John Stone

Some would argue that Trump's giving the Dems their shit to put together - a gift. As of now I really don't think he has a clue of how to, 'put this behind him'? All bad options (for him) IMO. I believe his strategy was to provoke a rising of the masses tho, akin to Shicklegruber invading Russia, 1941, 'all we have to do is kick the door down' ............ the masses had learned their lesson earlier - martyrdom became less of a choice. Arguably Trump's greatest failure was either his failure re: Intel or his reluctance to believe what he was told. JCPOA will likely loom large in argument. (negotiated settlement - more fodder for the Left) Israel is really the wild card with any negotiated settlement with Iran.

When ur dead, u don't know ur dead......... All of the pain is felt by others. The same thing happens when you're stupid. Carry on, trooper.

re: trump's personal interference that may make things better or significantly worse and there's absolutely no way to tell ..............indeed ........................... most are not optimistic

"no quarter, no mercy" for U.S. enemies" / Pentagon Pete Likely any 'downed' pilots have a higher degree of personal survival while evading capture.

Pentagon Pete? Kash Patel?

Of course, when involved in a war with international implications a local Manager of the Golden Arches could handle the job, easily. jeeeeesh! Those immediately below the Army Chief of Staff likely care a great deal ...............of course they have integrity.

............. no they're going to deliver the nukes.

Biden's campaign had to be the most flagrant attempt (conspiracy?) to punk the U.S. ............ I do believe the plan was for him, if elected, to resign - leaving the Presidency open to Harris. Arguably Biden was the reason for the other dotage grasping the gold ring. ...........

I think u would have to agree that it's becoming protracted (mission?? creep). Out of control would likely include the price of oil, global economy, no end in sight, closure of Hormuz, spectre of Russia weighing in re: support, no control over Israel, no idea where the nuke fuel is stashed, public support. Perhaps the most serious tho is Trump's meteoric drop in popularity - really new levels of mediocrity? The introduction of shoulder launch SAM is a new development - Russia, again? Saying all that, the priority now has to be opening the Strait and likely a negotiated settlement - as the say, Israel has a vote tho?

No comparison, Doug was fired by Truman because he PUBLICLY defied orders, challenged U.S. policy and threatened civilian (political - Congressional) control of the military during the Korean War. Mac had no problem advocating the use of nukes and the invasion of China. Although China did not possess nukes at the time it would have been a huge escalation - major powers outside the confines of a civil war. A military genius, no question, but definitely was waaaaaaaaaay over his skiis. George - what did he do again ............ no-one knows..... but likely had something to do with Petes paranoia re: HIS job.

SAM batteries require exotic detection, tracking and illumination radar systems. Although mobile they are extremely vulnerable when radiating ........ wild weasels would be the lure to destroy them - easily. The man-pad is totally different in that it is shoulder fired and forget ......... extremely deadly to low attitude ground attack a/c or choppers. Def changes the calculus. Agree - Russia is leaning into this ............. intel sucks. The A-10 is primarily ground attack - sitting duck for anything akin to a stinger.

I think ur confusing the Russia of today with the Warsaw Pact of yesteryear. The U.K. and France possess, control, and are independent of the U.S. re: strategic nukes. ............. they have 3rd strike capability ........... as does Israel. Agreed, tac-nukes were part of the NATO's strategy of deterrence against a Warsaw Pact attack on NATO. It has been said that without their use, it would likely be impossible to restrain the Warsaw Pact. Tac-nukes are a battlefield weapon - their use tho raises the spectre of escalation, strategic nukes? Strategic nukes, arguably, are designed never to be used - ...... an Aegis. A prime example would be NK .......... it's the reason Iran developed a nuclear program. MAD is another example of deterrence wrt Strategic nukes. A defensive weapon would be something akin to the Patriot, THAAD. ............ intercept? In a nuclear exchange with Strategic nukes it has been said there would be nothing left but bouncing rubble. Europe has satellite surveillance capability. I'm forced to add that Kanada, alone, would be defenseless against any attack, challenge to sovereignty without allies - that said, Kanada is geo-strategic, which might be important.

Much later Truman confided Stalin's reaction when he informed him that the U.S. had developed a new type of bomb and intended doing R&D on Japan. "Stalin smiled and said he appreciated my telling him - but it was obvious he did not know what what I was talking about - the atomic bomb!" / Truman, 1945 On the other hand, Germany had a nuclear research program during the war - with plans to build a nuclear reactor. IF the United States had not entered WWII in 1941 it is quite likely the fission weapons would not have been developed when they were - massive 'push' by FDR to 'get it done' - he had been convinced of the weapon's potential and considered its development existential - science / technology.

et tu brute!

Iran reportedly signed a secret arms deal with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced manpad missies to boost its air defense. Supposedly the 800 million agreement was signed in December. Russia has agree to deliver 2-designs; the 'Verba' and the '9M336' The Verba has been described by experts as one of Russia's most advanced air defence systems - capable of targeting low-flying aircraft, choppers, cruise missiles and drones. Akin to the U.S. Stinger which swept the skies of Afghanistan during the Russian tenure and so drastically affected the calculus in ground attack. Gotta wonder if this shoot down had Russia's signature.

Drones and Robotics will the the platforms for tac-nukes. ICBM reigns supreme as a deterrent............ soon they will be in orbit.

........... Pentagon Pete? ..................... Pam Bondi shuffle.

It was the correct decision because ironically it saved lives - the U.S. had the science / technology to produce more nukes? The Japs were like fish in a barrel - contained. Time was on the side of the U.S. Imagine a sequence of Nukes, 3-4 months downstream - who would the U.S. negotiate with? The plans for invading Japan were shelved the moment the nukes were dropped. Today, fusion weapons make fission weapons look like ladyfingers.

In times of war, this is very unusual - bad for morale.

Nukes are not about defense - they are about deterrent. Today, Europe can defend itself - easily - NATO trained them. Japan, SK? Taiwan? ............ agreed.

The objective now is likely negotiated settlement - the terms - Trump will tell us. He did mention a reasonable solution tho - negotiated settlement and constant surveillance. If it gets to that, why the fk was the 'war of choice' required?? JCPOA looms large - likely nothing even half as good will be negotiated (rhetoric notwithstanding). Claim victory, blame Biden, the Left, Obama, Congress, and God almighty ..............blame the military (Pentagon Pete), NATO, allies, Canada, Greenland, Biden, Obama (repeat as necessary)................. avoid NK (drones), Russia (surveillance), China ( transit). What a circus!!

agreed - the primary mission was(?) verified, nuke fuel recovery, Where is it? Shift targets - open the Strait.

I've never paid for the pink stuff - they call me, 'tri pod'

................ no honor amongst thieves ............ or an adversary.

indeed - elections have consequences................. Weimar Republic, 1933? No doubt, 'Trump's breakage' will be generational tho ............ it is designed to be so (judicial) The loss of 'trust' is difficult to quantify.................... but arguably possessing the most consequence.