@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
Rubio: I’ve been asked: why now? One reason why is it was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel or anyone, they were going to respond and respond against the United States.
If we stood and waited for that attack to come first, before we hit them, we would suffer much higher casualties
We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces..
Wow. That's a stark admission that Netanyahu calls the tune.
@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
Rubio: I’ve been asked: why now? One reason why is it was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel or anyone, they were going to respond and respond against the United States.
If we stood and waited for that attack to come first, before we hit them, we would suffer much higher casualties
We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces..
Wow. That's a stark admission that Netanyahu calls the tune.
Possibly related to topic header. It seems if the US doesn't eliminate Iran's drone and missile stockpiles in the next week or so, Iran's neighbours won't be able to protect themselves against incoming strikes
The UAE is projected to exhaust its interceptor missile stock within one week at the current rate of fire, and Qatar within four days; both are urgently seeking additional military support from the United States. -Bloomberg
UAE and Qatar are privately lobbying allies to help them persuade President Trump to reach for an off-ramp that would keep US military operations against Iran short, according to people familiar with the matter. - Bloomberg
@Brixian59 the Jewish state is the only way Jews can guarantee a second holocaust wont happen. That safety net is also available to Zak Polanski, if he ever needed it.
If you think we don’t need it then you’re wrong. History teaches us that Jews are not safe, even in the West.
I 100% agree with you.
The.problem is that the current incumbent is hell bent on putting a target on the back of every Jew, every Synagogue on the planet.
He and his extreme politics, bloodlust, illegal occupations have made every Jew less safe than at any time since the Holocaust.
A more moderate more diplomatic globally aware Leadership that sought to defend rather than attack would make every Jew safer.
I think the majority in Israel know that and want regime change.
In an ideal world this would be nice. But, with respect, I am not sure you really get what it is like to live in a country surrounded by people who want to kill you and challenge your right even to exist. I don't have experience of this either but I think I am showing a little more empathy. Such stress leads a society to extremes. Its why the Israelis elect the people they do. They feel threatened and Netanyahu, corrupt monster that he is, plays to this.
October 6th lifted this to another level. Everything we are currently seeing in the Middle east, including the genocide in Gaza, flows from this. This is not a liberal democracy however much we would like it to be.
Where did October 7th ( which I assume you meant) flow from? Did it just pop up out of the blue?
No, it drove Israel to overreact in a way that has become frankly horrific. And it has driven the aggression against Iran as well. They have driven the US into this because for them, in their perception, this is a matter of life and death.
It is a matter of life and death. That is not an overreaction.
Time to eliminate the evil at source.
You seem very keen on the notion of eradication of bad guys with no thought for mass collateral casualties.
Now Donald Trump has today confirmed that Starmer is a very bad man. Should Donald Trump determine that retribution for Starmer's evil is required, how do you feel about being collateral damage?
Starmer is the bad guy, I've done nothing wrong, why should I be collateral damage for the guilt of a politician?
There are repressive regimes, often sponsoring violence in neighbouring countries, across the world: North Korea, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, DRC and, of course, Russia. Should we be trying to eliminate all those bad guys as well? Should we be joining in with Pakistan on their attacks on Afghanistan, for example? I am curious where @BartholomewRoberts ‘ fervour for war will take us.
@Brixian59 the Jewish state is the only way Jews can guarantee a second holocaust wont happen. That safety net is also available to Zak Polanski, if he ever needed it.
If you think we don’t need it then you’re wrong. History teaches us that Jews are not safe, even in the West.
I 100% agree with you.
The.problem is that the current incumbent is hell bent on putting a target on the back of every Jew, every Synagogue on the planet.
He and his extreme politics, bloodlust, illegal occupations have made every Jew less safe than at any time since the Holocaust.
A more moderate more diplomatic globally aware Leadership that sought to defend rather than attack would make every Jew safer.
I think the majority in Israel know that and want regime change.
In an ideal world this would be nice. But, with respect, I am not sure you really get what it is like to live in a country surrounded by people who want to kill you and challenge your right even to exist. I don't have experience of this either but I think I am showing a little more empathy. Such stress leads a society to extremes. Its why the Israelis elect the people they do. They feel threatened and Netanyahu, corrupt monster that he is, plays to this.
October 6th lifted this to another level. Everything we are currently seeing in the Middle east, including the genocide in Gaza, flows from this. This is not a liberal democracy however much we would like it to be.
Where did October 7th ( which I assume you meant) flow from? Did it just pop up out of the blue?
No, it drove Israel to overreact in a way that has become frankly horrific. And it has driven the aggression against Iran as well. They have driven the US into this because for them, in their perception, this is a matter of life and death.
It is a matter of life and death. That is not an overreaction.
Time to eliminate the evil at source.
You seem very keen on the notion of eradication of bad guys with no thought for mass collateral casualties.
Now Donald Trump has today confirmed that Starmer is a very bad man. Should Donald Trump determine that retribution for Starmer's evil is required, how do you feel about being collateral damage?
Starmer is the bad guy, I've done nothing wrong, why should I be collateral damage for the guilt of a politician?
There are repressive regimes, often sponsoring violence in neighbouring countries, across the world: North Korea, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, DRC and, of course, Russia. Should we be trying to eliminate all those bad guys as well? Should we be joining in with Pakistan on their attacks on Afghanistan, for example? I am curious where @BartholomewRoberts ‘ fervour for war will take us.
