There is a level of no-so-subtle pretense within this messaging from President Trump that is not good.
As noted in this Truth Social message, President Trump notes it is unlikely that people around Chairman Xi and people around President Putin would be providing military, logistics, targeting or weapons support for Iran for the same reason President Trump is not providing military, logistics, targeting or weapons support to Ukraine.
TRUTH SOCIAL – “President Xi, at our recent meeting in Beijing, China, told me that he would not, under any circumstances, give or sell Weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran — And that statement included Chinese Companies. Considering our relationship, I take him at his word and, besides, l am doing him very big favors, also.
Likewise, President Putin, despite the horrible War going on in Ukraine (The relationship remains, as it does with President Zelenskyy), told me that he would not sell Weapons to Iran. He understands that I do not sell Weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO Countries. They pay full price, and how those Weapons are distributed, I have no idea.
Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating. If they did, it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” ~President DONALD J. TRUMP
I strongly doubt non-pretending Russian President Vladimir Putin draws a distinction between the U.S. sending drone technology and missiles to Ukraine -vs- the U.S. sending drones and military technology to NATO Germany for forwarding to Ukraine.
As a consequence, if China is sending weapons, tech or military support to Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan or Turkmenistan and that material ends up in Iran by proxy, then Beijing is doing nothing different than President Trump using France, the U.K, Poland or Germany to support Ukraine. Gentleman’s geopolitical handshakes notwithstanding.
At a certain point, each country has to evaluate their risk vector against the reality of a geopolitical dynamic being driven by U.S. interests that are not necessarily under the command and control of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The newly defined “unelected” political version of ‘western democracy’, represented by Brussels, Ukraine and the U.K, all of which have political leadership as an outcome of selection not election, creates very dynamic risks.
Things have changed rapidly in the past 15 years. Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin is very exposed to those “new democracy” risks as was Muamar Khadaffi before him. Remember, the attacks against Libya were a NATO operation, led by NATO Allied Commander General James Stavridis. Show me in either policy or practical reality where NATOs interests were threatened by Libya; yet NATO led the regime change attack. That’s why, in this context, I select 2012 as the modern origin of this new NATO unelected democracy building.
Bottom line – Is China or Russia providing non-weapon support for Iran? Well, if they followed the USA model in providing non-weapon support for Ukraine, the answer is it’s quite possible.
Perhaps this {{nudge, nudge – wink, wink}} geopolitical brinkmanship explains the not-so-subtle shift in USA and Trump’s policy support in favor of Ukraine. Whatever the cause, things are less stable than before, and we are stuck in Military depletion mode while operating intensely against Iran.
Remember, in our conversations at the Treehouse, we accept things as they are not as we would prefer them to be.
Warn off China & Russia, then bomb the shit out of Iran’s infrastructure, military and religious ruling class.
just bomb the Iranian religious ruling class & military. I see our potential opportunity to help rebuild the country, via other middle east partnerships. An oil platform outside of the Strait would be a huge advantage.
I don’t understand why Trump doesn’t bomb the shit out of every Iranian port and airfield so they cannot get anything into or out of their Country. This should have been done weeks ago. Everything along their coastline of the Strait of Hormuz should have been obliterated.
Plus declaring a no-fly zone over the entire country and destroying the main rail and road bridges in Iran over which military supplies can be brought into the country by land, and in particular from the northeast (Turkmenistan), which is the primary land route from China. Do as much as possible to isolate the country so as little as possible can be sent in to help the regime last longer.
Those unelected bureaucrats in Europe are chomping at the bit to charge Trump with war crimes. The next democrat president will be more than happy to hand him over.
I thought this was obvious in the beginning, Ukraine is a US proxy war against Russia with various countries contributing, and the US war with Iran is a Israeli proxy war with Iran using it’s military arm, the US.
China and/or Russia helping Iran is the same as Europe helping Ukraine.
USA technological military supplies can be depleted to an undesirable ability to respond to conflicts because of very probable proxy war with Iran.
This is much of why China has been working on a stranglehold of so many critical minerals that are necessary for industry and advanced technologies. Most if not all of those resources are irreplaceable in building those things.
It also speaks volumes of those that allowed China over the years to corner the markets on so many crucial resources.
