topic Re: And so it begins. in Off-Topic

And so it begins.

Cleoriff — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 10:43:14 GMT

The death of Iran's top military commander, Qasem Soleimani, after a US drone strike, prompted days of speculation about what might happen next.

So now we know. In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran fired rockets at two air bases in Iraq that house US troops....One report states they missed, others are claiming they hit the bases. No news yet on any deaths.

I'm sure this is just an opening salvo and sadly there will be more to come.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/07/trump-iran-suleimani-threats-retaliation

Re: And so it begins.

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 12:25:43 GMT

Do you know what.. I don’t blame them. You can’t go around randomly assassinating people and not expect recriminations.
I watched a video this morning of a man, presumably Iranian crying saying he loved the US but hated the President. How he didn’t get stoned right there and then is beyond me.. or maybe they actually do like the US!

Re: And so it begins.

sheepdog — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 13:10:20 GMT

Its easy for Iran to play the victim though I do believe it was a mistake on the Americans to kill their general on foreign soil. But, lets not forget Iran has not exactly been the innocent party over the years and have been provoking incidents to start a conflict that drags in Saudi Arabia via many proxies which is the real power play for dominance.

Given that Iran has way too much to lose if this escalates (first place that gets targeted is the nuclear power plants followed by ports crippling Iran very quickly since they won't be able to export oil), I think this situation will cool down by the end of the week and we'll be back to localised incidents.

As for the people of Iran, they are not all pro-government and are kept quiet by the secret police rather than speak out. Will the man be seen again is more of the question.

Re: And so it begins.

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 14:09:17 GMT

Some great points there @sheepdog but I’m sure an incursion / strike on Iranian soil would’ve seen all hell coming raining down upon us all. You’re right that they do stir up their fair share but then again what country doesn’t?
Not forgetting decades / centuries of pillaging their country (by the UK and other countries) then we armed Iraq in the 80s and tried to stifle their progress ever since!

It’s no wonder they have grievances.

Their strike today seemed to be a show of strength, will & power as opposed to trying to obliterate anyone/thing. I think it shows great restraint from Iran. If only Trump had/could/would do the same.

Re: And so it begins.

Cleoriff — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 14:22:03 GMT

I don't blame them at all for their retaliation, the attack was unprovoked and many in the US did not agree with it.

However, my concern is for the UK, who Iran perceive as much weaker than the US.

We have already had the tussle at sea with the capture, arrest and impounding of British ships and crew.

We have seen the Iranians burning the Union Jack along with the US flag after the killing of the Irani general. .

So, as far as I'm concerned, we are as much in the firing line, maybe even more so, than the US.

Re: And so it begins.

Bambino — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:11:40 GMT

This is Trump from 2011. Wag the dog.

Re: And so it begins.

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:31:11 GMT

TYT, RoF, TDR & TBC are great sources for all things US politics at the moment!

There are numerous video and tweets of him (such as the above) where Trump states that Obama & HRC would start a war in the Middle East, to stay in power or once in power.

And the trouble with Twitter.. all his tweets now show what he’s up to.. exactly what he stated they would do! (& Obama didn’t do)

Re: And so it begins.

jonsie — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:58:14 GMT

Anyone else finding it suspicious that a Russian airliner came crashing to earth amidst this bombardment of the US bases?

Re: And so it begins.

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 16:05:25 GMT

Wasn’t it Ukrainian?

Re: And so it begins.

Bambino — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 16:05:29 GMT

It was Ukrainian @jonsie, and I think it was just an unfortunate coincidence.

Re: And so it begins.

jonsie — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 16:37:53 GMT

My mistake, yes Ukranian but none the less....coincidence....mmn...

Re: And so it begins.

Bambino — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 17:29:15 GMT

I'm not really a fan of conspiracy theories @jonsie. I don't see how downing a plane from a country that has nothing to do with this conflict would serve anyone's interest. I think it was just an unfortunate accident.

Re: And so it begins.

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 17:31:15 GMT

But there were Brits onboard.. enough to inspire a conspiracy theory!

Re: And so it begins.

MI5 — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 20:23:00 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
My mistake, yes Ukranian but none the less....coincidence....mmn...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-51055219

Re: And so it begins.

Cleoriff — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 20:34:00 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
@jonsie wrote:
My mistake, yes Ukranian but none the less....coincidence....mmn...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-51055219

And here

https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/09/pentagon-official-claims-ukrainian-plane-that-crashed-in-iran-killing-176-was-shot-down-12032116/?ito=article.mweb.share.top.facebook&fbclid=IwAR3lF3OYNOdOAa_zOsV6s_88C62r1qMad_iU6G7flTZBZ4xkwzdPvveRhzs

Claiming it was 'shot down in error'...

Re: And so it begins.

jonsie — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 20:36:42 GMT

You read it here first folks....

Re: And so it begins.

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:16:04 GMT

Fortunately there are some sane people on Twitter

Re: And so it begins.

Bambino — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:23:13 GMT

I'm sorry to say that it looks like your suspicions were correct, @jonsie. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/09/trump-says-he-has-doesnt-believe-the-boeing-plane-crash-in-iran-was-due-to-mechanical-error.html

I also have to say that the blood is on Trump's hands for this, as none of this would have happened without his instigation.

Re: And so it begins.

jonsie — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:22:54 GMT

There's no sanity in any hostility which kills innocent men, women and children

Re: And so it begins.

Mi-Amigo — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 09:39:30 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
There's no sanity in any hostility which kills innocent men, women and children

My thoughts too @jonsie