What did Saudi Arabia do to be left off the guest list?
Good to see that Trump has confirmed that he has no more idea what the real aims of Operation Epic Fury are than the rest of us.
Its got something to do with the drapes in his now ball room, so far as I could work out.
It's only delying the day when the American public - but more likely, the MAGA-sphere - start asking "So, about that underage girl you had sex with, Mr President..."
The bigger the distraction, the guiltier he looks.
@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
@Brixian59 the Jewish state is the only way Jews can guarantee a second holocaust wont happen. That safety net is also available to Zak Polanski, if he ever needed it.
If you think we don’t need it then you’re wrong. History teaches us that Jews are not safe, even in the West.
I 100% agree with you.
The.problem is that the current incumbent is hell bent on putting a target on the back of every Jew, every Synagogue on the planet.
He and his extreme politics, bloodlust, illegal occupations have made every Jew less safe than at any time since the Holocaust.
A more moderate more diplomatic globally aware Leadership that sought to defend rather than attack would make every Jew safer.
I think the majority in Israel know that and want regime change.
In an ideal world this would be nice. But, with respect, I am not sure you really get what it is like to live in a country surrounded by people who want to kill you and challenge your right even to exist. I don't have experience of this either but I think I am showing a little more empathy. Such stress leads a society to extremes. Its why the Israelis elect the people they do. They feel threatened and Netanyahu, corrupt monster that he is, plays to this.
October 6th lifted this to another level. Everything we are currently seeing in the Middle east, including the genocide in Gaza, flows from this. This is not a liberal democracy however much we would like it to be.
Where did October 7th ( which I assume you meant) flow from? Did it just pop up out of the blue?
No, it drove Israel to overreact in a way that has become frankly horrific. And it has driven the aggression against Iran as well. They have driven the US into this because for them, in their perception, this is a matter of life and death.
It is a matter of life and death. That is not an overreaction.
Time to eliminate the evil at source.
You seem very keen on the notion of eradication of bad guys with no thought for mass collateral casualties.
Now Donald Trump has today confirmed that Starmer is a very bad man. Should Donald Trump determine that retribution for Starmer's evil is required, how do you feel about being collateral damage?
Starmer is the bad guy, I've done nothing wrong, why should I be collateral damage for the guilt of a politician?
There are repressive regimes, often sponsoring violence in neighbouring countries, across the world: North Korea, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, DRC and, of course, Russia. Should we be trying to eliminate all those bad guys as well? Should we be joining in with Pakistan on their attacks on Afghanistan, for example? I am curious where @BartholomewRoberts ‘ fervour for war will take us.
What did Saudi Arabia do to be left off the guest list?
They have to make up the oil production to stop prices going through the roof.
@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
@Brixian59 the Jewish state is the only way Jews can guarantee a second holocaust wont happen. That safety net is also available to Zak Polanski, if he ever needed it.
If you think we don’t need it then you’re wrong. History teaches us that Jews are not safe, even in the West.
I 100% agree with you.
The.problem is that the current incumbent is hell bent on putting a target on the back of every Jew, every Synagogue on the planet.
He and his extreme politics, bloodlust, illegal occupations have made every Jew less safe than at any time since the Holocaust.
A more moderate more diplomatic globally aware Leadership that sought to defend rather than attack would make every Jew safer.
I think the majority in Israel know that and want regime change.
In an ideal world this would be nice. But, with respect, I am not sure you really get what it is like to live in a country surrounded by people who want to kill you and challenge your right even to exist. I don't have experience of this either but I think I am showing a little more empathy. Such stress leads a society to extremes. Its why the Israelis elect the people they do. They feel threatened and Netanyahu, corrupt monster that he is, plays to this.
October 6th lifted this to another level. Everything we are currently seeing in the Middle east, including the genocide in Gaza, flows from this. This is not a liberal democracy however much we would like it to be.
Where did October 7th ( which I assume you meant) flow from? Did it just pop up out of the blue?
No, it drove Israel to overreact in a way that has become frankly horrific. And it has driven the aggression against Iran as well. They have driven the US into this because for them, in their perception, this is a matter of life and death.
It is a matter of life and death. That is not an overreaction.
Time to eliminate the evil at source.
You seem very keen on the notion of eradication of bad guys with no thought for mass collateral casualties.
Now Donald Trump has today confirmed that Starmer is a very bad man. Should Donald Trump determine that retribution for Starmer's evil is required, how do you feel about being collateral damage?
Starmer is the bad guy, I've done nothing wrong, why should I be collateral damage for the guilt of a politician?
There are repressive regimes, often sponsoring violence in neighbouring countries, across the world: North Korea, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, DRC and, of course, Russia. Should we be trying to eliminate all those bad guys as well? Should we be joining in with Pakistan on their attacks on Afghanistan, for example? I am curious where @BartholomewRoberts ‘ fervour for war will take us.
What did Saudi Arabia do to be left off the guest list?
I was being generous. One could add Libya too. Belarus. Eritrea. Myanmar.
@Brixian59 the Jewish state is the only way Jews can guarantee a second holocaust wont happen. That safety net is also available to Zak Polanski, if he ever needed it.
If you think we don’t need it then you’re wrong. History teaches us that Jews are not safe, even in the West.