If not for decades of insane environmental regulations and lawsuits we would be able to provide most of those critical minerals from right here inside the United States, and at one time we did. Some of that is starting so loosen up due to recent Trump administration actions, but reversing it takes time. China cornering the available markets on so many of those minerals has been entirely self-inflicted.
Israel ya say? Note to self: ignore comments from charles.
You might want to keep in mind that ignore is the root word of ignorant.
And another “Blame it on the Jews” voice is heard from.
Duly noted.
I have and always have supported POTUS from the escalator to today. That being said I believe the Iran operation was a major error in judgement/timing I am sure was foisted upon him by certain “advisors”. Whatever we need to do now to extricate ourselves from the situation while at the same time assure that we prevent the crazies from building a nuke is going to require some very skilled maneuvering and careful planning. God be with us…..
You cannot reason with crazy.
You should take the time to listen to Senator Sheehy speech posted here then. Iran is our mortal enemy who wants to brutally murder every single one of us.
And they’ve been shouting that for 45 years.
The real threat is the dragon hiding behind the curtain.
Can’t they both be a threat?
And they have been doing it for 45 years.
Yes- God be with us, Amen. Continual prayers for President Trump, his administration, our nation & so many other prayers.
No better reason to finish off the IRGC totally and completely. Without doing so, China and Russia will just feed the more supplies and technology than every. They will end up in an even better position, and the World a way worse one.
Finishing off the IRGC totally and completely is about 1,000 times easier said than done.
Not to mention such a tactic would “finish off” a whole lot of Iranians who just wanted to live their best lives. I don’t think going down with the IRGC ship was on their radar when they wanted the U.S. to step in and help them.
The breakthrough between Russia and America is when America gives Ukraine to Russia and Russia gives Iran to America.
While Trump spoke of kinetic weapons, which are indirectly routed through NATO countries, Starlink, targeting, and espionage (for military targeting) is being directly provided to Ukraine by America.
I frankly don’t think Russia will accept any dictated peace. They are very likely seeing the Ukraine conflagration. As one between Russia and the West. To that end, US weapons aren’t an indirect aid but a direct one.
The reason we live on the edge is that if America/EU pushes Russia to fall, while falling, it will likely launch 5000 nuclear warheads towards what they see as the source of their fall. It won’t be Ukraine.
Glad you stated the obvious Sundance. My sister had two friends fighting. One asked for a hand full of leaves to stuff in the other’s mouth. My sister obliged then both of her friends got mad at her because she provided the leaves. That and the comment on his way home when President Trump said he was considering providing patriot missiles to Ukraine right after a great, long talk with Putin regarding our 250 celebration. Hiding in shadow don’t give you total invisibility and helping by providing leaves doesn’t mean you didn’t provide the attack weapon. Ask my sister.
Russia has self-reported sending food and medicine, humanitarian aid to Iran recently. Is China sending Iran materiel for drones and ballistic missiles? It seems probable, but more evidence is needed.
Would we back down from liberating the Iranian people, if China or Russia objected? Russia has its hands full. China is thirsty for oil and must be in short supply, so it is directly affected by the war, aside from Iran being China’s proxy. Evidence of China pulling strings with its made men in the United States should become more obvious. We need a list of countries and prominent individuals worldwide, who are on Team China. Likewise for Team USA to compare. It would improve our understanding of the situation.
As long as we support Ukraine, or any other adversary to either China or Russia, we have no justification for asking them to refrain from same.
Simple isn’t it. Yet…
Maybe it’s a case of we know what you (China and Russia ) said vs what you are actually doing so we can play that game too.
That would clarify this from SD above:
“Perhaps this {{nudge, nudge – wink, wink}} geopolitical brinkmanship explains the not-so-subtle shift in USA and Trump’s policy support in favor of Ukraine.”
As of this moment, militarily, the United States IS the Western World.
To the extent we are feeding weapons to Europe/Ukraine or to the middle east, we are doing it alone, and to the depletion of our other theaters and security interests.
We must never lose sight of protecting the homeland itself, both militarily and economically. Because no other power will assist us in doing so. They can’t even protect themselves. That should be more than clear now.
