Dear friends,
I just got home and saw the news that General Qasem Soleimani has been murdered along with another 5-8 people by what was initially reported as a MRL strike (Russian sources say it was a drone attack). This was bad enough. Then this:
The Telegram channel of RIA News reports that the US has claimed that it was responsible for that attack.
So far, PressTV has NOT confirmed the death of Soleimani but other media outlets have.
IF he is really dead, then the likely scenario is the following one:
BEGIN 100% SPECULATION
Trump threatened Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that there is nothing the US could do, and just to prove him wrong, the US murdered Soleimani. Of course, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meant that there is nothing *effective* which the US could do. He clearly did not have a cowardly assassination in mind. As for Uncle Shmuel, he now can see that he “showed the Ayatollahs” how invincible the Empire is. And to hell with the consequences (already started).
END 100% SPECULATION.
Now back to the attack itself.
Frankly, I was hoping that Trump and/or Netanyahu had enough brains NOT to claim the attack, whether they did it or not. And, sure enough, it now appears that the US did make that claim.
Now there is only one question left: can the Iranians let this murder go unpunished?
Maybe. But I can’t imagine that they will.
Next, no matter HOW the Iranians retaliate, the US will use that as a pretext to attack Iran.
Right now, it is 01:46 GMT and it is much too early to call this as many of the key facts are missing.
Still, considering the little we know I see no other option that the warn you all that we might have a war in the Middle-East literally any minute now.
I will try to scout the news for any info.
If you see anything interesting please post the info in the comments section (including the source). I ESPECIALLY need to see if the US OFFICIALLY confirms that it is behind the attack.
General Qasem Soleimani was a true hero, and he was my “Saker Man of the Year” in 2015. This is truly a major loss for all freedom loving people. May God rest his soul!
I will be back later tonight.
The Saker
UPDATE1: this is all PressTV is reporting now: https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/03/615224/Hashd-Sha%E2%80%99abi-public-relations-director-killed-in-rocket-attack-on-Baghdad-airport
UPDATE2: Iraqi TV confirms the death https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/01/03/iraq-rockets-fired-at-baghdad-airport-7-people-killed/
UPDATE3: PressTV live confirms the death of the general https://www.presstv.com/Live
UPDATE4: The Donald just posted this on Twitter: it’s as good as any confirmation
UPDATE5: so now it is confirmed, see for yourself: https://www.rt.com/news/477354-pentagon-confirms-soleimani-killing/ (if these cretins really believe that they can “deter” Iran, they are even dumber than I thought)
UPDATE6: according to this source, this is an email from the Pentagon “At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization,” the Department of Defense said in an emailed statement.“
UPDATE7: seems like the US is now trying to scare the personnel of the Iranian embassy in Baghdad, see here: https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/02/615194/Iraq-United-States-helicopter-Iran-Embassy-Baghdad
TEMPORARY CONCLUSION:
Okay, we now know that Soleimani has indeed been murdered and that the US did it. So the key facts are all in. Now all we can do is to way for the political fallout from this assassination (both inside and outside the USA and both inside and outside Iran).
Let me state here that I do NOT believe that Russia will be involved in any way. Neither will China. Why? Because now everything hinges on the Iranian reaction. I will try to produce an analysis in the course of the day tomorrow.
If you have any relevant/interesting info, please post it in the comments section below. I will read it before I write my analysis. Right now, I would say that war is about 80% certain, with 20% left for two reasons: first, the Iranians are extremely sophisticated actors who will do nothing without first making an in-depth analysis of the situation and, second, because we still don’t have all the facts (we only have the core, key, facts).
At this point it makes not sense for me to remain on standby. I better get some sleep before tomorrow’s analysis.
Until then, I wish you all a good night/morning/day or evening.
Crucially – don’t lose hope!! I will explain tomorrow why we should not over-react to this tragic and evil event.
Can I still say “hugs and cheers”?
I will stick to “hugs” only.
Singing off
The Saker
Many prayers for the people of Iran, and especially Soleimani’s family. Also pray for peace. Pray, pray, pray, and perhaps God will have mercy
Perhaps….that is a word of the day……perhaps
Perhaps,
But just a few days ago this site was calling Trump a ‘man of year’ and gabbi, both known card carrying zionists,
Now Trump has killed the leader of Iran, in cold blood, in broad daylight, so is Trump still the ‘man of year’ here?? Is his sidekick gabby the anz front-woman still our golden girl?
Actions speak louder than words, how many people does trump have to kill for Israel, before people wake up?
…
Another perspective, the “Shah” sold out, and Gorby sold out, but the people of Russia didn’t know for a long time, what ‘if’ this show of the General was just a normal show, we know that Trump was there at xmas, then a few days later the ‘general’ is there, the general is called by ANZ-MSM the ‘biggest terrorist on earth”, almost like he was always there manufactured ‘demon’.
Like the Israel 10th man idea, sometimes we must ask, why was the general there? Why did he die ‘now’?? Lot’s of unknowns, but what is known is the MSM demonized him to the max, and now Trump can claim victory of killing his own demon.
Like Epstein, one has to wonder if the ‘general’ is not in Tel-Aviv enjoying a cold beer, and watching the circus on TV.
We know Putin is Israel, we know ANZ brought Mao to power and the current CCP, we know that N-Korea is largely show, we know that all the distraction has been carefully orchestrated for decades.
Just asking, since I don’t see this point of view here.
What is a known-known is that most of the ‘history’ we are taught is a lie, most of time stuff is projected decades in advance. Just like trump being POTUS was a Simpsons TV show back in 1997, and he’s doing ‘spot on’ exactly as the ANZ-MSM said then&now.
The demons are Syria, Libya, N-Korea, Iran; All places that don’t accept “Rothschild” fiat as the ‘holy grail’, but all places do have a price. The General was ‘old’, and tired. Why do we have to accept things at face value, when all is known to be a lie??
Mortimer,
No one “here” has your point of view because they have information not vapid, nonsensical platitudes and misinformation.
You source or prove nothing you state. Just blather as comment.
“We know Putin is Israel, we know ANZ brought Mao to power and the current CCP, we know that N-Korea is largely show, we know that all the distraction has been carefully orchestrated for decades.”
Empty-headed stuff.
yes – there were some hopeful comments about Trump’s lack of starting war in 2019. Now those comments can be seen as sad wisps of hope. Trump has been impeached basically. Like Clinton before him, he has now started a war so that the attention gets off him.
His loyalty to Israel can’t be ignored. Israel is the symbol of everything that is warped and corrupt in the world today and it simply can’t be ignored. Putin also is guilty of this. I guess he has to because of the power of the Jews in Russia…in the WORLD –
Its a serious problem that isn’t going away because its ignored.
Shepherd’s Daughter
This was obviously a provocation by Washington, who is hoping Iran will retaliate and thus give it an excuse for war against Iran. I don’t think Iran will fall for this, as it will probably seek a much wiser course of action, especially since this move by Washington was both infantile and foolish, causing it to lose even more esteem in the eyes of the international community.
@B.F.
The big problem is that the real response by Iran might not even matter.
My fear is that the US did chose the place to murder Soleimani very deliberately. To kill him in Baghdad could be part of a very sinister plan.
It is virtually guaranteed that this will spark outrage and plenty of attacks by Iraqis on US troops and installations. Crucially, Iran will not be able to prevent these attacks even if it wanted to.
Those attacks will all be blamed on Iran (the times when the US evenbothered with presenting(fabricating) evidence are long gone) and will serve as pretext for further military strikes by the US/Israel against Iranian targets or directly against targets in Iran. At some point, Iran will then have no choice but to retaliate.
Which will lead to the war that the Israelis have been pressing for all the time and which their lapdog Trump is only too happy to deliver.
Max
I fear that you could well be right. Trump began a bully boy approach with North Korea, and Kim played his bluff. After that I knew what would happen, namely that attention would would be switched to Iran, as it was. As analysts have been stating for years, when finances begin to perform poorly, the bankers then apply their little trick of taking you to war. It would appear that Iran is now the prime target for aggression.
This development is also clearly taking the air out of the Impeachment balloon, and, providing the cover for a badly needed stock market correction. Can serve many purposes since the media has about an oh, 3 day window of interest.
I think you have something there Max. I never considered that angle AND I have not seen it raised anywhere else.
Tel Aviv could fix something that would look like “Iran did it” and Western public would buy it. It was the same with the gas attacks in Syria.
@ BF
“This was obviously a provocation by Washington, who is hoping Iran will retaliate and thus give it an excuse for war against Iran”
Trump political pattern in the ME has always been to deliver symbolic act of commitment. Wheras he is strategically retreating commitment.
Just see the Al Qod capital of Israel. Whereas he withdrew US commitment in Syria.
An assumption could be that Trump needed an excuse to withdraw troops from Irak. And satisfy the US political constituency revengeful bloodlust for their many defeat.
In addition it paint the democrat in a corner. As all democrats scream that they do not want war…
Irak parliament had been convened in emergency saterday for withdrawing authorization of US presence on their soil.
US will be out of Irak, Syria and Afghanistan in 2020.
Soleimani death is painfull for the resistence axis.
That being said he would have sacrificed his life with joy should it allow US defeat and withdrawal in shame and sign the resistence axis victory.
Quite symbolic, isn’t it ?
Note that that is only my speculation based on previous pattern and US policy in ME under Trump.
Anonymous
If what you have written is true, then it would mean that Trump has placed the Deep State and neocons under control. The question is if this is indeed the case, as I don’t see the neocons that easily relinquishing their overt and covert power in the US.
@Anonymous
I think that you view Trump with way too much hope and give him too much benefit of the doubt. I certainly did that during the first two years of his presidency.
There has been no withdrawal of US commitment in Syria. the US instead redeployed forces to the oil fields. They are hell-bent to keep Al-Tanf.
I agree that he wants out of Afghanistan because it’s an unwinnable mess. But the agency will never allow that to happen. The opium trade finances myriads of covert C!A operations allover the world. Since they are funded with money that officially doesn’t exist and that nobody needs to account for, these operations conveniently leave no paper trail for the – albeit very weak- congessional oversight.
I know that there are quite a few folks out there subscribing to the Q Anon nonsense where they spin every move by Trump as some hugely clever 4d-chess like action.
Only that Trump is clearly incapable of that kind of stuff. He may be smarter than many people think but he ain’t no geostrategic thinker. He totally lacks the knowledge basis needed to understand the very complex situations to begin with.
Trump has been the most Israeli US president ever.
Ironically, he feared seven years ago that Obama could attack Iran in order to get reelected. Obma didn’t, obviously, but it reveals how Trump was thinking at the time. he was projecting his very own thoughts on Obama.
I had always tought that Trump might go to war with Iran only in his second term. But it seems now that he wants to go to war before that. Either to secure his re-election or because his zionist puppet masters fear that he will lose in November and that the window of opportunity for that war might close.
Not that the Democrats (except for Sanders and Gabbard) are in principle opposed to a war against Iran. But they know that it is very unpopular with the electorate, so they might not pursue the anti-Iran policy as aggressively as Trump is doing it.