I 100% agree with you.
The.problem is that the current incumbent is hell bent on putting a target on the back of every Jew, every Synagogue on the planet.
He and his extreme politics, bloodlust, illegal occupations have made every Jew less safe than at any time since the Holocaust.
A more moderate more diplomatic globally aware Leadership that sought to defend rather than attack would make every Jew safer.
I think the majority in Israel know that and want regime change.
In an ideal world this would be nice. But, with respect, I am not sure you really get what it is like to live in a country surrounded by people who want to kill you and challenge your right even to exist. I don't have experience of this either but I think I am showing a little more empathy. Such stress leads a society to extremes. Its why the Israelis elect the people they do. They feel threatened and Netanyahu, corrupt monster that he is, plays to this.
October 6th lifted this to another level. Everything we are currently seeing in the Middle east, including the genocide in Gaza, flows from this. This is not a liberal democracy however much we would like it to be.
Where did October 7th ( which I assume you meant) flow from? Did it just pop up out of the blue?
No, it drove Israel to overreact in a way that has become frankly horrific. And it has driven the aggression against Iran as well. They have driven the US into this because for them, in their perception, this is a matter of life and death.
It is a matter of life and death. That is not an overreaction.
Time to eliminate the evil at source.
You seem very keen on the notion of eradication of bad guys with no thought for mass collateral casualties.
Now Donald Trump has today confirmed that Starmer is a very bad man. Should Donald Trump determine that retribution for Starmer's evil is required, how do you feel about being collateral damage?
Starmer is the bad guy, I've done nothing wrong, why should I be collateral damage for the guilt of a politician?
There are repressive regimes, often sponsoring violence in neighbouring countries, across the world: North Korea, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, DRC and, of course, Russia. Should we be trying to eliminate all those bad guys as well? Should we be joining in with Pakistan on their attacks on Afghanistan, for example? I am curious where @BartholomewRoberts ‘ fervour for war will take us.
What did Saudi Arabia do to be left off the guest list?
I was being generous. One could add Libya too. Belarus. Eritrea. Myanmar.
@Brixian59 the Jewish state is the only way Jews can guarantee a second holocaust wont happen. That safety net is also available to Zak Polanski, if he ever needed it.
If you think we don’t need it then you’re wrong. History teaches us that Jews are not safe, even in the West.
I 100% agree with you.
The.problem is that the current incumbent is hell bent on putting a target on the back of every Jew, every Synagogue on the planet.
He and his extreme politics, bloodlust, illegal occupations have made every Jew less safe than at any time since the Holocaust.
A more moderate more diplomatic globally aware Leadership that sought to defend rather than attack would make every Jew safer.
I think the majority in Israel know that and want regime change.
In an ideal world this would be nice. But, with respect, I am not sure you really get what it is like to live in a country surrounded by people who want to kill you and challenge your right even to exist. I don't have experience of this either but I think I am showing a little more empathy. Such stress leads a society to extremes. Its why the Israelis elect the people they do. They feel threatened and Netanyahu, corrupt monster that he is, plays to this.
October 6th lifted this to another level. Everything we are currently seeing in the Middle east, including the genocide in Gaza, flows from this. This is not a liberal democracy however much we would like it to be.
Where did October 7th ( which I assume you meant) flow from? Did it just pop up out of the blue?
No, it drove Israel to overreact in a way that has become frankly horrific. And it has driven the aggression against Iran as well. They have driven the US into this because for them, in their perception, this is a matter of life and death.
It is a matter of life and death. That is not an overreaction.
Time to eliminate the evil at source.
You seem very keen on the notion of eradication of bad guys with no thought for mass collateral casualties.
Now Donald Trump has today confirmed that Starmer is a very bad man. Should Donald Trump determine that retribution for Starmer's evil is required, how do you feel about being collateral damage?
Starmer is the bad guy, I've done nothing wrong, why should I be collateral damage for the guilt of a politician?
There are repressive regimes, often sponsoring violence in neighbouring countries, across the world: North Korea, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, DRC and, of course, Russia. Should we be trying to eliminate all those bad guys as well? Should we be joining in with Pakistan on their attacks on Afghanistan, for example? I am curious where @BartholomewRoberts ‘ fervour for war will take us.
What did Saudi Arabia do to be left off the guest list?
I was being generous. One could add Libya too. Belarus. Eritrea. Myanmar.
After 4 years of war in Ukraine surely we must have learned that shooting missiles out of the sky is very impressive (and expensive). You need to destroy them at source. If they are mobile launched go after the factories and stockpiles. Apparently Israel hacked into the entire network of road cameras in Tehran.
@Brixian59 the Jewish state is the only way Jews can guarantee a second holocaust wont happen. That safety net is also available to Zak Polanski, if he ever needed it.
If you think we don’t need it then you’re wrong. History teaches us that Jews are not safe, even in the West.
I 100% agree with you.
The.problem is that the current incumbent is hell bent on putting a target on the back of every Jew, every Synagogue on the planet.
He and his extreme politics, bloodlust, illegal occupations have made every Jew less safe than at any time since the Holocaust.
A more moderate more diplomatic globally aware Leadership that sought to defend rather than attack would make every Jew safer.
I think the majority in Israel know that and want regime change.
