The Morning Rant

The current "negotiations" between The United States of America and the fundamentalists in charge of Iran are a thinly veiled joke. These are not two combatants roughly equal who have decided to work out their differences across a table rather than across a battlefield. This is the world's superpower offering a lifeline to a country whose armed forces and hierarchy have been thoroughly degraded by a month of hi-tech destruction that wasn't even an all-out effort. Iran's military-industrial base has been largely destroyed. They can no longer build missiles in any quantity, and their launchers are a prime target for American air power. They have to import Iraqi thugs to control the populace, and they are rapidly running out of money, and storage space for their oil.

However...The talks are progressing on a typical trajectory that has been successful for the past 47 years...ever since the Iranian revolution of 1979. And that trajectory is delay, obfuscation, manipulation of world media, and of course the outright lies that Iran has any interest in peace, or entry into the world of civilized nations. The seemingly petulant outburst from Iran a few days ago, ending the most recent discussions and laying out many new demands is part and parcel of this never-ending cycle.

But they are emboldened by their 1,400 year old history of Islamic Taqqiya, combined with their Persian sense of superiority and conviction that they are simply smarter and tougher and more clever than America. Of course it worked for many years!

President Trump is inordinately proud of his ability to make deals, and while he has had tremendous success both domestically and with foreign affairs, the IRGC and the Mullahs have no internal flexibility. They have one purpose, and that is survival to return to their typical ways, and their one goal, which is the destruction of Israel, the destruction of the West, the destruction of America, and the ushering in of a world-wide Caliphate. It is binary, and they have no interest in anything else.

Here is someone who understands that, and who is not fooled by the manipulations:

You cannot make a deal with a regime that uses lies as a strategic weapon

In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini came to power on a wave of promises. Many Iranians, including university students and idealists of every stripe, believed him. They could not yet see the true nature of what they were welcoming. It did not take long. The bloodshed began almost immediately. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians who dared to protest were killed. I grew up in the shadow of that reality, and eventually I became one of its targets, imprisoned and sentenced to death for the crime of following Jesus.
What I learned inside those prison walls is the same thing the world keeps refusing to learn outside them: this regime does not negotiate in good faith. It negotiates for survival. Lying – taqiyya – is its religiously sanctioned strategic weapon.
Western leaders consistently make the same mistake. They look at Iran and see a government with factions, “reformists” and hardliners. They conclude that the “reformists” represent a genuine alternative. They do not. The “reformist” and hardliner structure is a performance, a deliberate good cop, bad cop strategy designed to give Westerners the illusion that progress is possible if only the right faction gains influence. In fact, both serve the same system and would sacrifice each other in an instant to preserve it.

If President Trump sticks to his remarkably consistent statements that Iran cannot become a nuclear power, or even build one nuclear device, then the only way to ensure that is a renewed military campaign that drives the IRGC and the Mullahs out of Iran, or simply destroys them.

Certainly we cannot count on the people of Iran to drive the IRGC out. 47 years of a comprehensive surveillance state combined with the brutality of the regime has made that a difficult proposition at best. But if a renewed military effort increased the pressure on the IRGC while further degrading their ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, then perhaps a general uprising is possible -- not probable though.

The surest bet is the destruction of the IRGC, and that will take time. The question is: Does President Trump have the political capital to see it through to the end, and does the American body politic have the fortitude to handle high energy prices until the IRGC is no more?

[Crossposted at CutJibNewsletter and X/Twitter]. If you folks who are on X/Twitter would follow us it would be much appreciated!

Posted by: CBD at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Yeehaw!

Posted by: Lizzy at June 02, 2026 11:00 AM (X8xt3)

2 Agree with post's sentiment, but it's a long row to hoe.

Posted by: From about That Time at June 02, 2026 11:01 AM (sl73Y)

3 >>The surest bet is the destruction of the IRGC, and that will take time. The question is: Does President Trump have the political capital to see it through to the end, and does the American body politic have the fortitude to handle high energy prices until the IRGC is no more?

I get it, Iran has been waging war against us fir a half century. But also? I am so d@mn tired of us being at war in the ME. I have no idea what the solution is. . .

Posted by: Lizzy at June 02, 2026 11:02 AM (X8xt3)

4 11111?!

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at June 02, 2026 11:02 AM (ZVgZ4)

5 No, it was 4th.

Posted by: NemoMeImpuneLacessit at June 02, 2026 11:03 AM (ZVgZ4)

6 FIRST!!!!!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:03 AM (Zz0t1)

7 You can't make deals with a nation full of people who believe in their demonic prophet who told them that lying and betraying were laudable and would be rewarded.

They will keep to the deal exactly as long as they are in danger of dying if the don't and no longer.

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at June 02, 2026 11:04 AM (N1tpc)

8 Somewhat related:

@StateDept
SECRETARY RUBIO: "I also want to remind everybody that the United States government is not a charity. We are not here to play social worker, we are here to win."

Exactly. Focus on handling enemy states, as Trump is doing with Venezuela, Cuba, China and Iran.
Stopping the billions upon billions in "foreign aid" that is anything but. Fix your own problems, we're busy #WINNING where e absolutely need to.

Posted by: Lizzy at June 02, 2026 11:04 AM (X8xt3)

9 I saw we airdrop Malcolm Nance into Teheran to fix the issue.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at June 02, 2026 11:05 AM (0256r)

10 Were I in a position of power, the ONLY solution to Iran would be that they elect a leadership that drops the "islhamic republic" from the country's name.

Know islham, no peace.

No islham, know peace.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:05 AM (Zz0t1)

11 Taqiya isn't generally Islamic; it's Shi'ite.

Posted by: gKWVE at June 02, 2026 11:06 AM (E6ouU)

12 If you don't mind reading subtitled Japanese, there's a channel on YouTube called PsyOpAnime that has the news of the last 6 months reported in the form of a 90's anime. It's AI generated, but very well done. People from Iran said in comments that the section he did on the slaughter of protesters was very accurate.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:06 AM (lFFaq)

13 The surest bet is the destruction of the IRGC, and that will take time. The question is: Does President Trump have the political capital to see it through to the end, and does the American body politic have the fortitude to handle high energy prices until the IRGC is no more?

======

His political capital is built on gas prices, it seems.

And they've started their way down as the combination of demand destruction (happening genuinely everywhere, but in particular in Africa and China) and the rerouting of tankers (going around Africa is now standard) is having the overall effect of calming things down.

Our exports have actually decreased over the last few weeks. Venezuela is exporting like 3x as much as it had been under Maduro.

We're going to have an oversupply soon.

And, in addition, UAE both leaving OPEC and building a pipeline to bypass the strait completely (should be finished early 2027) are making the strait and Iran's "grip" on the global economy worthless...all while they get poorer everyday from lost import/export income and out of control inflation.

Trump can wait a whole lot longer than Iran can.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at June 02, 2026 11:07 AM (JQYF1)

14 Too much time has lapsed since we ceased active bombing of Iran. We supposedly severely damaged their military infrastructure yet we seem to be letting them drive negotiations.

Aren't we the victors? Doesn't that mean we dictate terms? Iran certainly has a voice and can choose yea or nay to the terms. One brings an end to hostilities, the other more hell from the skies.

Time to light the fires.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 02, 2026 11:07 AM (N39Ws)

15 And that trajectory is delay, obfuscation, manipulation of world media,
---
Which is jaw-droppingly easy for muzzies from the 7th century.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:08 AM (Fi81e)

16 It’s been pointed out to me recently that the glass is always full.
It’s half full of water. The other half is full of air.

