The big problem is Trumps approval ratings. Before he started this war he was at 48% approve 52% disapprove. His approval rating has crashed to 24%, many of the groups that voted for him have left the tent. I don’t believe this oil crisis is going to be resolved by November leaving the Republicans to take a shellacking in the mid terms.
You know before Fauci produced the Covid virus and then spread it all across the globe people were doing pretty well. They could take the family out to dinner once a week, maybe vacation for a week on the beach each year. They remember that. Now people are struggling to pay there mortgage and there taxes. Credit card debt is at an all time high. The average American can’t go out to dinner once a week or take a vacation.
This argument would you rather have a nuclear ballistic missile hit the US or pay 50 cents more a gallon is a horrible add campaign for the mid terms. For one thing gas is up a dollar not 50cents. People don’t care about foreign countries when they can’t pay their bills. They voted to make America great again not more foreign entanglements. I’m honestly surprised how naive this plan of bombing Iran is just before the midterms. He should have waited. Iran doesn’t have a missile that can reach America and I’ve heard they’ll have a nuclear bomb in two weeks for 50 plus years. I wish the government would change its focus back onto America.
Not looking forward to the communists back in power in the USA. If you thought it was bad under Joe Biden just wait for the next communist authoritarian regime it’s going to make Biden look like Mary Poppins!
Iran is a problem that was shelved far too long. They have been killing Americans for decades now and there is no reason for anyone to assume they ever intend to stop. You turn your back on an enemy whose slogan is death to America while building a nuclear stockpile and you are begging for very bad results. They need stopping.
I agree with all that but the timing. The democrats are poised to have a huge victory in November, and then the impeachments will begin every other week. We’re going to be right back into the communist frying pan. Do you think we could have waited until November 6th? I don’t believe the government lies that in 2 weeks they would have 11 nuclear bombs. If that was the case what happened to we obliterated their nuclear program? It’s like safe and effective, 2 weeks to flatten the curve, it was from a wet market, January 6th was an insurrection. All they do is lie, and the Americans pay for it.
All we can do is believe the administration saying a threat was eminent. And polls...? Sad to say nothing can be done by lying pressand if our population insists on believing them then I guess we deserve what happens because a country peopled by that dumb a population deserves nothing better
If the polls are way off then we have nothing to worry about. I know polls don’t change my vote. If Trump was running in the mid terms I’d vote for him again for a 4th time. All of us that pay attention and are political feel what’s happening. The media for sure isn’t on our side which is another huge aspect when strategizing. Imagine if on November 6th gas was at 1.75/gallon, inflation down, prices down, it would have almost guaranteed a republican win, then bomb Iran if you want, no?
You think they did not consider political ramifications? Imminent threat means imminent...like right now. What would Nov look like had they pulled a 9/11 attack here or on overseas installations with hi death toll? Not so good either.
IF the illegals get to vote this November - COURTESY of the Communist bloc in the Supreme Court, The "Fragile Experiment with Freedom" the INTERNATIONAL Socialist Movement has been wanting to KILL for OVER a century, with COPIOUS help from WITHIN the USA via the MAXIST infestation of social justice, WOKE B/S, DEI ESG and the BIG lie of the white oppressors and everyone else the oppressed...
Good grief! Why should we believe ANYTHING this administration or any other tells us? Trump was deceived by Israel (not, I'm not anti-Israel; I just don't think we need to be dragged into their conflicts) and now we're paying the price.
I have to reflect on our perspectives re the outcome of the midterms. I have to wonder if our views that there are going to be massive losses isn't fueled by a grand psyops? That and our expectations fueling a reality. Do we need a more promising, positive take and strategy here?
I believe the Dems taking control in 2026 would be good. We would see impeachment and law-fare ad nauseam. No hint of governing. By 2028, who would vote for more of the same?
Without Independants and disaffected voters the Dems pushed out, the true believers can elect no one nationally. which is the same for the Repubs. The difference I see is the Repubs realize this and act accordingly. The Dems have no clue.
James, I think the government lies all the time, including about Iran, covid, flattening the curve, and putting boots on the ground. And we the people will pay for it. We always do, because we no longer have the small government the founders envisioned, limited to the 18 areas that they outlined.
I would rather pay a little extra to give the US the time it needs to straighten out Iran.
It is still some time before midterms so as peoples memories can be short I expect the temporary blip in gas prices will soon be forgotten after Trump wraps up in Iran and prices come back down.
"Sometimes peace can only be found on the other side of War" (Sean Connery - First Knight)
OK but why now? Didn't we obliterate their program a few months ago? I just can't believe they were 'this close' to delivering WMDs; we've been hearing that for years. It feels like economic sabotage again, like C19.
I am willing to believe this about the Iranian regime, but not about the Iranian people.
So, we can conclude that Iran is being run by a regime that is, in many ways, a criminal organization. I presume this regime also provides the Iranian people with "normal" government services. This is often the case in countries where the government has turned more or less criminal. So, the problem is: How do we de-criminalize the regime without turning its people against us, thus really fostering the emergence of a new regime that hates us just as much as the old one did?
Truth be told, we have never totally figured this one out. Are there any good examples of success? Germany after WW2 perhaps? Or Japan? In those cases we bombed their cities to ruins before coming in to help them rebuild. Do we need to do that in Iran? Will it work? Though I know that both Germany and Japan now seem to embrace Western values, have they really left their old racism totally behind?
I have no strong suggestions on how to turn a people or a planet away from its criminal tendencies. It requires a technology that I believe exists on Earth, but is not widely known. And it is a gradual process - perhaps even painful at times. In contrast, we need to solve the Iran problem very quickly. Perhaps the only solution is war. Seems sad, though.
You think we don't have massive criminal elements within the U.S. government? Wake up and smell the toast burning! Cleon Skousen was writing about it back in the mid-70's. Things have only gotten worse since then.
So, to turn the tables, do you think Iran would be justified in destroying the U.S. to get rid of the criminal elements in the U.S. government?
Hubbard has been writing about the criminal elements in U.S. society since 1950! I know a lot about them. But do you shoot yourself to get out of a straitjacket?
At least we don't suffer here from leaders who think they are saving the world from pork eaters who have not pledged their allegiance to Allah.
But the propaganda on both sides is overblown and has pushed us to war while sabotaging our attempts at more peaceful handlings.
I am only stating that our problem is crime, and that the Iran regime has appeared to support violent criminal activity to the point where something needs to be done about it. In the U.S. a few "protesters" occasionally lose their lives. In Iran they are apparently being gunned down by a regime that cannot tolerate any protest, and now is using attacks against it as an excuse to block a major shipping lane. Do you have a better idea of how to handle this situation?
No, I don't think Iran would be justified, and I don't think we are, either. It is not our place to save the world. As we threw off the tyrants in 1776, let them throw off their own. And we should be throwing off our own as well. Again.
But as far as this particular situation goes, it appears that the Iran regime somehow had to be handled.
Though the most powerful "kid on the block" becomes its default "policeman," we know that can turn bad if he's also a criminal. And that is also a problem on this planet. Something we still desperately need to work out.
More reasons the Iran does not like the West, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was 78 years old when he left France and returned to Iran on February 1, 1979. Why was it so easy?
In the early 1950s, Iran successfully nationalized its oil industry, which had been controlled by the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)—now known as BP. This move, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, sparked a major international crisis that ultimately led to his overthrow in a 1953 CIAS/MI6 coup.
The Nationalization Law (1951): On March 15, 1951, the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) voted unanimously to nationalize the oil industry.
This created the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to take over AIOC assets, including the massive Abadan Refinery.
Rise of Mohammad Mosaddegh: Mosaddegh, a popular nationalist, was elected Prime Minister shortly after the law passed. He argued that Iran received only a fraction of its own oil wealth while its people lived in poverty.
British Blockade: In response, Britain imposed a worldwide naval blockade on Iranian oil and withdrew its technicians, effectively crippling Iran’s economy by stopping its primary source of revenue.
The 1953 Coup (Operation Ajax): Fearing that the resulting economic instability would lead to a communist takeover, the U.S. (CIA) and the U.K. (MI6) orchestrated a military coup in August 1953. Mosaddegh was overthrown and sentenced to house arrest for life.
