Many people have requested that I outline some context on the Iran conflict; so, here it is.
What follows is my own researched perspective on the challenge that President Trump is facing. I anticipate the non-interventionists will not be happy with it, and also the Israel First crowd will not like the brutal pragmatism of it. Alas, having spent a great deal of time watching things unfold, here’s my take.
Start with this question: Considering all the years the debate over Iran’s nuclear ambitions has persisted, why haven’t its strongest allies, China and Russia, ever provided Iran with a nuclear weapon?
Now, before anyone jumps into the nuclear non-proliferation perspective, let me remind you we are not going to pretend things here. You can pretend that Beijing didn’t give the DPRK nuclear weapons by pretending that North Korea isn’t a proxy province of China. Or you can stop pretending. The choice is yours!
So, what’s different? Well, in the DPRK example, Beijing holds the control mechanism. For Iran, giving religious fanatics a nuclear weapon would be tantamount to giving the Muslim Brotherhood the ability to start World War III.
As recently noted, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman urged President Trump not to back down from this moment of consequence and to eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all. MbS is about as close to a Middle East pragmatist as you can find. In response, a desperate British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rushed to Saudi Arabia hoping to change the position of MbS. Great Britain is almost out of fuel.
That’s a good place to start looking at the regional perspectives.
Islamic extremists, religious zealots, fanatics, cannot be trusted with nuclear weapons. Even those who are sympathetic to the Iranian regime, particularly Turkey and Qatar, are pragmatic about this issue.
Nuclear weapons must never fall into the hands of Hezbollah, Hamas, al-Qaeda, the Islamic State (ISIS), al-Nusra, and all of the extreme -perhaps most authentic- factions of Islam are included in that outlook.
While it is true that Israel has carried out a brutal, over-the-top, offensive against Hamas in Gaza, it is also true that Egypt – via President al-Sisi, spent two years destroying Hamas terror tunnels on the Egyptian-Gaza border and installed a five-layer security perimeter to keep the Islamist “Palestinians” out of the Sinai.
President Sisi (Egypt) and King Abdullah (Jordan) do not want to import Palestinian Hamas promoters, despite their very public opposition to the offensive methods of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
♦ The Muslim Brotherhood represents the political face of extremist (authentic) Islam. Turkish President Recep Erdogan is one of the zookeepers keeping the big cat cages under control, while simultaneously using the big cats to draw an audience.
Qatar is the banking side of The Muslim Brotherhood, feeding the big cats and providing them indulgences to keep them satiated. The intelligence services of Israel (Mossad) and the USA (CIA) are involved in this process.
When it comes to authentic Islam, you might say that essentially Mossad and the CIA are the physical cages, while Turkey (Recep Erdogan) and Qatar (Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani) are the zookeepers.
Turkey the gateway to Europe, is a NATO member not a NATO ally. Qatar has a foot in both the lawfully constrained western world and a foot in the religious fanaticism world. While the tightrope walking might seem difficult both Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Qatari Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani have navigated this dynamic as part of their own influence and affluence operation.
That said, none of the names involved thus far want the rabid faction of the big cats to get a nuclear weapon. President Donald Trump does not want the rabid cats to get a nuclear weapon. None of the voices in the Middle East, sans the fanatical Iranian religious faction, want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.
All of these various regional players have their own individual nuance to retain influence and power. However, on the issue of nuclear weapons they all agree – Iran must never have them, because Iran would represent the biggest threat in the entire world to using them. [Name a weapon that Iran has never used.]
None of Iran’s allies – not Pakistan, not Russia and not China – would ever fathom giving Iran a nuclear weapon, because the leadership of Iran is sketchy, unstable and, well, potentially batsh!t crazy enough to use it. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are just as zero-sum minded as the Islamic clerics they protect.
This accurate and factual baseline of common interest is why you do not see any of the regional voices opposing President Trump’s effort to ensure that Iran NEVER HAS a nuclear weapon?
How strong is that sense of common interest?… Strong enough to accept Israel bombing Iran in support of that common interest. Turkey, aligned in sympathetic voice with the Muslim Brotherhood, hates Israel; but they hate Israel slightly less than they hate the thought of Iran having a nuclear weapon.
So, against the backdrop of Iran rejecting any deal that precludes them from having a nuclear weapon, where does that leave things?
It leaves the entire Middle East in a position to continue supporting President Trump’s effort to stop Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon. It really is that simple.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, The UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and yes, even Qatar, are willing to endure a considerable amount of economic pain and internal friction in order to get to the place where Iran stops their nuclear objective.
It’s the Iranian nuclear threat that’s the problem. It’s the Iranian nuclear threat that has always been the problem.
This time, President Donald J Trump is trying to deal with that threat once and for all.
Europe is going bananas because they need oil/gas. The U.K is going bananas because they need oil/gas. Asia is really in a bad place because they too need oil/gas. The energy problem goes all the way to Australia because they too need oil/gas.
The more a nation chased the net-zero carbon, climate change, global warming nonsense, the more they are exposed to the dire Straits of Hormuz. Japan can hold out a little longer with reserves and China can ultimately make do with Russian provision.
Which brings us to the point where President Trump is saying the U.S. will end up having to control the Strait of Hormuz, and we should look for an extension to the Russian sanction relief as a direct consequence of Iran rejecting the terms of JD Vance and the USA delegation.
Now, there are some who claim that Iran doesn’t want a nuclear weapon, and/or Iran has a fatwa against nuclear weapons. These voices are ridiculous. Think about the irrational logic of the claim: Iran is refusing to stop pursuing something they do not want.
♦ It can be argued that Israel is being opportunistic and leveraging the regional support for Trump toward their own interests and objectives. It is a fair criticism to say the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu is too militaristic and aggressive. Israel’s continually aggressive posture makes it difficult to navigate the nuances of strong diplomacy.
In fact, both President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have stated the goals and objectives of the USA and Israel may not be aligned on all matters, and Turkish President Erdogan has been exceptionally critical of Israel’s continued military operation into Lebanon, presumably targeting Hezbollah.
However, there is no indication that Israel is directing President Trump on the issue of a denuclearized Iran.
On the issue of Iran never having nuclear weapons, it has been the stated policy of every U.S. administration for 40+ years, and on that issue the entire Middle East is in agreement.