Posted by: SMOD at June 02, 2026 11:08 AM (RHGPo)

17 The solution will require patience, the willingness to use our full might and the ability to endure the PR fallout (!) from inevitable collateral damage within Iran.

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 02, 2026 11:08 AM (TezPK)

18 Taqiya isn't generally Islamic; it's Shi'ite.
Posted by: gKWVE at June 02, 2026 11:06 AM (E6ouU)

What about the six *other* forms of lying that are okayed by islam as long as it's for a good cause?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:08 AM (lFFaq)

19 Taqiya isn't generally Islamic; it's Shi'ite.
Posted by: gKWVE at June 02, 2026 11:06 AM (E6ouU)

A sect of the same barbaric 7th century death cult.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:09 AM (Zz0t1)

20 14 Too much time has lapsed since we ceased active bombing of Iran. We supposedly severely damaged their military infrastructure yet we seem to be letting them drive negotiations.

Aren't we the victors? Doesn't that mean we dictate terms? Iran certainly has a voice and can choose yea or nay to the terms. One brings an end to hostilities, the other more hell from the skies.

Time to light the fires.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 02, 2026 11:07 AM (N39Ws)

========

The negotiations are theater for political audiences on both sides of the conflict.

They have been meaningless since day one.

The point now is to starve Iran and the IRGC. Turn them into Afghanistan while reorientating the energy world towards us. That's the point overall. We can wait them out until they give up the nuclear material in 3 years, all while the world buys more energy from us and our proxies (like Venezuela, now).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at June 02, 2026 11:09 AM (JQYF1)

21 And, in addition, UAE both leaving OPEC and building a pipeline to bypass the strait completely (should be finished early 2027) are making the strait and Iran's "grip" on the global economy worthless...all while they get poorer everyday from lost import/export income and out of control inflation.

Trump can wait a whole lot longer than Iran can.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison

====

I want to believe . . . but is there a difference between a vulnerable water passage and a highly visible, highly vulnerable pipeline?

Posted by: 2009Refugee at June 02, 2026 11:10 AM (PrAPU)

22 I'm just a peon typing on a blog on my phone so all this is way above my pay grade but I can't think of any valid reason why we would stop our military action so suddenly. IMO it's why we are in the position we are today which is tenuous. But again I'm just a peon with a phone.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:10 AM (WNOcj)

23 Giving them a choice is legitimizing them.

"Negotiations" should be no more than:

"Do you accept unconditional surrender?
No?
OK, we'll be back next month."
Each time, show them a list of 100 targets that will be destroyed in 24 hours; their personal homes, their families, their mosques.
Repeat until "yes."

That it, no talking, no negotiation, nothing.
Ignore their cries.
Ignore their pleas.
Let them suffer.
Let them die.
Until they cry "yes."

Trump doesn't want boots on the ground. Fine.
But that doesn't mean we should allow the insane religious fanatics--who believe their god will save them even as they are surrounded by bodies--a choice.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at June 02, 2026 11:10 AM (73/SM)

24 I get it, Iran has been waging war against us fir a half century. But also? I am so d@mn tired of us being at war in the ME. I have no idea what the solution is. . .
Posted by: Lizzy at June 02, 2026 11:02 AM (X8xt3)

So long as oil is the lifeblood of civilization, we're going to be involved in the middle east.

(AND, as long as Islam is a conquering totalitarian ideology, we can't just "live and let live" because they won't.)

Posted by: Formerly Virginian at June 02, 2026 11:10 AM (N1tpc)

25 there's an interesting detail about how Kamala Harris influenced Joe’s decision on an endorsement when he dropped out.

... eventually the Democrats will figure out that this was all based on Dementia Joe being pushed aside, so he decided to make them sorry.

Posted by: SMOD at June 02, 2026 11:11 AM (RHGPo)

26 Iran wanted to get a bomb to threaten the middle east (Israel). Launching one at us would be suicide. But it saber rattled and hollered the US was the great satan. How long do you accept someone's threats before you take preventative action? 47 years? Well, we just did. We said "meet you after school..." Iran showed up, we pushed em down, they're still talking sh*t but are still laying on the ground. So, now what? You tell me.

Of course any deal is worthless from Iran which is why we need the "dust" for us. Hormuz sounds like Europe's problem.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at June 02, 2026 11:11 AM (BW+Gb)

27 21 I want to believe . . . but is there a difference between a vulnerable water passage and a highly visible, highly vulnerable pipeline?

Posted by: 2009Refugee at June 02, 2026 11:10 AM (PrAPU)

======

Saudi Arabia is already using a pre-existing pipeline to move 7 million barrels of oil a day. More than half of the pre-existing oil out of the strait was redirected in days.

Not hit in months since the start of the conflict.

And you can fix pipelines a whole lot faster than you can convince Indian tanker captains that IRGC thugs on speed boats firing AK-47s in the air aren't actual threats.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at June 02, 2026 11:12 AM (JQYF1)

28 The current "negotiations" between The United States of America and the fundamentalists in charge of Iran are a thinly veiled joke.

-----------

Yep. WTF, Donald? It's like every day is retarded Groundhog Day.

Make Green Glass Great Again and Get This Shit Done and Over!

Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:13 AM (Na5xP)

29 President Trump knows how to use his enemy's strength against him. This is a standard and very effective physical fighting technique, and works equally if not better in the realms of more emotional or mental battle.

Anything you insist on can become your undoing against a prepared and willing enemy.

Think of how conservatives ultimately desire an ordered society, so the Left uses that against us by simultaneously demanding the very same order and destroying it.

I would imagine - only a guess - Trump is using the eternal islamist will to undermine, lie and destroy against them. Watching someone cut each limb off, thinking they are trading limb for limb, only for them to eventually look down and realize they are armless and legless and Trump is actually fine. That's the outline of what I can see happening. I'm not saying it's the whole thing or that this will end perfectly but I know how Trump works and that's at least the sort of thing he would do against this type of enemy.

Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:13 AM (eEgwP)

30 You can't make deals with a nation full of people who believe in their demonic prophet who told them that lying and betraying were laudable and would be rewarded.

They will keep to the deal exactly as long as they are in danger of dying if the don't and no longer.
Posted by: Formerly Virginian at June 02, 2026 11:04 AM (N1tpc)
---
Yup. Exactly what got us into the Crusade and even the Barbary Pirates, which we tried to strike a deal with.

Pre-crusades, the Vatican kept paying Muzzies for safe passage for pilgrims to the Holy Land. (Land the Muzzies had seized over 100s of years, mind you). They kept kidnapping pilgrims and either holding them for ransom of converting them to slaves.

We finally had to kick Tripoli's ass because Muzzies simply do not feel that any agreement made to an "infidel" is required to be observed. And their Imams told them that.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:13 AM (Fi81e)

31 High energy prices? I just bought gas for $3.41 / gal.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at June 02, 2026 11:14 AM (qFwJc)

32 Aren't we the victors?

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 02, 2026 11:07 AM (N39Ws)
-

I answered that question earlier with another question:

If the US has the upper hand, why has Trump restrained Israel from continuing to pummel Hizballah? If Trump is "winning," you would think that would just apply more pressure on Iran to capitulate.

Something is wrong.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 02, 2026 11:14 AM (3UbC6)

33 Watching someone cut each limb off, thinking they are trading limb for limb, only for them to eventually look down and realize they are armless and legless and Trump is actually fine. That's the outline of what I can see happening. I'm not saying it's the whole thing or that this will end perfectly but I know how Trump works and that's at least the sort of thing he would do against this type of enemy.
Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:13 AM (eEgwP)

A MERE SCRATCH!