Our so-called “allies” are bankrupt, increasingly industrially incapable, and pathetically unarmed at this point below the strategic level (nuclear weapons). That is a simultaneously precarious and very dangerous situation.
I read this morning that the UK military has only 20 operational tanks, not enough to even defend a town. They asked Germany to loan it ships for a recent joint exercise. They are a shadow of even Thatcher’s UK. France and Germany are only marginally stronger conventionally.
They will not help us. Neither here at home, or in regions that impact them more directly. Because they are unable to do so. PDJT is correct to put them on notice to get ready to defend themselves.
We are the lonely Goliath right now on the world stage. With the increasingly desperate Chinese dragon sniffing around, looking for openings and weakness, directly and through its proxies.
A Russia standing with us, and not against us, would be a welcome development, as PDJT retakes our Western Hemisphere and pushes China out of it.
President Trump could secure Russia’s friendship by withdrawing from NATO and terminating the weapons deal we have with NATO/Ukraine.
Withdrawal from NATO will not be permitted by our Congress. Remember that the last NDAA passed before President Trump returned to the Oval Office explicitly denied him the ability to unilaterally withdraw the United States from NATO.
If NATO is to be disbanded it must be by other means.
Axis of evil Ian, Russia and China ???
I never trusted Ian.
“Whatever the cause, things are less stable than before, and we are stuck in Military depletion mode while operating intensely against Iran?”
Maybe depleting us has been the plan all along and boogeymen narratives of various kinds were created and fed to us for our successful consumption as a distraction?
Maybe a peaceful people shouldn’t have allowed such broad military adventurism in their name?
Maybe we should have minded our own business instead of bringing freedom and democracy to others around the globe at the end of the barrel of a gun?
Maybe we should have stayed on the gold standard?
I suspect our comeuppance is coming soon.
I’m quite certain that President Putin has told President Trump that there is no difference whatsoever between giving Ukraine weapons, and selling weapons to NATO…which then gives the weapons to Ukraine.
It’s a distinction without a difference. In my opinion, it’s also a mistake.
I just see a NOD to Putin, … Trump is implying … if Russia is going to attack someone, … Trump doesn’t have a problem with PUTIN going after Z and Europe!
This gives TRUMP a buffer zone, … Putin needs to unload his frustation at someone, … Trump is just nodding … hit Z and EU first, and then if that doesn’t work … Trump and Putin can discuss this in gentleman way … before duking it out. It would be a big mistake for Trump to take HARD action against Russia. EA needs to have a bloody nose, so their people experence the rages of war.
China… does have to be careful, intel … will tell the story. Also China/Russia stay away from IRAN.
” … I do not sell Weapons to Ukraine, but to NATO Countries. They pay full price, and how those Weapons are distributed, I have no idea.”
This is a distinction without a difference. And, it’s irresponsible to supply the EU with any weapons, knowing full well that they wish to provoke WWIII.
Oh Sundance – President Trump may not be personally providing Ukraine ‘With military, logistics targeting or other support ‘
Pull the other one.
Is it 200 300 or 500 hundred billions the US taxpayer has sent them ?
Drones will be reigning down on Russia for decades after the war is concluded. Putin’s only option is to annihilate Ukraine.
I beg to differ … “we RECOGNIZE things as they are …” and do not have to “accept them as the are” … this is the essence of the environment that spawns discussion and debate.
Furthermore, this goes for situations on an issue by issue by basis.
Acceptance = Agreement … which means supporting President Trump does not mean one necessarily accepts all of his positions and actions, by default.
It’s a straw man argument. I’m old enough to know that although I’m not a Putin is the devil individual. I’ve seen enough to know that regardless of the circumstances Russia would be assisting Iran in some manner that’s counter to the US interests. So nothing has changed. Russia is providing weapons to Iran period. China will also do anything to be an adversary to the US. So nothing has changed and nothing new. Bomb Iran into the stone age if necessary.
President Trump is live right now with a whole bunch of people gloating about the nuclear mini-reactors for the data centers.
RSBN is covering it.
0.o
This is what geopolitical pretending not to know looks like. The aim is to prevent unwanted escalation while maintaining freedom of diplomatic action to deal with bilateral problems on other issues.