All true Erick. First, the idea that Pakistan can mediate this conflict was crazy from day 1. They haven't been friends of the U.S. in quite a while. How do the "smart" people fall for this? Why has Trump discontinued the operation to help ships pass the strait ? I believe he once stated that this was at the request of Pakistan. Is Trump "hoping" that the economic blockade of Iran will bring Iran to the point of collapse? Iran has obviously written off Trump's threats as bluster. One day he threatens Iran with oblivion if they don't agree to a deal, the next day he extends the deal deadline. Something appears to be amiss and none us of can understand it as there is little or no communication from the administration, other than bombast about how we wiped them out. We all want the same thing, the regime, missiles and fissile material all out of Iran. How do we get the message to the President that doing nothing is unacceptable?
Erick, you are correct that the only way out is through. I think Trump is such a deal maker that he fails to understand the religious fanaticism of the IRGC/Ayatollahs. But he's kicked the hornets nest which was long overdue and he now needs to see it to completion. Reopening the Straits will be a clear signal to the world that the IRGC's power is broken so I see that as the next step. (plus, that relieve oil prices worldwide) That will require some determined messy fighting against small boats/missiles/drones. More decapitation among IRGC leaders, hopefully some on the ground rebellions to draw out IRGC units where we can provide aerial destruction.
Very depressing column, Erick, mainly because I think you are right. What you never say in words is that "Finish the Fight" means boots on the ground; the only rational end to this conflict, rather than kicking the can down the road a year or two, is regime change. The US cannot bomb its way to that. With the IRGC patrolling cities, security checkpoints everywhere, it's unrealistic to hope for an internal uprising. Or that Tehran will fall as easily as Baghdad. I'm not sure Trump will see things as clearly as you.
Excellent reporting, Erick. I've been perplexed all along as to why we would work with Pakistan (of all countries) to structure a peace agreement with Iran. There is no peace to be had with Islamic fanatics. And I am continually perplexed by the Russians and Chinese. Do they seriously not think the Iranians will attack them as soon as they have missiles that can travel that far? Moscow and Beijing are a lot closer to Tehran than Washington, DC . . . or even Rome, Paris and London. I don't think international leaders truly understand what we are dealing with in Iran.
Leave the current Iranian regime and gas prices only get worse. They will move to inflicted economic damage on the West with the support of Russia and China. The coddled, soft American public will put the progressives in charge because Trump failed.
I certainly hope that Trump doesn’t seriously think that these psychopaths will honestly negotiate and even if they did, there a snowball’s chance they would remotely honor it. Radical Islam is a cancer. If you leave any of it untreated or don’t removed it, it will grow and come right back. All they understand is death. All they know is Death. China is the same but with more sense about it. They too need to be wiped out or neutralized. We just need to bomb Iran, drop weapons into areas that people can get them to fight internally and kill all of the IRGC loyalists. With China, we need to get away from their economic clutches. Most of Europe is gone and there’s little hope for them. We are wasting time and resources trying to help them. I’m not for isolationism, but I am for freedom and protecting our borders and way of life. Those that want to live under China, have at it, but for me and my family we love and live God!
Being Godless blinds you. One can be saved, but ignore or don't allow the Lord to make His home in your heart and you can also be deceived. We, as Christians, can live in darkness too, but we have a way out if we chose. Sometimes Christians and heathens can't be told apart, except in that day. The difference being eternal perdition. But, now, while on the earth, we can allow the Lord to make His home in our heart and chose to live by His life in us. As for Iran, China and all of what's happening in the world, it is according to God's plan, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be aware and that we do have a duty to be proper citizens and follow the Lord's speaking and leading in us. Just don't let it consume us and distract us from God's plan and goal. Right and Wrong came from the same Tree. The real choice is God or Satan. Satan uses "good" things as well as bad things to accomplish his goal, but the Lord only uses Life, the Life from God. We have a human spirit which is out connection to His Spirit. Our understanding is from God in or spirit. Our mind and heart apart from the Lord living in us can be deceiving us, Allow the Lord to make His home in our heart and all will work out as it should.