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:14 AM (Zz0t1)

34 Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:13 AM (eEgwP)
---
Nice post!

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:14 AM (Fi81e)

35 What Iran needs is another khan to come down from the steppes again and rule for a few hundred years.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at June 02, 2026 11:15 AM (73/SM)

36 Taqiya isn't generally Islamic; it's Shi'ite.
Posted by: gKWVE

Mudarat is the Sunni (arab) version. Same difference.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at June 02, 2026 11:16 AM (diia5)

37 16 It’s been pointed out to me recently that the glass is always full.
It’s half full of water. The other half is full of air.
Posted by: SMOD at June 02, 2026 11:08 AM (RHGPo)

When I was a kid I used to read my father's readers digest. They had a section 'Things Kids Say' . They would give you $50 if you submitted something they used. I thought I'd make something up and submit and get $50 and be rich!

My entry

Father explaining the saying: Is the glass half full or half empty ?

Son: Depends. Are you filling it up or pouring it out?

Readers Digest apparently didn't know genius when they saw it. I remained poor.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:16 AM (WNOcj)

38 Ben Rhodes
@brhodes
Why is it controversial for Zohran to skip a parade bc of his principles but not for Democratic politicians to march with a fascist bigot like Smotrich?

.. how on God's good Earth did Ben Rhodes ever get appointed to the board of the Holocaust Museum after Obama

Posted by: SMOD at June 02, 2026 11:17 AM (RHGPo)

39 I am so d@mn tired of us being at war in the ME. I have no idea what the solution is. . .

Posted by: Lizzy at June 02, 2026 11:02 AM (X8xt3)

I think Trump's perspective is wise. No "Nation Building" except on somebody else's dime.

Knocking the snot out of the IRGC/Mullah evil is an inherently good thing that will pay dividends for many years to come.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:17 AM (iERP6)

40 "renewed military campaign that drives the IRGC and the Mullahs out of Iran, or simply destroys them"

This almost certainly doesn't happen without 100k boots on the ground and twenty years of occupation.

The retards were throwing a fit over 60 days of an air war.

A few months of negotiations seem quite prudent in comparison.

Posted by: Sjg at June 02, 2026 11:18 AM (i8HNq)

41 I'm just a peon with a phone.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:10 AM (WNOcj)

-----------

This makes me think of David Lee Roth's great cover of Louis Armstrong's "I'm just a Gigolo" -- which I heard on the radio yesterday for the first time since like 40 years ago.

That was a YUGE HIT back in the day on MTV ...

Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:19 AM (Na5xP)

42 Posted by: Sjg at June 02, 2026 11:18 AM (i8HNq)

We stopped the campaign after 39 days.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:20 AM (WNOcj)

43 IMHO, Trump doesn't want to destroy the bridges and power plants because it would hurt the civilians.

The Blockade is working. China is sending tankers to Alaska to buy oil.

I agree that the IRGC has to go, to hell.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at June 02, 2026 11:20 AM (qFwJc)

44 Taqiya isn't generally Islamic; it's Shi'ite.

Posted by: gKWVE at June 02, 2026 11:06 AM (E6ouU)

It is in fact Islamic, but the Shia Muslims needed it far more because they were and are a minority.

And...Arabs in general lie, and Persians have elevated that to an art.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (iERP6)

45 Nice post!
Posted by: Axeman

Thanks! I like it.
-- the turtle

Posted by: Bulg at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (77rzZ)

46 We said "meet you after school..." Iran showed up, we pushed em down, they're still talking sh*t but are still laying on the ground. So, now what? You tell me.

...
Posted by: actually inside the beltway

Keep booting them in the rear til they give up the U-235 lunch special.

Posted by: DaveA at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (FhXTo)

47 I am so d@mn tired of us being at war in the ME. I have no idea what the solution is. . .

Posted by: Lizzy at June 02, 2026 11:02 AM (X8xt3)
---
Zachariah 12:2: “Behold, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples.”

Some people (me) believe that even though modern-day Israel might not be the primary referent, it's kind of on that subject.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (Fi81e)

48 36 Taqiya isn't generally Islamic; it's Shi'ite.
Posted by: gKWVE

It's Taqiya Tuesday!

Posted by: Your friendly local Imam at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (0256r)

49 Posted by: Sjg at June 02, 2026 11:18 AM (i8HNq)

Do they have to be *our* boots though? Then again, I can see why we don't want the Arab countries that have joined on our side to be the boots in question. We don't want the civilians roughed up any more than as absolutely unavoidable, and I suspect the Arabs would be extremely brutal to everyone there.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (lFFaq)

50 And...Arabs in general lie, and Persians have elevated that to an art.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

Persians lie? You mean like a rug?

~ Shecky Clinton

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (TezPK)

51 This almost certainly doesn't happen without 100k boots on the ground and twenty years of occupation.

Posted by: Sjg at June 02, 2026 11:18 AM (i8HNq)

That is completely unacceptable. But...a slower air and naval war that gradually degrades the IRGC/Mullahs can work. But it will take a while.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (iERP6)

52 22 I'm just a peon typing on a blog on my phone so all this is way above my pay grade but I can't think of any valid reason why we would stop our military action so suddenly. IMO it's why we are in the position we are today which is tenuous. But again I'm just a peon with a phone.
Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:10 AM (WNOcj)
- - - - - - - - - - -
One possibility: Logistics. Manufacturing and restocking munitions. Resting and training the military.

The goal of "taqiyya" is basically going "nice doggy" while reaching for a stick. In the case of Islam, calling for peace, then braining someone with the stick once the opponent thinks peace is there. Except they had no stick at the time, so the peace talks were just to give time to find that nice braining stick.

However, Islam isn't the only one that can do that. Difference is, we still have plenty of those 'sticks', a manufacturing base to build more, and the ships to move them back into position.

At least, that's what I'm hoping was done over the past few months of cease fire. I trust Hegseth on this more than the 6-star crossdressing commisars of the Biden administration that somehow hung around.

Posted by: Another Anon at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (4h45B)

53 unfortunately, while its certainly true that the longer these negotiations go, the further the iranian economy collapses, the IRGC does not seem to care. it appears that they are perfectly willing to pursue a slow suicidal defeat if it means they can cause a lot of economic pain across the globe, and in a couple of months, the energy bill is going to come due.

i am afraid that trump has overestimated either the reserve oil capacity across the globe or the credibility of the IGRC; that they were able to draw out the conflict this long is inevitably going to cause severe energy-price pain this summer.

Posted by: pH at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (J9hPc)

54 America and Israel should be hunting down and killing every IRGC scumbag they can find.
At the same time we should be sending arms to the Iranian people.

