Posted on 12/31/2019 10:54:36 AM PST by ransomnote
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7847069/Rocket-attack-Baghdad-airport-kills-seven.html
Iran vows revenge amid fears of ‘devastating war’: Supreme leader promises ‘jihad’ against US for killing of top general as Hezbollah vows ‘worldwide resistance’ and ALL Americans are told get out of Iraq NOW
FTA:
It comes as Iraqi Shia militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr ordered the reformation of the Mahdi Army which fought against US troops during the invasion in 2003. Sadr had disbanded the group in 2008.
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Announcing his death during a live Iranian-state TV broadcast, a news presenter embraced army spokesman Ramezan Sharif and the pair wept together as they informed the Islamic Republic of Soleimani’s death.
The US embassy in Baghdad said in a statement: ‘Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US Embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately.
‘US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land.’
The State Department added: ‘Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. US citizens should not approach the Embassy.’
https://www.nysun.com/editorials/american-cannot-do-a-damn-thing-eh/90961/
America ‘Cannot Do a Damn Thing,’ Eh?
Editorial of The New York Sun
FTA:
This is not a situation in which responsibility is being debated on murky evidence. The Pentagon itself put out a straightforward statement saying that our military had acted “at the direction of the president.” It characterized the attack as a “decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel.”
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Our attack was, among other things, a product of remarkable intelligence.
As astounding as the attack may be on the order of battle in the Middle East, it may be even more of a game-changer politically, including here at home.
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We’ll see what Iran wants. Our own view is that Mr. Trump has shown as much forbearance as anyone could expect of a responsible leader in the face of repeated Iranian aggression, over a long period of time, against us, the Saudis, and Israel. The President even reached out to the Iranian camarilla diplomatically, which was more than they deserved. Mr. Trump clearly grasped that any failure to respond to Iranian aggression would have carried its own risks.
Triggering A Recession Tops The Dems’ Presidential Agendas
FTA:
While it doesn’t look like they’ll get the 2020 recession they’re hoping for, the Democrats would surely get one if they are ever successful in their furious efforts to outlaw fracking. That the downturn came on their watch wouldn’t bother them at all. They’d blame it on Trump, and the media would go along for the ride, publishing, broadcasting, and streaming a noxious river of news stories, “analyses,” op-eds, and editorials assuring the country that the previous administration’s tax-cutting/deregulatory agenda wrecked the economy.
At the same time, both groups would have their eyes on the next agenda item that would deepen the recession — and use it to further consolidate their political and cultural dominion over a nation that was intended to be the model of liberty for the entire world.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/what-qassim-soleimanis-killing-means
What Qassim Soleimani’s killing means
by Tom Rogan
FTA:
Soleimani masterminded a failed 2011 plot to blow up the then-Saudi ambassador and dozens of diners in a Washington, D.C., restaurant.
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Trump’s shift here is hard to overestimate. Until now, Trump had been keen to keep avenues of diplomatic intercourse open toward Iran. Trump had avoided direct military retaliation against Iran even after it downed a U.S. drone last summer. But this killing slams the door on diplomacy in a most public way.
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This will also cause short-term strife for U.S. political interests in Iraq. Soleimani and Muhandis represented a powerful bloc of Iranian-aligned interests. But a bloc that was under growing pressure. They’ll now seek to unify erstwhile competitors such as Muqtada al Sadr into punishing America for what has occurred.
Ultimately, however, the U.S. holds the cards here.
https://freebeacon.com/columns/trump-calls-the-ayatollahs-bluff/
Trump Calls the Ayatollah’s Bluff
And scores a victory against terrorism
FTA:
Reciprocity has been the key to understanding Donald Trump. Whether you are a media figure or a mullah, a prime minister or a pope, he will be good to you if you are good to him. Say something mean, though, or work against his interests, and he will respond in force. It won’t be pretty. It won’t be polite. There will be fallout. But you may think twice before crossing him again.
