aws Posted April 12 Posted April 12 7 minutes ago, NotSoWise said: What you wrote means shooting to Chinese ships with Iranian oil - Do you think it is a good idea? Would US do it? I don't think the US is going to blow up any tankers, but we might seize them. If they choose to run a blockade that's fair enough.
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 Good news everybody!!!! Ballroom building can continue. Trump will party like it's 1999...1979...1929...DOH! Cheers! https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/11/politics/trump-ballroom-construction-judge-continue
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 5 minutes ago, Gregmal said: Flopped meaning used a separate comment box to address a separate subject, that IMO, only fits appropriately on COBF, in the “politics” thread? Ya got me! I can affirmatively walk and chew gum at the same time! Not sure Trump can! Cheers!
Gregmal Posted April 12 Posted April 12 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Parsad said: Yup...no choice now at this point. It's either that or force. They have to get Iran back to the table or surrender, and they won't do the latter. Cheers! Iran also really has nothing to offer. That’s why they won’t surrender. They think running in front of traffic so to speak will give them leverage, the rest of the world will only tolerate it so long. Edited April 12 by Gregmal
NotSoWise Posted April 12 Posted April 12 I live in EU and was never concerned about Iran having nukes, just like with N Korea having nukes. Iran nukes is problem of Israel, not EU. I am only concerned about Russian conventional forces (142m Russians), but not at all about Russian nukes... As for bombing Arabs by Iran - why not? US bases are there and they support US bombings. Most people who are in the subject were expecting this along with blockade of SOH. It is a war. Most of wars are unpredictable, but this one was an exception, most of Trump advisors were against, but he did it anyway. Why not going against N. Korea first (they have nukes) vs Iran (had only uranium)?
NotSoWise Posted April 12 Posted April 12 11 minutes ago, Parsad said: Good news everybody!!!! Ballroom building can continue. Trump will party like it's 1999...1979...1929...DOH! Cheers! https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/11/politics/trump-ballroom-construction-judge-continue I am happy for Don to have his ballroom, it is sweet.
Maverick47 Posted April 12 Posted April 12 (edited) 42 minutes ago, ICUMD said: US midterms coming up. Iran is also playing the political game but refusing to settle. I think you’re on the right track here. One of Herb Cohen’s negotiating books included an appendix where he wrote about advice he gave to US negotiators back in the 70’s during the Iranian hostage crisis. My recollection is that he told the US folks that they need to consider the Iranian perspective and determine what makes the hostages most valuable to them…and in his opinion it was the fact that they knew Carter had an election coming up in November…so the closer they got to the election, the more valuable it would be to Carter to try to negotiate a settlement. So they really wouldn’t be interested in agreeing to release hostages much before that. And of course the demands got more onerous as the election neared, and Carter couldn’t politically see giving in so significantly before the election either….so a deal wasn’t made then after all. Then when Reagan was elected, his hardline rhetoric made keeping the hostages after he took power seem more of a liability to the regime than releasing them. Of course they hated the idea of giving in to Carter, but releasing them on Inauguration Day to a politically defeated and neutered outgoing Carter regime was better than facing the unpredictability of what a former actor/hardline new President would do. The current situation is more complex, because it isn’t solely a binary US/Iran negotiation, We have Israel and the Gulf neighbors to consider too, as well as the rest of the world’s economies impacted by the stranglehold of the Strait of Hormuz’s closure/potential blockade. But if past is prologue, you’re not wrong in pointing to the timing of US political events as an important consideration in the Iranian negotiating stance. Edited April 12 by Maverick47
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 26 minutes ago, NotSoWise said: Why not going against N. Korea first (they have nukes) vs Iran (had only uranium)? Oil! Israel! Muslims are sub-human compared to Israel because they apparently are all genocidal jihadists! Back to the stone age with them. N. Korea can fire a missile already at the U.S. and has an army twice the size of Iran! Hegeseth thought Iran was easy pickings! Trump wanted another peace prize from FIFA! Cheers!