Palestinians need to be spelled ARABS. Their God given name.
“He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, And everyone’s hand will be against him; And he will live to the east of all his brothers.” (Genesis 16:12, NASB)
The Hebrew root arav (ערב) literally means to mix, mingle, or intersect, serving as the etymological basis for both the term Arab and the concept of a mixed multitude.
The mixed multitude followed at the tail end of Israel’s exodus out of slavery. Bringing up the rear as it were.
They later caused problems on the wilderness wandering.
In general, if London opposes it, I am for it. If President Donald J Trump is for it, I am for it.
Amen! The logic is easy!
A good Thumb of Rule!
Starmer is such a putz.
Starmer is a muslim, therefore a traitor to Great Britain, the United Kingdom & Western Civilization.
He welcomes jihad. He is a rabid animal.
Starmer bows to Islam and the King AND the King bows to Islam.
A lot of bowing. AND Sharia is also bowed to.
God Help US
Bingo! The Brits, specifically The Square Mile aka world banking have their fingerprints most of the mischief in the world since well, forever.
If President Donald J Trump is for it, I am for it…except for the new “White House app”. To use the app requires a google or apple account. Governments across the world are using google/apple linked apps to track, trace, and control us. This is just as dangerous as Iran with a nuclear weapon. Governments are giving the people a rope and the people are wilfully placing the rope around our collective necks.
Londonistan.
AMEN.
Excellent summary, SD. I certainly hope you have the ears of some of the top level guys.
KN- The way is through the people as well – share these articles, in any way possible. The young, the University. Be well, and I believe that the cues provide evidence of Sundances position.
Raven6 1965 – 1993
Thanks Sundance, great analysis! I do believe that Israel may have roped our President into attacking, but now that it’s done it seems he has things under control. I’m cautiously optimistic that we will see a Win-Win conclusion to this war.
I don’t understand how ANYONE who has followed DJT over the years would think any leader of any country could “rope” him into doing their work.
My God. If you don’t know Trump now, you don’t know him AT ALL.
Anthony Fauci may not be a world leader, but he’s pretty good at roping. If that little weasel can do it then it cannot be that difficult if you know the right buttons to push. President Trump’s greatest weakness is that he often lacks decisiveness under pressure. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to adapt to changing conditions and develop alternative solutions to problems; even if his own actions were part of creating the problem in the first place. It’s that strength I’m counting on to find the Win-Win conclusion to this war.
Sundance:
Why are you again showing a map of the Middle East withOUT labeling Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Qatar?
It’s a screenshot of general maps. If I zoom in those names show up, but when zoomed out to show the entire region, the smaller counties get smaller and the names don’t fit, I guess. No conspiracy, just a simple map.
I know you are way more than capable of making sure every country is labeled correctly.
No conspiracy.
Just a completely labeled simple map.
You should start your own website and post your preferred map. I can’t wait to see it.
Ms. Sunshine done shined the light on the dofus. I guess he “hears you now”. 🙂
Oh oh!!! You been done gone there and said it now….
Mrs. S, you are absolutely 100% correct. But if IHYN’s intent was to cause a distraction he certainly seems to have succeeded.
Are you from Lichtenstein or Montenegro, by any chance?
Liberalstan?
Did you ever consider “being able” and actually “having the time” may not always be mutually exclusive?
If you can find a map that suits you, please email it or a link to the inbox of the website (with your screen name in parenthesis in the subject line).
As my dad used to say, “that guy would complain even if we were going to hang him with a new rope”. Yes, I know it doesn’t make sense but it gets the point across.
Sundance, thanks for such a great snapshot from your perspective. And pragmatic as always. Great job…
“As my dad used to say, “that guy would complain even if we were going to hang him with a new rope”.
Expression we often heard was: “That guy would complain about the price of prime rib while munching on a Lobster Newburgh that somebody else paid for.”
Well bless your heart.
Okay, I smiled, love hearing that phrase.
Look… you got an answer… accept it.
Is there a beach near you that needs the sand pounded??
in that case, add them, be satisfied that you have solved the worlds problems. Provide to be of value.
Sundance: This zoom map has all of the Middle East countries:
https://www.ezilon.com/maps/middle-east-continent-maps.html
There may be others that are better.
Hope that helps.
no comment…bill
What is this silliness?
Do you have the link to the map of Uranus?
Some see conspiracy at every turn… 🙄
And some aren’t happy unless they’re miserable
They are only happy when they make others miserable.
Thanks for this excellent summary, Sundance.
Following your logic, that NONE of Iran’s allies want Iran to have nuclear capabilities, it brings into stark relief Obama’s pallet of cash flown to Iran. $1.7 billion, on Jan 17, 2020, a scant 3 days before he vacated the White House to Trump.
A drop in the bucket compared to the $150 billion Obama gave Iran for “sanction relief”. As Mohammed Bin Salman notes here, not a dime was spent on infrastructure. Not a single road was paved. Obama’s gift of US taxpayer funds was used solely to build a nuclear arsenal:
https://www.clintonfoundationtimeline.com/april-5-2026-saudi-prince-reveals-obamas-sanctions-relief-deal-lifts-irans-150-billion-in-frozen-assets-and-pallets-of-cash-yet-they-did-not-build-a-single-street/
Obama is a weak low IQ puppet, who would quickly rat out his string-pullers to save his own skin. Yet, he’s never been called to task. Why?
Thanks for link basic88science. Fantastic review.
FTA –
The Obama team — Clinton, Nuland, Power, Rhodes — weren’t naïve idealists. They were intentional engineers of disorder. Their strategy was not to stabilize the Middle East, but to strategically destabilize it — just enough to maintain leverage over both allies and adversaries.
By empowering Iran as a “regional counterweight,” they diluted the influence of the Gulf and contained Israeli power under the veneer of “nonproliferation.” But what they actually created was a proliferation of chaos, not of nukes but of dependency: Europe flooded with refugees, North Africa imploded, and militant networks metastasized in the vacuum.
The Arab Spring, romanticized as a democratic awakening, devolved almost immediately into a U.S.-managed implosion — a controlled burn that shattered regional economies and sent millions fleeing toward Europe. That migratory tidal wave destabilized EU politics, broke social cohesion, and imposed irreversible demographic and fiscal stress. If that looks like an accident, you haven’t studied Washington’s history of “accidents.”
