Saker comment: the man is so totally out of touch with reality that I really have nothing to add other than the USA is waltzing into a nightmare while being too delusional and narcissistic to understand how such threats are perceived outside the US. See for yourself:
The idiot is painting himself into a corner even more. I’m upping your 80% to 90%.
I’m waiting to see any news coming out of the Iraqi parliament. Anyone has updates?
I am very interested in the Iraqi legislature also. If they vote to expel the Americans, it might at least delay Iranian retaliation. However, I have seen nothing in the news about it. I had thought that they were going to vote today.
News reports all said the Emergency Session would be on Sunday. It is early Sunday morning in Baghdad as I post this, so something should happen one way or the other within the next 12 hours.
It, like everything else, has been delayed.
I find it incredible how many forget the basic premise about US politics. It does not depend on who the president is. It’s unthinkable this kind of escalation could pass by the “deep state”. It’s not about Trump at all, which really makes it incomparably more scary.
The closest in that direction:
Iraq Restricts US Military Operations After Soleimani Killing – Military Spokesman (Sputnik – 04/01/2020)
All of those tweets are for domestic political purposes. it’s like a WWE Wrestling trash talking skit. The problem is the Iranians aren’t bluffing. The red flag is flying high above the mosque in Qom.
Reggie: spot on with your assessment. The red flag means there is no going back.
Meanwhile, on FOX News, you have some talking heads saying that United States will not comply with Iraqi Parliament order to withdraw troops from Iraq.
https://twitter.com/hananjx/status/1213450011071172615?s=20
(Apart from Tucker Carlson, the whole Fox News people are insane with warmongering propaganda. CNN, MSNBC and rest are no better).
I don’t know if the Americans would comply with such a vote. But if the vote is taken to expel the Americans then further action could be taken. The UN Security Council could take up the issue. Suppose that Russia raised it. Suppose Russia introduced a motion to seek a UN task force to remove the United States from Iraq, based on the determination of the Iraqi Legislature that the US may no longer stay in Iraq. Suppose Russia made that motion.
Now, of course, the US would veto it. But at that point, I think that even the US media would be forced to report it. I mean, just how can you spin that to make it look like something other than what it is. A nation (after a vote by a duly elected legislature) wants the US military out, the US refuses to leave, the UN is asked to intervene in order to protect Iraqi sovereignty and the US vetos UN action.
Just how does the American media spin that into “America spreading democracy.”
Maybe they can but I honestly don’t see how.
And if they can’t spin it, the charade is over.
“However, it is quite possible that Trump is every bit the man-child that he appears to be.” & “So, maybe, just maybe, he is every bit as stupid as he appears.”
You wont get an argument from me on that. :-D
This is what makes him resonate so well with his core. They also think in this simplistic, adolescent narcissistic manner. It is also why zionazia selected him. Easy to control, especially if he loses his enthusiasm for “the cause”.
This was intended as a reply to Mike from Jersey, but I clicked the wrong reply button, apparently.
Just saw this at both Southfront and Sputnik News.
Like you Saker, and all of us who visit here, and at other independent news sites, I am just dumbfounded at the insanity of this.
The United States is about to reap a massive whirlwind, as will the real architects behind the assasination of Qassem Soleimani.
In almost the blink of an eye, we are on the verge of a cataclysmic war engulfing the entire region.
And incredulously, here in Australia, the vast majority are completely oblivious how dangerous this is. In the last couple days, I havn’t heard one single person mention Trump, Iran, or War.
Appreciate your updates.
What trump is doing is telling his hard core supporters what they like to here. They get off on this sort of adolescent nonsense. This is exactly the sort of pablum spouted non stop on the “conservative” radio talk shows. Listen limbaugh or mark levin or any of the dozens of others, pure 100% neocon chest beating claptrap.
vot tak,
You may be right. I don’t know. However, it is quite possible that Trump is every bit the man-child that he appears to be.
Remember, this is a man that actually believes that manufacturing jobs can be brought back to the United States in order to boost the working class of America. (Years ago, Steve Jobs explained to Barack Obama that this simply could not happen in the current world economy, there are simply to many countries with people willing to work at low wages, to say nothing of the coming of robotic manufacturing).