@Max
Trump said from day one.
– He wants US out of ME
– He wants fair China trade
– He wants the corrupt deepstate including MSM accountable
– He wants immigration laws.
– He wants sovereignty against UN, global trade and envirenmental compact.
– He wants an deal with Iran to alkow a status quo once US is out of ME.
Till now he is delivering.
Surely the China new deal and the Iran new deal is not yet a done matter. However it is ongoing policy.
I guess at some point Iran shall have to find an agreement with the US administration.
And surely there is a lot done “unofficially”
@Anonymous. Trump did everything so far that Netanyahu has asked for. EVERYTHING, except going to war with Iran. Not yet, at least.
Trump has said a lot of things during and after the election campaign.
As of now
– the US hasn’t reduced their presence in the ME at all
– The trade war with China isn’t about fairness, it is about world domination. Nothing more, nothing less. And there is no deal to be had on that!
– The deepstate reigns supreme. Trump hasn’t prosecuted anyone, not even Hillary
– Trump has relentlessly hiked military spending
– Trump has approved lethal military deliveries to Ukraine
– Trump has unilaterally recognized Jerusalem and even stated that Israel’s illegal occupation ogf Palestinian land and their illegal settlements were actually perfectly fine. peace nin the ME? Seriously?
– There was a very harsh deal in place with Iran. Harsh for the Iranians, that is. But Trump wanted to strangulate the country, always. Getting Iran down to its kjnees was his number one foreign policy topic throughout his election campaign. What kind of “deal” shall Iran sign? (Apart from the US demonstrating that a deal signed by a US president isn’t worth the paper any more anyway) Dismantling alkl defenses? becoming another US colony like Iraq? No Iranian will sign such a deal, ever. Not even the staunchest opposition to the mullahs will bow to the US. The bought up US based “opposition” may. they have zeroi chance to get elected by the Iranian people.
tell me, how can there ever be a new deal between the Iran and Trump when Trump has made it clear that he may break any deal and agreement whenever he likes? The guy simply has no handshake quality.
I think most Americans and Westerners totally underestimate what Trump’s axing of the Iran agreement signed by Obama meant for international relations. And that was followed by the Paris agreement on climate and the armns control agreemenst between the former USSR and the USA.
Agreements have become a lot less meaningful than they used to be. And that genie is out of the bottle and it cannot be put back in.
@Max
Well prosecutions are coming…
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/their-day-coming-i-promise-you-warns-meadows-says-durham-probe-may-contain-very
The deepstate cannot be uprooted in a single day.
And it should be accepted by the people.
Obama or Hillary are popular for a big segment of the American society.
My take is that it is done step by step.
First taking hold of supreme court.
Then taking hold of federal judge.
The cleaning DoJ and FBI.
Releasing information step by step and brewing the storyline whereas the satanic MSM is in league with the deep state.
A last step would maybe be the dealing of prominent elite.
https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/407335-exclusive-trump-says-exposing-corrupt-fbi-probe-could-be-crowning-achievement?amp
As for the satanic Epstein, Clinton and Podesta issues I guess it will be dealt with “in family” as too many oligarchs and politician are involved in many satanic crimes. And corruption has permeated the lower echelon.
I guess Trump is not after beheading the whole country. Rather… Draining the swamp.
Difficult when a big chunk of the elite is corrupt and satanic.
http://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2019-07-08/if-you-flew-the-lolita-express-the-feds-want-to-talk-to-you
That is very very dangerous game. That need to be threaded carefully. As Israel and part of jewish elite is behind the Epstein spy ring. Trump can be easily demonized as antisemitic. Dictator. And so on.
You know the ol’ good sayin’ “keep your friend close. And your enemy closer ”
But maybe you are right. And I am totally wrong.
Wait and see… interesting times.
@max
“– the US hasn’t reduced their presence in the ME at all”
Surely the US needs a deal with Iran first. That is the whole point. And the US has not started another war in ME. Yet…
“– The trade war with China isn’t about fairness, it is about world domination. Nothing more, nothing less. And there is no deal to be had on that!”
A deal is worth as long as both parties deem it beneficial. China would like to keep the terms. The US not. That is fair game.
Would you at least recognize that current trade unbalance is simply unsustainable for the US ?
Therefore the US raise import tax rate.
Something wrong with that ?
As for the IP theft from China or protectionnism. Would you deny that as well ?
“– The deepstate reigns supreme. Trump hasn’t prosecuted anyone, not even Hillary”
Already answered.
“– Trump has relentlessly hiked military spending”
Sure.
First that is the main industry left inside the US to support the economy.
And Trump needs military support against the financial, hollywood and MSM Mafia.
Do you mean, Trump should give less to the only constituent supporting him ?
Time will come for that. But not now.
“– Trump has approved lethal military deliveries to Ukraine”
I am do not know the dossier.
But note that Trump needs to compose with other force inside the US. Including the GOP.
Besides, Russia could also take more action in this region. It takes 2 to tango.
“– Trump has unilaterally recognized Jerusalem and even stated that Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land and their illegal settlements were actually perfectly fine. peace nin the ME? Seriously?”
That is symbolic gesture without strategic consequence.
The US left Syria and stop support to ISIS.
Not sure that is in Israel interest.
You would like Trump to condemn Israel symbolically on top of that ? Seriously ?
“– There was a very harsh deal in place with Iran.”
For the nuclear aspect that is correct.
But it has never been the point.
See pakistan, israel or India.
Do you seriously think the nuclear dossier is the root cause ?
From US perspective the current deal is a bad deal as it does not freeze the expensionist Iranian sphere of influence.
The nuclear deal even under and by Obama has been designed only as a temporary patch.
All bickering between the GOP and dems is just that. Internal politics bickering.
To put it in another way.
The US needs to accept to lose Irak, Syria and Yemen for decades to come as the result of their own failure.
And Iran needs to accept to stop propagating its militia and idelogy beyond that area.
And Israel needs to stop appartheid and greater Israel dream.
And to make that acceptable to their own internal constituents.
Easy isn’t it ?
Let s try to figure out where Solemani death fits here…
I agree and hope you are right. However, the Iranians will see that the U.S. will keep egging them on until there is all out war. Iran isn’t innocent in this tit for tat either, but I pray you are right and they see that this is stupid. The U. S. unfortunately have more ego in the game than ability or sense. I hope Iran has more sense than hatred.
Somebody has to do something ! What is this multi polar world if not ?
Iran must deliver a bloody nose back. Completely level a US embassy somewhere. Assassinate some US diplomats in the gulf somewhere.
Saker…. I just read this on Sputnik News then, and saw you had posted this update.
I’m just gobsmacked at the insanity of the cretins in Washington.
Do they want to ignite a catastrophic war engulfing the entire Middle East? Yes, I know, we are talking about completely delusional psychopaths here.
This is just nuts. Fecken Nuts.
I also agree with your statement that we could be at war at any time now. Thanks for what you do at this blog.
Incredibly dangerous situation now.
@gezzah potts
if if one had no knowledge of geopolitics and military affairs, even a lay person would know that this move by the US is very serious just from the scared and somber looks on the faces the usual pro war CNN deep state spokesmen. When even the war mongering CNN is shockingly not being bombastic, but they appear to be soiling their pants about they term the potential of massive or very painful retaliation from Iran., it looks serious.
The general discussion on CNN so far is that Iran has a longer and deeper reach in the middle East than the US, and that US forces and allies are in real danger as a result of this “assassination” (that’s the word they used) and that Iran is sophisticated player and this is not being celebrated as a good move (shocking from the war mongering CNN). Looks like a swathe of the US deep state think this was boneheaded move by Trump.
So the orange entity thinks that this move is going to win him cover with the neocons? It won’t, they’ll still turn on him. Does he think this will help him with impeachment and his media crisis in time for the elections? Where are the Trump defenders and idealistic fans now? Feel any embarrassment?
What a stupid way to start the new year 2020.
Anaam… Have been out all day, havn’t seen any TV coverage of this.
The revolting, truly despicable ABC here in Australia have made this out to be justified against a ‘terrorist organisation’ and that Soleimani was planning to attack US targets on their website.
What else would you expect from such presstitute filth who sell themselves for the Anglo Zionist Empire.
We are on the brink of all out war in the Middle East. I cannot see any way of avoiding it, frankly.
It’s deadly serious.
Because of the catastrophic bushfires in Australia taking up nearly all the news, with entire towns literally wiped off the map, many thousands evacuated, people dead and missing, a lot of people here wouldn’t even be aware how close we are to a massive war.
If you believe – start praying.
Gezzah,
Things will be OK, the response from Iran is likely to rational, reasoned, calculated, restrained and long-term. I hope.
Trump was even warned by his own FOX News favorite show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, last week, that he was heading into war with Iran over a false flag provocation of a US contractor being killed (the show was aired after the disproportionate US airstrikes that killed 25 militia men for the death of the single contractor). The show was very specific, they had a retired US colonel say something to the effect “Mr president you’re being skillfully misadvised into a large scale war with Iran …. don’t do it” that was only a few days ago. That shows it was pretty obvious what direction the whitehouse was headed.
There may be a silver lining to all of this: the other great powers (Russia, India, China, even the weak and cuckolded EU) are going to be forced to increase their decoupling from the current global system because of the recklessness of the pseudo-anarchy that runs US policy.
I wouldn’t be too sentimental about Soleimani, he was an aging warrior, and this is likely kind of end he would have wanted: dying on his feet carrying out his orders. Certainly he was no saint but he was a patriot to his country.
What Trump has done is is so stupid (on the face of it,) that it’s hard to articulate. He hasn’t cowed the Persians at all, he’s set the precedent that Iran can target US General’s, and even senior US government officials anywhere including civilian airports that is a terrible. The attack being carried out at a civilian airport during peacetime reflects Trump’s desperation and frustration.
Stay safe Gezzah.
dispassionate alternative viewpoint.
Trump knows the Mullah’s will continue as bad actors in the region and that they intend to start campaigns of violence leading up to election in the hope of influencing the vote against him. In these circumstances, Trump has been given opportunity to decapitate the command elements of the very forces they’re about to conflict with. In that regard it was a bold and debilitating blow to Iran. The fact is, this has shaken Iran to core and will have also devastated morale in the militias. It will also embolden the protestors in Iran.
Tactically and strategically it was a winning decision on many levels. Watch for anti Iran protests in Iraq, more protests in Iran and desertions from militias. The rank and file were shown their leaders are defenseless, it will have a big impact on morale.
Poop, to see so much projection in one comment is just genius, the american way. Shaken to the core are we? We will show your child raping animals dressed in military skin on the battlefield, how shaken we are!
Your government has been spending 400 000 000 million a year for the last 40 years to buy themselves traitors to do their bidding, the same way their did in 53. The price tag was just different back then. And still no luck yet!
But just maybe your criminal child killer president Swamp did what every other scum, that you elect as president has done before him, even those who couldn´t control their zippers and had to look presidential by killing innocent people thousands of miles away from america, Maybe it is the oldest trick in the foreign policy book practiced; when in deep shit to your knees, find some poor people to bomb on the other side of the world!