In an ideal world this would be nice. But, with respect, I am not sure you really get what it is like to live in a country surrounded by people who want to kill you and challenge your right even to exist. I don't have experience of this either but I think I am showing a little more empathy. Such stress leads a society to extremes. Its why the Israelis elect the people they do. They feel threatened and Netanyahu, corrupt monster that he is, plays to this.
October 6th lifted this to another level. Everything we are currently seeing in the Middle east, including the genocide in Gaza, flows from this. This is not a liberal democracy however much we would like it to be.
Where did October 7th ( which I assume you meant) flow from? Did it just pop up out of the blue?
No, it drove Israel to overreact in a way that has become frankly horrific. And it has driven the aggression against Iran as well. They have driven the US into this because for them, in their perception, this is a matter of life and death.
It is a matter of life and death. That is not an overreaction.
Time to eliminate the evil at source.
You seem very keen on the notion of eradication of bad guys with no thought for mass collateral casualties.
Now Donald Trump has today confirmed that Starmer is a very bad man. Should Donald Trump determine that retribution for Starmer's evil is required, how do you feel about being collateral damage?
Starmer is the bad guy, I've done nothing wrong, why should I be collateral damage for the guilt of a politician?
There are repressive regimes, often sponsoring violence in neighbouring countries, across the world: North Korea, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, DRC and, of course, Russia. Should we be trying to eliminate all those bad guys as well? Should we be joining in with Pakistan on their attacks on Afghanistan, for example? I am curious where @BartholomewRoberts ‘ fervour for war will take us.
What did Saudi Arabia do to be left off the guest list?
I was being generous. One could add Libya too. Belarus. Eritrea. Myanmar.
Jersey
Has there been a bigger state sponsor of terrorism than Iran?
Many say the current actions by US and Israel are unwise. I might agree with them.
Others say the actions are unjustified. Okay. I would like to know exactly what actions against Iran they think would be justified. If it's sanctions and diplomacy, well we have been doing that for decades.
@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
The self proclaimed Pope of a loony sect of Catholicism issues a religious decree.
All the Protestant denominations around the world…
Had some friends ask if they need to watch the last two World Wars to catch up before this one, but I told them they can probably stick to the Gulf War spin-off series if they're short on time
After 4 years of war in Ukraine surely we must have learned that shooting missiles out of the sky is very impressive (and expensive). You need to destroy them at source. If they are mobile launched go after the factories and stockpiles. Apparently Israel hacked into the entire network of road cameras in Tehran.
Don’t the missiles cost something like $50,000 yet intercepting them with the iron dome costs something like $1,500,000 a time?
@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
Only crap leaders issue fatwas.
Can't be right - I don't think Starmer has issued one yet!
Street demos in Pakistan. Jeremy Bowen is excellent. Trump is either beholden to Netanyahu or thick as planks.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
Only crap leaders issue fatwas.
Can't be right - I don't think Starmer has issued one yet!
After 4 years of war in Ukraine surely we must have learned that shooting missiles out of the sky is very impressive (and expensive). You need to destroy them at source. If they are mobile launched go after the factories and stockpiles. Apparently Israel hacked into the entire network of road cameras in Tehran.
The other thing we should have learned is that dropping a few bombs for a week or two isn't usually enough to change a regime.
Especially one that thinks it has God on its side and therefore that anything it does it justified.
Street demos in Pakistan. Jeremy Bowen is excellent. Trump is either beholden to Netanyahu or thick as planks.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
Band on the Run was McCartney's finest hour - and that's including everything he did with the Beatles.
After 4 years of war in Ukraine surely we must have learned that shooting missiles out of the sky is very impressive (and expensive). You need to destroy them at source. If they are mobile launched go after the factories and stockpiles. Apparently Israel hacked into the entire network of road cameras in Tehran.
Don’t the missiles cost something like $50,000 yet intercepting them with the iron dome costs something like $1,500,000 a time?
$50k is probably an overestimate for Shaheds, depending on where the engines are coming from.
After 4 years of war in Ukraine surely we must have learned that shooting missiles out of the sky is very impressive (and expensive). You need to destroy them at source. If they are mobile launched go after the factories and stockpiles. Apparently Israel hacked into the entire network of road cameras in Tehran.
The other thing we should have learned is that dropping a few bombs for a week or two isn't usually enough to change a regime.
Especially one that thinks it has God on its side and therefore that anything it does it justified.
"Do you think that it is Allah's will that Israel exists?"
Funny how when Russia say that the damage was caused by debris falling from an intercepted drone, everyone knows that they are talking shite, but when the lads in the Gulf come out with the same guff, some people accept it.
@chadbourn.bsky.social Two senior Iranian Shiite religious leaders, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge for the killing of Khamenei.
Ah, like with Salman Rushdie?
I'm curious. If a shiite leader issues a fatwas do sunnis also listen and obey?
Only crap leaders issue fatwas.
Can't be right - I don't think Starmer has issued one yet!
Street demos in Pakistan. Jeremy Bowen is excellent. Trump is either beholden to Netanyahu or thick as planks.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
Band on the Run was McCartney's finest hour - and that's including everything he did with the Beatles.
Been listening to The Beatles very recently - Revolver, White Album, Sgt Pepper.
Band on the Run better? Really? (Mind, it's years since I heard it).
You can't analyse this stuff. It's the foreign policy equivalent of free jazz.