This is a man who want to reduce the trade balance with China but apparently doesn’t understand that America’s reserve currency status would collapse absent a large trade imbalance (Triffin’s paradox) . The collapse of reserve currency status would, in turn, cause the American economy to collapse.
And, finally, this is a man who believes that he can apply real estate negotiating tactics (a binary conflict) to solve international disputes (which are non binary conflicts).
Trump actually appears to have an adolescent’s understanding of economics and world affairs.
So, maybe, just maybe, he is every bit as stupid as he appears.
Mike
There is absolutely no “maybe” about it.
Regards
Col
Let’s remember here that Trump never had a real job in his life, he was born into the Kosher-Nostra, and coddled, and then mentored by Cohen the J-Mob lawyer of NYC ( think mcCarthy hearings )
Even though both parents were active Jews, he positioned himself early on as the ‘dumb goy’, a role he learned to play from Cohen, and he never quit the gig.
He never made any thing in his life, never had a real job.
He got elected by the USA people, because like always JUSA knows that the dumb USA public will not elect a “Jew”.
He has gone insane. He needs to be relieved of command before something irreversible happens.
Jerry
Methinks “something irreversible” has already happened!
Kia Ora Col…. Almost wish I was back in New Zealand, but stuck here in Melbourne.
The red flag is flying above the mosque in Qom.
There is no going back. It will not be lowered until Iran has avenged the death of Qassem Soleimani.
This is deadly serious.
And the infantilised Trump, the punch drunk with power Pompeo, and the other Neocon nuts do not understand the can of worms they have opened.
They are so blinded by their arrogance and hubris.
Am waiting to hear how the Iraqi Parliament votes on evicting the Yanks from their country.
Here in Oz, everyone seems totally oblivious to how close to a massive war we are. Not a bloody clue.
Gezzah
Kia Ora to you too mate.
You said…”Here in Oz, everyone seems totally oblivious to how close to a massive war we are. Not a bloody clue.”
Exactly the same here in Kiwiland…90%+ of the population is comfortably numb. We too are a nation of pathetic uninformed completely distracted Sheeple.
Best wishes to you
Col
PS Do you know what happened to Mulga?
God help us all…
We can only pray that the Iranians will respond assymetrically without igniting a full-scale war at this point, and that Trump may be replaced by someone sane in 2020…
Unfortunately it isn’t looking likely..
When oil prices explode upwards & US troops are killed in Iraq, Trump will lose in a landslide, if not removed before the election.
Apparently the US is currently relatively self sufficient in oil due to fracking just for the moment at least.
So potentially there would be multiple benefits in starting a war as other actors would still need to use the middle east oil.
I see Trump believes in the Geobbels mantra “repeat often enough and it becomes the truth”. Before long we’ll have the usual crowd of zombies chanting “Soleimani murdered thousands of Americans” along with “Putin is a multi billionaire having stolen from Russia while interfering in our elections”.
They dont know how to ask for proof anymore – in fact I doubt they even know what it is. They have no concept of the objective and subjective; of evidence, of presumption of innocence. just play to the dark emotions being regularly stirred on an hourly basis.
it’s this more than anything else I think, that has me despairing for America. Only by being burned will it ever learn to fear the fire.
We already have that at Twitter. It’s just appalling.
‘I see Trump believes in the Geobbels mantra “repeat often enough and it becomes the truth”’.
Pamela, Dr Goebbels got that technique – and all his others – from the American Edward Bernays, who was practising them during WW1 when Goebbels was a schoolboy.
Search for “Edward Bernays” and you will learn a lot.
Trump talking means nothing. He did the same threats to Korea, then Iran (at least 3 times before). Chill out. He is an actor (of sorts). What I think really happened is that Izrael did the attack and assassination but to prevent the war between Israel and Iran (and protect Israel) Trump took it on himself. But by doing this he can reach his goal – withdraw troops from Iraq and area and do this with the support of Dems too! He is not stupid at all.
I really hope that you are right.
Anonymous: agree with what you write – except for the last 2 sentences. My view is it was an Israeli rogue act, and Trump inadvertently saved the world by taking credit. Other than that, he’s barking mad.
