There is a highly symbolic way to announce Iran’s defeat. Saudi Arabia needs to announce that it is joining the Abraham Accord.
Since Sinwar’s main justification for the October 7 pogrom was to prevent just that, what better way to show that he and his Iranian patron have utterly failed?
I'm betting that, and I am sick to have to write this, Trump is spinning this (very poorly) as some kind of Triumph. It's not. Yet. Sadly, he has put Vance (Tucker Carlson) in charge of the negotiations. Sheez. Like putting Maw Maw up against the Persian Civilization. The clock is ticking and he has given away at least another 2 weeks needlessly. Every day gets closer to the midterms and we all know its not going to be 2 weeks. There will be another extension and another. We'll know for sure if he's lost it, when he throws Israel under the bus with cluster munitons raining down, forcing them into the ceasefire to mullify the IRGC hardliners. That will let Hezbollah off the hook, insuring a strategic defeat in favor of Iran's proxies, stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, and the whole Gulf. Just when the IDF is freed up to get things cleaned up close to home. Oh, I hope I'm wrong.
One factual correction to Amit’s column is is order. The straits are definitely NOT open. A couple of freighters went through yesterday, all of them paying their staff properly toll and following the Iran created channel. And the US, despite what anyone may claim, does not have the force to open it. It has a blue water navy, built around a dozen aircraft carriers and accompanying destroyers, suitable for attacking countries from afar. What it lacks is a green water navy with frigates, patrol craft, minesweepers and the like. (That fleet exists: in Europe where navies are designed to patrol the littoral shores. Too bad trump decided he didn’t need allies) Even if the US possessed such a navy it would have to occupy the coast of Iran. The occupying force would have to number in the 100s of thousands.
So where does that leave us: trump will force Israel to end its war in Lebanon (a part of the original ceasefire agreement per its author: Pakistan) and then the Straits will actually open in a fashion. Everyone gets to pay a toll.
One story that broke this morning in the Financial Times and is being confirmed by other sources: Trump had been imploring Pakistan to arrange for a ceasefire since MARCH 21!
Not something you do if you think you are winning. No wonder Bibi was spending so much effort in taking off the board annotation who might serve as a negotiator.
When the real story of this inane adventure gets written it will make for some interesting reading. More betrayals than an Episode of Game of Thrones…..
There is a highly symbolic way to announce Iran’s defeat. Saudi Arabia needs to announce that it is joining the Abraham Accord.
Since Sinwar’s main justification for the October 7 pogrom was to prevent just that, what better way to show that he and his Iranian patron have utterly failed?
Why Chancy Vance instead of Rubio negotiating with those chutzpadik degenerates?
Negotiating team and location make me nervous
I'm betting that, and I am sick to have to write this, Trump is spinning this (very poorly) as some kind of Triumph. It's not. Yet. Sadly, he has put Vance (Tucker Carlson) in charge of the negotiations. Sheez. Like putting Maw Maw up against the Persian Civilization. The clock is ticking and he has given away at least another 2 weeks needlessly. Every day gets closer to the midterms and we all know its not going to be 2 weeks. There will be another extension and another. We'll know for sure if he's lost it, when he throws Israel under the bus with cluster munitons raining down, forcing them into the ceasefire to mullify the IRGC hardliners. That will let Hezbollah off the hook, insuring a strategic defeat in favor of Iran's proxies, stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, and the whole Gulf. Just when the IDF is freed up to get things cleaned up close to home. Oh, I hope I'm wrong.
One factual correction to Amit’s column is is order. The straits are definitely NOT open. A couple of freighters went through yesterday, all of them paying their staff properly toll and following the Iran created channel. And the US, despite what anyone may claim, does not have the force to open it. It has a blue water navy, built around a dozen aircraft carriers and accompanying destroyers, suitable for attacking countries from afar. What it lacks is a green water navy with frigates, patrol craft, minesweepers and the like. (That fleet exists: in Europe where navies are designed to patrol the littoral shores. Too bad trump decided he didn’t need allies) Even if the US possessed such a navy it would have to occupy the coast of Iran. The occupying force would have to number in the 100s of thousands.
So where does that leave us: trump will force Israel to end its war in Lebanon (a part of the original ceasefire agreement per its author: Pakistan) and then the Straits will actually open in a fashion. Everyone gets to pay a toll.
One story that broke this morning in the Financial Times and is being confirmed by other sources: Trump had been imploring Pakistan to arrange for a ceasefire since MARCH 21!
Not something you do if you think you are winning. No wonder Bibi was spending so much effort in taking off the board annotation who might serve as a negotiator.
When the real story of this inane adventure gets written it will make for some interesting reading. More betrayals than an Episode of Game of Thrones…..
What is the evidence the Strait is open?