*******************
Restoration of the Shah: The coup strengthened the absolute rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah), who remained a key Western ally until the 1979 Revolution.
Oil Consortium: In 1954, a new agreement was signed. While Iran retained nominal ownership, production was handed to a consortium of Western companies, with American firms gaining a 40% stake they hadn't previously held.
Anti-Western Sentiment: The coup is widely regarded as a foundational event that sowed deep-seated distrust of the U.S. and U.K., fueling the eventual Islamic Revolution of 1979.
For even more detail, please read; America's Middle East by Marc Lynch. Every aspect of what is going on today directly relates to US Foreign Policy decisions that have now taken the planet to the edge of world war 3.
There is a good reason why the Iranians dislike the USA. 1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). The major oil companies wanted the oil back under there control.
Official Iranian Figures: The Iranian government has officially acknowledged approximately 183,000 to 217,000 deaths. This includes both military personnel and civilians killed during the conflict.
Scholarly and International Estimates: Many historians and organizations, such as Encyclopedia Britannica, estimate the total Iranian death toll to be significantly higher, often placing it between 200,000 and 600,000.
1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). While the U.S. remained officially neutral, it "tilted" toward Iraq to prevent an Iranian victory and protect regional interests, such as oil supplies and the security of Gulf allies.
Key Forms of U.S. Support: The Reagan and Bush administrations aided Iraq through several diplomatic, economic, and military channels:
Intelligence Sharing:
The U.S. provided Iraq with critical battlefield intelligence, including satellite imagery of Iranian troop movements and communications intercepts.
This data was sometimes used by Iraqi forces to coordinate strategic strikes, including those involving chemical weapons.
Economic Aid: The U.S. provided several billion dollars in agricultural credits and loans. This allowed Iraq to import food on credit while using its own revenues to purchase weapons from other nations like the Soviet Union and France.Dual-Use Technology:
The U.S. approved the export of "dual-use" technologies—items with both civilian and military applications—including computers, communications equipment, and aircraft navigation systems.
Diplomatic Support: In 1982, the U.S. removed Iraq from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which eased the flow of aid. The two nations officially restored full diplomatic relations in November 1984.
So our hands are already pretty dirty in all this. Should have been sorted out and remedied a long time ago. It seems to me there were forces who wanted the antagonism to continue and go unhandled. Too many criminals in high places on this planet. They control our minds in ways that most of us don't even comprehend.
You are correct. It all start with the Empire in which the sun did not set. The Gulf states were created by the British for the most part.
Most modern Gulf states and the British, entered into a series of protection treaties throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the Trucial States (the precursor to the United Arab Emirates) were largely established as a British-protected entity in 1820.
During the British protectorate era (1820–1971), leaders in the Gulf states were generally chosen through traditional dynastic succession, though the British often exerted significant influence to ensure stability and loyalty to their interests.
Traditional Tribal Succession
Consensus-Based: Unlike European primogeniture (where the eldest son automatically inherits), succession often relied on a family council or the consensus of senior ruling family members.
Selection Criteria: The family would ideally choose the "strongest and most capable" candidate, which could be a brother, uncle, or cousin rather than a direct descendant.
Alternation: In states like Kuwait, a custom developed of alternating power between two branches of the ruling family to maintain internal unity
The following timeline details when individual Gulf states formalized their status as British protectorates:
Trucial States (UAE): 1820. Following a naval campaign, the British imposed the General Maritime Treaty on the coastal sheikhdoms, which became known as the Trucial Coast. This status was further cemented by the 1853 Perpetual Maritime Truce.
Bahrain: 1861. While Bahrain signed the initial 1820 treaty, it entered a formal protectorate agreement in 1861, which was further expanded by additional treaties in 1880 and 1892.
Muscat and Oman: 1892. Britain established an informal protectorate with the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, having maintained strategic interests there since a friendship treaty in 1798.
Kuwait: 1899. Facing pressure from the Ottoman Empire, the Sheikh of Kuwait signed a secret protection treaty with Britain in 1899.
Qatar: 1916. Qatar became the last of the modern Gulf states to enter a formal protection treaty with the British Empire.
Key British Administrative Milestones
The British managed these states through the Persian Gulf Residency, an administrative subdivision that operated for nearly 150 years:
1822: The Residency was officially established at Bushehr (in modern-day Iran).
1892: The Exclusive Agreement was signed by most Gulf rulers, prohibiting them from ceding land or entering foreign relations without British consent in exchange for military protection.
1946: The Residency headquarters moved from Bushehr to Manama, Bahrain.
1971: Britain terminated all protectorate treaties, leading to the independence of Bahrain, Qatar, and the formation of the United Arab Emirates.
This is all interesting data about the British involvement in the Middle East. They were also heavily involved in India and China, as we all know.
But I see a bigger move afoot, which the British have either been playing into or perhaps are expected to lead. It seems to involve establishing a new form of authoritarian control on Earth. I hope we can prevent that.
Let's revisit a couple of claims by our current HHS Secretary.
"Operation Warp Speed was, in fact, a DOD-managed program. Through its officials, the Department of Defense oversaw vaccine development and directed supply, production, and distribution, paving the way for coercive, mass-vaccination programs with unsafe, zero-liability vaccines on terrified and often unwitting American citizens." (p. 116)
"Under the umbrella of this grant [Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence], Dr. [Ralph] Baric generously shared with the Chinese his groundbreaking techniques for using reverse engineering and genetic manipulation to create lethal and virulent clones and to teach wild coronaviruses to infect humans." (p. 285, both from "The Wuhan Cover-up")
And these are the "good guys"?
The COVID era has taught me that we are managed by evil people who will burn down the world to rule over the ashes. My hopes plummeted when Trump and Bondi sat shoulder to shoulder and scolded those inquiring about Epstein.
I've read RFK. Whitney Webb (One Nation Under Blackmail). Listened to Anneke Lucas. And most recently I've read Cathy O'Brien, whose claims about federal evil are so shocking that I don't know what to make of them, or whether even I can believe them.
Our strings are being pulled. Epstein is entirely relevant. For the sake of this republic, for the sake of humanity, someone had better get to the bottom of it.
I dont understand any of that, i think they could easily start with Bill Gates - that would cover Covid and Epstein and I felt nauseous earlier this week when my sweet elderly liberal told me that the US has to keep and import illegals because we are not reproducing enough babies to support the future. I asked her, what about abortion -start with making that illegal, what about closing down the Gates Foundation (originally called Gates Foundation for Population control. Dems have been systematically destroying our future for a long time. I did read one article yesterday that indicated liberals have been choosing to not have children long enough to see that Conservatives are reproducing at a much higher rate so there is a little ray of hope for a lot more conservatives in the future.
NO progress on the epstein files is gonna' happen until we get our crooked lefty judge problem figured out.
The fact is, we would be foolish to even try to prosecute under our present circumstances since the lefty judges will just throw out the cases and once that is done we can't try them again for the same crime (double jeopardy).
It's frustrating as hell, I know, but that's where we're at right now.
For even more detail, please read; America's Middle East by Marc Lynch. Every aspect of what is going on today directly relates to US Foreign Policy decisions that have now taken the planet to the edge of world war 3.
Do you think that Trump would have launched this possibly midterm losing campaign if there had not been an imminent threat? There are 1000's of tramp freighters off our shorelines at any time and any one of those could be fitted with an intermediate range missile(s) armed with a nuclear warhead. or dirty bomb. You sound like so many others who struggle in the present and don't care about the future. The midterms are a long ways away and Iran will be a new country by then.
I have no love for Iran, the complete opposite. If republicans get crushed in the mid terms I don’t know if America survives 4 years with the democrats in power, 20-30-50 million more illegals coming in. This may sound odd but there’s worse things than dying. Living under a tyrannical communist government where your kids have no future and are slaves to these elites is worse, thats just my opinion. These mid terms have deep deep consequences to all Americans. Hey if Trump is the 3D chess player republicans will sweep the mid terms and crush the presidential election. Time will tell, I’m very worried that this doesn’t turn out well for the working conservative people.
im concerned too, but still betting on Trump. Some are saying its 4 and 5 d chess. Time will tell of course. but Covid taught me to prepare and pray as much as possible. Some times things have to get really bad before they get better.