Killing Soleimani shows Trump is stupid. Period.
‘Trump talking means nothing.’
Not true he threatened Iran a few weeks back after the drone was downed.
‘He did the same threats to Korea’
Korea can strike the US mainland so not a relevant comparison,
‘What I think really happened is that Izrael did the attack and assassination but to prevent the war between Israel and Iran (and protect Israel) Trump took it on himself.’
Where is the evidence of this?
‘ withdraw troops from Iraq and area and do this with the support of Dems too! He is not stupid at all.’
If they are withdrawing troops then it means an attack can be more likely not less.
New York Times is claiming Pentagon officials were arguing with aides of Trump administration on whether “intelligence” alleging Solemani is plotting USA was accurate, when Trump simply ordered the airstrike. Many senior Pentagon officials were shocked by Trump’s action, says New York Times.
May be true, May be Fake News
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/04/us/politics/trump-suleimani.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
They are trying to divide the Iraqi Shia because if “friendly” Iraqi government officials had met Suleimani at the airport on that fateful morn then the attack would have been called off. So saith the NYT
There is a method to this madness but Trump is an appallingly loose cannon. This does have to do with some seizure of power in the U SA, declaration of martial law etc at some point in the next year . I just can’t see quite how they are going to do it.
As one Iraqi said while being interviewed, “They are trying to get us to fight each other”. Yes that is the game plan always.
Trump has taken on the personification of the “Hegemon”. It is a form of Wizard of Oz syndrome. If the Deep State and MIC allows him, he is “powerful”. This suits his dysfunctionality as a man. He has big inadequacies. They manifest in his need to be big, wealthy, #1, first, triumphant in all deals,
In the Oval Office, he is powerless to get the wall built, infrastructure legislation passed, health reform, or even announce he will consider pardons for all those entrapped by Comey and the Russiagate hoax. He’s being impeached.
But as the Hegemon, when the “handlers” around him allow it (advise him), he gets to kill people. This is heady stuff that captivated the Magic Negro, Obama, who kept a hit list for drone strikes.
I predict that Assad is on the top of Trump’s hit list.
Trump must feel very small and inadequate now that Putin (who is 7-8 inches shorter than Trump) has weapons the US can’t stop nor can the US build in time for Trump (if he gets a second term) to say he has as big and fast and powerful a missile as “weak Russia” and “Little Vladimir”.
Russia First and Putin with a bigger one is a terrifying state for The Donald, POTUS #45.
Killing people makes up for it, when you are sociopathic.
Gosh, Larchmonter! Have seldom seen such a pithy and devastating take down of anybody or anything.
Another cause for T to feel outdone by President Putin is in the achievements that I expect will cause Russian historians to call Putin the “Great Builder”: the Crimean Bridge, lots of new or rebuilt air ports, highway improvements all over the place, and new or enhanced ports.
To be fair, Putin has had almost twenty years and Trump only three. But a border fence is hardly rocket science, and the US is so rich and powerful. And here again Putin’s achievements for border protection of the Russian Federation are on another planet from Trump’s miserable accomplishments on the American border.
Another critical point is – Both VVP and Xi did what no other world leader dare to do when they got into power – swat the flies and hunt the tigers. As such all other world leaders have to swim in the shitpool and struggle for their survival, from day on in their office.
“Trump must feel very small and inadequate now that Putin (who is 7-8 inches shorter than Trump) has weapons the US can’t stop…”
https://russia-insider.com/sites/insider/files/styles/1200xauto/public/268e7e771f90c5ca360f8d13c570e4bf.jpg
He is simply, and unfortunately, a very untalented actor playing to the “Gallery”, i.e. his voting base. In other words – baffoon, who managed to get into White House by promising what voters wanted to hear – end of american wars all over the globe and better relations with Russia. And as usual, all lies…, Now, in this USA election year he wants to gain advantage over rivals – and what could be better advantage than starting another war!! Well, that for a start, will guarantee him hefty compaign contributions from the usual sources who want to see Iran distroyed, and secondly, will make him look strong and resolute to his followers – see how he is “dealing with the enemy”..