Given Iran is lobbing missiles at neighbours when it wasn't before and has closed the Straits of Hormuz for the first time ever, all thanks to Trump, I suspect the urgent objective now is to get the Iran to stop doing this. Normally it might be a cue for negotiations. But with whom? They killed them all.
Staffer: Sir, good news. One of the F-15 pilots ejected safely and is on the ground. Calm and cool under pressure. Badass aura. A video taken by a thankful Kuwaiti civilian is going viral.
Hegseth: Fuck yeah. What's his name?
Staffer: Okay, so, here's the part you won't like...
Street demos in Pakistan. Jeremy Bowen is excellent. Trump is either beholden to Netanyahu or thick as planks.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
Band on the Run was McCartney's finest hour - and that's including everything he did with the Beatles.
Wings were the band that the Beatles could have been.
Street demos in Pakistan. Jeremy Bowen is excellent. Trump is either beholden to Netanyahu or thick as planks.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
Band on the Run was McCartney's finest hour - and that's including everything he did with the Beatles.
You can't analyse this stuff. It's the foreign policy equivalent of free jazz.
Given Iran is lobbing missiles at neighbours when it wasn't before and has closed the Straits of Hormuz for the first time ever, all thanks to Trump, I suspect the urgent objective now is to get the Iran to stop doing this. Normally it might be a cue for negotiations. But with whom? They killed them all.
Nations will presumably lie about their objectives, but you'd assume you would undersell your intentions rather than oversell, and Trump cannot seem to help exaggerating what is anticipated on top of what are already impressive military operations (seizing Maduro vs 'taking over' Venezuela, killing Khamenei vs regime change), which then gets walked back.
The New York Times reports that Vice President JD Vance argued that a limited strike against Iran was a mistake.
"He told the group, it should 'go big and go fast.'"
Mr No More Forever Wars in the Middle East.
You would have thought that was the one principle he would have clung to.
Just pathetic. Like reeds in the wind.
Well. This won't be a forever War. Trump will be out of it as soon as he can make a profit.
Trump's grifting is interesting in its style.
I would imagine the most successful grifters want to get the money without the mark realising they've lost out - see The Sting as an example.
Whereas Trump prefers the world to see his grifting.
Why though ? Insecurity ? Boasting ? A sense of danger ?
He has an authoritarian's tendencies - it's not enough that he is the most powerful man in the world, he needs to see through behaviour and gifts that others acknowledge him as such. Sometimes that means being obvious in the grift. Think of the Fifa Prize and the Board of Peace 'fee' - which even those nations which didn't sign up to couldn't call it what it was. He will love that.
That's why so many of his underlings have to drop in obsequeous personal praise that should really go without saying since they demonstrate their loyalty all the time anyway.
Street demos in Pakistan. Jeremy Bowen is excellent. Trump is either beholden to Netanyahu or thick as planks.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
Band on the Run was McCartney's finest hour - and that's including everything he did with the Beatles.
Been listening to The Beatles very recently - Revolver, White Album, Sgt Pepper.
Band on the Run better? Really? (Mind, it's years since I heard it).
Its on Netflix by the way. Even though we all think we know him there are surprises. I loved the stuff in the Scottish countryside and his warts and all honesty. But as I said there's a moment for everyone. Quite a few home movies but very well put together
Street demos in Pakistan. Jeremy Bowen is excellent. Trump is either beholden to Netanyahu or thick as planks.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
Band on the Run was McCartney's finest hour - and that's including everything he did with the Beatles.
The New York Times reports that Vice President JD Vance argued that a limited strike against Iran was a mistake.
"He told the group, it should 'go big and go fast.'"
Mr No More Forever Wars in the Middle East.
You would have thought that was the one principle he would have clung to.
Just pathetic. Like reeds in the wind.
Well. This won't be a forever War. Trump will be out of it as soon as he can make a profit.
Trump's grifting is interesting in its style.
I would imagine the most successful grifters want to get the money without the mark realising they've lost out - see The Sting as an example.
Whereas Trump prefers the world to see his grifting.
Why though ? Insecurity ? Boasting ? A sense of danger ?
He has an authoritarian's tendencies - it's not enough that he is the most powerful man in the world, he needs to see through behaviour and gifts that others acknowledge him as such. Sometimes that means being obvious in the grift. Think of the Fifa Prize and the Board of Peace 'fee' - which even those nations which didn't sign up to couldn't call it what it was. He will love that.
That's why so many of his underlings have to drop in obsequeous personal praise that should really go without saying since they demonstrate their loyalty all the time anyway.
Trump is far more Philip Tattaglia than Vito Corleone.
He's just got lucky because he inherited a favourable vote distribution. His main success now is keeping the Lib Dems in fifth place despite the travails of the traditional big parties.
He's just got lucky because he inherited a favourable vote distribution. His main success now is keeping the Lib Dems in fifth place despite the travails of the traditional big parties.
He should have retired as Leader for a new generation, then any failure to hold onto those seats won't be his fault.
You can't analyse this stuff. It's the foreign policy equivalent of free jazz.
Given Iran is lobbing missiles at neighbours when it wasn't before and has closed the Straits of Hormuz for the first time ever, all thanks to Trump, I suspect the urgent objective now is to get the Iran to stop doing this. Normally it might be a cue for negotiations. But with whom? They killed them all.