The problem is, that you americans have not suffered sitting at your favorite cafe drinking your favorite coffee or dancing to your favorite tune at your favorite disco, while your fathers, your mothers, your sisters and brothers destroy nation after nation, destroying the lives of hundreds of million of people all over the world. Maybe you will learn the lesson when your cities are burned to ashes and your children die of hunger or sit by your torched stinking bodies, crying and find no mercy, maybe then you will stop destroying this world. Personally I hope to be alive to see your cities burn to ashes and watch you scream on tv begging! I am writing these words to you from Isfahan! Do I sound like a broken people?
Maybe you understand pictures better that words, being american that is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btxLMNzzhSU
Be seeing the like of you on the battlefield!
Are you hallucinating??
No all of live in the tv world where every thing is just fine. Are 500 000 iraqi dead children hallucinations? what about the ones in Philippines, where they ordered every male child and man murdered? What about the yemeni children dying of hunger and lack of medicine? what about nation after nation destroyed? What about the hopes and dreams of billions destroyed in entire continents? Does Norway have a military? Why don´t they attack Sweden, Denmark or england? Why don´t they attack Congo or Cuba or Tajikistan? The americans do, because they can, because they believe, they have impunity, because they get an other star on their shoulders for every nation, they destroy, because their weapons manufacturers get richer and their corrupt politicians more power, status and money in their pensions, because they can spin the truth, any way they want, because they know, that they can get away with it, killing entire nations! Sooner or later america will burn from within! Go watch your tv and have a dream too, like the other guy, who thought of himself a king, but couldn´t control his zipper either!
Very bad news.
Hope the Iranians respond with a cool head and not give the Empire any pretext for a war against Iran.
I hope for retaliation. This can’t be left without it. But there is no retaliation good enough for what has happened. Except in the hands of God. May God hold sway. May Christ hold sway. The Great Forgiver. If Iran does not retaliate….it will be like Christ when he did not retaliate. Judas couldn’t believe He wouldn’t retaliate. That’s why he sold Him for 30 pieces. Because he thought – Now He will retaliate. And instead they humiliated Him. Like darling Iran. Darling Darling Iran. My favorite country in all the world.
Mine too, Ann!
Regards from Serbia
https://www.presstv.com/Live
They are talking abiut it NOW!!!
Woke up at 1:30am and read the news… as if something jolted me out of bed. PressTV spent all day reporting about the murder. No doubt who did it- the only question really is – was it a matter of the last couple of days, or a part of a longer-term plan by micc (to escalate the conflict and find an excuse – any excuse – to attack Iran). The Iranian response may partly hinge on understanding the background.
On P-TV, there was a concept discussed – one of a ‘warrior-saint’ who no doubt Suleimani was (reminds me of Alexander Nevskii). This type of a military leader was not just Suleimani – may he rest in peace – but it is a concept close to Iranian military (which is also what allowed them to withstand the onslaught in 1980s). They also talked about Suleimani’s extensive popularity in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the wider MENA.
We keep thinking DT would not start a war in an election year – but he may actually start it precisely because it is an election yr (and, let’s not forget, impeachment).
So the only excuse for DT – that he had not started a war – is gone. There is no hope for the empire. Iranians may take their time to respond, and do it strategically – but nothing will prevent a wider war. (N-yahoo also needs one, given all his troubles).
Iran will not retaliate, simply because they cannot win a war with country that so sophisticatedly killed their special forces general.
and you think USA and it’s satellite system called NATO will win a war against the iranians when they are not even able to defeat afghan shepherds who fight in slippers with decades old AK47
When Iran strikes back it needs to be strong and without mercy.The war is almost certain now,and Trump is done in 2020. He sealed is fate tonight.
The US MSN is praising the murder as “defense” and threatening to destroy Iran if they retaliate. And at the same time saying that this murder “doesn’t ” need to lead to ground war if the Iranians “got the message”. What everyone in the world needs to do is understand the US mindset. They can kill,murder,whatever you want to call it.Because it is their “right” to do it.But any retaliation is pure terrorism.Can they be taught that is wrong without a massive war,I don’t know for sure.But I don’t think they can be taught,without defeat in a massive war.To save the US and its common people is for their military to suffer a major defeat like in Vietnam.Does the world risk nuclear war because of that.Yes it does.But without that risk being taken,and the US defeated.Then for certain the entire world will be enslaved to the US Empire (and through that to Israel).And nuclear war will certainly be our future.
Sadly, I believe it will take more then a military defeat to curb American’s desire for war. It will take an actual war on American soil. Not an attack, but an actual taste of their medicine. Americans in general, are a self centered, selfish population. Unless they are personally affected they tend to ignore the suffering of others . Especially if those others are brown skinned or a different faith. Americans pride themselves on being exceptional. If they were only educated enough to understand the very things the USA are exceptional in are not anything a moral person would be proud of.
Trump was selected as president to fulfill the Talmudic prophecy of making Israel the new superpower of the world. That requires the destruction of the USG, the Constitution and to enact the Noahide laws which leads to the death of true Christianity. Trump, like his wives and children is a Talmudic Kabbalahist. He writes of his Kabbalah teacher in an earlier book.
“We Jews, the destroyers, wil remain the destroyers forever. Nothing the Gentiles do willmeet our needs, our demands. We want a world of our own.” Maurice Samuel who wrote a book called “You Gentiles.”
Look into the videos at Know More News, made by Adam Green – they can be found at Bitchute.
The Noahid Laws are truly sinister and terrifying and he exposes the horrifying plot to rule the World.
“… The war is almost certain now …”
Unfortunately, it does appear so.
Trump or no Trump (that figurehead), the rabidly Zionist-propelled dark state has been badly itching for a showdown with Iran for quite some time already, looking to light a fuse.
Should it finally come to that, how will Iran fare?
Where will Putin stand?…
Putin always sides with Netanyahu
Hi Uncle Bob. I doubt there will be any big response by Iran and Iraq in the scale of a full mobilization to drive out the US military in Iraq. Large amounts of money probably are being transferred to folks in Iraq who are “used to” US military occupation and made their fortunes. And remember, the US has been in Iraq since 2013 and has influence within the Iraqi military and government. The PMU, Iraqi patriots and Iran might want seize this moment for a Fall of Saigon moment but I think a portion of the Iraqi military and government will defend the US presence and occupation, with blood and life if necessary-an enigma to me. I have always wondered why Iraqi military personnel and recruits do not in large numbers turn their guns and grenades on the US trainers, occupiers and contractors. Won some hearts and minds already?
And of course the peace loving Russia and China will not proactively and overtly support a big war. That is my simple reason for my mouth’s bitter taste in view of this aggression. Hope to be wrong though.
Putin has shown how restraint can be strength.
Calm down and think.
There comes a time!
We are deeply saddened that such a fine general seems to have been killed by the murderous nation of America.
While it’s horrible living in (the US) this cavernous cesspool of corruption, blackmail, and its many attacks against those in the Middle East………. we can’t even imagine how harrowing and miserable it must be for those in the Middle East who deeply suffer from such a murderous country as “America.”
Thanks Rubicon,
I feel so terribly depressed today, so ashamed to be American. The funny thing I spent some time yesterday looking for property in remote BC.
Most Americans are clueless, about the Middle East about Russia, China, and the pacific countries close to China. I am always amazed how they follow the oligarchs BS over and over and over. Why after the Korean War would they believe anything this terrorist government spews. My own husband recently called me a putin lover!
He still listens to npr. Between watching my friends in Australia lose their homes and this i am despondent.
I am going to touch bases with my Iranian friend to see how to keep them safe.
Great sadness that the General was killed. I think about the rescue he led with Hezbollah and Russian special forces to find and bring home the navigator of the Aerospace jet the Turks shot down. He took the responsibility and lead and succeeded through the night to find and bring home safely that Russian flyer. The pilot had been slaughtered while parachuting.
His spirit will live in the hearts and minds of thousands of warriors.
I was heartsick that my prediction yesterday on Saker’s article came true so swiftly.
But the Hegemon and its satanic wingman (Israel) wanted him dead. It was the first order of business to cripple the Iranian forces in Iraq and Syria.
Like in Donbass where the great men have been assassinated, this is always a strategic goal and all it takes these days is one good communication intercept to target and kill from drone, gunship or jet. Soon it will be from laser-armed satellites in low orbit.
May a hundred Qasem Soleimanis soon rise from the ranks.
Ameen. May you be rewarded for your fair and kind word about the Shaheed. May the Islamic Republic of Iran punish the Empire of Chaos and Terror and the Zionist entity…. A hot war cannot be avoided.
I just read it.
Oh my goodness. This will not go unpunished.
Saker, mostly your analyses are damn right but this time I do truely hope that you are wrong.
If you are reading this Ramin, hereby I invite you sincerely to give your opinion about this.
Oh dear.
Cheers, Rob
From Sputniknews:
Pentagon Standing By for DNA Test Result to Confirm Death of Top Iranian General Soleimani – Report
The US Department of Defence said it was waiting for the results of DNA tests to confirm the deaths of Commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, as well as a senior member of the Iraqi Shia Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), in what is described as a US drone attack in Baghdad, the Newsweek magazine reported.
Oil Prices Soar After Reports Claim IRGC Commander Soleimani Killed
During the morning trading hours in Asian markets, Brent crude soared 1.31 percent, to $67.12 per barrel, while US crude jumped 1.24 percent, to $61.94 per barrel, after reports emerged that a top Iranian military general had been killed in an airstrike in Baghdad.
Like I briefly suggested in the “Grand Finale” thread, there’s nothing delusional about US action if you realize that the US is serving Israel’s interests. Israel will be the big beneficiary of a US attack on Iran, just like it was when the US attacked Iraq.
Also, sorry to say, I don’t think Putin’s “passive” strategy of playing defense against the US and Israel is going to continue to work, although it has so far.
Mr Trump has just posted an American flag. Nothing else, just the flag. We have to start reading between the lines here.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1212924762827046918
At 02.00hrs GMT, there are unconfirmed reports spreading on the usual rumour websites that Russian aerospace forces covering Europe and Ukraine have gone on high alert. Truck movements suggest that Mig 31’s in European theater have been ‘reloaded’ (code for conventional warhead missiles replaced by nuclear tipped) and flight crews in thier seats (should be able to confirm this?).
A strange rumour also that the Turkish and Serbian S400 radar array signals are active and have already been ‘integrated’ to the Russian systems (apparently this is a little known feature of S400 /S300 to extend coverage?).
If true this would indicate that Russia has intel of something – perhaps diversionary activity by NATO around Kaliningrad or Crimea (to warn off Russia from assisting Iran?).
Other rumours suggest that strike on Bagdad airport was by Israel to provoke Iran into striking US interests in region in retaliation – thereby setting into motion an escalating sequence leading to a US strike on Iran. If true will Iran resist the massive pressure to respond or will they fall into the Israeli trap?