Additionally, yesterday it was reported that Kuwait captured four IRGC hostages. What were they doing in Kuwait? It was suggested that they were scouting out what their intelligence was telling them, and that Kuwait could have been in trouble had it not acted quickly.
If this information is correct, it appears that Iran is escalating this conflict.
It's disturbing to note how duplicitous Pakistan is, and China, and worrisome that Trump, Vance and Rubio are all visiting China right now.
I accept that at least some, perhaps everything, in this article about Iran's robust rearming is true. However, your first source is from the NYTimes. The second is CNN. This sows some doubt in my mind.
"[A]ctivity at facilities resumed quickly." What. Does. That. Mean? They're digging out the tunnels?
Tehran has impressive network of tunnels! Yeah, a city without much water.
Yes, Iran can cause lethal damage with drones and the outside support from Russia and China. There's a big "but". How is Iran rebuilding it's defense when it's economy is in shambles?
I guess I'm a MAGA Repuican, but I am disappointed with Trump. I think his heart is in the right place: He loves to do deals, and wants to avoid risking lives with boots on the ground. He was hoping the economic war would force an unconditional surrender. But it doesn't look like that is working out. Now, he has no alternative but to finish the job.
Good Morning People Erick has this figured out and it will not end till one or the other is Destroyed. I’m sure that America can win and I’m also sure that there’ll be an Attack on our country in our country very soon and Americans will die. I pray every day that God will protect us from this Evil God Bless America
That's it. You either plan to take out their leadership permanently and decapitate them or at some point, you have to walk away and buffer the defenses around that country. As long as they have nuclear capabilities, they are a threat to this country and could devastate our capital and major cities. They have to be removed - and you cannot do that through bombing alone. I didn't trust Fox News when they were parroting the administration, and I sure heck do not trust CNN now - but at the end of the day - we never should have put our foot on the gas. Huge mistake and one that will likely cost American lives.
I am glad you have figured it all out. How long do you plan to bomb this country? Given our last two military efforts in that region didn't turn out all that well for us, what makes you think this one will turn out differently? For it to even come close to achieving success we will have to be in Iran for decades. If we would have gone big from the beginning we would have a better chance of regime change, but not now.
None. I can make this assessment because, well, I can. That's all. The consequences of me being wrong with this assessment is minimal. No body bags. No planes shot down. No one cares, nor should they. I posted my opinion on social media, on a Substack posting.
War ends when one side has the crap beat out of it and doesn’t want anymore and gives up history has many examples of that happening. Iran has to be defeated this way and the regime eliminated which means boots on the ground and not just American boots we need a little help from are friends if they are our friends and we need to put the Russians and the CCP in the enemy category you can’t make a deal with any of the above mentioned countries
This has been a proxy war apparently, with at least the Chinese and possibly the Russians able to test their electronic capabilities against the US effort. I think we need to close this war quickly and before they have an opportunity to gather necessary intelligence and improve their own weapons.
Someone send this to Trump. Erick has summed this legitimate effort turned shit show up well. This fiasco is adding to the military intel gathering Biden gifted China, through the Afghan base walk-away. To Ericks point, China and Russia are benefiting from equipment intel to tactics efficiency.
Time is short, if Trump doesn't change to full throttle & damn the torpedo's, we'll have way more than an Iranian nuclear threat to be concerned with.
This plus the Islamic cancer growing here at home is the perfect storm to sink our Republic.
Why oh why aren’t we acting upon what our surveillance and intelligence have discovered? Aren’t the President and Hegseth privy to the same info you’re sharing here, Erick? We have people who have the stealth and experience of going in and eliminating these underground cities and tunnels. Why aren’t they? Why are we allowing China and Russia the opportunity to rearm Iran? Why are we allowing them to “test” their new fan dangled weaponry through Iran and used upon the US and our European allies?
Put your big boy pants on, stop the ridiculous ceasefire, negotiations and pull the dang trigger!