Posted by: Erebus- Ex Killer Whale at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (FhDzh)

55 Do they have to be *our* boots though? Then again, I can see why we don't want the Arab countries that have joined on our side to be the boots in question. We don't want the civilians roughed up any more than as absolutely unavoidable, and I suspect the Arabs would be extremely brutal to everyone there.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (lFFaq)
---
It would still be a clever way to outsource boots on the ground. Plus, Iran would definitely be at the Finding Out phase.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:24 AM (Fi81e)

56 Of the 90-odd million Iranians, probably 70-75M vehemently oppose the theocratic regime that has murdered them by the thousands.
But, there's around 8-10M of the Iranian public that supports the Mullah's, the IRGC and the "Death to Israel, Death to America" mantras.
As long as those 8-10M continue to exist, there will be no regime change, no honest negotiating, no ceasing of the headlong race to obtain nuclear weapons and no end to the support of terrorist proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, etc.
Removing those radical Shia elements from controlling the rest of the population (which is unarmed and terrorized by the Basij and Security forces) will require a far greater commitment, like boots on the ground and a post-WW2 Japan-like occupation of their territory.
Otherwise, we have weakened a dangerous enemy, but attempting to reach some sort of "agreement" with them brings to mind the Treaty of Versailles that ended hostilities in WW1, but simply set the stage for a far greater conflict just a couple decades later.

Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at June 02, 2026 11:24 AM (MNCvZ)

57 At the same time we should be sending arms to the Iranian people.

Posted by: Erebus- Ex Killer Whale at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (FhDzh)

We tried that, and the Kurds just stole them.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:25 AM (iERP6)

58 Iran wanted to get a bomb to threaten the middle east (Israel). Launching one at us would be suicide. But it saber rattled and hollered the US was the great satan. How long do you accept someone's threats before you take preventative action? 47 years? Well, we just did. We said "meet you after school..." Iran showed up, we pushed em down, they're still talking sh*t but are still laying on the ground. So, now what? You tell me.

You need to identify the equivalent of a swirly or an atomic wedgie for this analogy to work.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:25 AM (Riz8t)

59 51 This almost certainly doesn't happen without 100k boots on the ground and twenty years of occupation.

Posted by: Sjg at June 02, 2026 11:18 AM (i8HNq)

That is completely unacceptable. But...a slower air and naval war that gradually degrades the IRGC/Mullahs can work. But it will take a while.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (iERP6)

With respect, we both know that this is not going to happen. There’s no stomach for that, generally, and we have a leader who is by nature a deal maker, as you have pointed out.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:26 AM (Gqar8)

60 53 unfortunately, while its certainly true that the longer these negotiations go, the further the iranian economy collapses, the IRGC does not seem to care. it appears that they are perfectly willing to pursue a slow suicidal defeat if it means they can cause a lot of economic pain across the globe, and in a couple of months, the energy bill is going to come due.

i am afraid that trump has overestimated either the reserve oil capacity across the globe or the credibility of the IGRC; that they were able to draw out the conflict this long is inevitably going to cause severe energy-price pain this summer.

Posted by: pH at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (J9hPc)

======

Demand destruction has already hit. Countries are overproducing oil.

The $200 barrel of oil never materializes because it's...a worldwide market with a vastly complex distribution network that moves away from disruption and towards equilibrium.

More than half of all the oil out of the strait was redirected within days. Tankers are sailing around Africa to get to oil in the Middle East from western Saudi ports. US exports grew. Venezuela exports grew. Brent exports grew.

We're going to see $60 per barrel oil soon.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at June 02, 2026 11:26 AM (JQYF1)

61 IMHO, Trump doesn't want to destroy the bridges and power plants because it would hurt the civilians.---

I don't disagree but don't tell the IRGC multiple times you're going to do if they don't.....and then don't do it when they continue to do those things.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:26 AM (WNOcj)

62 Put the Zoroastrians in charge. Tell them they have carte blanche to de-islamize Iran, by whatever means works.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 02, 2026 11:27 AM (1z8ji)

63 We tried that, and the Kurds just stole them.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

I know.
There is no other way to supply them, though?

Posted by: Erebus- Ex Killer Whale at June 02, 2026 11:27 AM (FhDzh)

64 We're living in a reboot of Kukla, Fran and Ollie.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at June 02, 2026 11:27 AM (D1E+2)

65
MUNKEY

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at June 02, 2026 11:28 AM (y9nCu)

66 60

are sailing around Africa to get to oil in the Middle East from western Saudi ports. US exports grew. Venezuela exports grew. Brent exports grew.

We're going to see $60 per barrel oil soon.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at June 02, 2026 11:26 AM (JQYF1

Our problem is refining capacity, in domestic terms. This is a legacy condition from decades of bad, malign government policies.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:28 AM (Gqar8)

67 We finally had to kick Tripoli's ass because Muzzies simply do not feel that any agreement made to an "infidel" is required to be observed. And their Imams told them that.
Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:13 AM (Fi81e)
----
It comes straight out of their demonic unholy book.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 02, 2026 11:28 AM (gnNyN)

68 It take two to lie, Marge:
One to lie and one to listen.
- Homer Simpson

We have to stop listening to the Iranians.

Posted by: People's Hippo Voice at June 02, 2026 11:28 AM (73/SM)

69 62 Put the Zoroastrians in charge. Tell them they have carte blanche to de-islamize Iran, by whatever means works.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 02, 2026 11:27 AM (1z8ji)

----------

All praise and glory to Ahura Mazda

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at June 02, 2026 11:28 AM (u/oMr)

70 Posted by: Another Anon at June 02, 2026 11:23 AM (4h45B

If we can't go more than 39 days we are in bigger trouble than anyone thought.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:29 AM (WNOcj)

71 Otherwise, we have weakened a dangerous enemy, but attempting to reach some sort of "agreement" with them brings to mind the Treaty of Versailles that ended hostilities in WW1, but simply set the stage for a far greater conflict just a couple decades later.

Then we apply lessons learned. The problem in WWI was that the major powers were so exhausted and reluctant to address Hitler in the early days, when it would have been pretty easy to dispose of him. When the IRGC starts moving on the Rhineland, we send some more drones over and obliterate them and whatever they've managed to build up since hostilities ceased.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:29 AM (Riz8t)

72 All praise and glory to Ahura Mazda
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43)

And the blessed Wankel?

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 02, 2026 11:29 AM (TezPK)

73 There is no other way to supply them, though?
Posted by: Erebus- Ex Killer Whale at June 02, 2026 11:27 AM (FhDzh)
---
....
We could build a pier
...

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (Fi81e)

74 Regarding my first post, the series is called WW3, which I have been saying we were in for several years since there have been islamocommie attacks on every single inhabited continent.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (lFFaq)

75 Our problem is refining capacity, in domestic terms. This is a legacy condition from decades of bad, malign government policies.
Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:28 AM (

We haven't built a refinery in this country in 50 years.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (Zz0t1)

76 >>I'm not saying it's the whole thing or that this will end perfectly but I know how Trump works and that's at least the sort of thing he would do against this type of enemy.
Posted by: ...

Yup. I trust him to do something completely unexpected and effective, given his track record. This is why I no longer hang on day-to-day developments and hair on fire reactions. He's not perfect, not everything is 5d chess whatever, but he is not of the establishment DC/diplomacy mindset that has utterly failed us for decades (pallets of cash and getting suckered into fake agreements).

Posted by: Lizzy at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (X8xt3)

77 Again. Wars are not won without boots on the ground. It's just the nature of war.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (g8Ew8)

78 IMO

Trump has started some shit, and now it looks like he is not quite sure how to wrap it up. I could be wrong, I never went to war myself. But I can't recall a war where we spent the first couple weeks blowing the shit out of everything, then transitioned to alternating ceasefires and negotiations. Then we blow up some boats, and declare another ceasefire.

What the fuck is the endgame here?