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 41 minutes ago, NotSoWise said: I am happy for Don to have his ballroom, it is sweet. I llloooooooovvvvvvveeeeee goooolllllllldddddd! No deal with Iran! My wife cannot jump out of a plane no matter how much she hates my guts! Mini Me Rubio! I was not introduced to my hoosebund by Jeffrey Epstein! You can also buy my bouk on Amazon.com. Cheers!
ourkid8 Posted April 12 Posted April 12 44 minutes ago, cubsfan said: Of course hindsight is 20/20 How about an Iran with nuclear weapons & inter ballistic missiles that can reach Copenhagen? Sound ok with you in the hands of terrorist that are not afraid to attack their Arab neighbors?? Why in the world, would Iran bomb 10 of their Arab neighbors? Might have a few screw loose in the regime. No, Iran's government is not 'terrorist' or 'screw loose.' They were hit with a massive unprovoked US-Israeli attack on Feb 28, 2026 — strikes on leadership, nuclear sites, military, and cities aimed at regime change. Iran immediately retaliated by targeting US military bases and assets hosted in those Arab countries (Al Udeid in Qatar, UAE bases, Bahrain's Fifth Fleet, Kuwait, etc.). They had warned for years: attack us from their soil and those become legitimate targets under self-defense (UN Article 51). Iran has no quarrel with Arab civilians — they were hitting the enablers of aggression. Any sovereign country under invasion has the right to raise costs and deter further attacks. Blame the US/Israel for starting this regional war, not Iran for defending itself. Btw: Funny how those same Gulf neighbors have their own deep ties to the Epstein network — Saudi royals, UAE tycoons like bin Sulayem, etc. — while lecturing everyone else. Supporting foreign strikes on Iran while cozy with that crowd says more about their class than Iran's resistance.
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 3 minutes ago, ourkid8 said: No, Iran's government is not 'terrorist' or 'screw loose.' They were hit with a massive unprovoked US-Israeli attack on Feb 28, 2026 — strikes on leadership, nuclear sites, military, and cities aimed at regime change. Iran immediately retaliated by targeting US military bases and assets hosted in those Arab countries (Al Udeid in Qatar, UAE bases, Bahrain's Fifth Fleet, Kuwait, etc.). They had warned for years: attack us from their soil and those become legitimate targets under self-defense (UN Article 51). Iran has no quarrel with Arab civilians — they were hitting the enablers of aggression. Any sovereign country under invasion has the right to raise costs and deter further attacks. Blame the US/Israel for starting this regional war, not Iran for defending itself. Btw: Funny how those same Gulf neighbors have their own deep ties to the Epstein network — Saudi royals, UAE tycoons like bin Sulayem, etc. — while lecturing everyone else. Supporting foreign strikes on Iran while cozy with that crowd says more about their class than Iran's resistance. Last I checked, someone was willingly funding Hezbollah and Hamas, or at the very least coordinating and working with them on training facilities? Who could that be? And then unarmed women and children were butchered on October 7, 2023...now who would want to do that? No one with a screw loose or a terrorist! Only someone who would have been provoked 3 years later after all of that and has zero responsibility for any of it, of course! Cheers!
SharperDingaan Posted April 12 Posted April 12 (edited) Now, an enterprising smuggler could do very well here. Iranian tanker fills with Iranian oil and exits the SOH (toll free). While in Omani waters (1) the ship is sold to a US buyer (via a sale and repurchase), and (2) the cargo sold to a US buyer (treasury) ... to make good on a shorted futures contract . Wave nicely to all the pretty sailors ... as you now sail by as a US ship and cargo . Drop the cargo, repurchase the ship, re flag it as a neutral, and freely help yourself to freight rates everywhere outside of the Gulf. Deliver US, CAD and VZ oil to both China and India Even an Ari Onassis would be proud of this SD Edited April 12 by SharperDingaan
cubsfan Posted April 12 Posted April 12 1 hour ago, NotSoWise said: As for bombing Arabs by Iran - why not? US bases are there and they support US bombings. Most people who are in the subject were expecting this along with blockade of SOH. It is a war. Most of wars are unpredictable, but this one was an exception, most of Trump advisors were against, but he did it anyway. Talk about an incredible dumb strategic mistake: You are at war with Israel & the USA - and NOW you bomb your 10 Muslim neighbors that have done absolutely nothing to you? Now everyone wants your regime destroyed. Major fuck up on Iran's part. Instead of sympathy, others will join the fight until you're gone.