Iran, I Hope, will sit tight, strengthen their defences, solicit allies and do nothing provocative and allow America to attack.
Iraq on the otherhand has to see to it liberation from occupation, and has to immediately see to its defences at the same time. A big ask.
Iran has been wounded, but Iraq has been humilated. The US has stupidly taunted Iran by standing on Iraq’s people who surround it. I can’t see any other response than this and it seems that the idiots do not realise it is Iraq that has been painted into the corner not Iran.
maybe you’re not aware of the hero-worship that Soleiman has in Iran. This is like their Spiritual Warrior … how sickening the devil is. I don’t even do the honour of capitalizing the ‘d’
So serious on every level. Killing their hero even though we’re the only ones at war. WTF was he doing at that airport …. both men are so vital to the fight against Satan.
I agree. It was a costly gamble.
Yes, I have been pondering about this. Why was Soleimani in that airport? i know he is a smart, intelligent, brilliant man so he should have taken the necessary precautions. My Soleimani, rest in peace. Hope your spirit will be there to guide the thousands more Soleimanis who will take your place.
Deep State analyst Jim Stone reported the following in his blog,
http://82.221.129.208/.vu5.html
and hopes it helps answer your question (and hopefully Saker’s upcoming updated analysis). It is a high level perception of how things MAY BE playing out. He says:
“The hit on Soleimani was not a work of genius”
He was hit while traveling in a car during a publicly announced visit to Iraq to attend the funerals of 31 Iraqi soldiers the U.S. killed on Dec 29. That changes things quite a bit. That was not a legitimate intelligence based hit against an enemy operating where hit, it was instead the killing of a government official who went to attend a funeral and was going to leave the same day.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL: The moment Trump approved the killing of this Iranian General, he got the approval from the shadow state to FINALLY purge Obama holdovers from his white house. That was not coincidence, Trump had this general killed as part of a deal to finally be allowed to do what all other presidents have been allowed to do on day one of their presidency. That proves he’s still not in charge of even the basics.
Iranians are not celebrating this despite what the tech left is scamming on Twitter and other social media, and the fallout could be bad. Iran can now with full “eye for an eye” legitimacy target the highest ranking U.S. officials at will. As it turns out, this general was not in the area commanding anything. He arrived on a regularly scheduled commercial flight. There was no secrecy attached to his visit. That does make a difference, because it is the same as picking off American officials with drones when they leave the air port in France or elsewhere, and Iran has lots of drones.
I was thinking of making a post, but you’ve said essentially everything I was going to. If I were wagering my own money, I’d bet Iran declares payback will come, but on its own schedule. IMO Trump & Pelosi & Pompeo & Netanyahu are on a tight schedule, and need some “kinetic activity” immediately.
I feel like time is not working for Iran. If it waits the sanctions will further deteriorate it. If is retaliates, well then we will be in true uncharted waters. I hope that Russia and China declare this a terrorist act and proclaim Iran’s right to retaliate. I would also like a Russian proclamation that it will have Iran’s back in case of unjust aggression.
It’s official:
Zachary Cohen
Verified account @ZcohenCNN
News from Pentagon: “At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.”
Do you have a link to the source?
The Saker
Just read the DoD’s statement on al jazeera. Fill your gas tanks.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/03/top-iranian-general-qassim-soleimani-killed-in-us-airstrike-in-baghdad-pentagon.html
LIVE Breaking News
@NewsBreaking
BREAKING: President Trump approved the U.S. drone strike this morning that killed Qassem Soleimani and senior Iraqi militia officials, pentagon sources say – Newsweek
Link please
If this terrible news is confirmed then all those who were praising Trump for at least not starting any new wars (although failing to end existing ones) will be eating those words promptly. This is just awful. I was just about to go to sleep, no chance of that now. Bloody hell. I had a feeling, like others, it was going that way, my post on the last Saker article got too long to add some of my thoughts on where the attack on Kata’ib Hezbollah may lead, barring the obvious escalation. But this just takes my breath away. If true, then it confirms my worse fears, & those of others, that the empire has gone insane. What is important to consider, & discuss – is why? The empire is basically going down, some kind of financial collapse is on the horizon, the empire is overstretched in every single respect. My guess is that Trump has been told – you had best deliver us (the rulers in the shadows) the world war or closest equivalent, that we demand, or we will start with killing your children. Or something like that. Because this is a seriously desperate act, this is the act of an empire that badly needs a major war, & soon, otherwise it will not be able to re-set itself. Trumps plan to re-industrialised & bring corporations back to the US by engaging China in a trade war is not going to work, & behind the scenes he has probably been told to knock it off, where that idea is concerned. I hope this news is not true, I fear that I can safely assume it is. All hell is going to break loose.
And you know all of this how?
So according to you these imaginary shadow people threatened his kids so he had no choice but to assassinate Soliemani also want China to be primary industrial power? How absurd. How can they both be anti Iran, anti America and pro China? That doesn’t make any coherent sense.
Why are you giving Trump a moral excuse, when the simpler explanation is that Trump made this idiotic move based on his own moral failings, ego, ambition to stay in power and out of stupidity?
The propagandists are active. Giving Trumps a moral excuse? Just imagine. I guess there are people in the world who know how to read but lack an ability to understand basic language. I’m not in the business of defending my right to have a point of view, but for anyone who did not understand, read my comment again. “My guess is….” That is fairly clear. I would say as clear as day. My guess. That is what you call speculation. I will explain. This is not a claim to know anything. No claim. Understand. It is not a claim to know. It is not a claim to have any verified information. It is a – guess. An opinion. No one on this earth can deny me a right to an opinion. I repeat, my guess is that Trump is under major pressure to start a major war. Interpret this speculation as you wish. Defence of Trump? So let me see if I understand. A high level assassination of an Iranian general in a foreign country – no less, was what? The whim of a foolish individual? This is the claim? Or a major major conspiracy? There are legions of trolls on the internet. It is very stale, boring, I would usually not even respond to this kind of infantile nonsense, but the issue is too serious to let even this kind of foolishness go without a reply. Keep them coming. In the meantime, I have no doubt – there have been enough indications – that this was planned for a long time. We are beginning to see the real reason Trump was placed in the White House, & I repeat that I doubt Trump has the basic two cents in his brain to know why he is there. This reminds me a little of those who claimed back in 1999 when Serbia was bombed – which was an indirect attack on Russia & understood by certain authorities in Moscow to be the case – that this was a “wag the dog” scenario for Clinton to save himself from the Lewinsky scandal. How nonsensical that seems today. Same here. Those that wish to believe Trump ordered an Iranian general to be murdered because he had nothing better to do that day – well, they are entitled to their opinion, they are not entitled to try to force that opinion on anyone else.
Imho this is why they need a war. The US stockmarket..
http://thegreatrecession.info/blog/relentless-road-to-recession-2/
Trump in his unrivaled ignorance and out sized arrogance has overreached himself and by extension America has overreached itself. He has allowed himself to be played once too often by the Israelis, in his confrontation with Iran – something Obama managed to avoid in his 8 years in office.
Solemanei was a brave and honorable soldier. We now await the reaction of the Supreme Leader and Hassan Nasrallah,
Selah
It has been confirmed, Trump personally ordered the strike to kill Soleimani. I am – for the first time in 30 odd years – bloody speechless.
SOURCE PLEASE
Just read it on Sputnik & Press TV.
BBC have confirmed it as well.
I wouldn’t put it past him to order it, but equally I could see him endorsing it after the fact. Q: What do you do when word gets that you assassinate a top general– whether or not it was actually you? A: Tweet the image of the US flag: ‘Merica!
Stupid and disrespectful as far as peace and stability goes. Perhaps this is meant as a segue from the “best economy in 60 years” into something else. “It’s all part of a plan,” so we are told.
RT just reported that the Iranians confirmed Suleiman’s death. The Iraqi leadership is as good as dead now that the US demeans them thus. Their choice is to call for all foreign troops to leave immediately and for a popular uprising to do so and at least their deaths will be meaningful and possibly heroic. Depends.
Thanks for keeping us up to date. The deep state just cut their own throat with this move. Totally stupid.
They killed two or three Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commanders in Syria and Gaza about a month ago. Obviously the result of some newly formulated regional strategy. There’s a hadith that says Armageddon (i.e. World War 3) will be triggered immediately following a string of assassinations.
Earlier, in a comment to the post of yestarday we warned this was highly possible. I m shocked!
Here is something from Fox news confirming Trump ordered the hit on Gen. Qassim Soleimani.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/rockets-baghdad-airport-injuries-reported
Another from Zero Hedge with a DoD statement.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/rocket-attack-shuts-down-baghdad-airport-after-joint-us-iraqi-base-targeted
Putin just thanked Trump a few days ago for sharing intelligence on a planned terrorist attach in Russia. Trump will be signing the trade pact with Xi in two weeks. Come on, are you all blind !! Trump picked the right time to stick it to the Iranians, only a few days after the three-nation naval exercise in the Persian Gulf.
Let’s see Iran’s two “Eastern Allies”, i.e., China and Russia, really got some balls (or not).
You made a good point there, but again, such direction would start WW3.
I know Russians and Chinese won’t do it, not because it is a matter of balls, but responsibility.
I wish someone could take out doomsday toys form infantile US brass. The whole world would be much happier place than it is now.
It is about balls. The whole world keeps it’s head down and walking on eggshells so not to infuriate the lunatic in the room.
Russia and China should know that this can be their generals tomorrow. And it surely will be if this keeps going.
And I’m not buying the whole empire imploding thing, that’s just overthinking. Basically there is a mad nation without restraint or empathy.
I say the hell with it. I say it’s a paper tiger that once its satellites are shot out of the sky it will not know how to fight any real war. I say strike hard on Saudi oil to begin with and US bases in reach. Be the first one to strike. If Russia and China sit this out then to hell with them as well – at least Iran should make a defiant stand while it still can. Serbia held out for 78 days, Iran must be able to go much longer and deal real damage.
Strike now Iran, strike hard and lets get this dance over with. The world thirsts for the blood of the hegemon.
“… Trump picked the right time to stick it to the Iranians, only a few days after the three-nation naval exercise in the Persian Gulf. …”
Quite so.
And if I was an Iranian now, I certainly would not count on either one of my two dear “Eastern Allies” (:-)), they think only of $$$ profits, whencesoever these may come…
Why don’t you at least choose an identity or identify yourself instead of hiding behind ‘anonymous’? There are already far too many cowards in the west orchestrating the destruction of nations while they sit at a desk in their expensive suits and spew out lies and lying propaganda to justify their deeds, And there are too many zombies who cheer on their pontificating. I don’t fully understand how anyone can still believe them, but from several comments here it is obvious that some do.
How can you make such an ignorant statement that Iran’s eastern allies only care about money? This is once again the lies of the empire attributing to others what they themselves are guilty of doing
We are looking at the potential for WW3 here and I am certain this time we won’t be watching this war on CNN as we munch on chips while drinking beer.
Do you understand this?