There is always the possibility that this admin won't allow the unthinkable to happen, even if we lose the midterms. We are in a fight for survival of the US, not seats.
My truth is: I don't want to live with a bunch of people so stupid that they would wish to return to what the o'biden admin was doing to this country for 4 years.
Yes, he would. He is being manipulated. He's a businessman and not a politician. Though he's smarter this time around, his ego still gets in the way of good advice.
What happened to "Drill, baby Drill"? The USA for a brief time during DJT's first term, America - for the FIRST TIME - became oil independent from the drilling restrictions of Obama's EPA; and just recently it has been touted the USA was again oil dependent + having acquired access to the previously NATIONALIZED oil produced in Venezuela - so WHY is USA gasoline - at the pump mimicking other countries? Yes, a huge Texas refinery recently blew up - NO word as to WHY...also, ALL of the notions for easing the shock of US pump gas prices ( by Justine: DIRE STRAITS Part 3) - are almost word for word from the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo days from keeping tires properly inflated to all the other gimmicks like ride sharing, etc. etc.
I, too wonder - what with the MOST important mid-terms in my lifetime JUST AROUND the CORNER TIME WISE - the decision to start a war with Iran - this after the RECENT US bombing - supposedly completely destroyed Irans atomic bomb making capability?
Mr. G---- I would guess that Iran could buy a fully functional nuke from N. Korea, Pakistan, or other country that does not think it would be targeted. The way that the UK, France and Germany are trying to get close to the muzzies, I would think our old allies may just give Iran a nuke just to stick it to Trump. Just sayings
Midnight Hammer destroyed Iran's means of "production". Unfortunately, they had already produced about a thousand pounds of almost weapons grade material and squirreled it away somewhere else.
1000 pounds is enough apparently to make 8 or 10 bombs.
Think about, it doesn't even take a very big truck to haul away 1000 pounds. They can't make more but the problem is they had already made some.
A long line of gutless presidents has led us to this. And now iran is serving as a throwback to the Barbary pirates that we had to abolish 200 yrs ago and here they are again pirating oil largely needed by a europe that, again, refuses to see to its own problem but waits for us to do it for them...like we did 200yr ago.
I don't know the history of the Barbary pirates. But have checked Wikipedia for an overview. It seems perhaps the strongest parallel is that they were Muslims. They were sent out by their "governments" apparently, as the Barbary Coast states survived on piracy.
Iran is now in a different position, as it has oil (and related chemicals) to sell. So, they could carry on a legitimate trade with the West for some years to come without running into any major problems. It appears there was Western corporate interference in Iran, which is a shame. Perhaps that is part of the story of why the Iranian regime continues to be anti-West.
I don't care. Often the right thing to do requires a bit of sacrifice. The affluent left can't abide by that. Nor can the leftist Israelis (I live among them). I have great admiration for President Trump that he's willing to risk it and support his efforts even if it hits our budgets.
We all have a big surprise coming soon as regards the Congress, and that's the only hint I'll be dropping. Wouldn't worry about losing seats there, though.
I agree here. I have nothing to base my thoughts on other than I think a huge number of people were surprised (dare I say shocked) when Mr. Trump won last year. It Can Be Done, and faith is required. Jeff Childers is keeping me grounded in this and I've read that many fear (hate?) the Democratic party and their agenda more than they do the Republican. I have no crystal ball but I'm sending the Trump team a love message every day - "Please make us Great Again, Thank you, thank you!"
He won’t be able to do anything with a Democrat house and senate. Im afraid this time the senate will convict him and he’ll be thrown from office. He may pay with jail time which is horrendous, but all Americans will pay with a communist take over of our beloved America. To me a blown up Iran isn’t worth open borders, a communist American government, and political convictions of Trumps entire administration and probably many more than that.
I don't know why everyone is worried about communism. It has morphed. What we need to pay attention to is technocracy, because it's in our faces constantly and too many people are not seeing the threat!
Because power (communists) and money (tech lords) attract and reinforce each other, it's all the same in my mind. Big government communists using big tech to surveille, censor, nudge, brainwash us and reprogram our DNA. And you'll own nothing, and be happy! If the communists get in as James mentions, it'll just happen faster, but short of a miracle that's where we're going IMO.
The nightmare scenario is they get both houses, which is now a possibility. He will be impeached and removed from office, and the agenda will be over, so he may have less than a year. We a dramatic turnaround to pull this out.
Consider this. Trump gets removed from office--and Vance becomes President. He's much more "acceptable" to the mindless ones with TDS and may just get us out of the mess. I doubt they're even considering that.
I am a bit surprised that you think Iran can be handled by military violence. Perhaps it can, but that was not the first choice of most of us, including Trump up to some months ago.
Unfortunately, it seems most people don't look at the 'big picture' when they go to the poles. I pray that patriots will remember what life was like under Biden and not run out on republicans because things get tough. We all need to remain steadfast or none of Trump's efforts will have meant squat. Remain steadfast, pray, and never forget the past. God Bless and remember "He has risen".
There’s another part of this war that hasn’t been part of the media landscape. It’s what Rubio is doing with banking on the worldwide scale. It directly influences Iran and no matter how much money it takes it from the govts that it does business with that money will be stuck in whatever currency is being used and unless the “dark” banks of Dubai helps Iran the money is almost worthless. It won’t be able to be converted into US dollars and spent anywhere around the globe. This choke point is almost more crushing than the bombs that are being dropped.
The Highwire's Jaxen Report covered these chilling issues on 4/2/26. Unfortunately, they had a hard drive failure (coincidence?) so part of the transmission for the full episode was lost.
Eating is hardwired for survival, but cooking is not in our genes. I've known many people who would not survive if there weren't someone there to tell them what to do. I few years ago I went to the Common Ground Fair in Maine and was astonished to see a tent filled with people attending a class called "how to cook from scratch". That something that is learned, not intuitive. I can also tell you about a family that went "back to the land" and poisoned their entire family by feeding them potato greens. That's knowledge that is passed on, not inherent.
Gotcha, Joy. But I'm not talking about cooking in general. I think a child who's spent any time in a kitchen realizes that rice plus simmering water or beans plus simmering water will eventually lead to edible food.
After seeing the mess already started with Communist Mamdani running New York, and the fact that mouthy Miss Crockett lost her primary for Senate run in Texas, PLUS Virginia’s lying so-called “conservative” pick that won and then immediately reversed her position on serious issues…..only proves that the Democrats are in such disarray they are scattering like cockroaches when the lights come on! They have no real, intelligent leader, only off-the-rails crackpots and demonstrators who act like they are attending a Furry Convention, and ignorant gays that back Iran, whose leadership would murder them in an instant for their sexual orientation. More residents and voters of blue, sanctuary states are beginning to see the light as to the unhealthy leadership they live under and the unpleasant outcomes they bring with them into office. (Just look at CA and NY who plan to tax their residents into the Poor House or die trying) I do not believe the Midterms are as “in the bag” as they would like us to believe. I think it’s a smokescreen. A Leftist wet dream, yes, but not sane thinking. Some, as you have seen, are admitting to changing to the Republican Party. Many are changing, but NOT telling! And many young people are coming to God and church more, thanks to Charlie Kirk. We have HOPE!
My recollection: the 1973 oil embargo was imposed by Arab members of OPEC, not OPEC itself. While the nominal reason was Arab anger at US support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War, others have argued that the embargo was designed to shake up the global energy market and shift market power from consumer to producers.
Some monetary economists have argued it was also related to the US ending the convertibility of US$ to gold in 1971, allowing our government to print money to finance trade without worrying about gold reserves. Oil producers were alarmed that the real purchasing power of the US$ they received for oil were being inflated away. The world changed after the embargo, both politically and economically.
There is a good reason why the Iranians dislike the USA. 1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). The major oil companies wanted the oil back under there control.
Official Iranian Figures: The Iranian government has officially acknowledged approximately 183,000 to 217,000 deaths. This includes both military personnel and civilians killed during the conflict.