Posted by: Don Black at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (ZxPkt)

79 75 Our problem is refining capacity, in domestic terms. This is a legacy condition from decades of bad, malign government policies.
Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:28 AM (

We haven't built a refinery in this country in 50 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (Zz0t1)

Yup. That’s it.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (Gqar8)

80 This is why I no longer hang on day-to-day developments and hair on fire reactions.

You are wise.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (Riz8t)

81 We could build a pier
...
Posted by: Axeman

Ummm, yeahhhh.

Posted by: Erebus- Ex Killer Whale at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (FhDzh)

82 I think Trump's perspective is wise. No "Nation Building" except on somebody else's dime.

Knocking the snot out of the IRGC/Mullah evil is an inherently good thing that will pay dividends for many years to come.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:17 AM (iERP6)

Long term, I think what has transpired is going to be pay dividends long past Trump's presidency. Venezuela dealt with. Iran being dealt with. Cuba in our focus and starting to crumble. China getting a front row seat to what we can do, and seeing that their weapons systems don't appear to be up to the task.

These are pain points we've dealt with for decades. And by the end of PDT's term, they should be gone.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (N39Ws)

83 Wars are not won without boots on the ground. It's just the nature of war.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons

Me being me, I first read that as "boobs on the ground."

Posted by: Bulg at June 02, 2026 11:32 AM (77rzZ)

84 We haven't built a refinery in this country in 50 years.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (Zz0t1)

Data Centers first !!!!

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:32 AM (WNOcj)

85 78 IMO

Trump has started some shit, and now it looks like he is not quite sure how to wrap it up. I could be wrong, I never went to war myself. But I can't recall a war where we spent the first couple weeks blowing the shit out of everything, then transitioned to alternating ceasefires and negotiations. Then we blow up some boats, and declare another ceasefire.

What the fuck is the endgame here?
Posted by: Don Black at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (ZxPkt)

A Deal. It’s an Art, you know.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:32 AM (Gqar8)

86 Do they have to be *our* boots though? Then again, I can see why we don't want the Arab countries that have joined on our side to be the boots in question. We don't want the civilians roughed up any more than as absolutely unavoidable, and I suspect the Arabs would be extremely brutal to everyone there.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette

They need to be Iranian boots. Their future freedom has to come at a personal cost. It did for us. It has to for them. And they still need weapons.

Which is why I don't like all this talk of dealmaking. It's ridiculous, and I think it sends conflicting messages to the Iranian people, who will be less likely to risk their lives if they fear that the IRGC can deal their way out of total defeat.

Posted by: Grudge Harbor at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (yFLFB)

87 For instance, is today a war day, or a ceasefire day? Or a talking day?

Posted by: Don Black at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (ZxPkt)

88 Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (lFFaq)

We are in ww3 and covid was the opening salvo. It's the globalists vs everyone else.

Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (eEgwP)

89 With the islamification of Europe, that will be the next battlefield.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (N39Ws)

90 A Deal. It’s an Art, you know.
Posted by: tubal

Everyone has to ante up before the deal starts.

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (TezPK)

91
Data Centers first !!!!
Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:32 AM (WNOcj)

Yeah, we can fast track nuke plants, but we STILL can't build a new refinery.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (Zz0t1)

92 Do they have to be *our* boots though? Then again, I can see why we don't want the Arab countries that have joined on our side to be the boots in question. We don't want the civilians roughed up any more than as absolutely unavoidable, and I suspect the Arabs would be extremely brutal to everyone there.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:21 AM (lFFaq)

How is a different country's boots going to get to Iran, actually win engagements and take ground, maintain their logistics, sustain an occupation? Most of those armies are too incompetent to get anything resembling any of those accomplished and it's likely is a moot point anyway because their leaders have near zero will to attempt such a thing.

Posted by: Sjg at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (i8HNq)

93 For instance, is today a war day, or a ceasefire day? Or a talking day?

Posted by: Don Black at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (ZxPkt)

It's whatever Trump decides it is.

Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:34 AM (eEgwP)

94 Again. Wars are not won without boots on the ground. It's just the nature of war.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (g8Ew

---
And Trump, as he does, is thinking outside of the box.

Americans aren't going to want American boots on the ground. That's just not a loss that we're going to be willing to take--unless everybody believed the Trump administration about Iran's immanent risk to US.

And that is simply not going to happen, were he even to declassify every intel document that has the word "Iran" in it.

The media, the Dems and DC Pubs are aligned to not let him win that argument.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:34 AM (Fi81e)

95 89 With the islamification of Europe, that will be the next battlefield.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (N39Ws)

They’re not going to fight about it. That would be very phobic.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:34 AM (Gqar8)

96 Posted by: Don Black at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (ZxPkt)

I suspect that TPTB took the IRGC dogged determination to hold out to the last man into consideration but still underestimated it. I'm *sure* Trump very much hoped that the initial attack would shock and awe them into doing the rational thing, but such was not to be.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:35 AM (lFFaq)

97 With the islamification of Europe, that will be the next battlefield.
Posted by: Our Country is Screwed

EU is toast.

Posted by: Joe Mama at June 02, 2026 11:35 AM (TezPK)

98 Otherwise, we have weakened a dangerous enemy, but attempting to reach some sort of "agreement" with them brings to mind the Treaty of Versailles that ended hostilities in WW1, but simply set the stage for a far greater conflict just a couple decades later.

Then we apply lessons learned. The problem in WWI was that the major powers were so exhausted and reluctant to address Hitler in the early days, when it would have been pretty easy to dispose of him. When the IRGC starts moving on the Rhineland, we send some more drones over and obliterate them and whatever they've managed to build up since hostilities ceased.

The politicians that led the major power into WW1 all were removed from office once the war ended. The lesson that the new governments learned was "no war, at any cost". Which, coincidentally describes today's Democrat Party.
They will follow the same appeasement playbook that allowed Hitler to re-arm and invade neighboring countries until it was too late to stop him. The IRGC and Mullah's listen to our media, the Democrats and our European "allies" and know they can just wait out Trump and then defy his successors.
History may not rhyme, but it does repeat itself.

Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at June 02, 2026 11:35 AM (MNCvZ)

99 This is why I no longer hang on day-to-day developments and hair on fire reactions.

You are wise.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (Riz8t)
---
At some point, you run out of hair.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:35 AM (Fi81e)

100 Posted by: Sjg at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (i8HNq)

If the Dems wouldn't have shut down our assistance, South Vietnam would have continued to kick North Vietnam's ass. Doubly so if we would have continued air support.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:36 AM (WNOcj)

101 With the islamification of Europe, that will be the next battlefield.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (N39Ws)
---
I don't think so, mate.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:36 AM (Fi81e)

102 Thx CBD.
Either blow the IRGC off the planet or be prepared for 47 more years of mullah shit. I admire Trump's deal making and his political instincts, but he's wrong with these murderous 9th century lunatics.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (gQKJe)

103 Wars are not won without boots on the ground. It's just the nature of war.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (g8Ew

Soviets?

Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (eEgwP)

104 It's the globalists vs everyone else.
Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:33 AM (eEgwP)

That seems to be the view of the channel owner.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (lFFaq)

105 I've heard the oil wells will fail if they don't continue taking oil out of them. If I'm the Iranian leaders, I'd just start dumping it on the ground rather than let wells fail. It'd be an environmental nightmare

Posted by: 496 at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (1QNBK)

106 99 This is why I no longer hang on day-to-day developments and hair on fire reactions.

You are wise.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:31 AM (Riz8t)
---
At some point, you run out of hair.