ourkid8 Posted April 12 Posted April 12 14 minutes ago, Parsad said: Last I checked, someone was willingly funding Hezbollah and Hamas, or at the very least coordinating and working with them on training facilities? Who could that be? And then unarmed women and children were butchered on October 7, 2023...now who would want to do that? No one with a screw loose or a terrorist! Only someone who would have been provoked 3 years later after all of that and has zero responsibility for any of it, of course! Cheers! Iran has every right to support the Axis of Resistance — Hezbollah, Hamas, and others — fighting illegal Israeli occupation, settlements, blockades, and decades of aggression against Palestinians and Lebanese. That's not 'terrorism,' that's legitimate resistance, similar to how the US arms, funds, and uses Israel as its forward military outpost in the region. Iran didn't plan or execute October 7 — Hamas did, after years of provocation. Iran has repeatedly said it wasn't involved. Supporting groups defending their land isn't the same as ordering civilian killings. Fast forward: Three years later, the US and Israel launched massive unprovoked strikes on Iran on Feb 28, 2026 — assassinating the Supreme Leader, hitting nuclear sites, military, and civilian areas in a clear regime-change operation. Iran responded by targeting US bases hosted in Gulf countries, as it had warned for years. Self-defense under international law. No one has 'zero responsibility,' but let's not flip the script: the root is Israeli expansionism and US interventionism. Iran defends its sovereignty and supports those resisting occupation — just as the US does for its own allies. The real 'screw loose' move was starting a direct war on a major regional power expecting it wouldn't fight back.
cubsfan Posted April 12 Posted April 12 5 minutes ago, ourkid8 said: Iran has every right to support the Axis of Resistance — Hezbollah, Hamas, and others — fighting illegal Israeli occupation, settlements, blockades, and decades of aggression against Palestinians and Lebanese. That's not 'terrorism,' that's legitimate resistance, similar to how the US arms, funds, and uses Israel as its forward military outpost in the region. Iran didn't plan or execute October 7 — Hamas did, after years of provocation. Iran has repeatedly said it wasn't involved. Supporting groups defending their land isn't the same as ordering civilian killings. Fast forward: Three years later, the US and Israel launched massive unprovoked strikes on Iran on Feb 28, 2026 — assassinating the Supreme Leader, hitting nuclear sites, military, and civilian areas in a clear regime-change operation. Iran responded by targeting US bases hosted in Gulf countries, as it had warned for years. Self-defense under international law. No one has 'zero responsibility,' but let's not flip the script: the root is Israeli expansionism and US interventionism. Iran defends its sovereignty and supports those resisting occupation — just as the US does for its own allies. The real 'screw loose' move was starting a direct war on a major regional power expecting it wouldn't fight back. Not looking too good for the Axis of Resistance. Hamas - neutered, Houthis - all talk, Hezbollah - still kicking, Assad Regime - off to Russia! Everyone is sick of terrorists regimes. No more oil money for the terrorists. Oh well, all good things must end...
aws Posted April 12 Posted April 12 Was JD Vance the kiss of death for Orban in the Hungary election? With 29% of the votes in, the opposition party is projected to win 132 of 199 seats, almost a supermajority.
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 21 minutes ago, ourkid8 said: Iran has every right to support the Axis of Resistance — Hezbollah, Hamas, and others — fighting illegal Israeli occupation, settlements, blockades, and decades of aggression against Palestinians and Lebanese. That's not 'terrorism,' that's legitimate resistance, similar to how the US arms, funds, and uses Israel as its forward military outpost in the region. Is it illegal occupation? Jews and Arabs have lived in Palestine forever. Arabs have been pushing back and attacking Israel since 1948 and Israel has been pushing back and attacking since then as well. The dispute is one of protection of Israel and recognition and home for a separate Palestinian state. What does Iran have to do with this dispute? The Regime simply wants the destruction or removal of all Jews in the area! And you keep denying this! 21 minutes ago, ourkid8 said: Iran didn't plan or execute October 7 — Hamas did, after years of provocation. Iran has repeatedly said it wasn't involved. Supporting groups defending their land isn't the same as ordering civilian killings. Fast forward: Three years later, the US and Israel launched massive unprovoked strikes on Iran on Feb 28, 2026 — assassinating the Supreme Leader, hitting nuclear sites, military, and civilian areas in a clear regime-change operation. Iran responded by targeting US bases hosted in Gulf countries, as it had warned for years. Self-defense under international law. No one has 'zero responsibility,' but let's not flip the script: the root is Israeli expansionism and US interventionism. Iran defends its sovereignty and supports those resisting occupation — just as the US does for its own allies. The real 'screw loose' move was starting a direct war on a major regional power expecting it wouldn't fight back. Iran is a primary funder for Hamas! So how do you extricate Iran from all of this? If you want to hire an assassin, and I fund your endeavors, then how am I not complicit? Explain that to me! Justify it all you want...but civilians weren't just killed on October 7th...they were butchered far worse than any animal. Many were women and children! If you believe in any sort of peace...stop justifying the conduct from either side! I want Bibi out and I want the Regime out. Then maybe...just maybe...there might be some progress and peace. Cheers!