Scholarly and International Estimates: Many historians and organizations, such as Encyclopedia Britannica, estimate the total Iranian death toll to be significantly higher, often placing it between 200,000 and 600,000.
1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). While the U.S. remained officially neutral, it "tilted" toward Iraq to prevent an Iranian victory and protect regional interests, such as oil supplies and the security of Gulf allies.
Key Forms of U.S. Support: The Reagan and Bush administrations aided Iraq through several diplomatic, economic, and military channels:
Intelligence Sharing:
The U.S. provided Iraq with critical battlefield intelligence, including satellite imagery of Iranian troop movements and communications intercepts.
This data was sometimes used by Iraqi forces to coordinate strategic strikes, including those involving chemical weapons.
Economic Aid: The U.S. provided several billion dollars in agricultural credits and loans. This allowed Iraq to import food on credit while using its own revenues to purchase weapons from other nations like the Soviet Union and France.Dual-Use Technology:
The U.S. approved the export of "dual-use" technologies—items with both civilian and military applications—including computers, communications equipment, and aircraft navigation systems.
Diplomatic Support: In 1982, the U.S. removed Iraq from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which eased the flow of aid. The two nations officially restored full diplomatic relations in November 1984.
More reasons for Iran to not like the West, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was 78 years old when he left France and returned to Iran on February 1, 1979. Why was it so easy?
In the early 1950s, Iran successfully nationalized its oil industry, which had been controlled by the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)—now known as BP. This move, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, sparked a major international crisis that ultimately led to his overthrow in a 1953 CIAS/MI6 coup.
The Nationalization Law (1951): On March 15, 1951, the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) voted unanimously to nationalize the oil industry.
This created the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to take over AIOC assets, including the massive Abadan Refinery.
Rise of Mohammad Mosaddegh: Mosaddegh, a popular nationalist, was elected Prime Minister shortly after the law passed. He argued that Iran received only a fraction of its own oil wealth while its people lived in poverty.
British Blockade: In response, Britain imposed a worldwide naval blockade on Iranian oil and withdrew its technicians, effectively crippling Iran’s economy by stopping its primary source of revenue.
The 1953 Coup (Operation Ajax): Fearing that the resulting economic instability would lead to a communist takeover, the U.S. (CIA) and the U.K. (MI6) orchestrated a military coup in August 1953. Mosaddegh was overthrown and sentenced to house arrest for life.
*******************
Restoration of the Shah: The coup strengthened the absolute rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah), who remained a key Western ally until the 1979 Revolution.
Oil Consortium: In 1954, a new agreement was signed. While Iran retained nominal ownership, production was handed to a consortium of Western companies, with American firms gaining a 40% stake they hadn't previously held.
Anti-Western Sentiment: The coup is widely regarded as a foundational event that sowed deep-seated distrust of the U.S. and U.K., fueling the eventual Islamic Revolution of 1979.
I was a teenager during those times. I didn't drive and don't recall any major gas problems at that time. But I recall the price of meat increasing so much that we had to switch from meatloaf and beef roasts to chicken and turkey dishes in the Asian style, or ground beef, which at that time was much cheaper than full cuts.
When I read the I E A recommendations, some of them seem to be valid anytime, not just now. So long as it's a recommendation and not a mandate! The big picture now and the history of getting here is a very interesting saga. Whether the timing is justified or not, it is happening now and nothing can stop the unfurling of the events. One of the most important thoughts of average Americans would be to prepare for living tight and lean.This actually could be a good thing, so far as needing to reel in excessive spending on luxury living. Too many people live beyond their means, and have for too long to appease the need to "look affluent". The rest of the "caught by surprise" will suffer and blame anyone else but themselves. This is going to be a wild ride, no matter what ultimately happens. (P.S. I speak from experience, I cried when I owed $500 in taxes in my youth. Working, raising a child alone and very little other avenues to turn to. I was too proud to ask family for help unless I was under severe stress.)
No doubt this is the real deal in global impact. Somehow, I'm not seeing the big picture. I'm seeing Iranian leadership, their armament and their willingness to take as many lives and cause as much harm as possible as the singular problem. If Iran has no weapons or the ability to use them, the Strait is open. Why other nations are so unwilling to protect their energy sources is baffling me. A global coalition aimed at stopping this exclusively Iranian blockade could end it in relatively short order. If Eurasia wants their energy, they need to roll up their sleeves.
"The United States’ expected contribution of 172 million barrels is nearly half of the upcoming release." Of course. We are always expected to deliver more than the rest.
We have enough oil, we don't need to go to war for it. All we need to do is get rid of the stupid sanctions on drilling on our own soil for our own needs. And we need to do that YESTERDAY. All the globalists who are worried about "global warming" and "climate change" certainly changed their tune when AI came on board. They can go pound sand because they've shown how quickly they flip when it's in their interest.
Funny how oil has become the center of a global economic dilemma when there has been so much noise over so many years that we should stop using it.
The problem of a globally-strategic waterway being controlled by a criminal organization (assuming we believe the Iranian regime to be such) should have been handled long ago. I can still see some significantly bizarre "solutions" being proposed for this dilemma, including not only what Trump has started, but something like bombing an alternative waterway through what is now the UAE.
More sensibly (but perhaps not more realistically), we should have rendered Iran cooperative with the rest of the world a long time ago. The "revolution" there was a bit bizarre in its own right, and I'm not sure ever really supported by the people living there.
Bombing the hell out of a place can render the population more apathetic, but not more cooperative. It "feels right" to the hawks of the world, to "give them a dose of their own medicine," but the political fallout there and at home makes it a foolish choice.
As usual, our modern bureaucrats are not creative enough to come us with a sensible long-term solution, but would prefer us to cower in our homes, as they are likewise used to doing (between their jet trips to all their special meetings). So the "solution," it seems, does not stop with Iran. Our entire system of global decision-making needs an overhaul, and that will not come - I would predict - without a completely new view of who we are and how this planet is supposed to work.
I agree this war is a huge risk. It sounds like the IRGC is making a mint on tolls for passing through the straits of Hormuz. How can you defeat them if their economics are doing so well? Somehow that has to be stopped. Trump says this is the weakest Iran would be and this was the time to strike to prevent them from getting nuclear weapons. I pray he is correct! And I pray it ends soon with a positive result.
The big problem is Trumps approval ratings. Before he started this war he was at 48% approve 52% disapprove. His approval rating has crashed to 24%, many of the groups that voted for him have left the tent. I don’t believe this oil crisis is going to be resolved by November leaving the Republicans to take a shellacking in the mid terms.
You know before Fauci produced the Covid virus and then spread it all across the globe people were doing pretty well. They could take the family out to dinner once a week, maybe vacation for a week on the beach each year. They remember that. Now people are struggling to pay there mortgage and there taxes. Credit card debt is at an all time high. The average American can’t go out to dinner once a week or take a vacation.
This argument would you rather have a nuclear ballistic missile hit the US or pay 50 cents more a gallon is a horrible add campaign for the mid terms. For one thing gas is up a dollar not 50cents. People don’t care about foreign countries when they can’t pay their bills. They voted to make America great again not more foreign entanglements. I’m honestly surprised how naive this plan of bombing Iran is just before the midterms. He should have waited. Iran doesn’t have a missile that can reach America and I’ve heard they’ll have a nuclear bomb in two weeks for 50 plus years. I wish the government would change its focus back onto America.
Not looking forward to the communists back in power in the USA. If you thought it was bad under Joe Biden just wait for the next communist authoritarian regime it’s going to make Biden look like Mary Poppins!
Iran is a problem that was shelved far too long. They have been killing Americans for decades now and there is no reason for anyone to assume they ever intend to stop. You turn your back on an enemy whose slogan is death to America while building a nuclear stockpile and you are begging for very bad results. They need stopping.
I agree with all that but the timing. The democrats are poised to have a huge victory in November, and then the impeachments will begin every other week. We’re going to be right back into the communist frying pan. Do you think we could have waited until November 6th? I don’t believe the government lies that in 2 weeks they would have 11 nuclear bombs. If that was the case what happened to we obliterated their nuclear program? It’s like safe and effective, 2 weeks to flatten the curve, it was from a wet market, January 6th was an insurrection. All they do is lie, and the Americans pay for it.