'struth

Posted by: there are *four* hairs at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (sGtp+)

107 I don't disagree but don't tell the IRGC multiple times you're going to do if they don't.....and then don't do it when they continue to do those things.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:26 AM (WNOcj)

Bingo. Exactly.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (iERP6)

108 105 I've heard the oil wells will fail if they don't continue taking oil out of them. If I'm the Iranian leaders, I'd just start dumping it on the ground rather than let wells fail. It'd be an environmental nightmare

a week or so ago, people were reporting a large oil slick forming off kharg island. haven't heard anything about it since.

Posted by: anachronda at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (sGtp+)

109 They need to be Iranian boots. Their future freedom has to come at a personal cost. It did for us. It has to for them. And they still need weapons.

I don't disagree. However, the problem can be broken into parts, which makes the solution more plausible.

1) We just have to "contain" Iran, which we can do at a relatively low cost, and as TJM has pointed out, with relatively little impact on gas prices.

2) While we're doing that, in the background Iran continues to deteriorate. At some point, a low level insurrection by the Iranian people will begin, and might quickly become a high level one.

People assume that totalitarian regimes are invincible, but the USSR put the lie to that.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (Riz8t)

110 Democrats have no problem with war. In fact swalwell and co are dying to use fighter jets and Lord knows what else against us.

Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (eEgwP)

111 So oil wells are like cows. Who knew?

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (Gqar8)

112 So oil wells are like cows. Who knew?
Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM

You can tip them when they fall asleep?

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:39 AM (Zz0t1)

113 103 Wars are not won without boots on the ground. It's just the nature of war.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at June 02, 2026 11:30 AM (g8Ew

Soviets?

fine. fine. wars are not won without adibas on the ground.

Posted by: anachronda at June 02, 2026 11:39 AM (sGtp+)

114 >>>What the fuck is the endgame here?
Posted by: Don Black

America: nuclear proliferation
Israel: regime change.
Arab states: regime change
EU: commerce

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at June 02, 2026 11:39 AM (D1E+2)

115 The politicians that led the major power into WW1 all were removed from office once the war ended. The lesson that the new governments learned was "no war, at any cost". Which, coincidentally describes today's Democrat Party.
They will follow the same appeasement playbook that allowed Hitler to re-arm and invade neighboring countries until it was too late to stop him. The IRGC and Mullah's listen to our media, the Democrats and our European "allies" and know they can just wait out Trump and then defy his successors.
History may not rhyme, but it does repeat itself.

Then the answer is not to elect Democrats.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:40 AM (Riz8t)

116 107 I don't disagree but don't tell the IRGC multiple times you're going to do if they don't.....and then don't do it when they continue to do those things.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:26 AM (WNOcj)

Bingo. Exactly.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (iERP6)

That sort of thing makes the Gov look weak, and supplies all sort of fodder for the opposition.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:40 AM (Gqar8)

117 The thing that bugs me is that Trump went on record- thru posts on truth social and then on X- telling the Iranian people that he would help. He cast himself as a liberator. I wonder if he now regrets those posts.

Posted by: Don Black at June 02, 2026 11:40 AM (ZxPkt)

118 In fact swalwell and co are dying to use fighter jets and Lord knows what else against us.

Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (eEgwP)

He's been remarkably silent lately.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:40 AM (Zz0t1)

119 Have Elon bore a bypass through UAE big enough for tankers to go through.

Posted by: Reforger at June 02, 2026 11:40 AM (TsnvK)

120 Did we win in the Balkans? I know I'd like to visit Croatia sometime in the future so it turned out fairly okay.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:40 AM (WNOcj)

121 White House X page says,

"I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut... I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop." - President Donald J. Trump

I suspect the call went sort of like Les Grossman v Flaming Dragon. At least I hope so.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 02, 2026 11:41 AM (rbvCR)

122 Either blow the IRGC off the planet or be prepared for 47 more years of mullah shit.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (gQKJe)
---
47 years?

I don't think America is got that in us if we can't curtail our propaganda, fifth-column problem.

So, let's "win" this war and get back to mostly-marginally-conservative takeover of America.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:41 AM (Fi81e)

123 Readers Digest apparently didn't know genius when they saw it. I remained poor.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:16 AM (WNOcj)

-----------

lol

I submitted perhaps the greatest love poem ever written (by yours truly, of course -- for my wonderful lover at the time) to a poetic journal in the early 90s and never got it published, rich, nor famous:

[FUCK, Pixy is killing me -- I have to break this up into four posts at minimum?]

[1 of 4:]
"You eyes are like the ocean
Unfazed by the rivers' flow
Your mind provides the answers
Yet it doesn't even know"

Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:41 AM (Na5xP)

124 [2 of 4:]
"Your aura and brighter smile
Melt the coldness with their glow
And your heart provides the food
For we kids still meant to grow"

Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:41 AM (Na5xP)

125 Did we win in the Balkans? I know I'd like to visit Croatia sometime in the future so it turned out fairly okay.
Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:40 AM (WNOcj)

We conquered it for the EU. So, technically Brussels won.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 02, 2026 11:41 AM (rbvCR)

126 [3 of 4:]
"You've been touched by fires of hell
But don't show it in your fac
And you've trumped the Gods of time
But still haven't played your Ace"

Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:41 AM (Na5xP)

127 @117 - I agree. I don't want the mullahs back in charge. Seems like trump pulled an Obama by letting the people down.

Posted by: 496 at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (6THca)

128 We haven't "won the war" against the Soviets.
Their empire crumbled, but the same cadre of lunatics run the nation, have thousands of nuclear arms, are currently raping Ukraine and running ops against most of our NATO allies thru sabotage and political influence.

Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (MNCvZ)

129 [4 of 4:]
"As you nonchalantly smooth
Through expanses of new space
I marvel at your make-up
It's pure effortlessness grace"

Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (Na5xP)

130 "... the glass is always full.
It’s half full of water. The other half is full of air."

Common vernacular would assume half full refers to the liquid.
But "full" of air is not quite accurate either, since it could hold more air if pressurized (or less/no air in a vacuum). Otherwise a flat tire would also be "full of air".

Posted by: illiniwek at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (vbXSk)

131 Did we win in the Balkans? I know I'd like to visit Croatia sometime in the future so it turned out fairly okay.

It sure seems so. They're a real tourist destination now.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (Riz8t)

132 129 [4 of 4:]
"As you nonchalantly smooth
Through expanses of new space
I marvel at your make-up
It's pure effortlessness grace"
Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (Na5xP)

“ Burma Shave”
Sorry shain, I keed.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (Gqar8)

133 Democrats have no problem with war. In fact swalwell and co are dying to use fighter jets and Lord knows what else against us.
Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (eEgwP)
---
Ah, you're missing a key, operative word at the end of the sentence.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:42 AM (Fi81e)

134 I've heard the oil wells will fail if they don't continue taking oil out of them. If I'm the Iranian leaders, I'd just start dumping it on the ground rather than let wells fail. It'd be an environmental nightmare
Posted by: 496 at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (1QNBK)

There have been claims to that effect. Whatever. The resource will still be there. If existing wells fail, drill new ones, planned to make best use of the remaining reserves. New wells can be drilled in a matter of weeks now.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 02, 2026 11:43 AM (1z8ji)

135 So oil wells are like cows. Who knew?
Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM

You can tip them when they fall asleep?
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer

If they're not yours, the shit coming out of them stinks.

Posted by: rickb223 at June 02, 2026 11:43 AM (f8lRf)

136 The $200 barrel of oil never materializes because it's...a worldwide market with a vastly complex distribution network that moves away from disruption and towards equilibrium.

