Fangs don’t kill the thread! It’s mostly been interesting commentary.

 

Compare the bold here with the bold earlier…. Adding all kinds of ‘color” only detracts from a compelling argument. Especially for those who aren’t consuming the same media sources you are.

There is a lot more at play than what most MSM is talking about. This is putting China back on their heels. This is dealing with a long festering problem that no President (including 43, other than Solemani) really dealt with in a meaningful way.

For now, and until proven otherwise, I trust the decision was well considered, and supported by solid intel. Especially given the president’s long history of criticizing needless wars (he was one of the first to decry Iraq), I give him the benefit of the doubt be was privy to intel that compelled him to act when he did.

So far, it’s going exceptionally well. No warn is perfect, but Iran is getting absolutely crushed. Time will tell if it was a wise move, or a foolish one.

But one thing is for sure, Iran absolutely could NOT be allowed to have a nuke. They are ideologically bent to use it on the Great Satan. No serious person can dispute that.

As for NATO and China, you remember DIMEFIL, Right? He’s using several of those Instruments of National Power with them, as again, he’s arguing it’s in their interest to pull some weight. China is really being pressured to use their pull with Iran to back down.

 

Maybe all the veterans here of GWOT have seen this play out again and again and again.

We can attempt to wrap it up in some bull**** (even though no one is sure what this latest adventure is all about).

 

Iran has been two weeks away from a nuclear weapon for 10 years. Obviously MIDNIGHT HAMMER didn't "totally" destroy their ability to make a nuclear weapon if that's the reasoning.

What's the name of the ayatollah in charge of Iran right now? How's regime change worked in Libya, Afghanistan..

Fortunately we're remvoing THAAD from Korea because of stockpiles and getting a few of our radars blown up. Stuff that we need in a high end conflict.

We are very good with tactical employment. But one would think one of the operational goals of this operation would be to keep the Strait open. That has gone poorly.
Russia invading Ukraine has done more for NATO spending than any bullying.

 

As a vet and a son who's a vet am I entitled to this special privilege?

 

fair enough. I agree that iran cant be allowed to have a nuke. Im just astonished at the lack of operational foresight that could potentially trigger a recession and impact my February beer fund. This seems very knee jerk and further degrades (through geopolitical optics) our standing in the world order. Whether you like it or night, we are losing influence. This puts the “long peace” at risk.

 

As a vet, he is entitled to have an opinion that is critical of both the US Military and the President's actions, especially considering that he likely has special knowledge above that of a poli sci or communications major from Indiana Community college. And to group his viewpoint as equally as uninformed as someone without any prior service is unnecessarily insulting and does nothing to contribute to what has been an informative and respectful debate so far.

You and your son are also entitled to support the war as you see fit. And it would be equally insulting if I called you a member of meal team 6

 

All fair points. I would note a couple things. Midnight hammer did its job. Those facilities are wiped out. But if they didn’t have the uranium on site, or if they moved it, it only set them back. Steve Witkoff said the Iranians were bragging to them at the table about how close they were. That taunt backfired on them, big time.

The straight ‘closing ‘ for a couple weeks is a good trade off for ridding the world of Iran’s radical regime (assuming that happens eventually). Boots on the ground, except for maybe Kharg island, won’t pass muster, and won’t happen IMO. IF I were in change, I’d be working the phones behind the scenes for the Saudi’s and others to pony up the troops to stabilize Iran if it comes to that. Hopefully, the populace raises up when the money is right, and soon. The regime is very unpopular, even before this.

Im not convinced there was no operational foresight. I mean, really, do you honestly think no one in Centcom brought that up??

Consider for a moment, what if this works? There are many things I don’t like about the President, but if he actually puts an end to Irans terrorizing the world in big ways and small, and gets peace in the Middle East through the Abraham Accords being Saudi into normalizing relations with Israel, what will you say then?

Honestly, there are a lot of people and media who seem to be genuinely rooting against the USA. They want to see this fail, because they see this as path to finally pin The President to the ground. Their hatred of him knows no bounds. Not saying that’s you, but that is scary regardless of support, septicism, or anti-war feelings.

 

That all sounds fairly ..................logical, fact based and unbiased.

 

Every time in the last 10 years that Iran got close, Israel stepped in and set them back a year to two. Remember the Stuxnet cyber attack against the Iranian centrifuges in 2024? Midnight Hammer was a similar setback. Rather than set them back a year or two, this campaign is designed to set them back a decade or longer.