Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom
Just to be clear here, Ely......who's side are you on?  |
I love these moronic comments from you... Its the ultimate sign you have nothing to bring to a discussion.
We shouldn't be in this spot. This position we find ourselves in is the direct result of our reneging and then applying maximum pressure on a regime that was in compliance. We made this bed and I've been saying that since last year.
That said, it doesn't matter now how we got here. This is where we're at. We have very limited policy options due to our previous decisions.
Allowing attacks on civilian merchant shipping has NEVER been the modus operandi of the United States so our failure to swiftly retaliate has further emboldened the Iranians. Its also a major depart for us.
Trump has basically only two options at his disposal.
1. Capitulate and rejoin the the JCPOA and drop the sanctions.
2. Slap back with enough force that it quiets things down while not; further alienating our rivals or instigating a larger conflict. Its a difficult order.
Or I guess:
3. Some weird face-saving combo of 2 then 1.
Personally, I would choose 2. I wouldn't find myself in this spot. Have warned we would eventually land in this spot. But still 2... The United States has a global commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and that's a rule break I can't let go unpunished.
Now you'll say I'm being unfair to Trump since there isn't a way he can "win" in this showdown. I'll say that's BS as I said over a year ago we were placing ourselves in a unwinnable scenario and was chastised by many on here.
"Please call us so we can make a deal" is a nonsense policy position. Iran is forcing Trump now to make real decisions. I said what mine would be.
@
Demonstrates Iranian capability region wide. 
Puts us on our back foot. Instead of Iran reacting to us we're reacting to Iran. 
Goading us into possibly overreacting. 
Demonstrates how piss poor our standing is with the international community. 