All we can do is believe the administration saying a threat was eminent. And polls...? Sad to say nothing can be done by lying pressand if our population insists on believing them then I guess we deserve what happens because a country peopled by that dumb a population deserves nothing better
If the polls are way off then we have nothing to worry about. I know polls don’t change my vote. If Trump was running in the mid terms I’d vote for him again for a 4th time. All of us that pay attention and are political feel what’s happening. The media for sure isn’t on our side which is another huge aspect when strategizing. Imagine if on November 6th gas was at 1.75/gallon, inflation down, prices down, it would have almost guaranteed a republican win, then bomb Iran if you want, no?
You think they did not consider political ramifications? Imminent threat means imminent...like right now. What would Nov look like had they pulled a 9/11 attack here or on overseas installations with hi death toll? Not so good either.
What did you make of Tulsi Gabbard stating there was no imminent threat. Was she lying or misinformed? How could she be and why?
Maybe some limited strikes not an all out war. When he obliterated their nuclear program 6 months ago was that truth?
IF the illegals get to vote this November - COURTESY of the Communist bloc in the Supreme Court, The "Fragile Experiment with Freedom" the INTERNATIONAL Socialist Movement has been wanting to KILL for OVER a century, with COPIOUS help from WITHIN the USA via the MAXIST infestation of social justice, WOKE B/S, DEI ESG and the BIG lie of the white oppressors and everyone else the oppressed...
DAMN WELL COULD happen!
Good grief! Why should we believe ANYTHING this administration or any other tells us? Trump was deceived by Israel (not, I'm not anti-Israel; I just don't think we need to be dragged into their conflicts) and now we're paying the price.
I have to reflect on our perspectives re the outcome of the midterms. I have to wonder if our views that there are going to be massive losses isn't fueled by a grand psyops? That and our expectations fueling a reality. Do we need a more promising, positive take and strategy here?
I believe the Dems taking control in 2026 would be good. We would see impeachment and law-fare ad nauseam. No hint of governing. By 2028, who would vote for more of the same?
good point.
Who? All the true believers.
Without Independants and disaffected voters the Dems pushed out, the true believers can elect no one nationally. which is the same for the Repubs. The difference I see is the Repubs realize this and act accordingly. The Dems have no clue.
James, I think the government lies all the time, including about Iran, covid, flattening the curve, and putting boots on the ground. And we the people will pay for it. We always do, because we no longer have the small government the founders envisioned, limited to the 18 areas that they outlined.
INSANITY rules, James.
I would rather pay a little extra to give the US the time it needs to straighten out Iran.
It is still some time before midterms so as peoples memories can be short I expect the temporary blip in gas prices will soon be forgotten after Trump wraps up in Iran and prices come back down.
"Sometimes peace can only be found on the other side of War" (Sean Connery - First Knight)
OK but why now? Didn't we obliterate their program a few months ago? I just can't believe they were 'this close' to delivering WMDs; we've been hearing that for years. It feels like economic sabotage again, like C19.
I am willing to believe this about the Iranian regime, but not about the Iranian people.
So, we can conclude that Iran is being run by a regime that is, in many ways, a criminal organization. I presume this regime also provides the Iranian people with "normal" government services. This is often the case in countries where the government has turned more or less criminal. So, the problem is: How do we de-criminalize the regime without turning its people against us, thus really fostering the emergence of a new regime that hates us just as much as the old one did?
Truth be told, we have never totally figured this one out. Are there any good examples of success? Germany after WW2 perhaps? Or Japan? In those cases we bombed their cities to ruins before coming in to help them rebuild. Do we need to do that in Iran? Will it work? Though I know that both Germany and Japan now seem to embrace Western values, have they really left their old racism totally behind?
I have no strong suggestions on how to turn a people or a planet away from its criminal tendencies. It requires a technology that I believe exists on Earth, but is not widely known. And it is a gradual process - perhaps even painful at times. In contrast, we need to solve the Iran problem very quickly. Perhaps the only solution is war. Seems sad, though.
You think we don't have massive criminal elements within the U.S. government? Wake up and smell the toast burning! Cleon Skousen was writing about it back in the mid-70's. Things have only gotten worse since then.
So, to turn the tables, do you think Iran would be justified in destroying the U.S. to get rid of the criminal elements in the U.S. government?
Hubbard has been writing about the criminal elements in U.S. society since 1950! I know a lot about them. But do you shoot yourself to get out of a straitjacket?
At least we don't suffer here from leaders who think they are saving the world from pork eaters who have not pledged their allegiance to Allah.
But the propaganda on both sides is overblown and has pushed us to war while sabotaging our attempts at more peaceful handlings.
I am only stating that our problem is crime, and that the Iran regime has appeared to support violent criminal activity to the point where something needs to be done about it. In the U.S. a few "protesters" occasionally lose their lives. In Iran they are apparently being gunned down by a regime that cannot tolerate any protest, and now is using attacks against it as an excuse to block a major shipping lane. Do you have a better idea of how to handle this situation?
No, I don't think Iran would be justified, and I don't think we are, either. It is not our place to save the world. As we threw off the tyrants in 1776, let them throw off their own. And we should be throwing off our own as well. Again.
Your ideas may be the wiser.
But as far as this particular situation goes, it appears that the Iran regime somehow had to be handled.
Though the most powerful "kid on the block" becomes its default "policeman," we know that can turn bad if he's also a criminal. And that is also a problem on this planet. Something we still desperately need to work out.
More reasons the Iran does not like the West, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was 78 years old when he left France and returned to Iran on February 1, 1979. Why was it so easy?
In the early 1950s, Iran successfully nationalized its oil industry, which had been controlled by the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)—now known as BP. This move, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, sparked a major international crisis that ultimately led to his overthrow in a 1953 CIAS/MI6 coup.
The Nationalization Law (1951): On March 15, 1951, the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) voted unanimously to nationalize the oil industry.
This created the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to take over AIOC assets, including the massive Abadan Refinery.
Rise of Mohammad Mosaddegh: Mosaddegh, a popular nationalist, was elected Prime Minister shortly after the law passed. He argued that Iran received only a fraction of its own oil wealth while its people lived in poverty.
British Blockade: In response, Britain imposed a worldwide naval blockade on Iranian oil and withdrew its technicians, effectively crippling Iran’s economy by stopping its primary source of revenue.
The 1953 Coup (Operation Ajax): Fearing that the resulting economic instability would lead to a communist takeover, the U.S. (CIA) and the U.K. (MI6) orchestrated a military coup in August 1953. Mosaddegh was overthrown and sentenced to house arrest for life.
*******************
Restoration of the Shah: The coup strengthened the absolute rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah), who remained a key Western ally until the 1979 Revolution.
Oil Consortium: In 1954, a new agreement was signed. While Iran retained nominal ownership, production was handed to a consortium of Western companies, with American firms gaining a 40% stake they hadn't previously held.
Anti-Western Sentiment: The coup is widely regarded as a foundational event that sowed deep-seated distrust of the U.S. and U.K., fueling the eventual Islamic Revolution of 1979.
The coup should never have happened. This is exactly what I see as well. We made this bed and now we lie in it.
Please see my comment above.
For even more detail, please read; America's Middle East by Marc Lynch. Every aspect of what is going on today directly relates to US Foreign Policy decisions that have now taken the planet to the edge of world war 3.
Thanks for the information.
There is a good reason why the Iranians dislike the USA. 1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). The major oil companies wanted the oil back under there control.
Official Iranian Figures: The Iranian government has officially acknowledged approximately 183,000 to 217,000 deaths. This includes both military personnel and civilians killed during the conflict.
Scholarly and International Estimates: Many historians and organizations, such as Encyclopedia Britannica, estimate the total Iranian death toll to be significantly higher, often placing it between 200,000 and 600,000.
1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). While the U.S. remained officially neutral, it "tilted" toward Iraq to prevent an Iranian victory and protect regional interests, such as oil supplies and the security of Gulf allies.
