Iran war - Joe Blogs video

 The situation in the Middle East seems very much in a state of flux.

Trump Report

Some think President Trump was insane to go to war with Iran. Many were upset by some of his "falling out" with the Pope. Many in the MAGA movement want him not to get involved in foreign wars and concentrate instead on the USA.

Iran crisis

Apparently the USA has the "wrong" sort of oil that it is not geared up to refine. So it exports oil and imports oil it can refine! 

With the failure of talks in Pakistan tensions are high again with President Trump threatening to blockade Iranian ports. Oil prices are rising again.

Times Radio is being very harsh!

What's the effect on the world of the failed Iran peace talks?

It is disappointing that the peace talks in Pakistan have failed. What is likely to happen now? 

Clearly, the immediate future looks more uncertain and markets will be "on edge". This Joe Blogs video may help.

Iran peace talks fail

The peace talks in Pakistan have failed.  Are we surprised?

I think this leaves President Trump with a problem: neither side (I think) has a real appetite to carry on fighting, yet Iran has arguably come out on top in this asymmetric conflict with a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz.  

President Trump has to decide to escalate further or negotiate. He does not like to be beaten, especially when he has already announced victory! 

In my view President Trump seriously misjudged the situation. Many regard Iran as an evil state, but was this approach right? The world now suffers.

It will be interesting to see what the next steps are.

Iran - a very old and beautiful place

Last night I watched a YouTube video about Iran, I had absolutely no idea what a beautiful country this is. It would appear some idiots want to bomb it back to the Stone Age. 

We always see a biased version of facts. I am sure, like many countries, Iran has many faults. However, I always find it sad when idiots want to bomb history they don't like out of existence. 

I felt this about King Henry VIII, Palmyra in Syria and the Buddhist statues in Afghanistan. There are some very stupid people.

Joe Blogs

 This was the Joe Blogs video yesterday.

Iran war

 In my mind the USA has made a "pigs dinner" of this war. Both sides claim victory.

The war has cost the USA, allegedly, over $11B so far, which is a colossal amount.

Fuel prices are higher (even in the USA) and inflation is likely to move up.  The Strait of Hormuz (which was open before the war) is supposed to be open again .......but Iran controls it and will probably charge a toll. 

Yes, we may have set back Iran making missiles and nuclear weapons a bit. Has the USA gained any friends? I doubt it; they may well have lost a few. Iran still has low cost drones and control over the Straight of Hormuz. US victory? Hmmm.

President Trump on Truth Social

On Sunday, the US president published an expletive laden post on Truth Social, threatening Iran with dire consequences if the Strait of Hormuz was not re-opened. 

In my personal view, this was not the sort of post I would have expected by a US president.

Many consider attacks against civilian targets a war crime. This would be contested I expect. 

In my view, this will make the Iranian people more angry and less likely to side with the USA. If you dislike a regime in power, why take it out on ordinary folk?

What is certain is that this is an asymmetric war with might against cunning.

I fail to understand why people cannot live in peace and harmony with everyone. Wars cost a great deal and rarely achieve much good. The common person rarely really wants war. Those that stand to gain have shares in companies supplying weapons and ammunition.

See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm29zmpdj3vt.

Times News

At the time of writing we do not know the fate of the second US airman missing in Iran.

What next?

As I write this the war in Iran could go either way. 

On the one hand President Trump could be angered by the loss of that airman and escalate the war. He is in danger of committing war crimes to say nothing of Iran’s backlash.

Alternatively, he may fear the backlash at home and just walk away and de-escalate.

We’ll see.

My war

It would appear that the world is entering recession, has higher fuel costs and Iran will emerge stronger and the USA weaker.

Iran is considered an evil state, but if a war is undertaken it is wise to think about how it might end.

Economic emergency

 It is clear that the war against Iran is having consequences across the planet.

Does he know his plan?

One could be forgiven for thinking the US President does not fully appreciate the implications of the war in Iran. 

Maybe I am totally wrong and there is some incredible plan being enacted. After all, I am a minion not privy to intelligence and security briefs.

These facts are clear already:

1.  Inflation is likely to rise across the world including in the USA.

2.  Many (most?) face shortages of fuel and many other things.

3.  This is an asymmetric war between those with power and those with certain levers.

4.  Many innocent people will suffer.

Iran crisis

 Most days I watch the Joe Blogs videos. Escalation in the Iran war is a real risk.

 

Iran war

 "Poking the hornets nest" comes to mind. Let's hope those who started it know how to end it.

Questions

For years the Iranians have been considered the pariah state of the Middle East. 

I am not naturally a politician, but I have severe doubts that the USA and Israel will do any good and it looks like they are doing real harm. 

There are other examples of asymmetric wars such as Russia and Ukraine. This one has lasted 4 years already.

President Trump is saying the war will soon be over yet Iran still has loads of fast small gunboats which could cause havoc in the region to say nothing of the hacking harm they could do across the planet. My own view is the USA is entering its biggest crisis in nearly 100 years.

Iran war

Everyone knows that Iran is treated as the pariah of the Middle East and that a more "western leaning" Iran  would be more supportive of President Trump and the Israeli government.

What I do not understand are the true motives and end game in this current conflict. President Trump was allegedly voted into office partly on the grounds that the USA would stop getting involved in "forever wars". Hmmm....

If he stops the threat from missiles, drones and nuclear weapons threatening Israel will he stop and walk away?  This war could end quickly or it could go on for years. In my personal view the USA could have done far more good peacefully in the world. As it is the Middle East (possibly elsewhere) has been turned into turmoil.

Russian Rouble

 It looks like the Russian Rouble could fall heavily this year as Russian oil sales fall . 

With the war against Iran by the USA and Israel, we could be in for a rough ride in the world in the months ahead. Maybe this will help Russia?

The USA and Iran

Things are moving very fast. I am sure President Trump would like regime change in Tehran, but at the same time does not want "forever" wars with no clear end. With the mid-term elections coming up, if he was to get embroiled in a war with Iran this might be really bad for his prospects.