The Pattern Repeats: Ukraine and Beyond…
…What began as Obama’s diplomatic victory ended as a $150 billion liquidity bomb that armed tyrants, sent millions fleeing, and handed the 21st century’s most dangerous regime the global keys to chaos.
History will not remember it as diplomacy.
It will remember it as economic warfare against civilization itself.
The piling on is over the top. 🤦♀️
Or UAE, Bangladesh, Armenia, Eritrea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Djibouti, or many other countries that simply didn’t fit on the map SD chose to put in his post.
What is your point?
Find a map that suits you, upload it to photobucket and then post it here. Problem solved, what other world emergency needs solving?
Maybe he’s just lost. The filling stations don’t give out maps anymore.
Q: You know why Bono still hasn’t found what he’s looking for?
A: Because the streets have no name.
Besides, our President is re-drawing the maps, praise God!
I noticed this is not the first time youve asked sundance about this map.
Suggest to consider the extreme length/time sundance goes to, in order to provide us all with amazingly stunning, accurate information.
Also then re-think your map question, and ponder whether it really is relevant/significant.
Give the guy a break, man!
Good analysis.
I was following your tweets on “the question to start with” and I have to say some of the back and forth was very entertaining.
Thank you for summarizing it here.
“That said, none of the names involved thus far want the rabid faction of the big cats to get a nuclear weapon. President Donald Trump does not want the rabid cats to get a nuclear weapon. All of the voices in the middle east, sans the fanatical Iranian religious faction, want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” <<<<< DON’T YOU MEAN TO SAY “… DON’T WANT IRAN TO HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON” ?
Thank you – revised…
Thanks…. I posted that as well.
Excellent article!
Will be interesting to see how this works out.
Fake News says our Air Tankers are stacked up at various airports.
NOT in the air.
When our tankers are in the air, then i will pay more attention.
Trump is talking blockade, not resuming the war.
As yet.
A blockade will draw fire from whatever hidden weapons Iran has. So be it. Unless you know where the snipers nest is, you can’t destroy it.
This blockade may end up being in place for a long time with other countries rotating the patrol. Eventually it may lead to an international change to the 12 mile limit in that location and remove any rights Iran has to it.
Time for our navy to take care of the modern day Barbary Pirates. I urge everyone to read up on that period of our history because there are very interesting parallels. In particular, decades of acquiescence by other countries and finally a strong leader steps up and takes care of the problem.
What about just opening Oman’s half to free passage?
Ships could pay $2million to go through Iran’s ‘half”, or nothing to go through Oman’s half?
Might play better on the world stage.
“…to the shores of Tripoli”
A 6-minute excerpt from Lawrence of Arabia says it all about trying to negotiate or deal with Arabs in governing: note how the British wash their hands of everything at the beginning of the scene, knowing that Lawrence’s “nation-building” is already doomed!
(Note how Claude Raines (playing a diplomat, standing on the right) seems especially uninterested! )
THIS!!!! I’ve always referred to this scene when explaining the tribal mind!!
The White man’s burden.
Rudyard Kipling
Take up the White Man’s burden—
The savage wars of peace—
Fill full the mouth of famine
And bid the sickness cease;
And when your goal is nearest
The end for others sought,
Watch Sloth and heathen Folly
Bring all your hopes to nought.
My late Father in law initially fought in North Africa during WWII, and then in Italy with the 36th Division. He told me the Arabs couldn’t be trusted, they would betray you in a heart beat and they were the biggest thieves. That was one man’s opinion, but I never forgot that.
As I have told my students, stereotypes derive from something!
We might not be talking about a majority, but even a large, misbehaving minority is bothersome enough!
My father was a WW2 vet. He once told me in the 60’s that the Arabs would cut your throat for a pair of sandals. Life had very little meaning and sanctity to them, per my father.
Let’s not forget the scene in “Flight of the Phoenix” with Jimmy Stewart : two Brits went to nearby Arabs for assistance; one Brit soldier refused the direct order to do so from his commander.
If you’ve seen it, you know. If you haven’t, I’ll say no more.
Con firm mspsgt and Eagle 61. My first job was servicing a crop dusting bi-plane and the pilot who fought in Africa in WWII. US troops feared and distrusted the Arabs more than the Germans.
The two pictures at the bottom of the post sum it up PEFECTLY!
Sorry for a dumb question, but what do u mean Sundance when u wrote: “…we should look for an extension to the Russian sanction relief as a direct consequence of Iran rejecting the terms of JD Vance and the USA delegation.”
We will no longer interfere with the sale of Russian oil.
That will counteract Iran blocking oil from the persian gulf.
The world MUST have cheap oil.
So the world can now buy cheap oil from the US / Venezuela and Russia.
Iran loses their bargaining chip.
Russia is the only one left that has the spare petroleum export capacity to make up for the lack of supply from the Gulf States in the short term.
It is the most pragmatic solution.
I think natural gas is in the equasion too. Russia can makeup that shortfall also but Europe needs to settle the Ukraine War with Russia.
Do they have an operational port for distribution?
Yes, Primorsk, on the Karelian Isthmus, at the northern coast of the Gulf of Finland, on the Baltic Sea…
”Port of Primorsk
The town is the site of reportedly the largest Baltic Sea oil terminal, Port of Primorsk. It was developed as a terminus of the Baltic Pipeline System at a cost of two billion US dollars. The terminal started to operate in December 2001, supplanting Ventspils and other foreign rivals within one year.[18] In 2006, Primorsk was ranked first in Russia in crude oil export, with the export volume of 5,863,000 metric tons.[19]
In the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, on April 29, 2022, Rosneft was not scheduled to export any diesel from Primorsk in May, as demand from Europe dropped off due to sanctions.[20] On 12 September, 2025, Ukraine bombed the Port of Primorsk to try to limit oil exports from Russia, which are Russia’s main source of revenue.[21]
NASA’s FIRMS detected extensive fires on 23 March 2026 00:45:00 (UTC) at the port of Primorsk
On 23 March 2026 Ukrainian drones attacked and caused fire at the port of Primorsk.[22] ”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primorsk,_Leningrad_Oblast
I realise, step by step, that President Trump, (and others of the Patr/iotic Intern/ationale…), play against the Globalists 3D chess…!
