John Stone

I prefer to be vague in argument than incoherent which seems to be ur strength. lol

............... to ask is to confirm my suspicion of ignorance. Suffice to say SA oil production and it's participation in the global market in other ways is vital to Western economic interests - it provides stability? SA is the king-pin, influencing energy prices and economic stability. Likely the reason Iran's Kharg Island's infrastructure wasn't attacked - tit for tat? Attacking SA will be Iran's final play - if it comes to it. Israel is a regional player - let's hope China stays on the sidelines with Taiwan- lest it becomes a global game. Likely why Trump wants China involved in escort duty - problem is, Iran is letting Chinese tankers thru.

............... I don't think u fully appreciate how Globally strategic SA is while at the same time it's incredible vulnerability.

.............. Iran's Trump card (pun) would be to attack SA infrastructure - sword of Damocles. Trillions of dollars invested over decades - one 20K Shahed drone? Years to reconstruct. ................ body blow to the global economy. ya think Hormuz is bad? Try SA.

Judging on his performance regarding the recent Iran 'excursion' - anyone question the competence of President Trump and his cadre handling something that requires punching 'up' in terms of an adversary?

"I regularly used to tell people that the fastest way to move up in the government is to just screw up, and the bigger the screw up the bigger the promotion" / Kash Patel.

.........dude, with this incompetence in leadership / decision making don't even think it!!!!!! This guy couldn't organize a 2 man rush to an 8 man sht house. As an aside, why shouldn't Russia help their ally - U.S. was providing intel to Ukraine and funding that war against Russia? The greater strategic blunder that makes no sense is lifting the sanction on Russian oil? WTF?

............... it is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formation of public opinion, comrade!

It has been estimated that the Trump administration has moved 45 percent of FBI agents in the country’s largest field offices to support the DHS immigration crackdown. Common dog fk should tell all that when u pull (est.) ¼ of the top FBI agents off the front lines of fighting terrorists, spies, drug traffickers, and violent criminals, the consequences are clear; critical national security work gets sidelined, the country is put at greater risk. If it don’t tell you the obvious then u should stop taking the full tab! BTW: The FBI is funded through the Department of Justice (DOJ) The DOJ is continuing to be funded The FBI’s mission is tasked with enforcing federal law (DOJ) and protecting national security. It works to stay ahead of emerging dangers including but not limited to terrorism, espionage and cybercrime. ….. the face of the FBI today. …………… got to wonder what J. Edgar would have done with this incompetent, grandstanding, politically motivated, jack wagon. …

................. to date? A TARFU but let us be optimistic(?) and hope it doesn't morph into a FUBAR ......???? Well, are ya optimistic, punk?

I'm trying to see where the grand strategy prevents Iran from retaining fissionable grade uranium and by extension developing a nuc. It also seems to becoming clear that this 'excursion' won't end until the IDF concludes their defensive offensive in Lebanon - the 'excursion' - not necessarily hostilities. Was the U.S. punked, by Netanyahu?

Suppose it should be mentioned that the Trump administration scaled back FBI resources (DOGE) for investigating domestic terrorism. Those previous tasked were reassigned to the administration’s mass deportation mission.

............ love your country – but don't be so naive as to trust your government A government manipulating the media is akin to poisoning the national water supply, it affects all.

A transactional leader employs a style that is "results" orientated - a style that motivates followers through a system of rewards or punishment to allow the leader to achieve short-term goals. Trump is not a motivational leader by any means - he instills fear(?) in his cadre / opponents by design thru innuendo, direct threat or intimidation. Sorry to burst ur bubble.......... but that said, I hope u don't believe my description is pejorative - it's his character - and he was elected - if there was blame to be assigned, it would be on those that elected him. He is about as far away from possessing a military posture in speech, deportment and action as u can get. BTW: I'm somewhat well travelled myself.

U don't consider Zoroastrianism's moral teachings to be relevant - regardless of circumstance?? The importance of individual agency in shaping one's own destiny are central to Zoroastrianism..... master of ur own fate? For example, the so-called Palestinians / Palestine - they refuse to take responsibility for their own fate..... they entrust it to others.

............. my mother has an interesting saying, 'don't let faith rule ur life' - Catholic, married 3 times.

Arguably faith is much stronger in Islamic countries than it is in the West .............. the fuel (religious beliefs) that drives conflict................ or the pretext to conflict.

- it is not so much Islamic beliefs or the Qur'an per se, it is more about individual or a sect's interpretation of the Qur'an. Any religious fundamentalist sect adheres to their interpretation as being more pure -more correct-more divine.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed an unprecedented agreement that, in essence, vows mutual defence. It is similar to NATO’s Article 5, as it considers an attack on one to be an attack on both. Saudi Arabia’s defence cooperation with Pakistan is no secret. But what worries observers is the historical context of their collaboration, particularly regarding Pakistan’s nuclear programme. Saudi Arabia's perceived threats from Iran add to the concern. Analysts in India, meanwhile, are questioning whether Saudi Arabia might support Pakistan militarily in future conflicts, such as the recent Operation Sindoor. It is no secret that the Saud's covet a nuc ......... call it nuc proliferation? Pakistan will likely be complicit in SA developing nucs if their SA's nuclear program sours the West. Considering Pak and India are both nuclear powers - India has reasons for concern.

An avid Canadian fisherman decides to cross the Peace Bridge and go over to Lewiston and fish the American side of the Niagara river. He settles down on a quiet dock and begins to fill his bucket with some nice fish when an American game warden approaches him and says, "Could I see your fishing licence please?". When he hands him his license, the game warden laughs and says that it is no good because it is a Canadian fishing licence. At this point the fisherman replies "but I'm only catching Canadian fish". The warden scratches his head for a moment and says "what do you mean?" The fisherman reaches in his bucket and pulls out a fish and asks the warden "what kind of fish is that?". The warden looks and says its a small mouth bass, to which the fisherman replies, "See what I mean, if it was an American fish it would be a Large mouth bass"

Canada recognizes the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel. Canada does so as part of a co-ordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution / Gov of Canada. On Oct 7, 2023, Hamas (Gov of Gaza) launched the deadliest attack in Israeli history, murdering nearly 1200 people and taking over 250 hostages (dead and alive) marking a major escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Is there any reason for SA to have a nuclear program other than to develop weapons? SA's concern is Israel's non-admission of possessing crowd pleasers ......... and the platforms to deliver them in 3rd strike or strategic ICBM manner. Daresay that this recent dustup with Iran has raised SA's concerns even more. Trump?.................relax . the guy is only 79 years old .........

regime change?

The International Criminal Court has stood up on its back legs occasionally (lol)........... to wit - On 17 March 2023, following an investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide the ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin - alleging responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of children during the Russo-Ukraine war.

Trump likely sees Cuba as a potential political win - timing is important tho. Cuban-Americans represent roughly 30 percent of Miami's population. The pundits proclaim loud and long that Trump is a transactional individual - couldn't agree more- his motives have little to do with ideology or humanitarian concerns. The U.S. will likely become Cuba's patron - the defunct Soviet Union dropped their financial support with the fall of Communist ideology - that is what made the island an economic basket case. I doubt Trump anticipates Cuba becoming a U.S.. territory akin to Puerto Rico - providing 30 percent of Puerto Rico's GDP. Trump is after a short-term political win.................. Iran is fk'n things up tho.