All true Erick. First, the idea that Pakistan can mediate this conflict was crazy from day 1. They haven't been friends of the U.S. in quite a while. How do the "smart" people fall for this? Why has Trump discontinued the operation to help ships pass the strait ? I believe he once stated that this was at the request of Pakistan. Is Trump "hoping" that the economic blockade of Iran will bring Iran to the point of collapse? Iran has obviously written off Trump's threats as bluster. One day he threatens Iran with oblivion if they don't agree to a deal, the next day he extends the deal deadline. Something appears to be amiss and none us of can understand it as there is little or no communication from the administration, other than bombast about how we wiped them out. We all want the same thing, the regime, missiles and fissile material all out of Iran. How do we get the message to the President that doing nothing is unacceptable?
Erick, you are correct that the only way out is through. I think Trump is such a deal maker that he fails to understand the religious fanaticism of the IRGC/Ayatollahs. But he's kicked the hornets nest which was long overdue and he now needs to see it to completion. Reopening the Straits will be a clear signal to the world that the IRGC's power is broken so I see that as the next step. (plus, that relieve oil prices worldwide) That will require some determined messy fighting against small boats/missiles/drones. More decapitation among IRGC leaders, hopefully some on the ground rebellions to draw out IRGC units where we can provide aerial destruction.
Very depressing column, Erick, mainly because I think you are right. What you never say in words is that "Finish the Fight" means boots on the ground; the only rational end to this conflict, rather than kicking the can down the road a year or two, is regime change. The US cannot bomb its way to that. With the IRGC patrolling cities, security checkpoints everywhere, it's unrealistic to hope for an internal uprising. Or that Tehran will fall as easily as Baghdad. I'm not sure Trump will see things as clearly as you.
Excellent reporting, Erick. I've been perplexed all along as to why we would work with Pakistan (of all countries) to structure a peace agreement with Iran. There is no peace to be had with Islamic fanatics. And I am continually perplexed by the Russians and Chinese. Do they seriously not think the Iranians will attack them as soon as they have missiles that can travel that far? Moscow and Beijing are a lot closer to Tehran than Washington, DC . . . or even Rome, Paris and London. I don't think international leaders truly understand what we are dealing with in Iran.
Oil is priced on the futures market.
Leave the current Iranian regime and gas prices only get worse. They will move to inflicted economic damage on the West with the support of Russia and China. The coddled, soft American public will put the progressives in charge because Trump failed.
I certainly hope that Trump doesn’t seriously think that these psychopaths will honestly negotiate and even if they did, there a snowball’s chance they would remotely honor it. Radical Islam is a cancer. If you leave any of it untreated or don’t removed it, it will grow and come right back. All they understand is death. All they know is Death. China is the same but with more sense about it. They too need to be wiped out or neutralized. We just need to bomb Iran, drop weapons into areas that people can get them to fight internally and kill all of the IRGC loyalists. With China, we need to get away from their economic clutches. Most of Europe is gone and there’s little hope for them. We are wasting time and resources trying to help them. I’m not for isolationism, but I am for freedom and protecting our borders and way of life. Those that want to live under China, have at it, but for me and my family we love and live God!
Spot on, Joe! How does a Godless country like China understand the depth of faith - especially when it is "psychopathic" as you say!
Being Godless blinds you. One can be saved, but ignore or don't allow the Lord to make His home in your heart and you can also be deceived. We, as Christians, can live in darkness too, but we have a way out if we chose. Sometimes Christians and heathens can't be told apart, except in that day. The difference being eternal perdition. But, now, while on the earth, we can allow the Lord to make His home in our heart and chose to live by His life in us. As for Iran, China and all of what's happening in the world, it is according to God's plan, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be aware and that we do have a duty to be proper citizens and follow the Lord's speaking and leading in us. Just don't let it consume us and distract us from God's plan and goal. Right and Wrong came from the same Tree. The real choice is God or Satan. Satan uses "good" things as well as bad things to accomplish his goal, but the Lord only uses Life, the Life from God. We have a human spirit which is out connection to His Spirit. Our understanding is from God in or spirit. Our mind and heart apart from the Lord living in us can be deceiving us, Allow the Lord to make His home in our heart and all will work out as it should.