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That has been the case with Iran. President Trump has conditioned his policies on Iranian behavior. When Iran spread its malign influence, Trump acted to check it. When Iran struck, Trump hit back: never disproportionately, never definitively. He left open the possibility of negotiations. He doesn’t want to have the Greater Middle East—whether Libya, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, or Afghanistan—dominate his presidency the way it dominated those of Barack Obama and George W. Bush. America no longer needs Middle Eastern oil. Best keep the region on the back burner. Watch it so it doesn’t boil over. Do not overcommit resources to this underdeveloped, war-torn, sectarian land.
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Deterrence, says Fred Kagan of the American Enterprise Institute, is credibly holding at risk something your adversary holds dear. If the reports out of Iraq are true, President Trump has put at risk the entirety of the Iranian imperial enterprise even as his maximum pressure campaign strangles the Iranian economy and fosters domestic unrest. That will get the ayatollah’s attention. And now the United States must prepare for his answer.
The bombs over Baghdad? That was Trump calling Khamenei’s bluff. The game has changed. But it isn’t over.
In other words, the Trump Administration attempted every diplomatic and economic option at its disposal, but Iran doubted Trump had the intestinal fortitude to back that up with any other credible threat if Iraq continued to reject diplomatic and economic approaches.
Iraq provoked POTUS by attacking the Iraqi embassy and the US military responded 13 hours later by taking out their George S. Patton.
I wonder what Iran’s next move is going to be, given their next move was clearly going to be an escalation of their PREVIOUS military provocation.
The press has the perspective of a goldfish. They won’t acknowledge what happened literally less than 24 hours prior.
Mount Rushmore may end up being the B team. They may need a new place for the A squad, which currently only has one member.
Fox reporting that Soleimani was actively planning attacks on American diplomats and personnel in the region..likely involved in the embassy attack and lots of American blood on his hands..
God Bless the USA
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Wonderful news...more to come?
Shredding is good. Now, let's see some inside Iran.
Quaking is also good.
“Benghazi - 13 hours begging for help, soldiers told to stand down
Baghdad attack - 13 minutes until help is on the way, 13 hours until the mastermind is dead in a strategic strike.”
wow.just wow.I’m tearing.
Bravo President Trump. Many are smiling down to you.
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Bravo indeed!!!
https://amgreatness.com/2020/01/03/morning-greatness-president-trump-cancels-iran-terror-mastermind/
Morning Greatness: President Trump Cancels Iran Terror Mastermind
FTA:
Buh-bye. The Democrats have executed what I call the “BUT Maneuver” in response to the administration’s killing of Soleimani. The “BUT Maneuver” goes a little like this:
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Richard Haas, President of the Council of Foreign Relations: If US did have intell indicating Suleimani was planning imminent attacks on US personnel, preemptive action would have have been justifiable. But that is not the same as smart. It would have been preferable to try to deter Iran from going ahead given what we are now in for.
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And then there is this cry for help:
Dear #Iran, The USA has disrespected your country, your flag, your people. 52% of us humbly apologize. We want peace with your nation. We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime. We do not know how to escape. Please do not kill us. #Soleimani pic.twitter.com/YE54CqGCdr
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) January 3, 2020
Barack Obama welcomed leader of US embassy attack to the White House: Iran's ‘point man’ in Baghdad Hadi al-Amiri was hosted in the Oval Office in 2011 – eight years before he orchestrated siege in Iraq
Say What?
Bernie Sanders $34.5 million fourth quarter fundraising impressive but worrisome.
Top occupation: teachers!
American teachers embracing socialism, so what are they teaching our children?— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) January 2, 2020
Wasn’t that the best “YOUR FIRED” we’ve seen yet?
Just wait on what is to come.
If I were Comey, Brennan, ETC, I’d be very very afraid!!
Trump knows how to MAN UP!!
After being slammed for using a 'Game of Thrones' stars meme to talk sanctions, Trump has now received a response from Iran's General Qasem Soleimani.
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