Inflation Fell by the Greatest Amount Since 2020, Due to the Suspension of the Iran War

Unfortunately this False Peace is now over.

But one can see the inflation was only due to Iran blowing up oil ships transiting the Strait.

Inflation slowed in June by its largest monthly drop since April 2020 on falling energy prices -- slashing the odds the Fed will raise interest rates at its meeting this month.
The Consumer Price Index rose 3.5% in June over the past 12 months, cooling off from 4.2% in May, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday.
On a monthly basis, the inflation rate declined 0.4% -- more than expectations of a 0.2% dip.
Core CPI -- the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, which excludes volatile food and energy prices -- ticked down to 2.6%, still well above central bankers' 2% goal.
...
"Tuesday's weaker-than-expected CPI print suggests the inflation surge driven by the Iran war is fading, but this may just be a temporary relief as tensions have escalated in recent days," Skyler Weinand, chief investment officer at Regan Capital, said in a note Tuesday.

Indeed, now that the psychopaths of Iran have forced the US to begin pounding them again, oil prices have shot back up.

Blockade underway: The US has reimposed its naval blockade of Iranian ports, according to a US military statement. The US previously enforced a blockade between April and June.
• Ceasefire in tatters: The US military has also launched its fourth consecutive day of strikes on Iranian targets. State media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas and several locations near Sirik. Meanwhile, Iran has targeted US allies in the region, including Kuwait.
• Trump rescinds toll decision: US President Donald Trump announced earlier he will not impose a 20% reimbursement fee on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will be replaced by Gulf state investments in the US.
• Oil prices rise: Global oil prices are up sharply, with benchmark Brent crude rising to its highest level in over a month.

Trump's idea that he would charge ships the US was protecting a 20% charge has been retracted.

President Trump backed off his proposed 20% toll on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday in favor of investment in the US by Persian Gulf states.
Trump said in a Truth Social post the reversal was "[b]ased on highly productive conversations with Middle East Leadership."
"Those Investments will be MASSIVE but, at the same time, extraordinarily good for them, and their future," he added.
Trump also claimed that exports of oil were "flowing like never before" thanks to recent US airstrikes on Iran, and "the Strait of Hormuz is open to All Ship traffic except for Iran -- and that is because of their lying, violent, malicious leadership, which is taking them down the path of TOTAL DESTRUCTION."
...
Trump announced the new tolling scheme on Monday, declaring that the US would be the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz and would collect a reimbursement equal to 20% of all cargo value, which one shipping industry expert predicted could amount to $200 billion annually.
"We'll become the guardian of the strait. Maybe we'll call it the guardian angel of the strait, and we should be reimbursed for that," Trump had suggested during an interview on "Fox & Friends."

The US is pounding IRGC headquarters and weapons depots, as well as naval assets on the coast.

🚨 BREAKING: U.S. strikes have reportedly destroyed a major IRGC command headquarters in Iran, a key hub used to coordinate Iranian air operations. The attack devastated surrounding buildings, and a massive fire is now raging at the site. pic.twitter.com/zlM8tJ6AM8
— Armando Pantoja (@_TallGuyTycoon) July 13, 2026

More video of strikes in Iran. pic.twitter.com/xjwcbCjWTG
— JP (@JP41776) July 14, 2026

JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Iran Looks Like Hell as Heavy U.S. Bombing Continues. pic.twitter.com/HVD4whXi4s
— War Radar (@War_Radar2) July 14, 2026

Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea… pic.twitter.com/bOM2kmgRxz
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026

The below video describes the new plan for getting ships through the Strait. Basically, the go at night with no lights on and with the transponder turned off, so Iran can't see them.

Now their radars, of course, would still detect massive ships, which is why the US is bombing all of their coastal radar arrays.

Posted by: Disinformation Expert Ace at 06:20 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 yay

Posted by: gnats local 678 at July 14, 2026 06:21 PM (CWTWj)

2 we start graduating utter illiterates.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 14, 2026 06:20 PM (mmrXZ)

"Start"?

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at July 14, 2026 06:21 PM (IG3/x)
---
I feel seen.

Posted by: David Hogg at July 14, 2026 06:23 PM (Fi81e)

3 "Inflation Fell by the Greatest Amount Since 2020, Due to the Suspension of the Iran War"

Not sure how a two week suspension of the "war" could cause the entire quarter's inflation to fall. Unless this was snark.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (0N4FZ)

4 I could have been first but I was eating a hotdog with ketchup.

Posted by: fd at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (MWfyi)

5 omg read the content

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (mmrXZ)

6
"Start"?