Russia was granted relief from the sanctions to sell it’s oil internationally to compensate for the lack of oil tankers coming through the straights of Hormuz. That relief will be extended while the Straights are kept closed due to the blockade put in place since Iran refuses to negotiate in good faith and give up their nuclear ambitions.
There’s one take that has us working with the Russians for awhile on all this. If what I’ve read is true, Trump told Putin in Alaska to keep stockpiling excess oil which, at the time, he had no market for. Now, the market is there and the price has jumped, which would mean that we gave Putin a big gift without letting the rest of the world in on it.
What is funny about that is that it is a finger in the eye of the EU in particular.
So beautiful. What chess player!
Yes, Sundance brought that facet to our attention a bit ago.
We discussed the inferences of how far in advance POTUS has things planned out.
Sorry Bar didn’t read down far enough to your excellent reference. 👏
Stated that very thing here on CTH at the start of the Epic (Now Epic) Fury operation.
Was conjecture at the time, but for the builder/planner Trump you cannot remove pieces from the chess board without the passage of time. Trump was right all along! Putin has this sign on his wall in the office. 😎
Make Russia/Putin happy = leverage over the ghoul regime. I doubt Putin has any love for the ghouls – remember when those moslem ghouls took over a theatre and sleeping gas (or whatever it was) was fed through the ventilation system? When they were killed, Putin put out the decree they were to be buried in pigskins. The ghouls are simply a port in the storm for Russia. Calm the storm, especially given the true facts of the maidan debacle.
The truth of the matter. Period.
Those who refuse to understand or push a different narrative have an agenda. Period.
Iranian Journalist Drops an Insider Bombshell…
GL Hendricks
Apr 07, 2026
“…The people left to negotiate? “𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘪”. The moderate voices have been k∗lled or removed. Only the hardliners remain — and they don’t want a deal.
Then he revealed a conversation that explains 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 about the Islamic Republic’s philosophy. Khamenei’s own economic advisor once asked him: if we become friends with the United States, we’ll have higher economic growth. Khamenei’s response:
“𝘐𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩, 𝘸𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦. 𝘚𝘰 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘺”.
Read that again. The Supreme Leader of Iran 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 that the regime deliberately keeps its own people impoverished to maintain religious control. That’s not an accusation from the outside — that’s the regime’s own operating philosophy, from the top.
He called it “𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮” — the Islamic Republic’s core ideology. 𝟒𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 of k∗lling American soldiers with roadside bombs, k∗lling Syrian citizens, attacking the U.S. embassy, attacking the U.K. embassy. He noted that the street the British embassy sits on in Tehran was renamed from 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 — after an IRA hunger striker — specifically to humiliate the British
The most important part: what do Iranians actually inside the country think?
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘳”.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.….”
https://diamondz.substack.com/p/iranian-journalist-drops-an-insider
Tyrants have always used poverty as a means to control the masses. The tool for the Mullahs is religion. The tools for the DS are inflation and taxes.
So very true! It’s elementary, hardly a “bombshell” of reporting. Thanks for calling that, the words were on the tip of my fingers as I read D-P’s post. Maybe it’s important for a ME “newscaster” to say it, spread the word! history, it’s tyranny those despots of behavior not understood by the young or masses. Sigh
Point well taken. May I add that tyrants often turn to the outside boogie man threat to unify the masses as well. Castro used the US as the alleged source of Cuba’s woes.
Islam is a political system just as communism is a political system. One requires fealty to their God, the other will not allow God to compete with its power.
People everywhere need to stop referring to Islam as a religion. It’s a political system with the expressed purpose of conquest of all other nations.
There is no co-exist with it in the long term. Anyone who thinks it’s “a religion” as we define one is either too weak to speak the truth or willfully ignorant of the truth so they don’t have to act like a man.
The Islamic cult maybe the longest continuously running globalist organization. As with all such globalist groups they have always been led by narcissistic Machiavellian psycopaths.
And I thought the Democrat/Communists had a corner on that method of governing.
Eye opening
That picture reminds me of the communist infiltration and purge by Obama in the federal government. Fired and removed for not sharing his ideology, HR only hiring those aligned.
Now Trump or any other people are faced with these Obama double-agents all over.
YES!
That is why there needed to be such a purge at the DOJ Civil Rights Division. Virtually everyone that was hired by the BHO/JRB infestation of the Executive Branch was required to be an ideologue.
CIA/intel
In a parallel situation. Isn’t this exactly what Carnage is attempting to do to obtain complete control of Canada. Please feel free to drop a bomb on him anytime you have a spare moment.
President Trump is fighting a war against the “liberal world order” that has been in place since WW2.
At the same time, he is fighting a war against Islam-a religious/political/terroristic ideology hell bent on using nuclear weapons to achieve a global caliphate.
And if that wasn’t enough, he is battling the false religions of Climatism and Marxism that threaten the success of the first two wars above.
Thankfully, President Trump is the greatest president we have ever had and, with God’s blessings, is successfully navigating all three wars.
We are truly blessed that God has allowed us to witness the magnificence of His work being accomplished through an imperfect man serving as President.
So who hates Russia, or desires her $75 Trillion in mineral wealth?
– London bankers
– Globalists
– American BigAg
– EU
– CIA
???
Heirs to the Bolsheviks such as Victoria Nuland who are bitter Stalin killed most of them once their usefulness was exhausted instead of allowing them to pilfer the Czars wealth for themselves.
“However, there is no indication that Israel is directing President Trump on the issue of a denuclearized Iran.”
There’s no indication except for the war with Iran.
Does anyone here think Iran was 2 weeks away from a nuke?
I have heard a month. I have heard several weeks.
Had not heard 2 weeks except from your post.
That’s a horrifyingly bad argument.
If there is anything affecting Trump’s performance it is AIPAC funded legislators who won’t hesitate to impeach and convict/remove if Trump hesitates on Israel.
I would describe Trump’s actions and comments as malicious compliance.
How precisely do you know they were not?
“Not far from one” is relative. If you are thinking of what future pussy Presidents will do, Iran can have a nuke before Trump leave office and your kid and grandkids will be their pawns.
When Carter effed this all up, Iran had NOtHING.
They told you they’d nuke you if they could and you evidently don’t think they’d do it. Jeeeez.
Sundance – an excellent analysis.
One question.