Key Forms of U.S. Support: The Reagan and Bush administrations aided Iraq through several diplomatic, economic, and military channels:
Intelligence Sharing:
The U.S. provided Iraq with critical battlefield intelligence, including satellite imagery of Iranian troop movements and communications intercepts.
This data was sometimes used by Iraqi forces to coordinate strategic strikes, including those involving chemical weapons.
Economic Aid: The U.S. provided several billion dollars in agricultural credits and loans. This allowed Iraq to import food on credit while using its own revenues to purchase weapons from other nations like the Soviet Union and France.Dual-Use Technology:
The U.S. approved the export of "dual-use" technologies—items with both civilian and military applications—including computers, communications equipment, and aircraft navigation systems.
Diplomatic Support: In 1982, the U.S. removed Iraq from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which eased the flow of aid. The two nations officially restored full diplomatic relations in November 1984.
So our hands are already pretty dirty in all this. Should have been sorted out and remedied a long time ago. It seems to me there were forces who wanted the antagonism to continue and go unhandled. Too many criminals in high places on this planet. They control our minds in ways that most of us don't even comprehend.
You are correct. It all start with the Empire in which the sun did not set. The Gulf states were created by the British for the most part.
Most modern Gulf states and the British, entered into a series of protection treaties throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the Trucial States (the precursor to the United Arab Emirates) were largely established as a British-protected entity in 1820.
During the British protectorate era (1820–1971), leaders in the Gulf states were generally chosen through traditional dynastic succession, though the British often exerted significant influence to ensure stability and loyalty to their interests.
Traditional Tribal Succession
Consensus-Based: Unlike European primogeniture (where the eldest son automatically inherits), succession often relied on a family council or the consensus of senior ruling family members.
Selection Criteria: The family would ideally choose the "strongest and most capable" candidate, which could be a brother, uncle, or cousin rather than a direct descendant.
Alternation: In states like Kuwait, a custom developed of alternating power between two branches of the ruling family to maintain internal unity
The following timeline details when individual Gulf states formalized their status as British protectorates:
Trucial States (UAE): 1820. Following a naval campaign, the British imposed the General Maritime Treaty on the coastal sheikhdoms, which became known as the Trucial Coast. This status was further cemented by the 1853 Perpetual Maritime Truce.
Bahrain: 1861. While Bahrain signed the initial 1820 treaty, it entered a formal protectorate agreement in 1861, which was further expanded by additional treaties in 1880 and 1892.
Muscat and Oman: 1892. Britain established an informal protectorate with the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, having maintained strategic interests there since a friendship treaty in 1798.
Kuwait: 1899. Facing pressure from the Ottoman Empire, the Sheikh of Kuwait signed a secret protection treaty with Britain in 1899.
Qatar: 1916. Qatar became the last of the modern Gulf states to enter a formal protection treaty with the British Empire.
Key British Administrative Milestones
The British managed these states through the Persian Gulf Residency, an administrative subdivision that operated for nearly 150 years:
1822: The Residency was officially established at Bushehr (in modern-day Iran).
1892: The Exclusive Agreement was signed by most Gulf rulers, prohibiting them from ceding land or entering foreign relations without British consent in exchange for military protection.
1946: The Residency headquarters moved from Bushehr to Manama, Bahrain.
1971: Britain terminated all protectorate treaties, leading to the independence of Bahrain, Qatar, and the formation of the United Arab Emirates.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf_Residency#:~:text=The%20Persian%20Gulf%20Residency%20was,Kuwait%2C%20Oman%2C%20and%20Qatar.
As a British citizen, might I ask everyone to remember the concept of not blaming the children for the actions of their fathers.
This is all interesting data about the British involvement in the Middle East. They were also heavily involved in India and China, as we all know.
But I see a bigger move afoot, which the British have either been playing into or perhaps are expected to lead. It seems to involve establishing a new form of authoritarian control on Earth. I hope we can prevent that.
I agree, time will tell all.
YES! The Muslim men need to all be headed to their awaiting harem of virgins.
Like.
Let's revisit a couple of claims by our current HHS Secretary.
"Operation Warp Speed was, in fact, a DOD-managed program. Through its officials, the Department of Defense oversaw vaccine development and directed supply, production, and distribution, paving the way for coercive, mass-vaccination programs with unsafe, zero-liability vaccines on terrified and often unwitting American citizens." (p. 116)
"Under the umbrella of this grant [Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence], Dr. [Ralph] Baric generously shared with the Chinese his groundbreaking techniques for using reverse engineering and genetic manipulation to create lethal and virulent clones and to teach wild coronaviruses to infect humans." (p. 285, both from "The Wuhan Cover-up")
And these are the "good guys"?
The COVID era has taught me that we are managed by evil people who will burn down the world to rule over the ashes. My hopes plummeted when Trump and Bondi sat shoulder to shoulder and scolded those inquiring about Epstein.
I've read RFK. Whitney Webb (One Nation Under Blackmail). Listened to Anneke Lucas. And most recently I've read Cathy O'Brien, whose claims about federal evil are so shocking that I don't know what to make of them, or whether even I can believe them.
Our strings are being pulled. Epstein is entirely relevant. For the sake of this republic, for the sake of humanity, someone had better get to the bottom of it.
I dont understand any of that, i think they could easily start with Bill Gates - that would cover Covid and Epstein and I felt nauseous earlier this week when my sweet elderly liberal told me that the US has to keep and import illegals because we are not reproducing enough babies to support the future. I asked her, what about abortion -start with making that illegal, what about closing down the Gates Foundation (originally called Gates Foundation for Population control. Dems have been systematically destroying our future for a long time. I did read one article yesterday that indicated liberals have been choosing to not have children long enough to see that Conservatives are reproducing at a much higher rate so there is a little ray of hope for a lot more conservatives in the future.
NO progress on the epstein files is gonna' happen until we get our crooked lefty judge problem figured out.
The fact is, we would be foolish to even try to prosecute under our present circumstances since the lefty judges will just throw out the cases and once that is done we can't try them again for the same crime (double jeopardy).
It's frustrating as hell, I know, but that's where we're at right now.
(Repeat of my earlier comment above).
For even more detail, please read; America's Middle East by Marc Lynch. Every aspect of what is going on today directly relates to US Foreign Policy decisions that have now taken the planet to the edge of world war 3.
Believe Cathy O'Brien, but don't be black-pilled by Whitney Webb.
Do you think that Trump would have launched this possibly midterm losing campaign if there had not been an imminent threat? There are 1000's of tramp freighters off our shorelines at any time and any one of those could be fitted with an intermediate range missile(s) armed with a nuclear warhead. or dirty bomb. You sound like so many others who struggle in the present and don't care about the future. The midterms are a long ways away and Iran will be a new country by then.
I have no love for Iran, the complete opposite. If republicans get crushed in the mid terms I don’t know if America survives 4 years with the democrats in power, 20-30-50 million more illegals coming in. This may sound odd but there’s worse things than dying. Living under a tyrannical communist government where your kids have no future and are slaves to these elites is worse, thats just my opinion. These mid terms have deep deep consequences to all Americans. Hey if Trump is the 3D chess player republicans will sweep the mid terms and crush the presidential election. Time will tell, I’m very worried that this doesn’t turn out well for the working conservative people.
im concerned too, but still betting on Trump. Some are saying its 4 and 5 d chess. Time will tell of course. but Covid taught me to prepare and pray as much as possible. Some times things have to get really bad before they get better.
There is always the possibility that this admin won't allow the unthinkable to happen, even if we lose the midterms. We are in a fight for survival of the US, not seats.
My truth is: I don't want to live with a bunch of people so stupid that they would wish to return to what the o'biden admin was doing to this country for 4 years.
Think about this. Kamala Harris is leading the Democrat polls for leading presidential candidate. Talk about people so stupid....
Yeah, and think about this: She blew more than a BILLION dollars in about 3 months losing that election!
I wouldn't trust her to manage a hot dog cart.
"...there's worse things than dying." James, I absolutely agree!
Yes, he would. He is being manipulated. He's a businessman and not a politician. Though he's smarter this time around, his ego still gets in the way of good advice.