Well put Eastern Bystander,
You’ll see that China is too weak and feckless to do anything other than verbal protestations. But they are also over a barrel, the US trade war has hurt China badly and if there’s a hot US-Iran war, then the straights of Hormuz will be closed and China’s oil supply will be cut-off.
Russia, on the other hand, will likely be restrained but this is less predictable than people here think. Russia doesn’t t have direct interest in this fight unless they make the projection that it will come to their shores if they don’t nip the problem now.
Nether Russia or China can allow Iran to fall. It’s strategic position and massive energy resources cannot be allowed to fall into US hands. If that happens then the belt road initiative is dead. I think the Russia and China, short of boots on the ground will provide Iran with massive supplied of advanced weaponry if a shooting war starts. They will also provide intelligence on US troop and navel movements.
The US may well find itself with another Vietnam on its hands.
@ Field Du Boulay
“… another Vietnam …”
Yes, quite a plausible scenario indeed.
On the other hand, we must keep in mind that, quite unlike in the 1960s-1970s:
a) Russia today is a thoroughly and unashamedly capitalist country, whose charming regime represents & rests squarely on shoulders of its own super-rich parasites of its own people, and not a(n at least declared) “champion of peoples’ liberations” from olden times, while
(b) likewise, Xi is “no Mao” by any stretch of phantasy (it has been indeed a long, long time since Deng Xiaoping has “taken the capitalist road”…)
Oh agree that Russia will supply weapons and force multipliers galore, not sure how China would be able to physically get supplies to Iran or whether they would even do so (given their complete capitulation to Trump in his tariff war). Iran is also a buffer state on Russia’s vulnerable southern flank.
I agree, you are right that if both these major powers were thinking straight they’d understand Iran falling would have existential implications for them. If Iran had any brains they’d direct their gas into the Russian nat gas pipeline network and same they should have done for oil, but their stubbornness and unwillingness to pay the financial cost for these is hurting them now (when you live in a dangerous neighborhood you should pay for insurance and redundancy).
This is Trump’s master stroke that will drive a wedge among the three member nations of the anti-US axis that just concluded their joint naval exercise in the Persian Gulf only a few days ago. Trump would certainly like to see how real this alliance is, and I can’t think of anything more powerful and bedazzling to do to accomplish this strategic objective. The response, not only from Iran, but also from China and Russian, will be telling.
As a real estate mogul, Trump’s timing is, more often than not, on the mark. Only days ago, Putin called and thanked Trump for sharing intelligence on a planned terrorist attack in Russia, and in two weeks, he will be signing the trade pact with Xi. I can’t imagine a better time for him to do this, although doing this in the first few days of a new decade certainly doesn’t bode well for the world peace (small wonder that he admonished Melania for uttering world peace as her new year wish a few days ago).
As a Trump supporter, my sympathy is actually with the Iranians this time, and with the assassinated general
in particular, a real warrior with a stern and manly face that elicits awe and admiration. While the act may be immoral, the underlying geopolitical struggle belongs to the realm of amorality. The simple fact is that the general shouldn’t have been on Iraqi soil, given that his organization was declared by the US (however wrongly) as a terrorist organization. Just this fact by itself will give the US all kinds of propaganda advantage in the wake of this event. If nothing else, Iran, and more importantly, her two major allies, cannot really react forcefully as the Iranian territory has not been infringed or attacked. This is clearly a strategic blunder committed by the Iranians, and Trump as usual took full advantage of it in a timely manner. All those years of dealing and wheeling in NYC real estate must have taught Trump something valuable, and perhaps even prepared him well for such a moment.
Well, if Trump really wants to pick a fight with the Persians, I certainly hope he knows about Crassus, another real-estate-mogul-turn-statesman in the first Roman Triumvirate. With the nation’s debt at 22 trillions and counting, I am not sure our republic can survive a 21st-century battle of Carrhae. God bless the USA and the world !
Why should God bless the USA?
Yes, why should God bless the united states of evil? God should pour all the fire and sulphur that can be found in the universe into that accursed nation, the united states of evil. All of its people are equally complicit of this murder of a great general. After the fire, God should pour all the salt that can be found in the universe on that accursed nation, the united states of evil. Then that’s the time the world will know real peace. No more united states of evil. Peace and goodwill to all men.
The simple fact is that the general shouldn’t have been on Iraqi soil, given that his organization was declared by the US (however wrongly)
The General had more right to be on Iraqi soil as an ally fighting ISIS than the USA as an enemy, funding, arming and training them.
Being declared a terrorist organization by the US has no bearing on what, who and how Iraq and Iran co-operate.
Yeah, I see…
“This girl knew there were rapers around… why did she use so short clothes?”
Sounds like the usual “blame the victim” kind of arguments. There was no secrecy about Soleimani attending the funeral. US, like no one, has permission to kill. This was just a cold blood assassination. So, is it the reality US want to impose to the world now? Imagine how dangerous just became attending a UN meeting somewhere… US can use drones to kill at will and give any superficial excuse so?
What I find very good is all the media in ME is referring to this act as an assassination…
“The simple fact is that the general shouldn’t have been on Iraqi soil, given that his organization was declared by the US (however wrongly) as a terrorist organization.”
What a telling slip of a tongue. In other words, the whole planet has to obey US orders or they are calling punishment on themselves (yeah, it is wrong, but it is still their fault, they should obey US orders and they would be safe).
Wrong doers are in a different direction, in a fascist US state, their embassies and military.
yeah boy;that parasitic financial savagery wheelin-dealin prepared your neanderthal for such a moment tocoit more murder, possibly of millions, something to brag about alright.
boy are you lost.
They don’t. They don’t have allies.
In the first instance Russia and China need do nothing except to condemn the murder of General Soleimani in formal terms.
No doubt they will be informed – on a need-to-know basis – of Iran’s plans for retribution.
It would be most logical to strike the Americans in the only place where they are able to feel pain – in their wallets. Look for strange things to happen to American stock markets, fuel prices, etc.
Trump and everyone else associated with this atrocity WILL be blamed.
stupid Americans closed the Hormuz strait with a drone attack.
USA economy is about to implode within a month or two.
Get ready for WWIII. Head for the bunkers. Deep state going wild.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/01/03/iraq-rockets-fired-at-baghdad-airport-7-people-killed/
More updates from commentators on Moon of Alabama:
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2020/01/what-will-the-trump-administration-do-when-iraq-asks-us-troops-to-leave.html#comments
Trump Orders Killing of Top Iranian General Qassim Suleimani in Baghdad
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/world/middleeast/qassem-soleimani-iraq-iran-attack.html
As much as I hate to admit it, it was only a matter of time before the hawks in Washington did something this stupid.
I worry that this is an “Archduke Ferdinand” type event.
very astute comment. It is similar, although Soleimani was greater even than JFK…
My thought exactly
Pentagon: Iran’s Gen. Soleimani killed in airstrike at Baghdad airport
https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/pentagon-iran-s-gen-soleimani-killed-in-airstrike-at-baghdad-airport-1.613351
Mr. Saker,the Pentagon sent out an e-mail to the news media.
This means war. The genie is out of the bottle and can not be put back inside. This is like the hours right after Pearl Harbor. I think the only real question is what type of war comes. The easiest path for Iran would simply be to arm Iraqi resistance forces and give Washington a new, costly quagmire in Iraq. This seems to be the most likely outcome to me. But it is, of course, always possible that something more dramatic might happen…
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001031077925494-iran-vows-retaliation-following-death-of-irgc-commander-soleimani—senior-military-officer/
Looks like game on.
It is hard to accept that my country’s leadership did indeed condone such a hideous murder. Were we not taught that two wrongs do not make right? Is there no such thing as military ethics, gentlemanly conduct, and the Christian way, the principals of which formed the backbone of this great republic? I have been disgusted at the insanity of Trump-hate, but Trump has TOTALLY lost any moducum of support from me if indeed he sanctioned this murder. I simply don’t understand the hate-mongering for Iranian people. They are in my experience wonderful family-loving people and are easily given to kindness. My sincere condolences to the good people of Iran and the families of the those killed in this attack.
“It is hard to accept that my country’s leadership did indeed condone such a hideous murder”.
Dear AdamO, it is time to admit that your country’s “leadership” is controlled by vicious, psychopathic criminals.
America is not, and has never been a Christian country. She was formed by Deists, Protestants and Freemasons. She has her her only religion which is Americanism. Pope Leo XIII condemned her for this: Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae, Concerning New Opinions, Virtue, Nature and Grace, With Regard to Americanism. She worships at the altar of the Golden Calf which one might call Zionism. Uncle Schmuel is the bitch.
Vengeance is mine says the Lord.
finally at 72 i will have lived to see the US put a gun to their head and pull the trigger……amazed it took this long…..!!!!
The arrogance of America’s ruling class was their undoing.
The problem is that it won’t just be them going down. They are going to take an awful lot of people with them.
I hope that I live out the year but I have to be honest – none of us may live out this year.
Lindsey Graham The High Priest of Neoconservatives is on twitter threatening that USA will attack Iranian Oil Refineries
https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1212933800914755584?s=20
Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif has released an ominous statement on twitter:
https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1212946202280579073?s=20
There was recently a report that Gerasimov has noted a big build up of NATO forces and that “they are planning for something big”.
Could it be for this? Could the first attack that killed one contractor have been a False Flag with the totally disproportional response by US killing the Iraq border police and servicemen, have been part of the False Flag build up to this?
https://southfront.org/nato-is-preparing-for-large-scale-conflict-russian-chief-of-general-staff/
And if US launch a major attack on Iran, an ally of Russia and close to her, thus risking another Libya, what might Putin and Russia do?? Can they afford to just let US destroy Iran – are we looking at a US – Russia confrontation here?
@ Pamela
“they are planning for something big”
Yes, quite possible. For building up forces to such an extent could hardly be just for show. We can only wait and see.
As for what Putin and Russia might “do” if US launch a major attack on Iran … my guess is: absolutely nothing. (As usual, Putin would only instruct Lavrov and Zakharova to make a lot of public noise, while himself sit back and think of other “pressing problems” … such as gas pipeline moneys and all. I.e., as some of our co-commenters would say, he would “act responsibly”… :-))
And what do you think Mr Putin should do, Anonymous?
It’s the classic problem of being locked in a room with a chimp who is holding a hand grenade.
Tom,
as a Kleptocratic Capitalist, Putin should do absolutely nothing.
The Russian rich have stolen proportionately more than the US rich from their countrymen.
They are doing very nicely, thanks.
What do you think he should do?
Anon coward, i hope your grandparents and parents are proud that their offspring is paid to spread lies online by one of the most bloodthirsty cleptocratic rouge terrorstate in entire world.
The shame would have literally killed all my grandparents and made my family shun me if i betrayed them and disappointed them like you.
Per.
Norge
Pentagon report: https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2049534/statement-by-the-department-of-defense/source/GovDelivery/
Ann Watson got it right:
WTF was he doing at that airport …. both men are so vital to the fight against Satan.