Quoting
” All of the voices in the Middle East, sans the fanatical Iranian religious faction, want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Should that say-
” All of the voices in the Middle East, sans the fanatical Iranian religious faction, DON’T want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Again – thank you for all you do here!
@adrem fixed it.
Why don’t we ever hear about plutonium? It is made in ordinary nuclear power plants. India used plutonium 239 from spent reactor fuel for their firat atom bomb in 1974. Do the iranians have plutonium?
Iran’s Russian-built Bushehr nuclear reactor can produce plutonium in its spent nuclear fuel. However Iran’s deal with Russia is for Russia to supply the fuel and remove the spent fuel rods back to Russia. If that had been happening then Iran would not have access to the spent rods to extract the plutonium.
Also the design of Bushehr requires the entire reactor to be shut down to remove the rods. That would take it offline for electricity production which should be easy for US and Israeli intel to detect.
But, the Russian technicians evacuated Iran some time ago. They also never removed all the spent fuel rods. Supposedly there is a significant quantity of spent fuel on-site in cooling ponds at Bushehr. It might be possible for Iran to extract plutonium from the spent fuel, if they have the right reprocessing technology.
Thanks Arnold,
I had the same question.
President Trump is getting more respect and support from the ME, than our own people.
Saving the ENTIRE WORLD is not as important as their $$$$$.
Thank you Sundance!
What great questions you ask and how well you help us understand.
🇺🇸💥🦅✝️💯❤️
Thanks for the clarifications, Sundance. We are being pummelled by sophisticated propaganda by the Muslim Fifth Column that must be countered by sunlight
What I don’t understand is why now attack Iran? I recall that that since the early 2000’s, when President GW Bush said Iran cannot have nuclear weapons, we’ve been hearing that Iran is just weeks way from a nuke. Again, what’s changed?
2000km missiles the mad mullahs just fired?
Read my comment to “Deplorable Infidel” and having a nuclear weapon/bomb compared to one that can be mounted on a ballistic missile are orders of magnitude apart in terms of technical capability.
You’re right in the sense that they might not have been on the brink of testing their own Minuteman II, but a ballistic missile doesn’t require much sophistication. A big bottle rocket that spreads a few hundred pounds of radioactive waste across Brussels, Paris, Berlin, etc. isn’t all that hard to achieve.
We also have to consider the audience. Trump has China, our biggest geostrategic threat, on the ropes. They’re largely booted from the American hemisphere and their main source of oil and customer for weaponry is now out of action.
One delivered by ship in a container will wipe out New York or LA just as well as one delivered by missile. Maybe better as there would be more ways to cover the tracks.
Cargo vessels are not allowed Anywhere Near NYC.
They have to anchor 10s of miles from NY harbor and shore until the Coast Guard arrives and does an inspection for radioactive material.
I know, I’ve fished out there and seen them waiting, sometimes for days.
That was a very important event, when Iran launched missiles capable of hitting basically all of Europe.
Iran was not previously thought to have such long-range capability.
Exactly, and it had the desired effect – many of the euroweenies curled into the fetal position and refused to help.
The mad mullahs also shot missiles in all directions hoping for the same effect on their arab neighbors, but those nations are made of sterner stuff I guess.
“what’s changed?”
The passage of some time and we now have a President that cannot be controlled by the forces pulling the strings on prior Presidents.
Clarification, what I meant by “what changed?” pertains to the statement that Iran is “just weeks away” from a nuke. This statement has been repeated for the past 25 years and yet Iran has not or could not develop a nuke.
Just weeks away for 25 years???
Could you kindly post a link to any credible assertion prior to last summer that claimed they were weeks away from nuclear breakout?
“This statement has been repeated for the past 25 years”
That is just because it is boilerplate rehash of the lies we have been fed.
“Iran has not or could not develop a nuke.”
They sure have been trying. How long do you want to wait to find out? Because once they do it will be too late and then most likely some Middle Eastern real estate will not be inhabitable for a while.
You’re forgetting (or perhaps not aware of) the many attacks made by Israel (and the US) over the past 20 years or so that have setback Iran’s incessant march to a nuclear bomb. Just go to chatgpt and type in: “how many military operations has Israel performed over the past 30 years to help set back Iran’s nuclear program?” and be amazed. One might not like Israel or accuse it of imperialistic ambitions, but I am just trying to focus on this one narrow point — that Iran has been racing for the bomb for decades, but we may not have “felt” it so much because Iran has had “setbacks”. Also, the IAEA (not US, not Israel) has been warning about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and accomplishments for almost 25 years. Recently (since 2020), Rafael Grossi has made clear reports of the existence of Iran’s nuclear stockpiles, expressing fear that Iran was not allowing proper monitoring by the IAEA.
President TRUMP is neither a marionette of the Chinese Communists (Biden) nor an America-hating Moslem (MAObama).
Plus, yes, they got their hands on larger missiles and were still trying to assemble an atomic bomb.
China on the cusp of supplying the regime with air defense systems is what changed.
Because immediately after the US destroyed Iran’s enrichment capability and buried their stockpiles of already-enriched Uranium, Iran began trying to dig it back up again.
They can’t do full-scale enrichment any more. But if they can dig down to get the stuff buried under hundreds of feet of rock and debris they could use it for ‘dirty bombs.’ Or if they can piece back together a few centrifuges they might be able to finish enriching it to 90% U235.
Satellite photos show they reopened a tunnel entrance and were hard at work digging.
Signal received, lol.
I won’t disagree with this pragmatic approach as I’m fully aware of this history. If Iran is backed into a corner, I fear lashing out, like they’ve previously did, it’s quite possible they destroy all the toys so everyone is punished, including Kharg Island. They know a direct confrontation with the USA is a no win scenario and their only leverage is destroy everything energy driven.
My interpretation of President Trumps saying, “I don’t care” is not a cowardly move, quite the opposite. Everything, eventually boils down to two choices, (1) Force the Gulf States along with the countries affected most by the Oil, and Fertilizer disruptions to deal with this head on, or back off hoping the Strait opens up organically.
War costs big $$$ and everyone pays that price through the Taxes imposed and the inflation pushed forward. America can withstand the consequences, but only to a certain point before that threshold is crossed.
The other problem Europe has is the large influx of Islamists into their countries. Politicians are afraid to give vocal support to the US/Israeli operation for fear of an uprising in their countries.