Unfortunately, most americans are SO brainwashed now that they will buy it! They also think that this war with Iran will be easy and quick – couple of nukes should do it.. What those deadbrain morons do not understand is that the war with Iran will be anything but that. It will be brought right to their doorstep – in New York, Chicago, Washington and everywhere else in their US of ** A!!! Get ready. What this baffoon has done is the most STUPID thing anyone could have done and on top of that, BRAGGED and LIED about it! Or BOY, you got yourself some VERY BAD karma here, Donny..
Just to make an analogy with a real thing that I witnessed when I was a child. I grew up in one of the Brazilian favelas (slums) in a state of the north of the country. At that time, criminality in the neighborhood was not intense and was more associated to typical poverty phenomena, like alcoholism, some low intensity rubbery and some stupid disputes related with illegal gambling. Nothing really serious, compared to the powerful drug traffickers groups of nowadays . There was a man, very strong, who passed the days gambling cards. This guy was also very violent and street fight prone, which fitted well for him, because gambling was always finishing in some violent fight. Gambling + alcohol = violence. I have to add he was more feared than respected in the neighborhood.
There was also a quite religious, reserved gentleman, in his 50, that was married with a beautiful lady, a bit younger them him. They were very reserved and tranquil, had a pair kids. One day the lady was walking in the streets, bringing the kids back from the school. She passed through the group of the gambling vagabonds, among them was the strong man, the vagabond I told before. He told something very improper to her (not worth of writing here, but you can imagine…). She told him something like “respect me and respect my kids…”. This happened by the middle of the afternoon, but the vagabond passed the whole rest of the day insulting very loudly she and her family, while drinking, gambling and showing of a old single shot pistol. By the end of the evening the husband of the woman went to talk to him and asked him to stop his barking and respect not only him, but also the neighborhood. The vagabond told the sir he would not kill him at that moment because was tired and drunk, but would do day after and them rape his wife. The sir told okay… and came back home.
Day after, people found the cadaver of the strong vagabond lying in the middle of the garbage. No one knows for sure who did it, but for sure the vagabond had plenty of enemies. The thing that remained very impressed in my mind was the words of another neighbor, talking about the incident. He told “There are limits for everything. One can not make certain offenses, that maybe he is used to listen in his circles, and walk away like nothing happened or it is the same to every one… “
Yes it is the red flag of limitation of evil
donald duck.
Hey, why so hard on ducks? They are useful and by comparision very intelligent!
The tweet of 52 targets slayed for destruction I Iran and threatening to destroy sites of cultural significance to Iranians is sick. That is so clearly a neon sign flashing insecurity and fear on the part of Trump that it is embarrassing and pathetic.
What did they put in his coffee?
I don’t know how true this is, but the BBC has reported that Khamenei has given a broad outline of the retaliation being a complete comprehensive guerilla war across all of Iraq and Syria with all US forces being targeted until the USA is forced out if the region. If true all of Trump’s threats are doing squat to deter Iran targeting US military targets in the region. Total confusion in the western MSM.
In this fog of disinfo, I don’t know what to believe.
*** What did they put in his coffee? ***
Most probably he was speculating, but one blogger I read says Epstein had a video of Trump ‘doing the dirty’ with a very underaged girl. Supposing “They” really do have this or something similar on him, that would be the “stick”. Some great financial deals after he leaves office would be the “carrot”. Recall how well Clinton and Obama did after THEY left office.
It’s a theory….
Speaking of insanity (and ignoring the obvious fact that Soleimani was very instrumental in ridding ISIS and thereby ruining the Zio and Neocon dream script), the logic of the following escapes me :
“Senior State Department officials described the killing as a defensive strike supported by solid intelligence and claimed Soleimani was planning imminent attacks against United States interests and personnel in the region”
Just how exactly does assassinating Soleimani negate these supposed “Imminent attacks”? Nobody else could carry them out? Soleimani was single-handedly going to carry out these “Imminent attacks” all by himself?
What utter illogical nonsense.
‘United States interests’ = ISIS, and “United States personnel” are mercenaries?
I notice the Canadian gutter press are echo-chambering that the Iranians hated Soleimani and are glad he is gone. I can see the minority Shah era diaspora believing this but not the majority of Iranians.