I would say this is the question of the hour for sure and surely the Iranian government biggest blunder by far. Soleimani being a top general has had a target painted on his back for years and especially so over the last 6 months. I doubt very much the Americans didn’t know his every move and what he had for breakfast, lunch and dinner and he’s where and doing what? Travelling around organizing God only knows what?
Yep, this is the question – what is a top general of the Iranian army doing at the Iraq airport?
my understanding is that he was not right at the airport but near the airport – I guess he needed to coordinate the retaliation of the Iraqi battalion strikes. Also I would like to share this from an Iranian –
” Iran has many millions Qassem Soleimani the great martyr, the soul of resistance against Western imperialism. ❤️✊✊
This was something that many of us knew it is going to happen.
That is why he was called by Ayatollah Khamenei the living martyr.
Nevertheless, his lost is like a very deep wound in the heart of not only Iranian revolutionaries but also all those who are part of International resistance against the western hegemony.
We have to remember that the martyr Qassem Soleimani was looking forward to being a Martyr and also remember that his death and blood as he and all other martyrs wish is going to strengthen the resistance and will produce many more brave men and women who will fill their places.
for the same reason, all of us should be even more united and stronger in defeating the evil of western imperialism and the Zionist/Wahhabi criminals. “
milan, General Soleimani had the same rights as any other person to travel freely – to and within Iraq or anywhere else.
The Iranian government would presumably have thought that even the Washington creatures would not stoop so low, or take such desperate risks, as to murder a defenceless senior officer whose status – informally at least – was quasi-diplomatic.
Now they have been proved wrong. Well, it is a truism that no person in the whole world can be rendered immune from murder. No one.
The only question is: what will be the price?
@Tom
True enough but since that aircraft carrier arrived in the waters off Iran’s coast didn’t things change a bit?
Next to that I’m sure the entire Middle East has been mapped and is on constant surveillance by Satellites in space. A dung beetle can’t scurry across the sand without the Americans seeing it in full high resolution 1080 P resolution. For a man like Qassem Soleimani to even think about travelling around freely I think was a grave error on his part.
Whatever the case Stalin was wrong the best revolutionary is not a youth with no morals but rather a jihadist and like another commentator said here Iran, Iraq and other Arab nations has millions, tens of millions of them.
Yeah, ouch I say!
Trump no question a fool for doing this.
what bothers me more though is this nonsense reported here:
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/141053/report-trump-and-netanyahu-finalize-pact-to-be-military-allies-in-gog-and-magog/
I hear that Americans are preparing for war games in Europe in the coming months?
Do they really believe that a third world war has to happen before the Jewish messiah arrives? How strongly does Trump believe this utter nonsense? Who is feeding him this bullcarp etc etc etc?
How do we stop this nonsense of Gog and Magog?
Magog is in modern-day Turkey, not Russia.
Well, the first and easiest thing Iran will do is to close the straits of Hormuz. Nothing to lose from Iran’s point of view. Then they can take their time plotting revenge while the western economies crater. The US truly has shit for brains.
True Iran has nothing to lose from closing the straight except indirectly.
The Chinese economy will be hit as well. It get’s most of it’s oil from there while USA gets none of it’s oil from there.
If Iran wants to truly f… the global economy it can attempt to bomb the panama and Suez canals in a surely suicide mission.
I expect the state of Iran to first morn the loss of General Qasem Soleimani. Then the people of Iran will defeat the American military and bring down the house of Saudi. It’s the only a choice for Iran, it is to hobble the empire permanently or suffer from its impending full attack. I suggest that the Iranian forces get kinetic quickly with the American Navy sinking the fleet in and around the Persian Gulf and simultaneously sack the house of Saudi. And furthermore do this while on current naval exercises with Russia and China. The USA is an in your face fascist state inside and out. It’s everyone’s responsibility to defeat the forces of fascism. As ugly as war is, it is the action of the USA that makes war inevitable. A hard reality is settling upon us, a reality that can no longer be avoided. Those who perpetuate and profit from war are those who have the most to lose, the US military industrial complex is a criminal syndicate. That syndicate includes all branches of the US government.
Update: https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2020/01/03/615232/US-red-lines
Quote:
Hessamoddin Ashena, adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that Washington has “passed red lines” and will “have to face its consequences”.
The presidential adviser added that United States President Donald Trump has pushed Washington into the “most dangerous regional circumstances”.
I suggest calm.
The hyperbole media will echo around venting steam for a week and then it will be the next great distraction etc.
It is indeed serious, but not the WW3 end of the world scenario, imo.
The US empire is struggling and military industrial complex chaffing at the bit.
I’d suggest a General is just another casualty in the ongoing drama.
He will be replaced by others — and the system as a whole is the resilience capacity.
If Iran is strategic they will take the hit and deploy their most valuable strategic weapon — time and patience.
The USA Western economy is doing quite well killing itself and the underlying capitalist/corporatist/fascist ideology. No need to help. Just sit tight and watch and wave.
If there is a retaliation hit, then it will probably be delivered to the Saudi regime for forwarding to little Jarrad of Arabia via MbE. Netanyahu will seek to cream off any value he can to keep his pre-jail status as ‘leader’ of the stolen lands.
Otherwise, oil will rise a little and reduce domestic losses on shale etc.
Trump has publicly embraced the dark side (was it ever any different?) — and now is competing with the Black Assassin and his Tuesday Kill List. Probably crowing that he’s hit a bigger target than Obama ever did etc.
I suspect the political calculus is such that if Iran strikes back then war in the lead up to Nov 2020 will be managed as a win-win for Trump with lots of shock&awe media value and very few boots on the ground.
If the Straits of Hormuz are closed then it is a re-run of the Oct 1973 Arab Oil embargo scenario (in economic market effect) around Oct/Nov for obvious reasons. China’s energy line is held hostage and who in the Democrat Dept has any leadership credibility to oppose Trump? None, baring perhaps Mrs (giggle) “He Died…” Killary Hinton. And that is a wedge as well, for any who definitely DO NOT want war.
So, Trump gets another four years either way and he looks like he’s trying to be restrained and only responding to provocation etc. This is major psyops in progress. Just stick with the popcorn and watch, imo.
While on the general direction I am in agreement with your comment, I do believe it is quite a bit more complex considering internal Iranian politics, and external economical considerations for Iran.
In a direct military confrontation, Iran will suffer badly – that can not be the aim of the political leadership, hence they will not start a war. There are however many small areas of potentially costly attacks possible, and Iran has the home team advantage – I predict no large scale shooting war, but a thousand tiny cuts…….
I every sad day for freedom and democracy.
Hi Peter,
you wrote ‘In a direct military confrontation, Iran will suffer badly’. Agreed; however the question is whether Russia, or China for that matter, will decide to stand steadfast as allies at this point. This assassination is clearly an act of war designed to provoke escalation. Russia and China may be thinking enough is enough and feel justified in a demonstration of deadly force. There is no question that Russia has been repeatedly provoked and threatened. They may feel it is time for some payback for the deaths of comrades and kinsmen and women in the Ukraine? Also, let us not forget that Iran is a country of more than 80 million people that can deploy military assets / personnel in a very mountainous terrain just like the Mujahideen in Afghanistan.
Good comment, cool heads indeed need to prevail. The idea seems to force Iran to retaliate against US and finally get both engaged in a serious conflict for the benefit of Israel… but what if the retaliation is not directed against US, but against Israel itself?
Other option Iran has is not to retaliate at all, as you say. This is not the first Iranian killed by the US or the Zionists and sadly it will not be the last. Most importantly, the provocation should not attain its desired goal.
@Anonymous Jan 02, 11:28pm.
I think your analysis is quite good, and I hope you’re right about this blowing over. And you bring up an excellent point that if there is a hot war and the straights of Hormuz are closed its going hurt China the most and it will keep the shale oil ponzi scheme and using this ‘, domestic’ oil asset as collateral for their capital leverage scheme running a while longer.
The usa is insulated from being shut off from crude oil but China is extremely vulnerable, one would have to seriously irrational to not see that. This complicated matters.
The US is not immune to higher oil prices. Oil is a global commodity. Higher Brent crude means higher US crude. US consumers pay the price. It can take Trump out of office, potentially.
I suspect that Iran will calculate that it just has to fight back somehow. I think they know the mind of their enemy. If US gets away with this assassination, and Iran does nothing, it will embolden them to go further. We know how the “minds” of the Regime work. They want a “Regime change” in Iran. If they think they can attack more leaders, they will. I would say that, if Iran doesn’t do something to stop them now, then all they’ve done is kick the can down the road – and finally they’ll have to do something when it’s big, and they may be weakened. Better to put a stop to the Empire in the ME now.
I notice along with the General as “Saker Man of the Year 2015” Saker picked the Novorussian Zacharchenko. Also now dead, assassinated because of the Empire. Two great men, now gone. Somehow these psychopaths have to be stopped and soon.
I totally agree. Strategic patience is at this point just a green light for more attacks. The chimp in the room holding a grenade (the best description of the US in foreign affairs) cannot be further overcome in any way with strategic patience.
Everybody would lose in the big war but not until Washington is in rubble will anything change. The chimp must be disarmed at all cost otherwise we become more of a hostage each day.
Prayers for the innocent. Lord have mercy and protect good souls from the evil which has been unleashed. On Monday, I told a dear friend serious conflict will soon ensue.
If the Duran and other supposed truth tellers, do not finally condemn this degenerate beast of a man, you’ll know they are far more sinister than the paid shills in the legacy media. For they have the trust of the those who strive for a better world.
I am disgusted with myself, for my role in helping him get elected. But I realized my foolishness soon after his win. All the key contributors, truly good men and women, responsible for his ascension, were immediately removed from influence. Well before Flynn was fed to the hyenas. No decent person has any excuse for defending this scum.
“I am disgusted with myself, for my role in helping him get elected”.
US citizens have no good choice, for they do not live in a democracy or even a republic.
There is no good candidate to vote for – except perhaps Tulsi Gabbard. The parties will not allow any half-decent candidate to be nominated.
The only good outcome would be for all US elections without exception to be 100% ignored by citizens. No one at all should vote.
Iran was not attacked. I say no war coming.
1. Iran will mourn General Soleimani and use the time to contemplate next steps. There won’t be any hasty response.They will wait and study Iraqi response and developments. Yes, red lines have been crossed.
2. He was assassinated while a guest of Iraqis. His mission could have been anything – messenger, envoy, advisor, mediator,… he was not the only ‘General’/VIP to pass through that airport.
3. Maybe, the Iraqis still have the will to fight and not forgive their occupiers for this national humiliation. General Soleimani may still achieve his goals.
3. His assassination highlights the sad state of Iraqi sovereignty. There is no sovereignty if you do not control the skies above (and the seas/borders around)
Nonsense… General Suleimani was not an ordinary person – he was the most valuable fighter against terrorism in the region. And he was victim of a targeted assassination, not simply an ordinary bombing. His killing was premeditated, planned: AN ACT OF WAR AGAINST IRAN, Iraq shamefully being used as the place of the crime…
Iran knows who gives the USSA its marching orders. Look for a reprisal against Israel. Just my SWAG.