They can all get the oil they need they just can’t get it on their current terms.
•Get it from Russia.
•Get it from the US.
•Once the Iranian Mullahs are put back in their box, they get it from the ME.
What they cannot do is pay the Iranian pirates a toll to get it through the Strait now.
Tough 💩
There is oil flowing through the Red Sea – Saudia Arabia has shifted their flows across their nation to the previously lesser used port on the Red Sea.
https://tanviratna.substack.com/p/notes-from-the-ama?publication_id=4600936&post_id=193905381&isFreemail=false&r=3bq9x3&triedRedirect=true
It is not yet the same volume as the Strait has been.
and UK can produce North Sea oil
Turkish President Erdogan has been exceptionally critical of Israel….. [period]
What’s more, he wins what Iran loses:
Turkish-Iranian Rivalry Redux
In the Middle East, there is room for one shah or one sultan, but not for a shah and a sultan
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/turkish-iranian-rivalry-redux-middle-east-there-room-one-shah-or-one-sultan-not
……….
Don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet:
Turkish PM Erdogan: Territories of Balkan countries belong to Turkey
https://jihadwatch.org/2013/12/turkish-pm-erdogan-territories-of-balkan-countries-belong-to-turkey
………
Bromance. Turkey’s activity in the Western Balkans
https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2022-11-22/bromance-turkeys-activity-western-balkans
Great link to the Washington Institute. I bookmarked that in my “Iran” folder.
I was not subscribed to “Jihad Watch” back in 2013. I did have that information in another source, which is on a hard drive I need to transfer to another disk because the motherboard went kaput. I was using that one when I first started hanging out here about a decade ago 🙂
I do not expect Erdogan to live much longer.
He considers himself to be the Mah’di reincarnated.
Too many other muslim leaders feel endangered by Erdogan.
Erdogan keeps pushing outward toward the lands surrounding him..
Eventually the others will push back and Erdogan will be gone.
“Erdogan will be gone”
There is no shortage of replacements to fill his shoes.
Ditto for George Soros and his ilk…..
It was not coincidental that in the opening week of Epic Furry the Mullahs were shooting missiles in every direction but Turkey, their immediate neighbor with whom they share a 300 mile plus border. They did eventually lob something that direction because, my guess is, Erdogan called and said: “Mohammed, you’re making it too obvious.”
He doesn’t even know how to spell Turkey.
Last night Stammer said the ceasefire needs to stay in effect.
Today they say they will not help with the blockage.
Elephants never forget.
Well, good luck to them. I hope that they find another source for fuel.
The morons can buy windmills from China and F up their island with them even more than they already have with mass immigration in order to get about ten percent of the energy they could have had. It’s like the UK has completely lost control to end the downward spiral they’re in.
I believe the latest proposal in England is to switch to intestinal gas generated by Parliament.
Like they could do anything anyways? 🙄. I also don’t remember us asking them for help.
Yeah, they’d have to find their navy first.
Yes…
Even as the countries mentioned continue to bow down and cling desperately to their god “climate change” and suffocate their own countries with their illiberal, lunatic Net Zero policies, here they be panicking because they “need oil”.
If anything exposes their rank hypocrisy and political intent, this is it.
Wait (we won’t have long to go now) until there is none. What happens then in these countries when their populations who have already had well enough are immobilized?
For the answer, see the canary in the coal mine, Ireland, where massive civil unrest and protests are being met with the brutal tyrannical military force of its government. We will have to look hard, because few to no media are reporting it.
THAT’S what has the potential to be the proverbial match which sets fire to the monstrous prisons despots have built around their own populations.
THAT’S what these psychopathic leaders are afraid of.
Betsy, did you see my post about the possibility of an Irish color revolution against the WEFers?
It is about time!!!
No, unfortunately, Alex. Which thread?
Link
“Almost military.”
Watching….thank you, dear sir.
They’re letting the Guiness lorries through. The Irish always have their priorities straight.
!!
And, to be fair, the ambulances.
Unlike those BLM cretins here.
Irish for the Irish.
Wish them luck…Conor Macgregor has announced a General Strike starting tomorrow. Looks as if the shortage of fuel has lit a fire. Also, the Irish as with the British North Sea, have untapped resources off their coast. No prizes guessing why Ireland has let it stay there.
Their hypocrisy is gobsmacking.
Comports with everything I’ve been seeing and reading. Glad to Michael Yon again, whom I’d lost track of. And he is not wrong. The Potato Famine is still fresh in the memories and psyches of the Irish over a century and a half after it happened. But there is so much more.
The gentleman who spoke of the Burke family…Enoch, his mother, and his sister now in prison…was completely correct, in that that they are enraged by the immoral wokeism (ostensibly) which stamps tyranny on the face of this Irish government and the ones before it. And not just this.
But for the purposes of this discussion, the near absence of oil coming may be that event will finally compel the Irish to get off their knees. Ireland is so near to being destroyed. A pivotal moment which has given them the opportunity to break free. I pray they will take it.
Indeed, Betsy.
The need for control is a reaction to fear. All their flailing about for levers with which to control outcomes reek of desperation.
And yet the WEF government puppets remain irrational, and arrogant.
https://m.youtube.com/shorts/nLr2NMLBjD0
They have been given over to a reprobate mind, have they not?
Destruction will come as God wills it on his time if they do not turn back, however unlikely that is.
As foretold.
The WEF will do the only thing they know how to do. They will never give in on the carbon tax. Ever.
And then, with enough time, and the economic pressure of a closed Strait, and all the resentments over all the dead children murdered by the shipped in aliens, and all the suppressed freedom to speak, all it will need is a lit match, and the dominos will fall . .
It is a small country. The roads are narrow, and it is mostly rural.
One big city, a few minor ones. The locals have the advantage as long as they unite.
To your point, RF…short.
Commentary in the lovely lilt of a Welshman.
When the fuel runs out, the electricity follows.
When that’s gone, the mechanisms of state power lose their ability to coordinate repression.
Then they run out of ammo & all hell breaks lose.
“the dire straits of Hormuz”
ISWYDT
Yes! “Sultans of Swing”
Does Iran have hypersonic missiles?