Nations will presumably lie about their objectives, but you'd assume you would undersell your intentions rather than oversell, and Trump cannot seem to help exaggerating what is anticipated on top of what are already impressive military operations (seizing Maduro vs 'taking over' Venezuela, killing Khamenei vs regime change), which then gets walked back.
Maybe but the situation has gone backwards for America on the bits people can see: Hormuz, UAE, Qatar etc. We have to assume they will want to redress this as a matter of urgency.
"The film follows a lifelong con artist who reunites with her estranged son and, along with his girlfriend, becomes embroiled in a complex web of criminal activity."
Not sure why it came to mind. But it's quite a good film. The scene of the con-artist insistingthat his marks come look out back at the amazing ultra-profitable tech he has - daring them to take him up on the offer... somehow keeps coming to mind.
You can't analyse this stuff. It's the foreign policy equivalent of free jazz.
Given Iran is lobbing missiles at neighbours when it wasn't before and has closed the Straits of Hormuz for the first time ever, all thanks to Trump, I suspect the urgent objective now is to get the Iran to stop doing this. Normally it might be a cue for negotiations. But with whom? They killed them all.
Nations will presumably lie about their objectives, but you'd assume you would undersell your intentions rather than oversell, and Trump cannot seem to help exaggerating what is anticipated on top of what are already impressive military operations (seizing Maduro vs 'taking over' Venezuela, killing Khamenei vs regime change), which then gets walked back.
Maybe but the situation has gone backwards for America on the bits people can see: Hormuz, UAE, Qatar etc. We have to assume they will want to redress this as a matter of urgency.
Not as much as its gone backwards for Iran's leadership since October 2023.
Aside from being personally dead they've had their military trashed and their allies destroyed.
Some wars have losers on multiple sides but that doesn't mean the war can be stopped once a certain momentum has been reached.
The United States is preparing for a “major uptick” in attacks on Iran over the next 24 hours, heavily focused on destroying the country’s missile production, unmanned aerial vehicles and naval capability, though stocks of missiles are running low, especially Tomahawks and SM-3s, a senior U.S. official told CNN.
The United States is preparing for a “major uptick” in attacks on Iran over the next 24 hours, heavily focused on destroying the country’s missile production, unmanned aerial vehicles and naval capability, though stocks of missiles are running low, especially Tomahawks and SM-3s, a senior U.S. official told CNN.
Your regular reminder that the magazines of VLS ships can't be replenished at sea.
Marco Rubio's comments today need to be listened to, twice.
After the initial shock of Day 1 the Iranians still dont have a connected up effort such is the disruption to their commad & control and the personnel who should be running it. You see contrary statements and actions, especially around Iranian attacks on the GCC countries.
In addition the volume of attacks is a bit odd. Iran could launch hundreds of drones in a single wave to overwhelm defences but it appears to be in the low tens and the targeting seems scattered. That would suggest some issues, either that its hard to shoot and scoot or a lack of theater level control of operations
This might be further illustrated by the announcement of closure of the Straits of Hormuz. Effective so far with limited evidence of how they will enforce it but who actually announced it? It wasnt one of the big bosses, whoever they are today.
The targeting of those Gulf states has encouraged a lot of speculation about motive but I havent heard any talk around two possible & fairly obvious things. 1. Stretch the defensive screen by hitting widely , in terms of the geography and target profile and 2. This is essentially all tactics and no strategy with local commanders making calls.
There is obsession about a shortage of munitions, which is true to a point. the US & Israel are not really that short of offensive munitions and as they are sure of minimal risk, expect that to show. Bombs, including ones with guidance systems are not in short supply and are going to wreck Iranian facilities.
If the Straits of Hormuz are shut, what the fuck are China going to do? This is a problem for them as much as anyone so It will be interesting what they make of this move.
OPEC announced a 200k a day barrel rise in output on Sunday and people forget that there are a lot of pipelines to bring stuff out elsewhere so this may stabilise a bit unless they, actual refineries or ground pumps really get hit.
Last night i posed a question about what the Iranian Kurds are upto. I think its worth keeping an eye on them and the Arab factions in the Iranian South West. There are signs the Israelis are paying plenty of attention to regime facilities in the Kurdish zone. The blunt fact is that where central control cannot be maintained the vacuum is usually effectively filled by those that can bring effective & organised armed force into play, not by the public getting out on the streets.
B52s & B1s. Look for these appearing as the US is comfortable that the Iranian air defence screen, beaten up as it is, is reduced to dust. They bring a destructive capacity to the wider battlefield that the Iranians simply havent seen. If they are brought to bear and logically they will. Yes the B2 stealth bombers have been used but their targets have been a few highly reinforced key facilities. Thew B52s and B1s are going to be flattening not so well protected facilities and formations.
President Trump spoke by phone with Kurdish leaders in Iraq on Sunday to discuss the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and what might come next, three sources with knowledge of the calls told Axios.
Kemi putting the Tories firmly behind Trump’s Middle East war. *bold*, given the absence of any sign that the Americans know what they are trying to achieve.
The complete lack of a plan or strategy or exit criteria is a red line, legal or not.
Mr Trump's track record suggests to me that he needs no plan or strategy or exit criteria, he starts something when he thinks he will and stops/changes direction when he thinks he will.
I think Trump as someone who doesn’t worry about elections, or legacy in history books. Novel position in politics.
