, though, would totally screw me. I can maybe run a 5k, in 35 minutes.
So: I used to be a keen swimmer, and would do a mile in 35 minutes every lunchtime. So, a 2.4 mile swim doesn't sound that daunting. It's open air water, mind, and it'd probably take me an hour and a half. Still, with practice, I could do that.
Cycling is my main exercise at the moment. But 112 miles is a *long* way. That's like London to Brighton and back. I can do London to Brighton fairly easily (so long as I have a decent lunch half way). But twice, after the swim, would be no fun at all.
The running, though, would totally screw me. I can maybe run a 5k, in 35 minutes.
I see the cycling is pretty flat, mind - there's not much more vertical over the 112 miles than you get in the London to Brighton.
So: I used to be a keen swimmer, and would do a mile in 35 minutes every lunchtime. So, a 2.4 mile swim doesn't sound that daunting. It's open air water, mind, and it'd probably take me an hour and a half. Still, with practice, I could do that.
Cycling is my main exercise at the moment. But 112 miles is a *long* way. That's like London to Brighton and back. I can do London to Brighton fairly easily (so long as I have a decent lunch half way). But twice, after the swim, would be no fun at all.
The running, though, would totally screw me. I can maybe run a 5k, in 35 minutes.
I've done six or seven sprint distances now, and one standard (Olympic) distance. I've done half Ironman (70.3) distances in training in all three disciplines, and am trying to convince myself that doing one will be next year's target.
But a full Ironman? It seems unachievable. Although a friend who was a rather good triathlete when we were at university says it is actually harder to go from standard distance to half-Ironman, than it is from half-Ironman to full-Ironman...
Way too broad a claim with no follow up. Its a possibility given that you dont want your people too close to what is going on, but could be speculation/shooting the breeze being turned into a factual statement.
Typically you get your non essentials out (no public reports) then your people embedded within any military/ dual use liasion activities who mayt find themselves at vulnerable locations (there are smallish numbers of Russian personnel working with the Iranian military & military industry). Then you get your key diplomats out as last straw.
Have you done any kind of triathalon? I'm tempted by a sprint one.
I did my first one last year. I've done seven in total, with three so far this year (two sprints, one standard). However, I'm *slow*.
But i love doing them. More accurately, I love the training. Do it - it's great fun. A sprint isn't too difficult at all, and even if you finish Dead Forking Last, you still beat all those who couldn't be bothered to get up and race.
The people tend to be awesome and friendly as well.
Have you done any kind of triathalon? I'm tempted by a sprint one.
I did my first one last year. I've done seven in total, with three so far this year (two sprints, one standard). However, I'm *slow*.
But i love doing them. More accurately, I love the training. Do it - it's great fun. A sprint isn't too difficult at all, and even if you finish Dead Forking Last, you still beat all those who couldn't be bothered to get up and race.
The people tend to be awesome and friendly as well.
Oh, and it's a good excuse to get a new bike ...
My bike is currently bust for the stupidest reason. I was cycling along and then the bolt holding the seatpost in place sheared off, and the seat and seatpost dropped into the frame (with by 90kgs on it). The frame is now cracked.
So I'm using my old commuter bike to keep the miles on. My plan is to buy a (moderately) expensive frame, and then shift the wheeds and components across, thus teaching me about bike building, and getting me a cool new carbon frame. (I like the look of the Specialized Aethos.)
My only concern is that I'll discover all my road bike components are incompatible with a 2025 frame.
Have you done any kind of triathalon? I'm tempted by a sprint one.
I did my first one last year. I've done seven in total, with three so far this year (two sprints, one standard). However, I'm *slow*.
But i love doing them. More accurately, I love the training. Do it - it's great fun. A sprint isn't too difficult at all, and even if you finish Dead Forking Last, you still beat all those who couldn't be bothered to get up and race.
The people tend to be awesome and friendly as well.
Oh, and it's a good excuse to get a new bike ...
My bike is currently bust for the stupidest reason. I was cycling along and then the bolt holding the seatpost in place sheared off, and the seat and seatpost dropped into the frame (with by 90kgs on it). The frame is now cracked.
So I'm using my old commuter bike to keep the miles on. My plan is to buy a (moderately) expensive frame, and then shift the wheeds and components across, thus teaching me about bike building, and getting me a cool new carbon frame. (I like the look of the Specialized Aethos.)