Additionally, yesterday it was reported that Kuwait captured four IRGC hostages. What were they doing in Kuwait? It was suggested that they were scouting out what their intelligence was telling them, and that Kuwait could have been in trouble had it not acted quickly.
If this information is correct, it appears that Iran is escalating this conflict.
It's disturbing to note how duplicitous Pakistan is, and China, and worrisome that Trump, Vance and Rubio are all visiting China right now.
I accept that at least some, perhaps everything, in this article about Iran's robust rearming is true. However, your first source is from the NYTimes. The second is CNN. This sows some doubt in my mind.
"[A]ctivity at facilities resumed quickly." What. Does. That. Mean? They're digging out the tunnels?
Tehran has impressive network of tunnels! Yeah, a city without much water.
Yes, Iran can cause lethal damage with drones and the outside support from Russia and China. There's a big "but". How is Iran rebuilding it's defense when it's economy is in shambles?
I guess I'm a MAGA Repuican, but I am disappointed with Trump. I think his heart is in the right place: He loves to do deals, and wants to avoid risking lives with boots on the ground. He was hoping the economic war would force an unconditional surrender. But it doesn't look like that is working out. Now, he has no alternative but to finish the job.
Good Morning People Erick has this figured out and it will not end till one or the other is Destroyed. I’m sure that America can win and I’m also sure that there’ll be an Attack on our country in our country very soon and Americans will die. I pray every day that God will protect us from this Evil God Bless America
That's it. You either plan to take out their leadership permanently and decapitate them or at some point, you have to walk away and buffer the defenses around that country. As long as they have nuclear capabilities, they are a threat to this country and could devastate our capital and major cities. They have to be removed - and you cannot do that through bombing alone. I didn't trust Fox News when they were parroting the administration, and I sure heck do not trust CNN now - but at the end of the day - we never should have put our foot on the gas. Huge mistake and one that will likely cost American lives.
I am glad you have figured it all out. How long do you plan to bomb this country? Given our last two military efforts in that region didn't turn out all that well for us, what makes you think this one will turn out differently? For it to even come close to achieving success we will have to be in Iran for decades. If we would have gone big from the beginning we would have a better chance of regime change, but not now.
And how many wars have you managed that allows you to make that assessment?
None. I can make this assessment because, well, I can. That's all. The consequences of me being wrong with this assessment is minimal. No body bags. No planes shot down. No one cares, nor should they. I posted my opinion on social media, on a Substack posting.
How many have you managed that allows you to question his assessment, Glen?
War ends when one side has the crap beat out of it and doesn’t want anymore and gives up history has many examples of that happening. Iran has to be defeated this way and the regime eliminated which means boots on the ground and not just American boots we need a little help from are friends if they are our friends and we need to put the Russians and the CCP in the enemy category you can’t make a deal with any of the above mentioned countries
This has been a proxy war apparently, with at least the Chinese and possibly the Russians able to test their electronic capabilities against the US effort. I think we need to close this war quickly and before they have an opportunity to gather necessary intelligence and improve their own weapons.
Someone send this to Trump. Erick has summed this legitimate effort turned shit show up well. This fiasco is adding to the military intel gathering Biden gifted China, through the Afghan base walk-away. To Ericks point, China and Russia are benefiting from equipment intel to tactics efficiency.
Time is short, if Trump doesn't change to full throttle & damn the torpedo's, we'll have way more than an Iranian nuclear threat to be concerned with.
This plus the Islamic cancer growing here at home is the perfect storm to sink our Republic.
Jesus can't get here soon enough 🙏
Why oh why aren’t we acting upon what our surveillance and intelligence have discovered? Aren’t the President and Hegseth privy to the same info you’re sharing here, Erick? We have people who have the stealth and experience of going in and eliminating these underground cities and tunnels. Why aren’t they? Why are we allowing China and Russia the opportunity to rearm Iran? Why are we allowing them to “test” their new fan dangled weaponry through Iran and used upon the US and our European allies?
Put your big boy pants on, stop the ridiculous ceasefire, negotiations and pull the dang trigger!