More than half of all the oil out of the strait was redirected within days. Tankers are sailing around Africa to get to oil in the Middle East from western Saudi ports. US exports grew. Venezuela exports grew. Brent exports grew.

We're going to see $60 per barrel oil soon.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at June 02, 2026 11:26 AM (JQYF1)

Sadly for us, the Chairman of Exxon made some remarks yesterday that directly contradicted this view - and he's no corporate leftist. I don't want to believe him, but he had with him charts of worldwide oil storage and inventories, and how they have been cratering for the last couple of months. He's predicting $150 - $160 by end of summer, and said Exxon is preparing for that as best it could.

that would explain much of the Administration's actions, especially why Trump is trying so hard to negotiate a way out of this potential disaster.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 02, 2026 11:43 AM (edUvp)

137 I've heard the oil wells will fail if they don't continue taking oil out of them. If I'm the Iranian leaders, I'd just start dumping it on the ground rather than let wells fail. It'd be an environmental nightmare

Posted by: 496 at June 02, 2026 11:37 AM (1QNBK)
---
"All caused by Trump and the Jews!"

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:44 AM (Fi81e)

138
We tried that, and the Kurds just stole them.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo

I know.
There is no other way to supply them, though?
Posted by: Erebus- Ex Killer Whale at June 02, 2026 11:27 AM (FhDzh)

The problem is that Ivy League CIA bean counters are the ones passing out the arms. Everything has to be accounted for, with serial numbers logged for every end user of every Kalashnikov and Glock sent to the Persian opposition. Because the Ivy League snooties at CIA know that all of those Persian commoners in the cities can't be trusted with guns.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at June 02, 2026 11:44 AM (y9nCu)

139 We haven't "won the war" against the Soviets.
Their empire crumbled, but the same cadre of lunatics run the nation, have thousands of nuclear arms, are currently raping Ukraine and running ops against most of our NATO allies thru sabotage and political influence.

Of course we won the Cold War. The USSR no longer exists, and I've been assured many times on this here site that Russia poses no threat to us or the rest of Europe, and Ukraine had it coming.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:44 AM (Riz8t)

140 > White House X page says,

"I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut...

-----

to me, this has the smell of mission creep
let's figure out Iran first, before we branch out to Lebanon

Posted by: Don Black at June 02, 2026 11:45 AM (ZxPkt)

141
Then the answer is not to elect Democrats.
Posted by: Archimedes

But Republicans are icky haters.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 02, 2026 11:46 AM (Cqx++)

142 Then the answer is not to elect Democrats.
Posted by: Archimedes

But Republicans are icky haters.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at June 02, 2026 11:46 AM (Cqx++)
---
Also—seriously—not much better.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:47 AM (Fi81e)

143 131 Did we win in the Balkans? I know I'd like to visit Croatia sometime in the future so it turned out fairly okay.

It sure seems so. They're a real tourist destination now.
Posted by: Archimedes

Croatia is great, as is Slovenia. Montenegro and Macedonia are also pretty nice, although a step behind in terms of economic development. They're all full of natural beauty if you like mountains, rivers, ocean, etc. Kosovo is still developing, but the people love Americans. Albania is also a little rough, and they have some crime and poverty issue. Bosnian Herzegovina is fascinating, a mix of development and failure, and everyone in Sarajevo I talked with in 2022 said it felt like right before the fall of Yugoslavia, and they figured their nation would fail soon.

Posted by: Military Moron at June 02, 2026 11:47 AM (JCZqz)

144 According to the media (per the deep state) and everyone around me who follows "the news", this war is a mismatch, but it is Iran who is the superior force. Not only do they have bigger stockpiles of weapons, they have superior drone technology and a much faster and efficient navy which is allowing them to control the strait of hormuz with an iron grip (hence, the sky high gas prices). Obviously, Trump's ego prevents him from a complete surrender to Iran so we have these "talks".

Posted by: bassboat at June 02, 2026 11:47 AM (mxEar)

145 Posted by: Tom Servo at June 02, 2026 11:43 AM (edUvp

Trump just needs to let Exxon and the other companies do their thing here to increase supply. Iran only supplied a fraction of the world's oil. Ramp up oil production around the world. Tell other oil producing countries to get off their ass.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:48 AM (WNOcj)

146 So, you think the Iranian game plan is to just dick around with negotiations until after the midterms and see what happens then?

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:48 AM (Gqar8)

147 According to the media (per the deep state) and everyone around me who follows "the news", this war is a mismatch, but it is Iran who is the superior force. Not only do they have bigger stockpiles of weapons, they have superior drone technology and a much faster and efficient navy which is allowing them to control the strait of hormuz with an iron grip (hence, the sky high gas prices). Obviously, Trump's ego prevents him from a complete surrender to Iran so we have these "talks".
Posted by: bassboat at June 02, 2026 11:47 AM (mxEar)

"Everything that guy just said is bullshit."

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (Zz0t1)

148 We do not know which of the Republicans would stand by and let Carville's fascists march us out in the streets in orange jumpsuits and struggle us.

But I think the number is greater than 0.

Silly Rabbit, Congress is for graft.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (Fi81e)

149 many posters are very upset with Iran for not doing what was initially expected of them.
Iraqis now in Iran? who would have thunk it. Maybe some unspoken regret from getting rid of Saddam and placing Shia in control?

the quick 4 to 6 weeks of winning has now blossomed into 9
SO MUCH WINNING!! unfortunately this is not turning out to be like a Tom Clancy book. Trump has very few options that may change the current situation. Iran seems quite willing to accept the current situation. Posters here are unable to accept the reality. The str
strait is closed oil prices show no permanent decline from today's oil/gas $92/$4.32

The war has not gone according to Trump's plan or the hopes of moron.

Should we continue on course? At what cost? People can not afford the additional cost. McDs ? people can't afford their morning bfast. Dollar Stores showing increase in profits. Hamburg $7.30

No tariff refunds as promised

last 3 months added total 150000 new jobs (mostly healthcare) avg 50000 per month. Biden added 2000000 new jobs per month.We graduate 2 million per year from college. College loan defaults guarantee lower credit scores and less buying.

Posted by: Aliss at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (mOFsQ)

150 “Canada Modelling Non-Voluntary Euthanasia to Save Trillions?” 🇨🇦

A new academic study is calculating how much money the government could save by dramatically expanding euthanasia .. including “non-voluntary” scenarios for vulnerable people.

They’re literally running the numbers on ending lives without consent as a budget solution.

That’s not dystopian fiction… that’s a real paper being discussed right now.

The study projects potential savings of up to $1.27 trillion by 2047.

Posted by: SMOD at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (RHGPo)

151 So, you think the Iranian game plan is to just dick around with negotiations until after the midterms and see what happens then?

I doubt they settled on language that included the Persian equivalent of "dick around", but that seems to be their "plan".

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (Riz8t)

152 Something to ponder about any big negotiated settlement; I was reminded of the settlement Trump negotiated to end the active fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. A 20 point plan, and the first step, obtaining all the hostages or their remains, was achieved and that was a very notable success. That was what Israel was fighting for.

In the 6 months or so since it was signed, steps 2 - 20, including disarming Hamas, have all collapsed, the deal is effectively dead, and Gaza is still run by Hamas, just like before 10/7. They're weaker and have lost most of their leaders; but that's happened before and Hamas grew back.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (edUvp)

153 We do not know which of the Republicans would stand by and let Carville's fascists march us out in the streets in orange jumpsuits and struggle us.

But I think the number is greater than 0.

