A respectable position, IMO.
But I don’t like “proportionate”. In my opinion in a 9/11 type of incident, if Iran managed to kill (let’s say) 3000 Americans, I would support bombing Tehran with the goal of killing over 100,000. Seriously. The notion of “proportionate” only goes so far. Step beyond the unmanned drone, and we need to be able to think more broadly about response.
Well, maybe “proportionate” can still include a multiplier. IOW, maybe the proportionate response to a drone shot down is to destroy 30 of their fighter planes on a runway. But maybe killing 150 people is disproportionate. Of course then the question would be, why not have the generals come up with options for a more proportionate response rather than calling the whole thing off.
Just thinking out loud here...
The point being they shot down a radio controlled plane. No loss of human life. why escalate things?
Now put some other manned aircraft in that position and see if they take shots at that. Bet they won’t
If that was a key criterion, then why not ask before giving the ‘bombs away’?
“But I don’t like “proportionate”. “
For sure. In court you get cost plus triple damages.
By proportionate Trump probably meant you can’t compare human lives to a machine. Now bombing the crap out of one of their nuclear facilities WOULD BE proportionate.
I can assure you if they had shot down a manned plane, the response would have been quick and deadly and massive.
I don’t think Trump is a believer in porportionate. He normally hits back 5 times as hard.
And in this case he was going to destroy 3 sites in response to one drone. But loss of life is a big step up. That’s where he drew the line.
I think he made his point. And he has additional sanctions to boot.
But America didn’t bomb Saudi Arabia, even American government knew the fact that more than 90% Saudi adult citizens endorsed 9/11 attacks, at that time.
I don’t like being restricted by “proportionate” either. While there shouldn’t be a ‘canned’ response, and each act looked at on its own merits, I am concerned about the message that has now been sent. Is it ok for our foes to shoot down drones in International airspace now without fear of repercussions? People are minimizing that the shoot down was still an act of war. Iran has much US blood on its hands (Beirut, Kobar Towers, ~1000 servicemen in Iraq).
I continue to support POTUS, and I am happy we are not in another shooting conflict (yet). Honestly, I could live with it having gone either way, this pause, or just kick their ass (which they richly de4serve). My gut tells me that this ain’t over.
I believe he meant, 150 lives is not comparable to an unmanned drone over water.
If it was a 9/11 style attack, it would not be close.
I think he is using his brain.
There is a fine line between deterrence and vengeance. You cannot have both.
And so the souls of the Beirut Marines and Khobar Towers Airmen continue to cry out that no one felt compassion for them........same for every American military member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan with the help of Iranian weapons and money.
Thing is, they shot down an UNMANNED drone. It cost us money. That’s all.
There is a difference between a bad guy torching your car vs raping and killing your wife.
I honestly think a lot of people are treating this like it was a manned aircraft and they have our pilot or he’s dead.
Interestingly, I believe that if Iran was a civilized country they would simply say somebody goofed and then send us a check for the value of the aircraft at its used value based on mileage. I’d be good with that.
Unmanned aircraft really change the dynamic. With robots it’s hard to have another Gulf of Tonkin.
I admire Trump’s choice. He clearly does not want to kill any innocents if he can help it.
I believe in what Teddy Roosevelt said. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Iran crossed a line though. My response would be an attempt to contact the Iranian government and give them a clear warning then I would repeat this warning publicly to the world. Make it clear what the price will be but we have to use caution about taking the risk of escalating into a global war involving China and/or Russia and others.
My warning would be clear. Do not shoot down any more of our equipment or we will retaliate against an Iranian naval base on the coastline. If you should choose to shoot down any manned plane or kill any of our service personnel, the destruction of government facilities in Tehran will follow suit.