Just who does believe this outside of Iran?
When Pompeo says attacks by Soleimani were “imminent” he is not using the word in the normal sense in the English language, as in “soon” or “about to happen”.
It is a careful choice of word. Pompeo is specifically referring to the Bethlehem Doctrine of Pre-Emptive Self Defence in which an attack may be deemed “imminent”, even if you know no details of how, what or when it might occur.
The Bethlehem Doctrine gives a green light for the USA to kill people on the basis of a feeling that they may have been about to do something.
C Murray has a full definition.
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/
Yes, I saw that earlier from C.M.- only a shyster lawyer could come up with anything as convoluted, ridiculous and meaningless as that Bethlehem BS. It reminds me of the ‘Slick Willy’ impeachment -it all depends on what your definition of “is” is.
My point still stands; how does this assassination prevent any future attacks, imminent or otherwise? A rational person would conclude it can only increase them with the real risk of escalation to the unthinkable.
The only other distant speculation I can suggest is that is a way for the Trumpster to exit Iraq -and displace to Syria?
That could be even more dangerous for confrontation with Russia.
Would that withdrawal even be allowed with actors like the Pompeo thug, the MIC and Bibi?
Trump is tied to a chair in the situation room being D!ck slapped by Bibi.
Trump was not his normal self when he announced the assassination of Soleimani. His demeanor suggested to me the demeanor of a man who had just come to the realization that he had become an assassin, something he never imagined would befall him. I’m not sure whether his latest tweet storm is meant to convince the American public or himself that what he did was justified.
Many Americans voted for Trump because of his promises to stop the endless wars, to bring the troops back home, and to concentrate on internal affairs. He was very convincing. What I’ve learned since then is that you cannot take someone seriously who professes to want to end wars and at the same time proclaim his allegiance to Israel. Both assertions negate each other; they are incompatible.
I think
Once upon a time there was an arrogant and cowardly king that possessed the greatest army in the world of his day. He lead a fractured empire that was full of corruption and greed. He was full of hubris before the battle of Issus because the enemy was severely outnumbered and victory almost certain. All that was before Gaugamela of course.
Let the barking U.S. President alone with his leash on the Whitehouse lawn. The tide of time and history is beginning to turn.
We must understand that Trump – like many US politicians – gets his information and analysis from his pro-Israeli handlers, advisers and consultants. Sheldon Adelson makes sure of that.
And that is why US politicians all repeat the same bullet point lies and BS.
When wealthy Jews contribute $millions to the election campaigns of govenors, representatives, senators, and those running for president, it is done with the clear understanding that when elected, their staff and advisers will be compose of persons hand selected by the donors/AIPAC.
If you doubt me, research and look at the staff composition of the various House Representatives and Senators, at any given time. You will find that they are all either handpicked or screened by AIPAC – and a lot of them hold dual citizenship, and are citizen’s of Israel.
For many congressional staffers, there is a revolving door between AIPAC and Capitol Hill.
When Barrack Obama, in his first term, naively tapped Ambassador Chas Freeman for the chairmanship of the National Intelligence Council, he was told point blank by AIPAC that Freeman was not sufficiently pro-Israel, and as such, Freeman’s nomination had to be scratched.
That is how Washington works, and that is why Trump to date, has:
Tore up the JCPOA – Adeldon’s #1 demand
Imposed massive sanctions on Iran
Moved the US embassy to Jerusalem
Has troops in Eastern Syria
Refused to denounced the murderous MBS
Backed Saudia Arabia’s war on Yemen
Closed the Palestinian offices in Washington
Stopped funding for the Palestinians
Appointed his son-in-law as an adviser
Has David Friedman as ambassador to Israel
All the above things are done, not because they are in America’s interest – far from it – but because Israel and its supporters want them done – its that simple.
Just look who has been appointed as Treasury Secretary for the current and recent administrations. The position of Treasury Secretary is now the exclusive preserve of a pro-Israeli hawk.
Just recently an Israeli citizen, Sigal Mandelker was forced to resign from the Treasury Department when questions were raised about the legality of her working there. While there she worked directly with Israel, and focused exclusively on Iran.