My only concern is that I'll discover all my road bike components are incompatible with a 2025 frame.
My brother & I had serious fun bike building, when we were kids.
Started by upgrading the shit parts on the bikes we had. Ended with packing our own bearings (sealed bearings weren't a thing yet, except for some bottom brackets), wheel building....
Comments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtXec1z00pM
Yes, it's highly suspect, but if you want "we're the Army: fuck you", that's the tune...
The Israelis reckon they had 2 weeks to 20 days to go at this. Part of the calculus is that Irans sticks of medium and ling range ballistic missiles was in the 2k region so Iran simply can't sustain any air defence overwhelming attacks for long, or at all, given stocks used and stocks destroyed.
Yes the Iranians have drones to make up numbers but they are easier to stop and again the Israelis will target the supply chain.
If the Israelis have the numbers right and Iranian air defence is non existent, the superiority level is massive in this type of long distance shoot out and Iranian military/industrial capabilities are going to be knocked back a decade or more. In fact the limit on the damage would then be israels own stocks.
How many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
I reckon we all know the answer my friend.
I am sure Netanyahu has no maximum number for the collateral death rate for Arabs and Persians. Quite possibly, the more the merrier.
Israel hopes that this has set back Iran’s capabilities and it just sits and waits, ready to strike again at any sign of Iran rebuilding and hoping the regime falls in the meantime?
I understand the rationale for the Israeli action - I am less clear what the endgame is.
"Fortunate son" is John Fogerty's tale of the sons of the wealthy who dodged the draft because of their ( for example) heel spurs.
The V2s were pretty ineffective apart from on a few occasions:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-2_rocket#Targets
Perhaps if it was on the side of a bus, it would make more sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYwxRqMkXE
Countries which don't accept that are likely to lose wars.
Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal, just like I got India and Pakistan to make, in that case by using TRADE with the United States to bring reason, cohesion, and sanity into the talks with two excellent leaders who were able to quickly make a decision and STOP! Also, during my first term, Serbia and Kosovo were going at it hot and heavy, as they have for many decades, and this long time conflict was ready to break out into WAR. I stopped it (Biden has hurt the longer term prospects with some very stupid decisions, but I will fix it, again!). Another case is Egypt and Ethiopia, and their fight over a massive dam that is having an effect on the magnificent Nile River. There is peace, at least for now, because of my intervention, and it will stay that way! Likewise, we will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place. I do a lot, and never get credit for anything, but that's OK, the PEOPLE understand. MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN!
I believe Starmer described Israel as our ally yesterday.
It isn't.
That shouldn't stop us from being pleased when Israel is hammering the Mullahs, it just means we shouldn't get directly involved.
I think for Smotrich, it’s a greater Israel including Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, southern Lebanon and southern Syria.
While we might cynically wonder why Israel's border with Gaza was effectively undefended.
Then again we might also wonder why Hamas has been so willing to be Iran's cannon fodder.
As to the identity of those two parties, that is more uncertain.
And whether he reads his own account.
Netanyahu evil and Tehran evil are two cheeks of the same evil arse. We should have nothing to do with either cheek. This is not our fight.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/five-car-bombs-detonated-in-tehran-iranian-media-reports-blaming-israel/
At least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli attacks, including car bombs-Reuters
Smart analysis of the No Kings protests estimates roughly 4-6 million people protested Trump across America yesterday. The anti-Trump resistance is unprecedented, and exceeds his first term.
https://x.com/mattmfm/status/1934226267768783169
https://bsky.app/profile/teamcanadaforever.bsky.social/post/3lrmrzvumik2m
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg92lyr7yvo
"Sir Keir Starmer pledged to close the Wethersfield asylum facility during last year's election campaign, but the BBC understands that site and another in Huddersfield are among those under consideration for extensions."
Probably the right thing to do, but one more porkie pie from Starmer.
Again.
The Trump Birthday parade demonstrated all the professionalism of Prince Edward's It's a Knockout event.
The NHS is on track to consume 40% of all state spending by the end of this decade. That is another advance along a trajectory to a point where we will have a health service with a government attached.
The health secretary’s master plan for what he calls “NHS version two” will be outlined in a “10-year health plan”, to be unveiled in July. He wants to make “three big shifts”. One aim is to update the NHS from being a sluggish and inefficient analogue service that still does a lot of its work using paper files and letters sent in the post. Another reform is to put more emphasis on prevention, as it is better for the citizen and cheaper for the state to stop people from becoming ill in the first place. The third reform is to switch to putting a lot of care into the community.
