International Politics Donald Trump 🍊🇺🇸

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Is this Iran that funds terrorism worldwide, wants to have a nuclear weapon to destroy Israel and kills thousands of its own people who oppose the ruling regime?

You could swap around the words Iran and Israel and the sentence would still be true. They are a bad as each other and when that's not your starting position you'll get the wrong answer.

 

[Essexyellows]

Just to be clear as sometimes people confuse statements, but I have absolutely no issues with Jews, no issue with Israel as a nation, but Netanyahu and his ultra right wing Government are murderous terrorists and the biggest threat to peace in the Middle East and wider region.

For all of his faults, and there are plenty, it looks like Trump is finally seeing Netanyahu for what he really is.

As for Iran, they've shown that they don't need Nuclear to protect themselves. A load of cheap drones, smart use of social media and a f**k-you attitude and they've stood up to America and billions of dollars of firepower.

Whatever the outcome of the peace deal, Iran come out of this stronger and are more likely to see regime change in the US and Israel than themselves.

You appear to have missed out the "democratically elected" bit.

Whereas Iran is an un-elected Islamic Theocracy where women are second class citizens.

Women also have no legal protection against domestic violence or sexual harassment by anyone.

Only 19% of women are employed, subject to their husbands approval, they have an enforced dress code in public.

Iranian girls, by law, are able to marry as young as 13, in the first six months of 2021, over 16,000 girls aged between 10 and 14 had been married.

I`m glad you seem pleased "Iran come out of this stronger" with such forward thinking attitudes............... or is that the stench of hypocrisy?

 

[chuckbert]

You appear to have missed out the "democratically elected" bit.

Whereas Iran is an un-elected Islamic Theocracy where women are second class citizens.

Women also have no legal protection against domestic violence or sexual harassment by anyone.

Only 19% of women are employed, subject to their husbands approval, they have an enforced dress code in public.

Iranian girls, by law, are able to marry as young as 13, in the first six months of 2021, over 16,000 girls aged between 10 and 14 had been married.

I`m glad you seem pleased "Iran come out of this stronger" with such forward thinking attitudes............... or is that the stench of hypocrisy?

Weird . You highlight a bit about threats to world piece, but your post is not about that at all.
But on the subject you did post on, it’s also not looking so rosey in the country that elected the first woman leader.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/24/middleeast/israel-womens-rights-netanyahu-intl-cmd

 

[OUFCGav]

You appear to have missed out the "democratically elected" bit.

Whereas Iran is an un-elected Islamic Theocracy where women are second class citizens.

Women also have no legal protection against domestic violence or sexual harassment by anyone.

Only 19% of women are employed, subject to their husbands approval, they have an enforced dress code in public.

Iranian girls, by law, are able to marry as young as 13, in the first six months of 2021, over 16,000 girls aged between 10 and 14 had been married.

I`m glad you seem pleased "Iran come out of this stronger" with such forward thinking attitudes............... or is that the stench of hypocrisy?

I don't think anyone can really take Scotchers words as being pleased Iran will come out stronger. Just making the point of the idiocy of the Israel/US action in this case. They could have taken no action and been in as good a position, without wasting vast amounts of money, and done damage to the world economy, whilst actually enhancing the power of those controlling Iran. It has though distracted from Netanyahu's fragile position as leader of Israel, driving the elections that he will lose to the last possible moment. The corruption trials will then progress, possibly the war crimes one too.

 

[Marked Ox]

I don't think anyone can really take Scotchers words as being pleased Iran will come out stronger. Just making the point of the idiocy of the Israel/US action in this case. They could have taken no action and been in as good a position, without wasting vast amounts of money, and done damage to the world economy, whilst actually enhancing the power of those controlling Iran. It has though distracted from Netanyahu's fragile position as leader of Israel, driving the elections that he will lose to the last possible moment. The corruption trials will then progress, possibly the war crimes one too.

It has also confirmed Iran has an effective strategic weapon with the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.

Is Trump's deal any better than what was in place beforehand?

 

[OUFCGav]

It has also confirmed Iran has an effective strategic weapon with the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.

Is Trump's deal any better than what was in place beforehand?