Could this be a plan to save Netanyahu from trial? IOW a war or a heating up of hostilities in the region could theoretically delay Israel’s third election in less than a year, all because the Israeli psychopathic leader is terrified of prison? Far-fetched? Nothing is too far-fetched for the Jews.
The assassination of Suleimani is not “merely” an assassination: it is also an act of supreme blasphemy. When a rival power assassinates political and military leaders, the entire nation is attacked. It is an attack against the right of self-defense and therefore an attack on the right to life.
But life and the right to life come from God and we are behoven to promote life.
Thus this heinous act therefore falls into the category of blasphemy, an evil the punishment for which is death itself, a punishment not necessarily from a court of law, but from God Himself.
2020. Jan 1 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of corruption, wants to be protected from law enforcement by Parliament. He applied to the President of the Knesset for immunity.
2020. Jan 2 – Gen Shen Yi-ming, the chief of general staff of Taiwan’s armed forces, was confirmed dead after the Black Hawk helicopter that he was aboard crashed in a mountainous region near Taipei during heavy rains.
2020.Jan 2 – The Pentagon confirms it assassinated the chief of Iran’s Quds Force, Major-General Qassem Soleimani, in a US drone strike over Baghdad airport.
Are these events related?
The most serious of contrived debacles usually have several action points. General Qassem Soleimani’s assassination could have been arranged several times in the past but those opportunities were not acted upon, so why now?
A dramatic response by Iran will certainly be used to assist Netanyahu to get re-elected in the coming Israeli election on March 2, and his corruption immunity proceedings won’t continue in the Knesset until sometime later in the month. Zionists everywhere will be rejoicing.
I fervently hope that the Iranian leadership draws upon all their wisdom to navigate a course that gets them their revenge without enabling WW III.
I think it’s time for the Xiita Muslims in Middle East to face they unvoidable destin: destroy Israel and Saudi Arabia.
I tnink that they are prepared now, and will be highly supported by Russia and China, to go against the Saudis and the Israelis with all their force and let Destin to decide the final.
It’s now or in the near future, makes no difference, it’s unavoidable!!
Starting now with all their force will give them the advantage of surprise and the backing of Russia and China will help them to face the angloamerican retaliation.
And if comes to nukes China has said that a nuke on Iran is a nuke in China.
So, why wait? Wait for what?? What can Iran expect to come from Israel, Saudi Arabia, América and England??
No worries Antonio, The Quran and our Prophet foretold our victory against both 1400 years ago! The only thing that can defeat us is to stray from the path of resistance, this is the warning of The Quran to us too!
I would have thought that the smart response would be to orchestrate the storming of the US Embassy in Baghdad.
The current protests outside the Embassy walls have been loud and aggressive, but were remarkably restrained as the protestors made a point of being unarmed.
OK, so arm ’em. Tell them to overrun the compound, and if that means a pitched battle with hundreds of US Marines, well, so be it. There were Marines at Benghazi too, and that Embassy went up in flames.
Sacking the US Embassy in Baghdad would be a humiliation of the Americans, and the Iranians can simply look puzzled, shrug their shoulders and say “Nah, we are as surprised as you guys”.
The clever reaction from Iran will be: none, while sending all nuclear inspectors home, pulling out of the IAEA and start the hell getting its nukes in place. Thsi is the only warranty to be safe, as the case of North Korea shows.
Agree about the nukes.
Basically I agree wholesale, IF the reaction is nothing. Then yes, go full nuclear.
“”will” on January 02, 2020 · at 11:33 pm EST/EDT
Iran was not attacked. I say no war coming.”
This. Calm down. A popular and charismatic general officer was killed. It happens. In this berg, all is calm, the air raid sirens have not gone off, the streets are not full of soldiers and sailors hustling hither and yon, the usual 07:30 trumpets blew at the various bases around harbor for morning formation. Again, all is calm.
Never forget. Revenge is a dish best served cold. For those of you who wish, call for, scream for, instant attack, then by all means, clap your helmet on your head, grab your sword, saddle up and have at it. Those of us with experience will sit back and watch, as I and my bride are doing. When our city is locked down, then and only then is it serious. At this time, the butcher has just called to tell us he got some el primo meat. We’ll be leaving shortly for his little shop on Bogdanova.
Auslander
Author http://rhauslander.com/
Never The Last One https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521849056 A deep look in to Russia, her culture and her Armed Forces, in essence a look at the emergence of Russian Federation.
Sevastopol, The Third Defense. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1698430825 Book 1, A Premonition. Set against a backdrop of real events and real places, the reader is left to filter fact from fiction.
“UPDATE4: The Donald just posted this on Twitter: it’s as good as any confirmation” – An image of the american flag.
“UPDATE6: according to this source, this is an email from the Pentagon “At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization,” the Department of Defense said in an emailed statement.“
I’ll let you know when Red Army Sevastopol is activated. Until then, no crisis in this AO.
Auslander
“UPDATE6: according to this source, this is an email from the Pentagon “At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization,” ”
I take UPDATE6 to mean that the Pentagon is dumping this in Trump’s lap.
As in: This was not our idea, we advised against it, but a Presidential order is a Presidential Order. Blame him, don’t blame us.
It is truly difficult to assess the loss to Iran and the people of the ME. Gen. Soleimani was one of the greatest military geniuses of this era. Anytime the schemes of the empire were thwarted in the ME, you could bet Gen. Soleimani had a hand in it. He can not be replaced. My condolences to his nation and his family. Brave to a fault, humble to the core, a true leader has died the death of a warrior. A hero!
Mr Saker is probably correct in saying that the Iranians will carefully analyze the situation. Furthermore, it is in Russia’s and China’s interests to insist that they do that.
In simple terms, why is this happening? Because the West is losing and the East is winning, and the West is running out of options. Such events are a sign of the West’s weakness, not its strength. So, why would the East respond in the affirmative to the West’s request for a war that might change the situation? The odds are probably 80-20 that they won’t. At least they haven’t so far.
However, asymmetric responses *are* likely because pretenses of restraint have been removed. And (ironically) it’s clearly in the East’s “defensive” interests to preemptively kick out the props holding up the West in the region. There are likely a lot of soft targets, and it’s probably going to get expensive for the West at a time when the West cannot afford it.
Unfortunately, these won’t be good times for those of us living in the West.
Perhaps it has taken driving the world this close to “midnight” to stir the American people;
https://www.answercoalition.org/national_action_us_troops_out_of_iraq?fbclid=IwAR0J7euRXTGkaLTl7MA1JKSP-zHLbYzTBJ5OG9Pjlcq8oOcnV1bSmWcB4t8
Here’s hoping enough mass in the streets to get their message across – and that their numbers grow.
We’ve certainly been waiting a long time to see it.
The assassination of Qasem Soleimani was not in response to the attack of the u.s. forces that killed some low life merc. Nor is it a response to the embassy protests. It was a coldly calculated assassination of opportunity. Planned and prepped to be done when they saw an opportunity. They saw their chance to do it, through intelligence gathered on the general’s movements, the zionazi-gays did it. Very israeli of them. Very trump of them.
Iran has been dodging assassination attempts on this man for years, but there are weekly reports (or even more often) of assassination attempts lately. It is sad it was in Iraq. But there it is. It would not have happened in Iran. But Iraq is still weak from the past decades.
This is what Elijah Megnier a veteran ME journalist just posted:
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1212966187157663748.html
Iran won’t retaliate and risk aerial bombing of it’s nation and people, unless it has the backing of Russia and China with who Iran just completed, or unless the US escalates provocation on Russia and China, or, Israel the wild card does something stupid with Hamas or Hezbullah or Syria that drags US into a regional war.only God Almighty knows best!
USA has already “escalates provocation on Russia and China”.
Read the msg carefully! (preferbly not w USSA filter)
…and look for a systemic ‘triggers’ to all of it.
This is not the usual-suspect US-BS LONE ‘gunman’ syndrome.
p/s airport is a special status ‘place’. bomb an airport?! HA!
The more I look the more I am incline to speculate its smth to do with the GOLD-responses…
If true – the implication is YUGE!
Like seriously 02 day of 01 month of 20.20 year? Some timing hey?
CNY officially start on 25th Jan
and some Taiwan military top guy was ‘met with accident’ too – he was supposedly solely responsible for escape plan for Tsai (US-puppet) should something else happen – and their election is on 11th Jan… and the circus already turn into a bloody fightclub with all the black ops going in daylight (clearly w USSA fingerprints)
The show, if happen in very short order, could be that – taiwan goes back to the mother’s proximity – then HK is snuffed out w/out a sound – then the money market in the east is ‘cleansed’ – then the money market in the west is ???
Perhaps why your boss took out the no.3 – the third leg? so brazenly without even going to congress for debate and permission! Some rule of law hey?! even Barry looks like a saint now!
Whats the msg here one should read?
This is equivalent to taking out Shoigu or CCP military brass, and they will, if they think they can get away with it! This is beyond batshitcrazy! This is shouting a non-human ‘calculations’ I don’t have enough sleep and dream time to figure out its real meaning…
What now?
The US desperately needs a major foreign war to cover other catastrophic imminent events , such as:
1) Final complete failure of the oil/nat gas fracking ponzi scheme, which has never generated any returns to its investors, thus eliminating the last possibility for a growth positive collateral for the debt-based fiat Dollar, which in turn leads to,
2) the final and complete failure of the Federal Reserve banking system, which in turn leads to
3) declaration of martial law across the United States during a time in which citizens and foreign nations fail to recognize the legitimacy of the american leadership at all levels, which in turn leads to
4) suspension of Rule of Law in the US, riots, uprisings, free fire zones, which in turn leads to
5) a series of actions and reactions which might be called a US Civil War.
The US desperately needs a major foreign war to cover other catastrophic imminent events , such as:
1) Final complete failure of the oil/nat gas fracking ponzi scheme, which has never generated any returns to its investors, thus eliminating the last possibility for a growth positive collateral for the debt-based fiat Dollar, which in turn leads to,
2) the final and complete failure of the Federal Reserve banking system, which in turn leads to
3) declaration of martial law across the United States during a time in which citizens and foreign nations fail to recognize the legitimacy of the american leadership at all levels, which in turn leads to
4) suspension of Rule of Law in the US, riots, uprisings, free fire zones, which in turn leads to
5) a series of actions and reactions which might be called a US Civil War.
I am highlighting your comment because it raises a critical point.
America’s actions to escalate its war on Iran with this assassination of General Soleimani are not insane but rather make perfect “sense” (from its own warped viewpoint) in that the USA desperately needs to foment a major war as a geopolitical cover for other looming catastrophes.
Indeed, some analysts have suggested that the 9-11 Reichstag Fire and subsequent (bogus) War on Terrorism were launched for somewhat similar reasons to delay an imminent Wall Street financial crash in 2001–which eventually occurred in 2008 with the catalyst of the Lehman Brothers implosion.