So what is the motivation behind all his decisions, if it’s not the kerching of a cash till.
Motivation 50/50, IMHO. Money/attention. Being on the front page. All eyes on the Great Leader.
I’m not so sure
He’s 79 pushing 80. He’s as rich as Creases. He’s POTUS - he can’t get any more important or powerful
I wonder if his narcissism is now making him look to his legacy and dynasty. If he can go down as the POTUS that freed Iran he will be deemed great by many, albeit begrudgingly
A great legacy also means his kids and grandkids will prosper in politics
So his horrible traits might be working in a SLIGHTLY more productive way. At 79 I also imagine he is less driven by the need to “grab pussy”
As my father succumbed to Alzheimer's, he became obsessed with the "end times". Same vibe.
President Trump spoke by phone with Kurdish leaders in Iraq on Sunday to discuss the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and what might come next, three sources with knowledge of the calls told Axios.
A Kurdish state having partitioned? Almost something an Emperor would do.
Anyway a few KC 46A Pegasus flying out of Tel Aviv in the last few hours to fuel those thirsty fighters.
Do Britons think the UK government should praise or condemn the US for the Iran attacks?
Should condemn: 21% Should praise: 12% Should neither condemn nor praise: 45%
The UK prefers to sit on the fence.
45% of all UK voters and 47% of Labour voters think the UK should neither condemn nor praise the attacks on Iran, so Starmer by sitting on the fence is actually close to what a plurality of UK voters and voters of his own party want.
44% of Green voters, again a plurality, think the strikes should be condemned, so Polanski also in line for his voters.
39% of Reform voters think the UK should praise the US strikes, tied for a plurality with neither condemn nor praise, so Farage also about right in terms of what his voters want.
Davey a bit out of line though, he has opposed the US attacks but 44%, a plurality of his voters, neither condemn nor praise them and 30% condemn them.
Most out of line with her voters though is Kemi surprisingly, 60% of Conservative voters think the UK should neither condemn nor praise the attacks ie SKS's position, Kemi's praising the US attacks is backed by only 20% of Tory voters, even if only 8% of Tories condemn the US attacks Kemi might want to tone down the hawklike bomb the regime to bits line
She said we should have supported the US in the same way and crucially the same time as Canada
Apart from that, now Starmer has agreed the use of British bases there is not much difference in their position
She was curiously vehement about it, then.
Let's be clear, this wasn't a NATO, or some coalition operation. There was no joint planning countries other than Israel before it started - we weren't even consulted. And now Hegseth has announced they aren't bound by any "stupid rules of engagement" - so screw Amy civilian casualties being a constraint, I guess.
And Badenoch says we should have just been a good little poodle ?
Rubio: I’ve been asked: why now? One reason why is it was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel or anyone, they were going to respond and respond against the United States.
If we stood and waited for that attack to come first, before we hit them, we would suffer much higher casualties
We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces..
So Israel did pre-empt the US, and force their hand then ?
NEW: Israeli jets have begun striking border guard positions along the Iraq-Iran frontier in what appears to be an effort to weaken Iranian control over the region and potentially clear a path for armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraq to move back into Iran.
Part of me - the small bad part of me, obvs - thinks fuck it, let it all rip, the entire region is such a poisonous snakepit let them all bite each other to death. And we must reject all refugees
It's very clear that an Iran which descends into chaos is a perfectly acceptable outcome for Israel.
Why it should be so for those like you and william, who have spent years railing about the problem of mass refugees, is not so clear.
Comments
They will be difficult to find.
The bigger the distraction, the guiltier he looks.
https://x.com/shiavisuals/status/2027654334033355007?s=61
The Green Party
@TheGreenParty
Hope won 💚
https://x.com/TheGreenParty/status/2028491258386067463
====
Rachael Maskell in the background looks to be thinking - am i in the wrong party?
@timothy_stanley
·
3h
No doubt the 49% of Brits who oppose military action are closet Islamists. Scary stuff.
Do you want to know more?
Netenyahu is now running US foreign policy !
Yougov poll. Public very much against as are the Americans. Interesting gthoughts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V13sGGF3bU8
Many say the current actions by US and Israel are unwise. I might agree with them.
Others say the actions are unjustified. Okay. I would like to know exactly what actions against Iran they think would be justified. If it's sanctions and diplomacy, well we have been doing that for decades.
All the Protestant denominations around the world…
Like that, basically.
Is there a single Reform position that Camilla Tominey won’t defend?
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/01/iran-attack-trump-poll/88933730007/
Had some friends ask if they need to watch the last two World Wars to catch up before this one, but I told them they can probably stick to the Gulf War spin-off series if they're short on time
https://bsky.app/profile/salisbot.bsky.social/post/3mg47k2uqts2o
The New York Times reports that Vice President JD Vance argued that a limited strike against Iran was a mistake.
"He told the group, it should 'go big and go fast.'"
After that it tends to head south .
Marco Rubio: "We went proactively in a defensive way"
You would have thought that was the one principle he would have clung to.
Just pathetic. Like reeds in the wind.
PS Very good documentary called something like 'Band on the Run' about Paul McCartney. Don't be put off Really watchable and something in it for everyone. For me it was Arrowsmith's cover photo of Band on the Run........