Well, given that Trump said after the previous bombing that Iran's nuclear capabilities were gone, it would seem odd that a signed bit of paper from a murderous regime would add anything there.

 

[Scotchegg]

You appear to have missed out the "democratically elected" bit.

Whereas Iran is an un-elected Islamic Theocracy where women are second class citizens.

Women also have no legal protection against domestic violence or sexual harassment by anyone.

Only 19% of women are employed, subject to their husbands approval, they have an enforced dress code in public.

Iranian girls, by law, are able to marry as young as 13, in the first six months of 2021, over 16,000 girls aged between 10 and 14 had been married.

I`m glad you seem pleased "Iran come out of this stronger" with such forward thinking attitudes............... or is that the stench of hypocrisy?

You're like GB News!!

You take a serious point out of context and turn it into something controversial in order to whip up anger!!

For the hard of understanding, I have never endorsed the Iranian regime and clearly described them as a terrorist state. I care about the treatment of women, children and minorities wherever I see it and ok course condemn the treatment of their own citizens by this disgusting regime.

However, I don't believe that you get regime change by bombing, especially when that bombing has been directly responsible for the death and injury of thousands of civilians. And the indirect total is even worse. Social media accounts were flooded with the message that if the Iranians stood up to the regime the the US and Israel would back them. But they were left isolated as the great Westen hop dithered, and thousands were killed or imprisoned as a result.

But being democratically elected doesn't give you impunity. Netanyahu was elected by the people and endorsed by the majority in his initial response to October 7th (although some were critical of how this attack was allowed to happen unchallenged). But the continued slaughter of innocent Palestinians has been condemned by all leading humanitarian authorities, genocide experts (many of whom are Jewish) and other nation states.

Palestinian women and children have been repeatedly murdered, not as part of a wider military campaign, but shot in the gead in cold blood by the murderous IDF. If someone truly cares about the most innocent and vulnerable in our societies then we should all condemn Netanyahu and every single person who has pulled the trigger that sent a bullet through a child's face or dropped bombs and chemical warfare on to the tents of refugees.

I care about all of humanity, across all countries, across all races and across all religions.

There's no hypocrisy in what I feel, just a failure to understand from those with a fixed mindset.

 

[Essexyellows]

You can "care about humanity" and have different opinions on the issues.

The Middle East has never had "lasting peace" in generations.......... too many factions are hell bent on killing each other.

If the root cause isn`t resolved so it will carry on.

And that will never happen thanks to religion & religious fanatics.

 

[Scotchegg]

And that will never happen thanks to religion & religious fanatics.

And Netanyahu is the greatest risk of all right now.

 

[Scotchegg]

And, for those concerned about the Iranian Regime, let's look at what this peace deal gives them.

US commitment to NOT interfere with Iran's internal affairs.

US withdrawal of troops from Iran and a commitment to NOT increase forces in the region.

US and allies paying at least $300bn towards reconstruction of Iran.

All sanctions on Iranian Oil and energy to be lifted with no new sanctions imposed.

Now tell me that they haven't won these negotiations? Or that they haven't been strengthened by this war?

Israel have lost international support, and more crucially, the support of the American people. Netanyahu is clinging on to power but will be gone by October and cpuld easily end up in prison or under house arrest for his actions.

The wider Gulf States have been hit financially through oil and real estate as people have left the region. They backed the US, but Trump failed them.

Between this war and the Epstein files, Trump has lost a lot of his most ardent supporters. He's on course to be humiliated at the mid terms and we will then see the vultures coming out as they scramble for power.

And in the meantime, China have quietly watched on as others have fallen.

 

[OUFCGav]

And, for those concerned about the Iranian Regime, let's look at what this peace deal gives them.

US commitment to NOT interfere with Iran's internal affairs.

US withdrawal of troops from Iran and a commitment to NOT increase forces in the region.

US and allies paying at least $300bn towards reconstruction of Iran.

All sanctions on Iranian Oil and energy to be lifted with no new sanctions imposed.

Now tell me that they haven't won these negotiations? Or that they haven't been strengthened by this war?