Some allege the new $13 Billion Gerald Ford aircraft carrier was moved out of the region quickly to avoid being sunk. It’s now either in Greece or Croatia for repairs.
They claim to, but true state of the art Hypersonics? Unlikely.
From Grok:
Iran has one of the Middle East’s largest ballistic missile arsenals (thousands of missiles, including MRBMs like Sejjil or Khorramshahr). The Fattah variants are a smaller, higher-end subset. Production and reliability details are opaque due to sanctions and secrecy.
Bottom line: Iran possesses and has fielded missiles it calls hypersonic (with some used in combat), giving it enhanced maneuverability options beyond basic ballistic threats. However, they likely do not match the full performance of advanced Russian/Chinese hypersonics, and claims should be viewed cautiously amid heavy state media emphasis. Independent confirmation of “true” hypersonic glide or sustained performance remains limited as of early 2026.
I would very much doubt they could even sink a Ford class carrier that easily, not to say that a mission kill is impossible.
The Navy SinkEx (sinking exercise) of the former USS America (CV-66) in 2005 is illustrative in the amount of punishment one of newer carriers would take and still float.
No, I do not think they have true hypersonic missiles either for that matter.
The reason the Gerald Ford left was because there was a fire on board that wiped out the bunk area (100 beds) and clogged toilets. It went to Croatia for 5 days of repairs and is now headed back to the ME.
Excellent description of the way it is, but the question going forward is will the Iranian government after the war actually renounce obtaining nuclear weapons and sponsoring death to America and death to Israel? Hard line Islamists cannot and will not, so Israel’s stated goal is regime change to a moderate group, while Trump, not opposed to it, says that isn’t our problem to resolve. Some may think that is short sited, but in reality, Trump likes to let the people who are most responsible take charge and solve the problem. At what point will Iranians be capable of handling their abusers, or when will their neighbors step up? That is the most serious remaining question.
“For Iran, giving religious fanatics a nuclear weapon would be tantamount to giving the Muslim Brotherhood the ability to start World War III.”
That is the whole point. China and others make use of Iran to further their own global goals, and they cannot possibly want to permit Iran to take any action to that would go against those goals. But a good question is, what was China going to do if Iran did make a nuclear weapon? What were they going to do to prevent Iran from using it? Did they even have a plan?
The religious fanatics running the regime believe that their god is telling them what to do. When the time came to use their nuke, they were no more going to listen to the unbelievers in China than they were going to listen to us or anyone else. It is why the ceasefire talks were doomed. Their god was telling them what to do and they were not going to negotiate away whatever they believed their god wanted of them in whatever end-times fantasy is embedded in their brains.
And the kicker is, so many of the regime leaders have been killed that we probably cannot know what is in the minds of the lesser leaders that are now running things. They might be more fanatical than their dead predecessors. And because so many of the survivors may not know each other very well, they are likely multiplying their collective fanaticism and not inclined in the slightest to listen to any moderating viewpoint.
That regime has to be entirely removed and replaced by people who do not believe god is telling them what to do.
“But a good question is, what was China going to do if Iran did make a nuclear weapon? What were they going to do to prevent Iran from using it? Did they even have a plan?”
China need do nothing more than be the ones that provide the mullahs with all the materials needed to make the nuclear weapon. Given the amount of poor quality, substandard “Chinese Junk” that they’ve flooded American markets with, it’s plausible that they could easily provide the mullahs with substandard weapons components. That simple tactic could leave the mullahs without a nuclear weapon for all eternity no matter how hard they try to build one.
Yes, maybe, and scary to contemplate. Sure would not want to risk the lives of millions on that kind of Chinese insurance betting an Iranian bomb will go fizz instead of pop.
“Now, there are some who claim that Iran doesn’t want a nuclear weapon, and/or Iran has a fatwa against nuclear weapons. These voices are ridiculous. Think about the irrational logic of the claim: Iran is refusing to stop pursuing something they do not want.”
Iran doe not want atomic bombs only to the degree that they would rather have hydrogen bombs instead.
well stated
Don’t forget, one day into this war former Israeli PM Bennett said:
“Turkey is the new Iran.”
Is he in support of Greater Israel? And how is Greater Israel supported w such a small Jewish population?
“ Turkish President Recep Erdogan is one of the zookeepers keeping the big cat cages under control, while simultaneously using the big cats to draw an audience.”. This is an excellent metaphor.
“[Name a weapon that Iran has never used.]”
They never threw dildo’s like their propaganda brother in arms here in the US.
There is also the Sunni v. Shia Islam aspect that can’t be ignored:
That may be the biggest aspect, going back 1,500 years almost from the very beginning of that religion’s creation and may be a reason the various middle eastern nations have yet to step in, militarily, to either defend themselves or assist in the regime change in Iran – the immediate cries of battle between the two sects would ignite a fire neither side would know how to extinguish without devastating the entire Muslim world.
Both the Sunni and Shia agree that Islam is destined to worldwide dominion by whatever means necessary. For those nations that can not be subjugated by deceit they will be taken by conquest. Individuals that due not willing submit can be taxed, enslaved, or killed. For all of Islam this is not a question of whether it will happen but when it will it happen. In the meantime Islam encourages infiltration through pretending to be a faith of coexistence in order to gain trust and control.
Thanks for the honest assessment without the filter of propaganda. The stakes involved in Iran getting a nuclear weapon aren’t being addressed at all in the MSM. Your article was very informative
Go President Trump!!!
Good summary Sundance. Thanks.
Not to harp on the same point all the time, but it seems to me that there is an important similarity between Iran and Ukraine that needs to be taken into account for the full picture.
If you look at who has persistently insisted on sustaining Ukraine, it’s the same people that are invested in opposing the end of the operation in Iran, the Brits and the EU. That’s who has repeatedly told Ukraine to keep fighting, going back to Boris Johnson swooping in to scuttle Istanbul I, and including all those efforts to get Trump to continue to help in a losing effort. Now, it’s the same thing. They don’t want Iran to go down and become a peaceful participant on the world stage, which they would be if we, Russia, China, and many others had complete say so about it.
The point being, it really looks as though the Mullahs and IRGC are not in charge of Iran anymore than the track suit midget is in charge of Ukraine, and the same characters insisting that one conflict keep going are the ones that keep interfering with the US effort to defang Iran.