The current Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, has since day one in office, preoccupied himself with imposing crippling sanctions on Iran, working from a list supplied by Tel-a- Viv. And he is in Israel almost on a weekly basis.
Until Americans and others understand and appreciate, the near total stranglehold that Israel and its supporters have on decsion-making in the US, they will continue to have these situations, because currently, its never what is in America’s best interest, its what good for Israel.
Trump had no idea what he was doing when he signed-off on the cowardly assassination, but his handlers knew.
Now America must face up to the consequence of outsourcing its policy making and decision-making to a foreign power.
The red flag now flies over Jamkaran Mosque and it will not be removed until the cowardly crime that was perpetrated has been sufficiently avenged.
Selah
Great comment S-400
Cheers
Col
If Senate in U.S. fails to follow up with Lower Hour deliberations how will they explain this in the Judgment?
Ruh-roh.
Japan steps into the breach and may be joining America’s Coalition of the Killing.
Japan to deploy military forces to aid US operations against Iran
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/30/japa-d30.html
Japan has good relations with Iran; they may be trying to figure out a way to influence Trump to back off.
In the meantime, Twitter has apparently suspended the account of the President Assad @Presidency _Sy.
Does anyone know more about this? Is this confirmed?
One of the rules for being on Twitter explicitly states :
You may not threaten violence against an individual or a group of people.
Trump is threatening violence against an entire nation. Why is his account still up?
Apparently the US is currently relatively self sufficient in oil due to fracking (and economic decline):
So a war with Iran could benefit the US as closing the Straight of Hormuz would effect competitors much more at the moment. Whether this actually true of course I am not sure.
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/daniel-turner-america-can-withstand-iranian-attack-on-global-oil-supplies-thanks-to-trump-energy-policies.
Donald Trump still hasn’t brought up the issue of Gog and Magog, as George Bush did with France.
KING TRUMPET-THE-GREAT. 1782. BRITISH EMPIRE.
Last night, at my direction, the United Kingdom military successfully executed a flawless precision strike that killed the number-one terrorist anywhere in the world, George Washington.
George Washington was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on British diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him.
Under my leadership, United Kingdom’s policy is unambiguous: To terrorists who harm or intend to harm any British, we will find you; we will eliminate you. We will always protect our diplomats, service members, all British, and our allies.
For years, the American Patriots Army and its ruthless Continental Army — under Washington’s leadership — has targeted, injured, and murdered hundreds of British civilians and servicemen.
……
http://my-lakeview.net/misc/Kings-speach.html
wow gerry fox is on twitter?
Dear Saker and the rest of our community here…
Honestly, I am petrified, as for the total lack of understanding from USA and their puppet imbecile president.
He is an impotent old man, whose innards are totally blocked by the unhealthy food, arteries blocked, never has read a book in his life… Rotten, and probably stinks, needs a lot of disinfection in the morning…
Always had married the subservient creatures from eastern Europe, last one an escort Melania from Slovenia, ex Yu.
He does not understand anything about the world. What he has , if he has, done with the approval of the murder of Qasem Suleimany is just a typical mistake of an idiot who does not know the world. I am not going to discuss how the idiot has approved the murder.It was served to him who does not understand anything about the world. Ignorant imbecile.
But today, Iran has raised the red flag, first time after Karbala.
This is disaster.
Never will we normal citizens of the world be able to travel Middle East again without the danger.
Disaster, and yes, Iran will respond, but in time….It will not be pretty.
Disaster, thank you Saker for your precious analysis.
Kind regards
Trump is a deviant human being (sic): ignorant, narcissistic, bullying, egomaniacal, lying, adulterous, mentality of a testosterone-driven teenager…he should be apprehended and taken away in a strait jacket for immediate psychiatric treatment.
Yes, I’m ashamed to be an American with a leader (sic) of Trump’s ilk. Of course, then we have Pence, Pompeo, the Graham Cracker, Cotton Ball, and on and on….not to mention the ‘Christian’ and Jewish Zionists who have taken over America on behalf of the scourge of the colonial Zionism ideology that has its platform in the “holy” land–the Ziomonster so-called Israel.
Never forget: Palestine Is Still THE Issue! All else is diversionary, collateral, destabilizing, manipulative….