Have a look at the recent maps showing “2A” (Second Amendment) Sanctuaries in the US. The Deplorables and other Dirt People already understand very clearly that the Imperial Architects of Genocide want them murdered as well, and that disarmament is the often repeated historical next step towards that goal.
However, with Iran as a newly minted and imminently threatening enemy, the Deplorables might well concede their rights and join ranks lead by their future murderers out of some weird sense of patriotic duty in order to vanquish an artificially and intentionally generated “greater enemy of freedom and democracy” called Iran.
The timing is not arbitrary. Read Lew Rockwell’s article “Federal Reserve Will Pump Half a Trillion Dollars in One Month/ A Sign of Sheer Panic.” The system is very very close to spontaneous catastrophic failure. And there is no fail safe. No more QE, or Not-QE, or Not-Not-QE. This will be it.
And if after The Final Crash the American people do not have a foreign, notorious scapegoat to blame and to wage war upon, then they will most likely turn inward kill, gut and quarter their own leadership. Therefore that leadership will do the only thing they know how to do: War Without End.
Anonymous
What you have written is correct. However, bear in mind what analysts have been writing for years, namely that the old bankers trick of taking you to war every time finances are facing a crash will not work any more, as the US has neither the manufacturing base nor resources to fight a wider regional war. When the US went to war aainst Iraq in 2003, it had to borrow money to fight the war. However, the noecons in the US are incapable of grasping these facts, still living in the past. Thats what makes the situation very dangerous.
Trump and the Pentagon both have Iran Derangement Syndrome. He and they have no idea what they are getting into. Pepe Escobar said a few months ago that Iran should declare its half of Hormuz a War Zone. Under those circumstances no insurance company would insure any ship going thru the Strait.
I hope this isn’t the war that ends all wars.
Iran, imo, will consult with its major partners before making a move. Will it be left to fend for itself? The entire Eurasian project is at risk here.
Doing nothing is not in the cards. The entire world knows this. The US is stomping around the ME like a bull in a China shop. This is a calculated move on its part. If unchecked, expect more of the same and worse.
I’m filling up my gas tank tomorrow. We’re about to see a major increase very quickly which might be the only thing that might give the US pause in this maniacal pursuit. Trump cannot “sell” $150 oil for anything less than a major direct assault on US forces.
Oil is going to spike just on what has already happened. Iran could work on nudging it even higher and watch the stock market dive, gas lines everywhere and 24/7 bitching about the cost of gasoline, which will raise the price of everything. Perhaps the soft Saudi underbelly through Yemen?
On a statement of Khamenei on a site near to Hezbollah:
https://www.english.alahednews.com.lb/51107/391
Same by IRNA:
https://en.irna.ir/news/83618349/Supreme-Leader-Severe-revenge-awaiting-criminals
as well as
https://en.irna.ir/news/83618338/Iran-s-Leader-announces-three-days-of-public-mourning-on-Soleimani-s
This is terrible news. I was hoping Trump could get through his term without starting another war. My hope has been that a Sanders presidency could start turning U.S. policy around in 2021, but it looks like we are not going to make it. Maybe Iran can come up with a response that is short of war, but still commiserate to what happened. The problem is these people in the White House will use any excuse to bomb. Donald Trump will do anything to avoid losing face.
Iran is not alone in this situation and other countries like Russia and China may try to come up with a non-military response that avoids war, but I can’t say how this would work. I expect the Iraqi government will be under enormous pressure from public opinion to expel U.S. forces.
This is all Trump, Trump has been obsessed with Iran since taking office. He’s done. He threatened Winter was coming to Iran.
Trump killed the Albatross. Kill the Albatross; Misery will follow.
Iran will be Trump’s Vietnam is an understatement. First, Iran must be strategic. Fight fire with fire, but go for the Achilles’ heel first: Economic hysteria.
Whats the reaction/ general feeling from the Iraqi public does anyone know? Any Iraqi’s out there?
Will these assassinations solidify unanimity for American eviction since by these actions Americans obviously don’t think so.
Saker
I saw this curios perspective on MoA (paragraph #3 ):
Right now I smell a giant, puss engorged, dead rat. Did anybody notice that something here doesn’t really look at all right? The narrative is all sideways.
I find it impossible to believe that Trump would ever make such a stupid, stupid mistake. And there is something peculiar about the bizarre ‘flag tweet’.
Were I forced to gamble hard cold cash on the true narrative, my bet would be that Mr. Trump never ordered this at all. A small thought experiment: What if the Israelis did it? Why would Trump then immediately lie and say that he did it. Well… because if he didn’t say that he did it there would be an instant war between Iran and Israel. Or what if the CIA or some U.S. military faction did it without Trump’s permission? How could he just explain that he was not really in control. We hear the U.S. Military saying that Trump ordered it. Then all we see is the ‘flag tweet’. Question: Will Mr. Trump come out and personally say that he did it?
I say something is way rotten about all this and it’s not in Denmark.
Posted by: blues | Jan 3 2020 5:56 utc | 155
Your comment resonates strongly with me. My own feelings run along these lines. I even wondered if what we are witnessing was a military coup d’état because The Donald’s personality was missing in all of this. All information is coming through the Pentagon.
Iran will not act directly but use asymmetric operations. They have lots of friends all over the Middle East (not only in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq). Then there is Hormuz – the real nightmare for EU and U.S.
Dear Saker,
Please bear with me as I think this is important – everybody can make their own conclusions:
“List of Baba Vanga predictions :
The start of WWIII in 2020. The war will begin around November of 2020 and will end around October of 2021. Will start as a normal war, then will escalate…”
Please research predictions of the major prophets regarding 2020.
God Bless
Wars never last only for 12 months. Those who start it in spring always think it will be over in autumn.
For those calling on Iran to cool its jets and think revenge is better served cold. Consider if the general murdered were Putin’s top commander. What would Putin do? Just let Zionist U.S. get away with the assassination of Russia’s top commander? But what a commander Suleimani was; so strategically precise and timely were the cuts he made with ingenious deniability to slowly bleed the Zionist agenda. They murdered him because he was that good. Now what? Just do nothing. Is that what Putin or Xi would do??? Come on…
I wrote this article, may 2019.
https://www.aporrea.org/internacionales/a278731.html
Definitely Donald Trump is now in the hands of the warmongers of the Deep State that control also the Pentagon. Period.
Wake up,
Trump is basically doing what he campaigned on. He had mad Iran hate from the start of his campaign.
He hates them with a passion and now is enjoying causing them harm.
This is a shock. The question is not: will this signify war? No. THIS IS ALREADY WAR.
Already the criminal US attack on the Iraqi army on Dezember 29 has crossed the red lines. And this murder, openly claimed by Trump, cannot be overestimated. It is an open declaration of war. It confirms that “Trump has no measure”. And it changes the world situation. Everybody will be affected, of course also Russia.
It is completely impossible that Iran will not take a very strong reaction. Of course, they have every right do so. In the past months, they have proved their creativity. So, I would bet that their reaction will be unexpected, it will come as a shock.
Dead to this gang of US murderers!
Two more interesting updates from Sputnik:
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001031077925104-us-behind-baghdad-airport-attack-that-killed-iranian-quds-commander-pmf-deputy-leader—report/#article_item_1077926745
10:42
Assassination of Soleimani is Act of Aggression on Iraq – Prime Minister
10:19
Shia Leader al-Sadr Orders His Followers to Prepare to Defend Iraq
The General was a great warrior, but, assuming he was the only great soldier is not true. Iranians will not fall in the trap Israel’s puppet country, USA has spread. Instead, the Iraqi parliament has no longer any excuse for not asking the American troops to leave the country as US has – in its own words- violated the sovereignty of Iraq. This, I think, will be what Ayatollah is going to do, his patience and analytical power has been proved to all to this date. No, there will be no large scale war, M.E. region can not afford it and US has never won any war except in Kuwait and it knows it. It is not Hollywood, it is real life and Americans will find this bitter truth out if they haven’t so far.
I am seriously already seeing Trump-tards on certain corners of the internet hail this move as more 66D chess.
“Trump did it to piss off Iraq, so now they will ask us to leave, and we can get our troops out of Iraq.”
Please. As if any country not wanting us there has ever stopped the war machine of ZOGusa.
Very early in this situation so it really is impossible to predict how it will all play out.
The fact that he was at Baghdad airport when all this is going on with US embassy in Iraq very much weakens the strength of Iran’s immediate response.
Fatal error in judgment thinking safety could be assured in Iraq at this time.
Heard Lebanese Hezbollah’s 2nd in command was taken out too. Again, this reaffirms everything US says about Iran and Hezbollah too. So Hezbollah’s response is weakened as well.
Very surprised US would undertake such an attack. Huge risk of escalation but US had all cards stacked in their favor due to situation, timing and location.
I can’t help but to respect Soleimani, he was a true warrior worthy of such respect no matter what side anyone is on. He was a very, very dangerous man to his adversaries.
Goes without saying the people of Iran are rocked by this as well as Hezbollah and Syrians. Yemenis as well.
A deep rumble throughout the entire middle east I would assume.
I have to think on it more but I am feeling a short term victory but US fate in ME may now be sealed. Will never be looked at as a “partner” ever again in any action regardless of “cause”.
I don’t know how the decline will play out. All out war within 6 months or a slow and steady constant assualt on any and all presence in ME. Writing it makes me think the latter. Low intensity, casualties weekly in different areas by different groups, extending into Africa until US backs away.
Wonder who did the briefing on this OP and if they fully explained the risks and pandoras box that would open with it. The message of this attack reached far beyond Iran. Do they really realize how far they went with this?
“Do they really realize how far they went with this?”
I am sure they fully realised what they were doing. This was a calculated escalation.
Where the US will go wrong is in the assessment of the Iranian response. The Iranians will respond in ways totally unexpected by the US.
We are shia, death on the battlefield is the greatest honor any of us can wish for. Here is general Hamedani, who is sitting on a tank, crying and begging God to let him die on the battlefield. He got his wish:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWJHTZ7jZfE
Soleimani himself had said, that he was seeking martyrdom on every hilltop and in every valley. I couple of years ago I spoke with a colonel in IRGC intelligence agency and expressed my dissatisfaction with Soleimani and his desire for martyrdom. My point was, that they are being selfish and will leave the country defenseless after their death. I asked him, whether or not there were commanders capable of continuing these mens work. The reply I got was, that they have even better tacticians and strategists, who are not being publicized yet.
What western analysts can not understand is, that Imam Khomeini awoke the shia spirit anew after centuries of being dormant. You can kill us, but you can not defeat us. You can not fight us with all the F22 or 35s in the world. We will beat you with sticks and stones if we have to.
Watch this video Patriot, these are the people you will have to fight. They will come at you wave after wave without fear of death, they will come at you by the millions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sutmzvM164M
This is a war you will loose! One word from our Imam and not single of you soldiers in Iraq will leave the country alive!
“a slow and steady constant assault on any and all presence in ME. [ ] . . . . Low intensity, casualties weekly in different areas by different groups, extending into Africa until US backs away.”
Being in Baghdad made him an easy target