What happened to "Drill, baby Drill"? The USA for a brief time during DJT's first term, America - for the FIRST TIME - became oil independent from the drilling restrictions of Obama's EPA; and just recently it has been touted the USA was again oil dependent + having acquired access to the previously NATIONALIZED oil produced in Venezuela - so WHY is USA gasoline - at the pump mimicking other countries? Yes, a huge Texas refinery recently blew up - NO word as to WHY...also, ALL of the notions for easing the shock of US pump gas prices ( by Justine: DIRE STRAITS Part 3) - are almost word for word from the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo days from keeping tires properly inflated to all the other gimmicks like ride sharing, etc. etc.
I, too wonder - what with the MOST important mid-terms in my lifetime JUST AROUND the CORNER TIME WISE - the decision to start a war with Iran - this after the RECENT US bombing - supposedly completely destroyed Irans atomic bomb making capability?
Somethings don't smell right again!
Hopefully we will get some more positive news coverage when the Ellisons take over CBS? CNN? may less Pro China, Pro Iran. My libs are swayed by that.
You don’t need a missile to get a nuke into this country. Indeed, using means other than a rocket would be less risky and more of a surprise.
Wasn’t all that obliterated?
Mr. G---- I would guess that Iran could buy a fully functional nuke from N. Korea, Pakistan, or other country that does not think it would be targeted. The way that the UK, France and Germany are trying to get close to the muzzies, I would think our old allies may just give Iran a nuke just to stick it to Trump. Just sayings
Midnight Hammer destroyed Iran's means of "production". Unfortunately, they had already produced about a thousand pounds of almost weapons grade material and squirreled it away somewhere else.
1000 pounds is enough apparently to make 8 or 10 bombs.
Think about, it doesn't even take a very big truck to haul away 1000 pounds. They can't make more but the problem is they had already made some.
Nonsensense.
A long line of gutless presidents has led us to this. And now iran is serving as a throwback to the Barbary pirates that we had to abolish 200 yrs ago and here they are again pirating oil largely needed by a europe that, again, refuses to see to its own problem but waits for us to do it for them...like we did 200yr ago.
I agree with this totally. History repeats itself. I hope.....
Exactly!
I don't know the history of the Barbary pirates. But have checked Wikipedia for an overview. It seems perhaps the strongest parallel is that they were Muslims. They were sent out by their "governments" apparently, as the Barbary Coast states survived on piracy.
Iran is now in a different position, as it has oil (and related chemicals) to sell. So, they could carry on a legitimate trade with the West for some years to come without running into any major problems. It appears there was Western corporate interference in Iran, which is a shame. Perhaps that is part of the story of why the Iranian regime continues to be anti-West.
I don't care. Often the right thing to do requires a bit of sacrifice. The affluent left can't abide by that. Nor can the leftist Israelis (I live among them). I have great admiration for President Trump that he's willing to risk it and support his efforts even if it hits our budgets.
The problem is that he's risking his presidency and agenda. If he loses control of Congress, his presidency will be OVER.
We all have a big surprise coming soon as regards the Congress, and that's the only hint I'll be dropping. Wouldn't worry about losing seats there, though.
I agree here. I have nothing to base my thoughts on other than I think a huge number of people were surprised (dare I say shocked) when Mr. Trump won last year. It Can Be Done, and faith is required. Jeff Childers is keeping me grounded in this and I've read that many fear (hate?) the Democratic party and their agenda more than they do the Republican. I have no crystal ball but I'm sending the Trump team a love message every day - "Please make us Great Again, Thank you, thank you!"
You're right and he only has a bit less than 3 years to clean up thee mess.
He won’t be able to do anything with a Democrat house and senate. Im afraid this time the senate will convict him and he’ll be thrown from office. He may pay with jail time which is horrendous, but all Americans will pay with a communist take over of our beloved America. To me a blown up Iran isn’t worth open borders, a communist American government, and political convictions of Trumps entire administration and probably many more than that.
I don't know why everyone is worried about communism. It has morphed. What we need to pay attention to is technocracy, because it's in our faces constantly and too many people are not seeing the threat!
Because power (communists) and money (tech lords) attract and reinforce each other, it's all the same in my mind. Big government communists using big tech to surveille, censor, nudge, brainwash us and reprogram our DNA. And you'll own nothing, and be happy! If the communists get in as James mentions, it'll just happen faster, but short of a miracle that's where we're going IMO.
The nightmare scenario is they get both houses, which is now a possibility. He will be impeached and removed from office, and the agenda will be over, so he may have less than a year. We a dramatic turnaround to pull this out.
Consider this. Trump gets removed from office--and Vance becomes President. He's much more "acceptable" to the mindless ones with TDS and may just get us out of the mess. I doubt they're even considering that.
And if he doesn't it's over anyway.
We're right between a rock and a hard place.
I am a bit surprised that you think Iran can be handled by military violence. Perhaps it can, but that was not the first choice of most of us, including Trump up to some months ago.
Unfortunately, it seems most people don't look at the 'big picture' when they go to the poles. I pray that patriots will remember what life was like under Biden and not run out on republicans because things get tough. We all need to remain steadfast or none of Trump's efforts will have meant squat. Remain steadfast, pray, and never forget the past. God Bless and remember "He has risen".
There’s another part of this war that hasn’t been part of the media landscape. It’s what Rubio is doing with banking on the worldwide scale. It directly influences Iran and no matter how much money it takes it from the govts that it does business with that money will be stuck in whatever currency is being used and unless the “dark” banks of Dubai helps Iran the money is almost worthless. It won’t be able to be converted into US dollars and spent anywhere around the globe. This choke point is almost more crushing than the bombs that are being dropped.
All "clean" money will be readily converted to gold-backed assets in the Quantum Financial System.
"There's too much confusion...I cain't git no relief"! J. Hendrix
Bob Dylan
That is a 100% correction ! Sweet!
Our boy from Hibbing wrote that.
Jimmy did him a biggy on his upside down left handed Strat.
Seems Jimmy tried relieving his confusions,
with a mirror image six string guitar melodies of intense finger control.
And sometimes mind altering substances.
The Highwire's Jaxen Report covered these chilling issues on 4/2/26. Unfortunately, they had a hard drive failure (coincidence?) so part of the transmission for the full episode was lost.
Here's the segment you'll want to watch:
THE FOOD CRISIS HIDING BEHIND THE IRAN CONFLICT (video 10:47): https://thehighwire.com/ark-videos/food-crisis-hiding-behind-iran-conflict/
Rice and beans will get us through.
How many people do you think actually know what to do with them?
A majority, I should think. It's in our genes, even if not in our experience.
Eating is hardwired for survival, but cooking is not in our genes. I've known many people who would not survive if there weren't someone there to tell them what to do. I few years ago I went to the Common Ground Fair in Maine and was astonished to see a tent filled with people attending a class called "how to cook from scratch". That something that is learned, not intuitive. I can also tell you about a family that went "back to the land" and poisoned their entire family by feeding them potato greens. That's knowledge that is passed on, not inherent.
Gotcha, Joy. But I'm not talking about cooking in general. I think a child who's spent any time in a kitchen realizes that rice plus simmering water or beans plus simmering water will eventually lead to edible food.
Sonia, how many children spend time in kitchens nowadays? And even then, that' s experience, not genetics.
After seeing the mess already started with Communist Mamdani running New York, and the fact that mouthy Miss Crockett lost her primary for Senate run in Texas, PLUS Virginia’s lying so-called “conservative” pick that won and then immediately reversed her position on serious issues…..only proves that the Democrats are in such disarray they are scattering like cockroaches when the lights come on! They have no real, intelligent leader, only off-the-rails crackpots and demonstrators who act like they are attending a Furry Convention, and ignorant gays that back Iran, whose leadership would murder them in an instant for their sexual orientation. More residents and voters of blue, sanctuary states are beginning to see the light as to the unhealthy leadership they live under and the unpleasant outcomes they bring with them into office. (Just look at CA and NY who plan to tax their residents into the Poor House or die trying) I do not believe the Midterms are as “in the bag” as they would like us to believe. I think it’s a smokescreen. A Leftist wet dream, yes, but not sane thinking. Some, as you have seen, are admitting to changing to the Republican Party. Many are changing, but NOT telling! And many young people are coming to God and church more, thanks to Charlie Kirk. We have HOPE!
