He has an aversion to war. He is all bluster in many areas. But his latest back down from the bluster of "locked and loaded" is "more sanctions" against Iran for the recent bombing of Saudi oil. I prefer that much more than a military escalation.
In spite of his "Sound and Fury", he's arguably the most peaceful president we've had in a few decades.
why is it we all cannot agree the thing we like about Trump is that he has proven to be the best President since RR?
The politicians favor wars in the Middle East, Trump makes the rational choices.
US to finally exit Afghanistan
https://www.marketforum.com/forum/topic/37877/
And another one bites the dust, Trump fires Bolton
https://www.marketforum.com/forum/topic/38699/
metmike: If it's proven that Iran did this, there may be no choice but to retaliate. Trump has repeatedly shown restraint and being dovish, so bombing Iran here would show he picks his spots based on justification vs emotions or caving in to political pressure from the historically powerful influence of the war mongers in US politics.
The unfortunate thing for you and me is that we will only read and hear what the gatekeepers of the information feed us. That applies on 3 levels.
1. The first one, coming from intelligence sources will not tell us about classified information that is paramount to understanding the dynamics. It will be impossible to know what they are not telling us.
2. Then, since the government will be acting or not acting based on that information, they will be spinning it whatever way is needed to support whatever decision they make.
3. Then, this will be interpreted by the MSM, which is how most of us get it. At least in this final stage, it's blatantly obvious to recognize bias when its there.
to highlight just childish and lost the Obama administration was in foreign affairs what happens to day? One John brennan {Yes that Brennan who likely will be going to jail} had the nerve to release several comments about how Trump has it all wrong and appeasement is the only way to handle Iran. Between he and Comey I really do not know which one has more audacity but cannot wait til both get what they deserve
War is a back burner issue for now until 2020...and then it becomes a campaign issue.;~)
appeasement is never a backburner issue
So you think Trumps approach to Iran is the best possible solution given the circumstances.
What do you think was the cause of all this trouble
Are you telling me that Trump was correct to pull out of that accord [what ever it was called] I dunno,?? maybe it wasn't the best, but would a bit of diplomacy at the table hurt?? At least make the effort, before just ripping it up and saying this piece off paper is garbage. Maybe it was but was that sort of action the best way to solve a problem??
So you think Trump is correct to push a non aggression policy with Iran when his sanctions have caused Iran's economy to crumble
If you were Iran would you consider sanctions as non aggressive
If you were Iran and the sanctions caused your economy to crumble what would you do??
Maybe you like Trumps actions, but you live in the USA What would you think if you were the leader of Iran. Would you bow down to Trump or would you strike back in any way possible
I like you folks on a personal basis but as for your country, you always manage to be the bully. It may not be your fault but did you know the most dangerous country in the world, who will take military action against another country is the USA. Why are you so ready to use the military. Why do you spill so much blood. Is life that cheap???
Do you suppose oil might be the reason for all this mayhem. Nobody spilled blood in a corn field in IA but how much have you spilled in the ME. Why do you have what?? one or two air craft carriers plus assorted escort vessels all parked in the ME?? Is this an act of non aggression???
You can soft pedal a non aggression anything you want, if that makes you feel better, but on the other side of the fence it really, really looks like nothing but a school yard bully tactic
Sanctions is an act of war when you are the country whose country is in shambles, because of sanctions..
Why not try looking at things from both sides of the equation and see what it might mean to somebody on the other side of the fence.
Iran will never be forced to bow down to anybody, especially the USA. I think you see it differently, but you are not the leader of Iran.
Have you ever cornered an animal or seen a mother protect her offspring.. People, animals all act the same. They will all, suddenly get really aggressive
As they say...Politics makes strange bedfellows. You can bet 45 and Putin have each other on speed dial.
http://stephenlendman.org/2019/07/russia-considers-iran-an-ally/
"metmike: If it's proven that Iran did this, there may be no choice but to retaliate."
A US military strike on Iran which kills Iranians (particularly civilians) could very well lead to Hezbollah unleashing some of the 170,000 rockets poised in southern Lebanon aimed at Israeli civilians. (Hezbollah being a proxy for Iran)
Unfortunate that Trump had to nix the Iran deal forged by Obama with buy in from both Europe AND Russia. That was a huge step towards peace. But of course Trump is thin skinned and ANYTHING Obama did he has to undo.
So you think that Obama deal with Iran was a good deal?
I know other countries were on board but that doesn't make a bad deal good.
Look at the hocus pocus Climate Accord deal based on a big fraud. The entire world in on board with that fraud. ...........which penalizes the US more than any other country and does zero to "save the planet" other than the benefits to the poor countries from global socialism which is the entire objective.
On the Obama plan:
Despite how it appears above, one of the things that I liked about Obama is that he did SOME things that were favorable for peace between the US and the Arab world/Middle East. He should have got us out of Afghanistan like Trump is doing, but thats another (bad) deal.
Regardless, I really doubt that Iran is going to stick with terms of any deals.
" But of course Trump is thin skinned and ANYTHING Obama did he has to undo."
You are mischaracterizing Trump.
Instead of looking objectively at what he is doing, you see it as him just wanting to undo good deals that Obama made.
I'll give you an example of what I mean:
Obama had the biggest role of any single government leader in putting together the Climate Accord. He got China on board(they agreed to NOT stop increasing CO2 emissions until the year 2030, which they are living up to, now at double the emissions of the US and they agreed to take our money because they were designated a developing country).
Was that a good deal by Obama that he wanted gone because it had Obama written all over it?
Or was it just a really, really bad deal for the US?
China and the Climate Accord:
Wayne you are way off base here with this Iranian coddling. They are bad actors. They are worse world citizens. Do you have any kids? Your 3 year old throws a hissy fit because you say no cookies. You get sick of the screaming and give in. Again and again your 3 year old will pull this. You know what that is called appeasement. Iran put there economy in the mess its in because of its bad behavior....how dare you try to blame America.....again...just blame America, that ought to solve most of the world's problems.....yu could also run for President on the dem ticket with that policy......lots of luck
you wrote..."As they say...Politics makes strange bedfellows. You can bet 45 and Putin have each other on speed dial."
I sure hope they do.... JFK and Khrushchev had "red phones' on their desks, which most likely prevented a nuclear holocaust.
And, like you, what I like about Trump is his attempt to not start new wars and his attempt to take us out of never-ending wars.
...which reminds me of the answer that was given by another presidential candidate, when asked about Iran... she said, she would not hesitate to make a preemptive nuclear strike