Just as Mexico is building an alternative to the Chinese controlled Panama Canal, so the Saudis should build even bigger pipelines that bypass the Straits of Hormuz. An even bigger pipeline to the RED SEA…and a pipeline thru Oman to the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean.
Back in the 00’s during my academic days, I subscribed to the “Rational Actor” theorem that once a nation achieved a nuclear weapons capability, it was presumed that being a member of “The Club” obligated observance and protection of the global order.
It represented a “We Have Arrived” moment as a principled principal in the international community for such a country.
I posited that Iran, faced with the “burden” of being able to destroy civilization, would rise to the occasion and exercise responsible stewardship of this capability.
After 47 years of evidence, I now say that the Islamic Republic, as practiced by the Shiite Clerics, is a fatalistic death cult and incapable of performing and interacting as a responsible member of any community that seeks to uplift humanity.
A realistic position. Agreed.
You’re right, I wasn’t convinced.
Everything you say.
Except:
“It is a fair criticism to say the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu is too militaristic and aggressive. Israel’s continually aggressive posture makes it difficult to navigate the nuances of strong diplomacy.”
When a tiny state is being bombed and terrorized constantly, the only option is to neutralize the aggressor. If it weren’t Israel, this statement would be so obviously misguided.
No army EVER did more to minimize civilian damage.
But it’s just like what everyone says to prove they’re not ‘Israel First’
And yeah, bombing alerts starting up again in Israel, since the end of the ‘cease fire’.
Is that why Israel was the transit point for all the weapons sold in the Iran Contra affair?
Make it make sense.
I also don’t see it as “Israel’s continually aggressive posture,” but rather Israel’s continual efforts to survive attacks from their neighbors.
Put this in perspective: how much sense does it make for a country the size and population of New Jersey, surrounded by huge countries containing tens of millions of people who hate them, to go on the offensive and be aggressors? That idea makes no sense at all.
Tangential question re: Russia.
If the sanctions get eased, are there any rumors of visa’s becoming more streamlined for US citizens?
Currently you need an invitation form to be approved. Presumably this is a minor behind closed doors issue, but it’s one of the most visible to the public.
A close friend of mine who was in military intelligence back when the mullahs took over in ’79 told me the shiite’s are crazy and would have no reservations using a nuke on anyone. Their motto is convert or die and die by any means. Sunnis on the other hand are more pragmatic. From what my friend told me a long time ago is borne out in Sundance’s synopsis. The shiites cannot ever get a nuke and the delivery system to boot.
Both Shia’s and Sunni’s follow the exact same “holy” rule book.
Longer this goes on the more prices will rise in the USA. Gas, food, utilities, etc. The stuff Joe Sixpack and Susie Homemaker care about.
With the elections looming in November the Republicans may have a tough time winning anything.
” the dire Straits of Hormuz.”
Nice!
I saw a man on the street interview where the question was asked of what appears to be no kings protesters “why don’t anyone care about the gays of Hormuz”? The idiots totally fell in line and started talking about how the gays of Hormuz need protecting…
Agree!
Nuclear weapons are the number one issue, you cannot allow a suicidal death cult to have nuclear weapons end of story. Were the Mullah’s allowed to get nukes as we have seen in this conflict, they have no problem of dropping missiles on other countries that were not dropping missiles on them. This is a Satanic death cult. I say give them death with no remorse.
Oil/Gas, before the conflict Iran was on average shipping 3-3.5 million barrels a day most going eastward. Countries with oil should be filling tankers as fast as they can. Blockading Iranian oil would end the conflict as fast or faster than bombing them into the stone age. If the U.S. has to go back to bombing, bomb the belt and road cut the links Into Iran. Shutoff the Money.
I appreciate all always Sundance’s take on things. And there’s no “but” to follow.
“Islamic extremists, religious zealots, fanatics, cannot be trusted with nuclear weapons. Even those who are sympathetic to the Iranian regime, particularly Turkey and Qatar, are pragmatic about this issue.”
True. I happen to suspect some of those in Israel’s government are extremists, religious zealots, fanatics and even supremacists.
They have US sourced nuclear material and technology. It wasn’t acquired legally. The USS Liberty’s sailors paid the ultimate price for believing Israel’s government is a US ally. And yes, absolutely Israel’s government doesn’t know how or when to restrain themselves. (but then again neither do suicide bombers)
I think the Iran situation needed to be dealt with long ago and it just kept getting uglier and now deadly every time is was given a pass. (but also if Iran is actually a useful idiot for the global bankers, then ask of the ‘doing nothing about it’ makes at least some sense… our military industrial complex doesn’t care who the target is.) It was unsettling to see it go down like this but now that it has, we are committed and there shouldn’t be any discussion at this point. Let’s just deal with it, get it over with and disarm the entire middle east.
Too much? Impossible? I don’t know. Iran was the reason for all others to seek arms and defense deals. Once Iran is history, why does any other M.E. country need nuclear weapons? Israel doesn’t and shouldn’t have them given their track record of lacking self control.
Also, I’ll acknowledge the “dire Straits” mention. Been making that joke/reference since this started
Israel lacking in self-control? They have a lot more self-control than their enemies. They have been very circumspect and pragmatic in their possession of nukes. They aren’t going away.
Perhaps Israel knows better, with regard to the possibility or success of the ‘nuances of strong diplomacy’ with Islamic radicals in the region. I think that while it is impossible for moderate Muslim nations in the region to publicly announce, I suspect that in private conversation, most of the neighboring countries are quite happy that Israel is doing much of the ‘dirty work’. While US pundits may continue to voice that Israel has always exaggerated Iran’s steps toward a nuclear weapon, the fact that Iran refuses to give up this prospect would lead one to believe that Israel is right. So, whether it was Netanyahu’s ‘push’ or not, it’s unlikely that there is any country in the world, with the exception of Iran, that is displeased with ensuring Iran never succeeds with this.
Just to clarify, what is the definition of a “moderate Muslim”? One that does not believe Islam is destined to rule the entire world by forced conquest if necessary? One that does not believe it is perfectly alright, in face encouraged, to lie, cheat, and steal from a non-believer as long as it is done to advance Islam’s quest for dominion?
For a follower of the Islamic cult to proclaim these things would be equivalent to a Christian saying they believe everything in the Bible except that Christ died, rose, and ascended to Heaven.