I did not like the last time we were promised hope and change
My recollection: the 1973 oil embargo was imposed by Arab members of OPEC, not OPEC itself. While the nominal reason was Arab anger at US support for Israel in the Yom Kippur War, others have argued that the embargo was designed to shake up the global energy market and shift market power from consumer to producers.
Some monetary economists have argued it was also related to the US ending the convertibility of US$ to gold in 1971, allowing our government to print money to finance trade without worrying about gold reserves. Oil producers were alarmed that the real purchasing power of the US$ they received for oil were being inflated away. The world changed after the embargo, both politically and economically.
There is a good reason why the Iranians dislike the USA. 1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). The major oil companies wanted the oil back under there control.
Official Iranian Figures: The Iranian government has officially acknowledged approximately 183,000 to 217,000 deaths. This includes both military personnel and civilians killed during the conflict.
Scholarly and International Estimates: Many historians and organizations, such as Encyclopedia Britannica, estimate the total Iranian death toll to be significantly higher, often placing it between 200,000 and 600,000.
1. The United States provided significant support to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). While the U.S. remained officially neutral, it "tilted" toward Iraq to prevent an Iranian victory and protect regional interests, such as oil supplies and the security of Gulf allies.
Key Forms of U.S. Support: The Reagan and Bush administrations aided Iraq through several diplomatic, economic, and military channels:
Intelligence Sharing:
The U.S. provided Iraq with critical battlefield intelligence, including satellite imagery of Iranian troop movements and communications intercepts.
This data was sometimes used by Iraqi forces to coordinate strategic strikes, including those involving chemical weapons.
Economic Aid: The U.S. provided several billion dollars in agricultural credits and loans. This allowed Iraq to import food on credit while using its own revenues to purchase weapons from other nations like the Soviet Union and France.Dual-Use Technology:
The U.S. approved the export of "dual-use" technologies—items with both civilian and military applications—including computers, communications equipment, and aircraft navigation systems.
Diplomatic Support: In 1982, the U.S. removed Iraq from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which eased the flow of aid. The two nations officially restored full diplomatic relations in November 1984.
More reasons for Iran to not like the West, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was 78 years old when he left France and returned to Iran on February 1, 1979. Why was it so easy?
In the early 1950s, Iran successfully nationalized its oil industry, which had been controlled by the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC)—now known as BP. This move, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, sparked a major international crisis that ultimately led to his overthrow in a 1953 CIAS/MI6 coup.
The Nationalization Law (1951): On March 15, 1951, the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) voted unanimously to nationalize the oil industry.
This created the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to take over AIOC assets, including the massive Abadan Refinery.
Rise of Mohammad Mosaddegh: Mosaddegh, a popular nationalist, was elected Prime Minister shortly after the law passed. He argued that Iran received only a fraction of its own oil wealth while its people lived in poverty.
British Blockade: In response, Britain imposed a worldwide naval blockade on Iranian oil and withdrew its technicians, effectively crippling Iran’s economy by stopping its primary source of revenue.
The 1953 Coup (Operation Ajax): Fearing that the resulting economic instability would lead to a communist takeover, the U.S. (CIA) and the U.K. (MI6) orchestrated a military coup in August 1953. Mosaddegh was overthrown and sentenced to house arrest for life.
*******************
Restoration of the Shah: The coup strengthened the absolute rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah), who remained a key Western ally until the 1979 Revolution.
Oil Consortium: In 1954, a new agreement was signed. While Iran retained nominal ownership, production was handed to a consortium of Western companies, with American firms gaining a 40% stake they hadn't previously held.
Anti-Western Sentiment: The coup is widely regarded as a foundational event that sowed deep-seated distrust of the U.S. and U.K., fueling the eventual Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and research on this issue. I appreciate the education.
me too.
I was a teenager during those times. I didn't drive and don't recall any major gas problems at that time. But I recall the price of meat increasing so much that we had to switch from meatloaf and beef roasts to chicken and turkey dishes in the Asian style, or ground beef, which at that time was much cheaper than full cuts.
You must be too young to remember the gas lines, gallon limits on sales, and odd/even license plate days. It was horrible.
I remember Nixon saying there would be shortages, and THE NEXT DAY there were gas lines. Tell me that wasn't a set-up job.
I know it was a big thing on TV. But I don't recall my parents complaining about it. Could be my memories on that subject just aren't that good.
When I read the I E A recommendations, some of them seem to be valid anytime, not just now. So long as it's a recommendation and not a mandate! The big picture now and the history of getting here is a very interesting saga. Whether the timing is justified or not, it is happening now and nothing can stop the unfurling of the events. One of the most important thoughts of average Americans would be to prepare for living tight and lean.This actually could be a good thing, so far as needing to reel in excessive spending on luxury living. Too many people live beyond their means, and have for too long to appease the need to "look affluent". The rest of the "caught by surprise" will suffer and blame anyone else but themselves. This is going to be a wild ride, no matter what ultimately happens. (P.S. I speak from experience, I cried when I owed $500 in taxes in my youth. Working, raising a child alone and very little other avenues to turn to. I was too proud to ask family for help unless I was under severe stress.)
Worries me deeply…
No doubt this is the real deal in global impact. Somehow, I'm not seeing the big picture. I'm seeing Iranian leadership, their armament and their willingness to take as many lives and cause as much harm as possible as the singular problem. If Iran has no weapons or the ability to use them, the Strait is open. Why other nations are so unwilling to protect their energy sources is baffling me. A global coalition aimed at stopping this exclusively Iranian blockade could end it in relatively short order. If Eurasia wants their energy, they need to roll up their sleeves.
The Iranian regime does seem a bit suicidal. A very dangerous state of mind.
We have been blessed by the forces that have enabled us to continue Crude priced in USD.
Nothing succeeds better than uncertainty of future easy resources for global consumerism.
Now a more uncalculated test is on horizon. Is it a "Bad Moon Arisin"?
We been darn lucky so far.
CCR!
"The United States’ expected contribution of 172 million barrels is nearly half of the upcoming release." Of course. We are always expected to deliver more than the rest.
We have enough oil, we don't need to go to war for it. All we need to do is get rid of the stupid sanctions on drilling on our own soil for our own needs. And we need to do that YESTERDAY. All the globalists who are worried about "global warming" and "climate change" certainly changed their tune when AI came on board. They can go pound sand because they've shown how quickly they flip when it's in their interest.
Funny how oil has become the center of a global economic dilemma when there has been so much noise over so many years that we should stop using it.
The problem of a globally-strategic waterway being controlled by a criminal organization (assuming we believe the Iranian regime to be such) should have been handled long ago. I can still see some significantly bizarre "solutions" being proposed for this dilemma, including not only what Trump has started, but something like bombing an alternative waterway through what is now the UAE.
More sensibly (but perhaps not more realistically), we should have rendered Iran cooperative with the rest of the world a long time ago. The "revolution" there was a bit bizarre in its own right, and I'm not sure ever really supported by the people living there.
Bombing the hell out of a place can render the population more apathetic, but not more cooperative. It "feels right" to the hawks of the world, to "give them a dose of their own medicine," but the political fallout there and at home makes it a foolish choice.
As usual, our modern bureaucrats are not creative enough to come us with a sensible long-term solution, but would prefer us to cower in our homes, as they are likewise used to doing (between their jet trips to all their special meetings). So the "solution," it seems, does not stop with Iran. Our entire system of global decision-making needs an overhaul, and that will not come - I would predict - without a completely new view of who we are and how this planet is supposed to work.
I agree this war is a huge risk. It sounds like the IRGC is making a mint on tolls for passing through the straits of Hormuz. How can you defeat them if their economics are doing so well? Somehow that has to be stopped. Trump says this is the weakest Iran would be and this was the time to strike to prevent them from getting nuclear weapons. I pray he is correct! And I pray it ends soon with a positive result.