None of this is wildly new. These are shifts that have long been advocated by health reformers. The novelty would be to see them implemented. The British people will want him to succeed. Satisfaction with the NHS hit an all-time high of 70% at the end of Labour’s last period in office. The approval rating had collapsed to an all-time low of 21% by the end of Conservative rule.
The biggest hole in the health secretary’s modernisation model is the lack of a plan to overhaul social care. For fear of the cost, sorting that out has been kicked into the long grass of yet another review.
The obstacles to reform will be significant, but the spurs to succeed are compelling. Pollsters invariably report that health is at, or very near, the top of issues most salient with the public. Fixing the NHS won’t guarantee Labour a second term in power; failing to do so will greatly increase the chances that it loses the next election. The health secretary’s ambitions to move upwards towards No 10 depend on him delivering. So do his party’s electoral fortunes. And so does restoring Britain’s faith in its beloved but battered NHS.
Or they are deliberately striking civilian centres.
Guess which one.
Also, it doesn't have to be just human intelligence. The Iranians have formed a massive surveillance state to watch over, and guard against, the protests. It would be a shame if the Israelis had access to all those lovely live feeds and other information...
Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah says it will operate against US interests and bases in the region if Washington enters the war against Iran.
But it says for now, Iran does not need any help fighting Israel.
— statement
He's 92.
(*) Half Ironman
I find the videos showing 'Mossad' blokes in full on field garb launching heli drones a bit suspect to be honest.
Come back when he can finish a full one. He's had plenty of time to practice, so really there's no excuse.
I'm seeing some reports (tbf possibly speculation) saying that we could be doing so?
Why? It just does not fit cui bono with the answer being the UK?
I'm off for a walk and I'm hoping for some plausible answers when I get back !
(I believe he's done full Ironman distances in the past, and holds the world record for oldest finisher. There's a fairly well-known photo of him failing one yeat at Kona: https://www.triathlete.com/culture/behind-the-photo-heartbreak-in-hawaii/ )
@MahyarTousi
🚨 BREAKING: Putin has ordered Russia to fully evacuate Iran
The end is near.
https://x.com/MahyarTousi/status/1934251563285188878
Though as it happens, the UK does bono if Iran is made weaker. Cos they're a hostile power. Just as we bono from Ukraine attacking Russia's long range bomber capability.
Are there any decent ones? Clips where the US military actually looks competent?
Cycling is my main exercise at the moment. But 112 miles is a *long* way. That's like London to Brighton and back. I can do London to Brighton fairly easily (so long as I have a decent lunch half way). But twice, after the swim, would be no fun at all.
The running, though, would totally screw me. I can maybe run a 5k, in 35 minutes.
Is that some sort of Irontrans?
But a full Ironman? It seems unachievable. Although a friend who was a rather good triathlete when we were at university says it is actually harder to go from standard distance to half-Ironman, than it is from half-Ironman to full-Ironman...
https://x.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1934053234915652022
Typically you get your non essentials out (no public reports) then your people embedded within any military/ dual use liasion activities who mayt find themselves at vulnerable locations (there are smallish numbers of Russian personnel working with the Iranian military & military industry). Then you get your key diplomats out as last straw.
If it became the last of those its very bad news.
But i love doing them. More accurately, I love the training. Do it - it's great fun. A sprint isn't too difficult at all, and even if you finish Dead Forking Last, you still beat all those who couldn't be bothered to get up and race.
The people tend to be awesome and friendly as well.
Oh, and it's a good excuse to get a new bike ...
So I'm using my old commuter bike to keep the miles on. My plan is to buy a (moderately) expensive frame, and then shift the wheeds and components across, thus teaching me about bike building, and getting me a cool new carbon frame. (I like the look of the Specialized Aethos.)
My only concern is that I'll discover all my road bike components are incompatible with a 2025 frame.
My buddy (from the UK) try to build a new bike in the US without realising some of the bits go the other way round
It did look more like an August Bank Holiday float procession in Grantham than a Chinese Red Army military pageant.
Started by upgrading the shit parts on the bikes we had. Ended with packing our own bearings (sealed bearings weren't a thing yet, except for some bottom brackets), wheel building....