Silly Rabbit, Congress is for graft.
Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (Fi81e)

We must defeat the Nazis by becoming actual Nazis is one hell of a take.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (Zz0t1)

154 According to the media (per the deep state) and everyone around me who follows "the news", this war is a mismatch, but it is Iran who is the superior force. Not only do they have bigger stockpiles of weapons, they have superior drone technology and a much faster and efficient navy which is allowing them to control the strait of hormuz with an iron grip (hence, the sky high gas prices). Obviously, Trump's ego prevents him from a complete surrender to Iran so we have these "talks".

Posted by: bassboat at June 02, 2026 11:47 AM (mxEar)

---
Also, Demedia: they were no threat at all...

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (Fi81e)

155 Then the answer is not to elect Democrats.
Posted by: Archimedes

Yea, unfortunately, the folks living amongst crime, filth, failing schools and the fraud of millions in tax dollars in most of our major cities, not to mention CA, NY, Ill, Mass, etc., haven't learned that lesson.
When there's a Republican mayor in Baltimore, Oakland, Detroit, Memphis, Chicago or any other shithole Blue urban center, let me know.

Posted by: proudvastrightwingguy at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (MNCvZ)

156 2) While we're doing that, in the background Iran continues to deteriorate. At some point, a low level insurrection by the Iranian people will begin, and might quickly become a high level one.

People assume that totalitarian regimes are invincible, but the USSR put the lie to that.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:38 AM (Riz8t)

This is the tactic for Venezuela. In the end the oil revenue was collapsing and there literally was no money for anything. When things get that bad even the nomenklatura are willing to "make changes" if they can be assured a chance at surviving and spending their wealth.
Iran is a bit more difficult since it was set up as a decentralized system, where the local commands had power to act if cut loose from the system. The individual commands have less future to look forward to, and their only future was within the IRGC so they will support the old system possibly until the last man. This is going to look more like island hopping in the Pacific war, and less like a march on Berlin.

Posted by: Kindltot at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (rbvCR)

157 Biden added 2000000 new jobs per month.

Sure, Jan.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (Riz8t)

158 The problem is that Ivy League CIA bean counters are the ones passing out the arms. Everything has to be accounted for, with serial numbers logged for every end user of every Kalashnikov and Glock sent to the Persian opposition. Because the Ivy League snooties at CIA know that all of those Persian commoners in the cities can't be trusted with guns.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at June 02, 2026 11:44 AM (y9nCu)

-------------

Make "Charlie Wilson's War" Great Again!

/A great book and average movie ...

Posted by: ShainS at June 02, 2026 11:51 AM (Na5xP)

159 "Negotiations" are just a bullshit charade for each country's respective media regimes. The "war" is already at an end and has been for weeks. It's not getting any better for either side. Call it a day.

This is the new normal. We substantially degraded Iran's military, economic, and political power, as well as the power of its allies (mostly China). That was -- or should have been -- the prime objective from the beginning.

"Regime change" was always pure wishcasting, but far too many people on our side fell for it. Maybe even Trump himself did.

There is no such thing on this planet as a free western-style democracy in a Muslim country, or even anything that even remotely resembles one. It was never ever gonna happen in Iran. The sooner we all realize that, and give up childish dreams of all Iranians living open and free, the sooner we can consolidate our gains in the region.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at June 02, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)

160 >>>It'd be an environmental nightmare

Posted by: 496

>This world is so big it would barely be like popping a zit. I think we over-estimate significance on this planet.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at June 02, 2026 11:51 AM (D1E+2)

161 Posted by: Aliss at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (mOFsQ)

You DICK!!!!

Posted by: Jeff Spicoli at June 02, 2026 11:51 AM (Zz0t1)

162 We must defeat the Nazis by becoming actual Nazis is one hell of a take.

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (Zz0t1)
---
But they have that narcissism to distance them. They really don't see themselves as the type of person to ... burn books... or something.

No self-reflection. No God above them.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:51 AM (Fi81e)

163 Quiet, you guys.

ASS is here. When ASS speaks......

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:53 AM (Zz0t1)

164 I would use a ratchet mechanism.

For every day they don't come to the table to surrender, knock out a power plant. Use drones.

Start with the power for Tehran city, then Tehran province, and use IRGC control percentages to sort the remaining power plants.

After every power plant is destroyed, Trump should send a one word message to the IRCG, "Inshallah".

Posted by: NaCly Dog at June 02, 2026 11:53 AM (u82oZ)

165 We do not know which of the Republicans would stand by and let Carville's fascists march us out in the streets in orange jumpsuits and struggle us.

But I think the number is greater than 0.

Silly Rabbit, Congress is for graft.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:49 AM (Fi81e)

Ummm.... I'll go with "all of them"?

Posted by: ... at June 02, 2026 11:53 AM (eEgwP)

166 Biden added 2000000 new jobs per month.

Sure, Jan.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (Riz8t)

Looks like the ASS troll cleverly disguised its nic.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 02, 2026 11:53 AM (1z8ji)

167 I believe both TMJ and the Panicans. What to do?

Posted by: Chuck Martel at June 02, 2026 11:53 AM (+i92M)

168 Biden added 2000000 new jobs per month.

Sure, Jan.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (Riz8t)
---
They had to give the autopen something to do in off hours.

Posted by: Axeman at June 02, 2026 11:53 AM (Fi81e)

169 Everyone on the Left were rooting for Iran. That's how fucked up the Left in our country are.

Posted by: polynikes at June 02, 2026 11:53 AM (WNOcj)

170 Iran is a bit more difficult since it was set up as a decentralized system, where the local commands had power to act if cut loose from the system. The individual commands have less future to look forward to, and their only future was within the IRGC so they will support the old system possibly until the last man.

That is true, but there's a price to pay for such decentralization. Every local IRGC leader imagines himself as a warlord, and pretty soon, they start fighting among themselves, making overthrow of the entire system much easier. Also, they can be defeated in detail.

Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:54 AM (Riz8t)

171 Biden added 2000000 new jobs per month.

Sure, Jan.
Posted by: Archimedes at June 02, 2026 11:50 AM (Riz8t)

He seems to have misspelled 'illegal aliens.'

Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Cancer at June 02, 2026 11:54 AM (Zz0t1)

172 ASS is here. When ASS speaks......
Posted by: Sponge

ASS is E. F. Hutton?

Posted by: Bulg at June 02, 2026 11:54 AM (77rzZ)

173 159

There is no such thing on this planet as a free western-style democracy in a Muslim country, or even anything that even remotely resembles one. It was never ever gonna happen in Iran. The sooner we all realize that, and give up childish dreams of all Iranians living open and free, the sooner we can consolidate our gains in the region.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at June 02, 2026 11:51 AM (iFTx/)

You know, I don’t like any of these words you have put together, but there’s truth in them, and I have to deal with that.

Posted by: tubal at June 02, 2026 11:54 AM (Gqar8)

174 “Canada Modelling Non-Voluntary Euthanasia to Save Trillions?” 🇨🇦

A new academic study is calculating how much money the government could save by dramatically expanding euthanasia .. including “non-voluntary” scenarios for vulnerable people.

They’re literally running the numbers on ending lives without consent as a budget solution.

That’s not dystopian fiction… that’s a real paper being discussed right now.

The study projects potential savings of up to $1.27 trillion by 2047.
Posted by: SMOD

Now do non voluntary euthanasia for Canadian politicians. How much could they save?

Posted by: rickb223 at June 02, 2026 11:54 AM (f8lRf)

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