Israel have lost international support, and more crucially, the support of the American people. Netanyahu is clinging on to power but will be gone by October and cpuld easily end up in prison or under house arrest for his actions.

The wider Gulf States have been hit financially through oil and real estate as people have left the region. They backed the US, but Trump failed them.

Between this war and the Epstein files, Trump has lost a lot of his most ardent supporters. He's on course to be humiliated at the mid terms and we will then see the vultures coming out as they scramble for power.

And in the meantime, China have quietly watched on as others have fallen.

And don't forget that just for military expenditure, not taking into account all the other costs, that this has cost the US $29billion.

 

[Scotchegg]

And don't forget that just for military expenditure, not taking into account all the other costs, that this has cost the US $29billion.

And the estimate cost to the US economy is $1trillion

Small change to Musk but absolutely huge to the American people who elected Trump on the America First ticket and have been royally fucked by his ineptitude.

 

[Mateo Corbo's Tackle]

You can "care about humanity" and have different opinions on the issues.

The Middle East has never had "lasting peace" in generations.......... too many factions are hell bent on killing each other.

If the root cause isn`t resolved so it will carry on.

And that will never happen thanks to religion & religious fanatics.

Ok, I’ll bite.

So there’s a root cause in the singular, not root causes.
Fascinating.

And that root cause, or a contributing factor to that root cause, is “religion and religious fanatics”.

So no blame at the door of other root causes (or contributing factor) such as western imperialism, the instability created by invasion from the west that enables an ecosystem for terrorist organisations (often manufactured by the west) to thrive within, geopolitical motives, and so on?

Cos I think it would be good if everybody who was doing something wrong was held accountable. Level playing field. Right?

By the way, I know that a contributing factor and a root cause are the same thing. I’m just playing along to the frankly bonkers assertion that there is one root cause to the whole situation.

 

[Oxford84]

Difficult to say, especially as supporters of Hamas or Hezbollah are not wearing uniforms etc. However, around 40,000 of those killed have been women and children.

So let's say one third of those killed are linked directly or indirectly to terrorist organisations. That's still 50,000 innocent civilians killed by Israel in the last couple of years. This is why many leading organisations talk of a genocide and war crimes being committed by Israel under the directive of Netanyahu.

That's not war.

Well Israel say it’s a war against Hamas.in the Second World War allied bombing killed 68000 French civilians in 5 years,no one called that genocide.

 

[bazzer9461]

Difficult to say, especially as supporters of Hamas or Hezbollah are not wearing uniforms etc. However, around 40,000 of those killed have been women and children.

So let's say one third of those killed are linked directly or indirectly to terrorist organisations. That's still 50,000 innocent civilians killed by Israel in the last couple of years. This is why many leading organisations talk of a genocide and war crimes being committed by Israel under the directive of Netanyahu.

That's not war.

No it’s murder and then use the lame excuse that there was a known terrorist a single know terrorise but hey f**k the 60 or so civilians Drs, Nurse’s women and children.
You’re right it’s not war

 

[OUFCGav]

And the estimate cost to the US economy is $1trillion

Small change to Musk but absolutely huge to the American people who elected Trump on the America First ticket and have been royally fucked by his ineptitude.

Indeed Musk has probably made money from it.

 

[Scotchegg]

Well Israel say it’s a war against Hamas.in the Second World War allied bombing killed 68000 French civilians in 5 years,no one called that genocide.

Because it wasn't a genocide.

Genocide legal definition is - specific acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national,ethnical, racial or religious group.

The numbers killed is not as relevant as the intent. Numerous bodies have said that the mass killings, serious physical and mental harm, starvation, lack of medical provisions and the displacement of an entire population constitutes genocide.

But regardless of whether it meets that definition or not, Israel have committed numerous war crimes and international laws.

 

[Eric Blair]

Ok, I’ll bite.

So there’s a root cause in the singular, not root causes.
Fascinating.

And that root cause, or a contributing factor to that root cause, is “religion and religious fanatics”.

So no blame at the door of other root causes (or contributing factor) such as western imperialism, the instability created by invasion from the west that enables an ecosystem for terrorist organisations (often manufactured by the west) to thrive within, geopolitical motives, and so on?