Especially one that thinks it has God on its side and therefore that anything it does it justified.
Band on the Run better? Really? (Mind, it's years since I heard it).
Staffer: Sir, good news. One of the F-15 pilots ejected safely and is on the ground. Calm and cool under pressure. Badass aura. A video taken by a thankful Kuwaiti civilian is going viral.
Hegseth: Fuck yeah. What's his name?
Staffer: Okay, so, here's the part you won't like...
https://x.com/cmclymer/status/2028545881369202692?s=20
Also by 4 to 1 US citizens against the invasion.
Tonight they claim they will step up operations against the Iranian Navy...
https://youtu.be/tyZspqjtG2k?si=Bu5xHqE4LJdUfQ4A
Let us know how big the fall was on the S&P 500.
Melania presided at the UN Security Council?
Trump will be out of it as soon as he can make a profit.
https://x.com/AsstSecStateCA/status/2028588420403241021
I would imagine the most successful grifters want to get the money without the mark realising they've lost out - see The Sting as an example.
Whereas Trump prefers the world to see his grifting.
Why though ? Insecurity ? Boasting ? A sense of danger ?
That's why so many of his underlings have to drop in obsequeous personal praise that should really go without saying since they demonstrate their loyalty all the time anyway.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grifters_(film)
"The film follows a lifelong con artist who reunites with her estranged son and, along with his girlfriend, becomes embroiled in a complex web of criminal activity."
Not sure why it came to mind. But it's quite a good film. The scene of the con-artist insistingthat his marks come look out back at the amazing ultra-profitable tech he has - daring them to take him up on the offer... somehow keeps coming to mind.
Aside from being personally dead they've had their military trashed and their allies destroyed.
Some wars have losers on multiple sides but that doesn't mean the war can be stopped once a certain momentum has been reached.
The United States is preparing for a “major uptick” in attacks on Iran over the next 24 hours, heavily focused on destroying the country’s missile production, unmanned aerial vehicles and naval capability, though stocks of missiles are running low, especially Tomahawks and SM-3s, a senior U.S. official told CNN.
The US Embassy in Riyadh was struck by two UAVs, per US official. No injuries reported.
What a mess!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVFT-i7jqAo
https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/03/03/OTCQNNDNORCHHG6Q5RB6YZ4NLA/
Marco Rubio's comments today need to be listened to, twice.
After the initial shock of Day 1 the Iranians still dont have a connected up effort such is the disruption to their commad & control and the personnel who should be running it. You see contrary statements and actions, especially around Iranian attacks on the GCC countries.
In addition the volume of attacks is a bit odd. Iran could launch hundreds of drones in a single wave to overwhelm defences but it appears to be in the low tens and the targeting seems scattered. That would suggest some issues, either that its hard to shoot and scoot or a lack of theater level control of operations
This might be further illustrated by the announcement of closure of the Straits of Hormuz. Effective so far with limited evidence of how they will enforce it but who actually announced it? It wasnt one of the big bosses, whoever they are today.
The targeting of those Gulf states has encouraged a lot of speculation about motive but I havent heard any talk around two possible & fairly obvious things. 1. Stretch the defensive screen by hitting widely , in terms of the geography and target profile and 2. This is essentially all tactics and no strategy with local commanders making calls.
There is obsession about a shortage of munitions, which is true to a point. the US & Israel are not really that short of offensive munitions and as they are sure of minimal risk, expect that to show. Bombs, including ones with guidance systems are not in short supply and are going to wreck Iranian facilities.
Iran. Things to watch for:
If the Straits of Hormuz are shut, what the fuck are China going to do? This is a problem for them as much as anyone so It will be interesting what they make of this move.
OPEC announced a 200k a day barrel rise in output on Sunday and people forget that there are a lot of pipelines to bring stuff out elsewhere so this may stabilise a bit unless they, actual refineries or ground pumps really get hit.
Last night i posed a question about what the Iranian Kurds are upto. I think its worth keeping an eye on them and the Arab factions in the Iranian South West. There are signs the Israelis are paying plenty of attention to regime facilities in the Kurdish zone. The blunt fact is that where central control cannot be maintained the vacuum is usually effectively filled by those that can bring effective & organised armed force into play, not by the public getting out on the streets.
B52s & B1s. Look for these appearing as the US is comfortable that the Iranian air defence screen, beaten up as it is, is reduced to dust. They bring a destructive capacity to the wider battlefield that the Iranians simply havent seen. If they are brought to bear and logically they will. Yes the B2 stealth bombers have been used but their targets have been a few highly reinforced key facilities. Thew B52s and B1s are going to be flattening not so well protected facilities and formations.
President Trump spoke by phone with Kurdish leaders in Iraq on Sunday to discuss the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and what might come next, three sources with knowledge of the calls told Axios.
Same vibe.
Anyway a few KC 46A Pegasus flying out of Tel Aviv in the last few hours to fuel those thirsty fighters.
Let's be clear, this wasn't a NATO, or some coalition operation.
There was no joint planning countries other than Israel before it started - we weren't even consulted.
And now Hegseth has announced they aren't bound by any "stupid rules of engagement" - so screw Amy civilian casualties being a constraint, I guess.
And Badenoch says we should have just been a good little poodle ?
I'm not convinced.
Why it should be so for those like you and william, who have spent years railing about the problem of mass refugees, is not so clear.