OlDawg

Are these the same advisors who listened to the Gulf States, and other world leaders (who haven't been directly threatened with 'Death to America' chants for the last 47 years) that warned of a global recession because their countries/States were in a crunch and don't know the full capabilities of America's military? Or, were they the political advisors that warned him about losing an election--and going through another ridiculous and wasteful impeachment process--because of high gas prices, and an unpopular war that he didn't get full buy-in from the public before beginning? I'm not a war hawk in general. But, I am as it concerns the Iranian regime. If it was important enough to go in, it's important enough to finish. Just because you eliminate some senior leadership of a group that has never honored an agreement in their history doesn't mean their acolytes will honor an agreement any differently. That's a fool's errand. Sorry. I've always been hopeful this current blockade method along with military action would work. But, I just don't see it. Many others with direct experience share my view. I daresay, it's about 50/50, with more of the former military and intel personnel with experience agreeing with me. The politicos probably do not agree as they're concerned about different things. Without regime change, you'll never confirm there's no nuclear threat as you'll never receive total access, and THAT was the primary driver.

Never said it was. I said it was based on first-hand experience. What have you got? While you’re at it, tell me where I’ve been wrong so far. My posts on this issue have been consistent from the very beginning. They remain so.

Your point?

No. I don't. He's trying to deal on a secular level with a group that operates on a different premise. Of course, as a combat vet who has had direct dealings with the Iranian regime, and our IC, what would I know? I'll defer to the rest of y'all who obviously have much more experience than I.

He’s not the one who said “Trump don’t play.”

No more delusional than you believing this would only take 2 weeks. Just sayin'.

The media will do what the media does. The Trump Administration--and Trump himself--is partially to blame for some of the negative press because of their own embellishments. Just lay out the facts that are known. The basic elimination of their major naval power & their airpower is a fact. The major damage inflicted to their military/industrial complex is a fact. The damage to their economy is a fact. Much of their previous leadership eliminated is a fact. Just stay away from all the embellishments about their nuke program, and specific missile capabilities. Even Trump said last week we believe they still have at least 20-25% of their ballistic missile capability left. So, quit saying that danger is eliminated. That's an exaggeration that just makes the Admin look foolish and inept when Iran fires more missiles. Why we haven't eliminated every single radar installation they have by now is a head scratcher. Communication and advance warning systems are always the first things to target.

Here's a pretty reliable think-tank assessment. It helps explain some of the confusion surrounding Iran's remaining capabilities. As I stated--regardless of propaganda--there's still a lot of unknowns. It doesn't discuss the nuclear issue in this piece. But, there's no verified intelligence assessment on the exact damage to Iran's nuclear program. There are summations. Those summations are based on incomplete intel. The only way to get a true accounting is to topple the regime by whatever means is required where direct intelligence can be gathered. That's part of the danger of any 'deal.' There's no true baseline without the regime's full cooperation--which won't be coming. I know "regime change" is a dirty phrase to many--if not most. But--in this case--it will probably be the only way. The Administration needs to make the case for it. Right now, the IRGC is helping make the case to other world leaders themselves. But, there are a lot of everyday people in America who believe something different. They need to be convinced. Educate them on how the current Iranian regime remaining in place will affect their gas prices, and every other good they purchase. Make it more than just about the nuclear program. Make it about day-to-day life and expenses. Tell them how Iran regulating oil through the Strait will affect their pocketbook. They should have plenty of recent evidence now. I'll agree it doesn't appear Iran can launch a nuclear warhead at this time. That's as far as I'll go as it relates to their nuke program status. I can guarantee that's as far as any internal intelligence assessment provided to POTUS will go. It won't provide definitive details. That's not how our assessments work unless the info is verified by multiple sources. What he does with the assessments he does receive from there is more of a political statement on his part for his own reasons. [Hidden Content]

Not sure we can say that yet. It’s known now that Iran was developing nuclear material at numerous military sites that were undeclared to the IAEA, or anyone else. These sites were never inspected under the previous agreement as the Obama Administration gave them that carve out. Basically, we don’t know what we don’t know at this time.

Cheaper than drones. I think they’re only about $200k apiece. Just the psychological damage of 3 or 4 of them might do the trick.

What pathetic proofreading… Can’t even quote Cruz correctly. lol

I can't speak for anyone else, but you're not gonna change a leopard's spots just because you dye the rest of it's fur. The spots are still there. Iran is now basically a dictatorship run by an ideological military. The shared power structure that was with the mullahs is gone. As long as the IRGC exists, there will be no lasting change, or peace. They have to be eliminated one way or the other--either internally (preferable) or externally. The Iranian nationalists are going to have to suffer to make it happen. It's past time to go after the dual use infrastructure. Enough with the surgical strikes. Load up some MOAB's and let them fall.

This issue is kind of on pause right now. It'll bump up and down in this limited range for awhile. I'm more worried about all the Socialists being elected. I'm also happy about SCOTUS immigration rulings, and am waiting on the birthright citizenship decision. Plus, DCTX mag is out. 😁

Yep. R2 looks pretty salty to me from a depth perspective also. You'll finally get to see Bulldog. LP already has a countdown clock to the first game on their webpage. I'm ready. Last year left a bad taste.

I still don't see an agreement being reached. I see Iran delaying, and the Administration not wanting to return to military action to force the issue, and have oil spike again before elections. I just see this festering until after midterms. Hopefully, I'm wrong. I still believe the ceasefire was a tactical mistake.