Danger man Trump strikes again

Trump's just blown that then, hasn't he!

He should have read your sound advice first GrannyGravy13, but then you probably have more sense than him.

(that's not sarcastic, btw, I mean it)

It is called diplomacy jura2 keep your friends close but keep your enemies even closer.

Sorry jura I didn’t realise the Saudi question was directed at me. I thought it was an open comment for anyone to respond to!

I suppose the easy answer is money? Oil and arms.

ilovecheese as the UK has hi-tech efficient “listening stations” worldwide which are extremely effective It would be surprising if those “at the top” were not aware even if they had not been officially informed.

Arrghhh - but we will not be allowed to 'leave them to it' ...Trump will want us to get involved, want to use our bases - Cyprus first.

You have not replied btw about Saudi- why are they our 'friends' despite their equally appalling treatment of those that don't fit the system?

In my opinion- Saudi has always been an oppressive regime.

Iran was an open free society until
1979 when the Islamic revolution changed things virtually overnight.

Some British forces share bases with the US in the middle east, President Trump has put British soldiers at risk without even having the decency to mention his intentions to our Government before his action.
We may become involved whether we wanted to or not.

I don’t mind admitting my naïveté on this subject jura. I can only go off what I read and all reporting and analysis takes its own slant in the end.

It’s a horrible, repressive, patriarchal and mediaeval culture.

They think we are infidels and want to kill us in the West as we are non believers, capitalists and without modesty or morals. I agree with you GG13 about the atrocities committed there. They are barbaric punishments.

Which is why I say, leave them to it. They will fight, as they have done, over the centuries. Religious fanaticism has a lot to answer for. The ayatollahs are in power and absolute power corrupts.

I don’t know the answer. Does anyone? How do you reason with those who don’t want to engage? Sanctions bite up to a point.

So is Saudi- but we all seem very happy to be their friends, somehow? I wonder (not) what the difference is.

Whilst this is very scary to say the least.
Please remember that Iran stones women, hangs young gay men from 50’ cranes with the crowd cheering.

It is a brutal regime and is responsible for thousands of deaths.

Iranians attacked the US Embassy, any US President would have to respond in this situation.

Dirty indeed - but you do realise that we are so so desperate for any Trade Deal currently - that we would be sucked into a war by force- if Trump says 'jump' - Johnson will jump - and with ourselves, and our beloved grandchildren with them.

Your 'leave them all to it' is beyond naïve or shows total incomprehension of this extremyl dangerous situation.

Politics is a dirty business.

I wonder what we are supposed to believe. The General who was killed had struck several really important blows against Islamic State and Iran has been one of the major players in suppressing them. Iraq is very annoyed about having the killing on their territory. They could ask US troops to leave. I'm afraid Charles Moore is doing what governments and those in power have always done. assume that war and violence are some sort of a solution and not something that just escalates things.

I agree maddyone. I think my first comment was along the lines of pull out (having made it worse) and let them get on with their Sunni and Sh’ite wars, their medieval laws. I read yesterday that dancing in the street is forbidden in Iran. I know that’s a silly example but it demonstrates the restrictions there. Little fun because citizens are very afraid of being reported on by neighbours to the militia. No women on the streets I’ve noticed too when watching tv.

Leave them all to it I say. Unless they antagonise the West...

To be honest, I’m afraid, I’m very afraid.

I can only echo growstuff’s plea,
‘........let’s stay out of this because it’s all going to end in tears.’
And whose tears will they be? The tears of the parents, wives, husbands, and children of the armed forces on both sides who’s loved ones are killed. And the tears of the relatives of the civilians who are killed or maimed.

From Charles Moore in The Telegraph today:

‘The truth, which the Americans seem to understand better than we, is that the Iranian regime does not know what the word “humanitarian” means. There is no point in appealing to its better nature.

I read in The Guardian yesterday that Iran’s “half-million-strong armed services are the most potent military force the US has faced since confronting the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army more than 60 years ago in Korea”.

I don’t think so. That was a conflict in which perhaps 2.5 million people lost their lives. What the West is dealing with here is a hostile regional power that has literally got away with murder and never reciprocated any goodwill we have shown.

We have let it run rogue for too long. Mr Trump won’t thank me for saying it, but he has just struck a blow for the rules-based international order.’

I expect they are, but I doubt if they're the ones in control of Iran's military. I don't suppose that Trump is trying to mislead the world's media . He's such an honest man, who throws sticks of dynamite at tinderboxes for fun.

growstuff many in both countries will be rejoicing, the countries are riven by being either Sunni or Shia.

So Iraqis and Iranians are rejoicing - according to Trump and his acolytes.

Rather than smiling and joking, I'd feel a tad more confident if we had a reliable Foreign Secretary and an Ambassador in the US. We might smile and joke in public, but the UK has always been a big player behind the scenes.

I agree Chewbacca. I really don't have a clue, and I'm seriously wondering if Trump does either.

So who's pushing fake news?

twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1212955403077767168

Meanwhile, Israel is on high alert and the US has sent an extra 3000 troops to the Middle east.

Please let's stay out of this because it's all going to end in tears.

jura Yes, it is terrifying, yes we are worried, yes we hope fervently that the British will maintain a sensible and measured response to this act.

However, isn't that what the British are renowned for - smile, make jokes in the face of danger, of adversity?
It stops people from collapsing, wailing, helplessness and terrifying the children.

I think Trump has seriously misjudged this.

Hmm! Not what the Iranians are saying is it growstuff? Trump's wonderful at seeing things from his own unique perspective though isn't he? he's an a**e.