Cos I think it would be good if everybody who was doing something wrong was held accountable. Level playing field. Right?

By the way, I know that a contributing factor and a root cause are the same thing. I’m just playing along to the frankly bonkers assertion that there is one root cause to the whole situation.

Don't get him started on the cause of potholes

 

[Boris]

And the estimate cost to the US economy is $1trillion

Small change to Musk but absolutely huge to the American people who elected Trump on the America First ticket and have been royally fucked by his ineptitude.

"Ineptitude"? You spelt corruption wrong

 

[Essexyellows]

Ok, I’ll bite.

So there’s a root cause in the singular, not root causes.
Fascinating.

And that root cause, or a contributing factor to that root cause, is “religion and religious fanatics”.

So no blame at the door of other root causes (or contributing factor) such as western imperialism, the instability created by invasion from the west that enables an ecosystem for terrorist organisations (often manufactured by the west) to thrive within, geopolitical motives, and so on?

Cos I think it would be good if everybody who was doing something wrong was held accountable. Level playing field. Right?

By the way, I know that a contributing factor and a root cause are the same thing. I’m just playing along to the frankly bonkers assertion that there is one root cause to the whole situation.

Now we are getting there............ we (the West) intervene because we think we know best.

We remove their strong leaders because we call them "dictators" without understanding centuries of tribalism.

And if we go back a good while......... the Crusades only happened because Alexios I Komnenos asked Pope Urban for help from the West against the (Sunni Muslim) Seljuk Turks and to be able to "reclaim Jerusalem.

Leave them too it and put a few tactical fences in.

 

[Marked Ox]

And the estimate cost to the US economy is $1trillion

Small change to Musk but absolutely huge to the American people who elected Trump on the America First ticket and have been royally fucked by his ineptitude.

The Epstein Files aren't leading the news cycle now though so money well spent.

 

[Essexyellows]

By way of an aside............. barring the price of fuel did anyone notice a lack of availability of "stuff"?

Can`t say we did.

 

[Marked Ox]

By way of an aside............. barring the price of fuel did anyone notice a lack of availability of "stuff"?

Can`t say we did.

Certain medications but that could be down to something else. Did notice prices of other goods going up. Some food items I regularly buy went up by 25%.

 

[Essexyellows]

Certain medications but that could be down to something else. Did notice prices of other goods going up. Some food items I regularly buy went up by 25%.

Didn`t notice such changes on our mundane shopping.... however if it was avocados you deserve it.

 

[Marked Ox]

Didn`t notice such changes on our mundane shopping.... however if it was avocados you deserve it.

Never knowingly had an avocado in my life. They were things I needed, rather than wanted, so couldn't cut them from the shop.

 

[OUFCGav]

By way of an aside............. barring the price of fuel did anyone notice a lack of availability of "stuff"?

Can`t say we did.

Knowing some people who work in companies that produce stuff in plastics, the availability to them of raw materials is only starting to materialise. So even if things get back to normal soon, there will be a delayed effect.

 

[Matty Greens Left Boot]

So it was all a bit pointless then given they didnt go for regime change (which is the key proviso i had for supporting the action). It certainly seems like a poor deal for the US.

 

[Big Ron]

So it was all a bit pointless then given they didnt go for regime change (which is the key proviso i had for supporting the action). It certainly seems like a poor deal for the US.

Who on earth did they (and you) think they would replace the regime with? There is no government in exile and the regime have a highly effective state apparatus controlled by the police, army and revolutionary guard.

It was a massive strategic mistake on the US part - one of many - and they completely underestimated the resilience of this regime.

 

[TL@69]

Although militarily Iran has lost this war in all other aspects its won. They will happily give up their ambitions for a nuclear weapon ( if they ever had one) because they realise that they have something more powerful without the destruction.
The straits of Hormuz.

 

[OUFCGav]

Who on earth did they (and you) think they would replace the regime with? There is no government in exile and the regime have a highly effective state apparatus controlled by the police, army and revolutionary guard.

It was a massive strategic mistake on the US part - one of many - and they completely underestimated the resilience of this regime.

Yes, it would have been as successful as Libya.