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 40 minutes ago, cubsfan said: Talk about an incredible dumb strategic mistake: You are at war with Israel & the USA - and NOW you bomb your 10 Muslim neighbors that have done absolutely nothing to you? Now everyone wants your regime destroyed. Major fuck up on Iran's part. Instead of sympathy, others will join the fight until you're gone. Unless they know that the other Muslim countries have more to lose and are chicken shits. They will beg the U.S. to stop and give in. Might be what Iran is thinking here. Cheers!
Parsad Posted April 12 Posted April 12 8 minutes ago, aws said: Was JD Vance the kiss of death for Orban in the Hungary election? With 29% of the votes in, the opposition party is projected to win 132 of 199 seats, almost a supermajority. Only Usha would know...or the sofa! I didn't actually see Vance kiss Orban, but that Vance is pretty sneaky...and a hillbilly! Might have pulled a "squeal like a pig" from Deliverance! Also, now you know why Trump said that reporter looked like a "piggy"! Cheers! JD Vance and Trump
RichardGibbons Posted April 12 Posted April 12 1 hour ago, Maverick47 said: I think you’re on the right track here. One of Herb Cohen’s negotiating books included an appendix where he wrote about advice he gave to US negotiators back in the 70’s during the Iranian hostage crisis. My recollection is that he told the US folks that they need to consider the Iranian perspective and determine what makes the hostages most valuable to them…and in his opinion it was the fact that they knew Carter had an election coming up in November…so the closer they got to the election, the more valuable it would be to Carter to try to negotiate a settlement. So they really wouldn’t be interested in agreeing to release hostages much before that. And of course the demands got more onerous as the election neared, and Carter couldn’t politically see giving in so significantly before the election either….so a deal wasn’t made then after all. Then when Reagan was elected, his hardline rhetoric made keeping the hostages after he took power seem more of a liability to the regime than releasing them. Of course they hated the idea of giving in to Carter, but releasing them on Inauguration Day to a politically defeated and neutered outgoing Carter regime was better than facing the unpredictability of what a former actor/hardline new President would do. The current situation is more complex, because it isn’t solely a binary US/Iran negotiation, We have Israel and the Gulf neighbors to consider too, as well as the rest of the world’s economies impacted by the stranglehold of the Strait of Hormuz’s closure/potential blockade. But if past is prologue, you’re not wrong in pointing to the timing of US political events as an important consideration in the Iranian negotiating stance. These are some interesting points, including historical context. Thanks, Maverick.
Spekulatius Posted April 12 Posted April 12 Me, looking forward to this weeks comments in the politics forum:
aws Posted April 12 Posted April 12 Orban just conceded defeat. Great news that there won't be any shenanigans to try to stay in power. Hopefully that allows the EU to deliver the support to Ukraine that Hungary had been blocking.
Spekulatius Posted April 12 Posted April 12 (edited) 52 minutes ago, aws said: Orban just conceded defeat. Great news that there won't be any shenanigans to try to stay in power. Hopefully that allows the EU to deliver the support to Ukraine that Hungary had been blocking. Yes, JD Vance , Trump and Netanyahu campaigned for Orban but those guys are like toxic waste in Europe. Orban was Putin puppet and ran the economy in the ground as well as compared to Poland for example, which was in a similar economic situation 16 years ago when Orban came or power. Great day for Hungary, imo. Edited April 12 by Spekulatius
cubsfan Posted April 12 Posted April 12 29 minutes ago, Spekulatius said: Yes, JD Vance , Trump and Netanyahu campaigned for Orban but those guys are like toxic waste in Europe. Orban was Putin puppet and ran the economy in the ground as well as compared to Poland for example, which was in a similar economic situation 16 years ago when Orban came or power. Great day for Hungary, imo. The fall of Europe continues
John Hjorth Posted April 12 Posted April 12 (edited) 2 hours ago, aws said: Was JD Vance the kiss of death for Orban in the Hungary election? With 29% of the votes in, the opposition party is projected to win 132 of 199 seats, almost a supermajority. All good, for Europe, however not for Orban. Edited April 12 by John Hjorth
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