@ChrisMayLA6

But, that doesn't mean Trump is going to "lose" his war with #Iran

Altho never (consistently) defined, the goals of this war are quite clear:
- Dominance of the headlines in America as a "strong man"
- Raising oil prices to benefit the fossil fuel oligarchs, esp Putin
- Further consolidation of Trump's imperial control of US institutions
- Massive grifts (see Kushner's latest ME shakedown)

By those measures, the war is a smashing success.

2/2

@ChrisMayLA6

But, that doesn't mean Trump is going to "lose" his war with #Iran

Altho never (consistently) defined, the goals of this war are quite clear:
- Dominance of the headlines in America as a "strong man"
- Raising oil prices to benefit the fossil fuel oligarchs, esp Putin
- Further consolidation of Trump's imperial control of US institutions
- Massive grifts (see Kushner's latest ME shakedown)

By those measures, the war is a smashing success.

2/2

@ChrisMayLA6

This Iran war shows an utter disregard for the lessons of 50 years of anti-American guerilla warware.

Of course, Iran was not going to have a conventional shooting war against US aircraft and ships. Instead, attacking the Strait and neighbours was thr obvious response.

Similarly, the definition of "success" for #Iran is simple regime survival. They will outlast Trump's attention span - and use the devastation he caused as a recruitment tool.

1/n

@ChrisMayLA6 I'm in UK, but in US foreign policy there's always continuity of agenda across parties, so the answer points to yes.

But, whilst the US and Israel have long wanted to take #iran and create an #iranwar and while military and geopolitical think tanks have come up with every way imaginable of doing this, have war gamed every scenario hundreds of times, they consistently reach the conclusion US wouldn't win (may end in stalemate or loss), so the sane, more informed answer should be no.

A quick Q. to all those voters in the USA who thought that voting for Kamala Harris was a step too far & that the Democrats were just as bad as the Republicans...

Can you imagine Kamala Harris launching an illegal series of attacks on Iran?

(Some if you will respond that the Democrats are just as beholden to Israel as the Republicans and so *can* imagine it... but I'm a lot less certain 2026 would have unfolded, so far, like this, had we had POTUS Harris in the White House).

#USPol #Iran

If the first two weeks of the US/Israel assault on Iran have shown anything it is that the attackers woefully underestimated the ability of Iran to mount a defensive series of counter attacks and the subsequent impact this would have on the global economy.

You might argue that the Tangerine Tyrant & Netanyahu really didn't care, but as Iran has escalated the costs of the conflict, so the war has extended as they seek to constrain Iran's response.

#MiddleEast #Iran #InternationalRelations

Vasli Nasr (JohnHopkinsU) suggests the Tangerine Tyrant may have allowed Iran to commence a strategic asymmetric war to their own ends:

'Iran’s leaders entered this war with the goal of ensuring it will be the last one. Either it breaks them or radically changes the country’s circumstances. They are betting on surviving long enough & squeezing the global economy hard enough to realise that goal' securing a ceasefire agreement safeguarding their sovereignty & future.

#Iran #MiddelEast
h/t FT

Q. will escalation traps & incrementalism draw the US into an ever wider range of attacks & involvement in the war on Iran?

The lessons of history (specifically Vietnam) suggest it may well do, which offers little hope of an early resolution & peace for the Iranians, and a continuation of the ramping up of tensions across the Middle East, with considerable impact on the global system.

No good will come of this... as is already clear!

#Iran #politics #MiddleEast

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/14/how-iran-war-escalate-vietnam-trump-netanyahu-us-israel

(Anecdotal) evidence is mounting to support the `argument that those who oppose the regime in Iran are labouring under few illusions that the US is *really* their friend; from a lack of delivery on offers of support for 'resistance' to the bombing of civilians (include the early hit on a school), Iranians increasingly see their future as bleak, whoever 'wins' the war.

Only those with no memory of the US's involvement in the Middle East could remain optimistic.

#Iran

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/14/anti-regime-iranians-turn-on-trump-us

Jonathan Freedland:

'To confront the Iranian regime was to walk, with a lit match, towards a tinderbox soaked in gasoline. If it were to be done at all, whether by military or other means, it had to be done with the greatest care. But Trump has blundered in, crushing & trampling all before him, making a bad situation worse. He does not deserve the benefit of the doubt. He does not deserve his war to be assessed charitably. He deserves our contempt'!

Exactly!

#Iran

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/13/donald-trump-iran-war-total-disaster

Jonathan Freedland:

'To confront the Iranian regime was to walk, with a lit match, towards a tinderbox soaked in gasoline. If it were to be done at all, whether by military or other means, it had to be done with the greatest care. But Trump has blundered in, crushing & trampling all before him, making a bad situation worse. He does not deserve the benefit of the doubt. He does not deserve his war to be assessed charitably. He deserves our contempt'!

Exactly!

#Iran

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/13/donald-trump-iran-war-total-disaster

Vasli Nasr (JohnHopkinsU) suggests the Tangerine Tyrant may have allowed Iran to commence a strategic asymmetric war to their own ends:

'Iran’s leaders entered this war with the goal of ensuring it will be the last one. Either it breaks them or radically changes the country’s circumstances. They are betting on surviving long enough & squeezing the global economy hard enough to realise that goal' securing a ceasefire agreement safeguarding their sovereignty & future.

#Iran #MiddelEast
h/t FT

What we get upset about. Cartoon for Dutch newspaper Trouw: https://www.trouw.nl/cartoons/tjeerd-royaards~bcb45712/

#GasPrices #oil #OilPrices #Iran

@rbreich

Those who don't watch the news will see the price of #gasoline and especially #diesel

#Trump will seek to deflect blame. Expect him to blame #Iran.

Trump sells #SPR for $100 /bbl. Recent pruchases were $77 /bbl. Government speculation.

Trump proposes suspending federal fuel excise taxes.

Trump tell folks to suck up the new prices.

Don't expect him to restrict air conditioning in government ofices.

What we get upset about. Cartoon for Dutch newspaper Trouw: https://www.trouw.nl/cartoons/tjeerd-royaards~bcb45712/

#GasPrices #oil #OilPrices #Iran

The US base in Fujairah, UAE was seen being struck around 1am on March 11th, which has become routine.

Video filmed by sailors showed 4-6 US missile interceptors missing the incoming Iranian missile before it struck the base.

Costing a minimum of $16M in failed interceptors.

#US #UAE #EpicFury #EpicFail #Iran #Israel

The US base in Fujairah, UAE was seen being struck around 1am on March 11th, which has become routine.

Video filmed by sailors showed 4-6 US missile interceptors missing the incoming Iranian missile before it struck the base.

Costing a minimum of $16M in failed interceptors.

#US #UAE #EpicFury #EpicFail #Iran #Israel