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia

===============

I know, I know.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (mmrXZ)

7 Indeed, now that the psychopaths of Iran have forced the US to begin pounding them again, oil prices have shot back up.
---
I don't think they come here for the hunting.

Posted by: Trumpy Bear at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (Fi81e)

8 Iran is totally winning, chuds!

Posted by: Reddit Retards at July 14, 2026 06:25 PM (oI/gx)

9 Wish I had money to invest in Raytheon...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at July 14, 2026 06:25 PM (xcxpd)

10 I could have been first but I was eating a hotdog with ketchup.

Posted by: fd at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (MWfyi)
---
* exasperated *

Posted by: Harry Callahan at July 14, 2026 06:25 PM (Fi81e)

11 Damn...look at all that ordnance cooking off!

Posted by: garrett at July 14, 2026 06:26 PM (uzmqU)

12
Yeah, I was kinda wondering about that 20% thing.

But why are oil prices up if it's "flowing like never before"?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 14, 2026 06:26 PM (mmrXZ)

13 Trump just announced that the bombing will continue every night until Iran relents. Next week is bridge and power plant week.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 06:26 PM (viF8m)

14 Everyone who shouted this MOU was a masterstroke, please submit your membership card for mutilation.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:26 PM (RIvkX)

15 JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Iran Looks Like Hell as Heavy U.S. Bombing Continues.
---
Morale has to improve.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:27 PM (Fi81e)

16 But why are oil prices up if it's "flowing like never before"?
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 14, 2026 06:26 PM (mmrXZ)

Like the stock market, it's all gambling.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at July 14, 2026 06:27 PM (ExV1e)

17 Trump just announced that the bombing will continue every night until Iran relents. Next week is bridge and power plant week.

in London? Or...elsewhere?

Posted by: t-bird at July 14, 2026 06:27 PM (XD+PD)

18 Core CPI -- the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, which excludes volatile food and energy prices -- ticked down to 2.6%, still well above central bankers' 2% goal.

It's incredibly stupid to not include energy and food - in some price index somewhere.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 06:28 PM (vJrRc)

19 Armando Pantoja
@_TallGuyTycoon
·
Follow
🚨 BREAKING: U.S. strikes have reportedly destroyed a major IRGC command headquarters in Iran, a key hub used to coordinate Iranian air operations. The attack devastated surrounding buildings, and a massive fire is now raging at the site.
=====
Why was it still standing all this time?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:28 PM (RIvkX)

20 It's very nice of the Iranians to have a fireworks display in honor of our 250th. Thx mullahs

Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 14, 2026 06:29 PM (m2wmY)

21 Not sure how a two week suspension of the "war" could cause the entire quarter's inflation to fall. Unless this was snark.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (0N4FZ)
---
Inflation is a monetary phenomenon. Commodity price increases do not cause inflation. Prices rise, demand falls.

Government spending causes inflation and Trump crushing grants and DEI garbage is reducing the money supply, lowering inflation.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:29 PM (ZOv7s)

22 It's very nice of the Iranians to have a fireworks display in honor of our 250th. Thx mullahs

Posted by: Smell the Glove at July 14, 2026 06:29 PM (m2wmY)
---
* Muttly snicker *

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:30 PM (Fi81e)

23 Eh, the price of oil rising because of war jitters has nothing whatsoever to do with monetary inflation. It’s a supply and demand issue, with a little speculation thrown in.

If you want to know what monetary inflation does, note that oil hovered around $2 a barrel for about 20 years.

Interestingly enough, Corn was at times, $2 a bushel in the 1910s. And the 1920s. And the 1930s. And the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

And the 1980s, and the 1990s. And the … forget it. You get the idea.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 14, 2026 06:30 PM (fAGm7)

24 If you want to end the war start combing the neighborhoods the IRGC *live* in.

Yes they have some number of people willing to die for their current conflict but...not most of them.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2026 06:30 PM (sKqQm)

25 I'm trying to be patient, but this started in late February and there has been a constant drumbeat about how pulverized the IRGC is - no Navy, no air force, no air defense, no oil, no imports, hideous inflation, no water, no power, the heartbreak of psoriasis, you name it.

They're on their 4th or 5th set of "leaders."

And yet, it ain't over.

I'm about ready to ask: so, what?

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 14, 2026 06:30 PM (2Ez/1)

26 There is still around 12 to 15% inflation from when Biden added over 40% to the M1.

Posted by: r hennigantx at July 14, 2026 06:30 PM (/+uur)

27 >>"Those Investments will be MASSIVE but, at the same time, extraordinarily good for them, and their future," he added.

1. I don't want them buying our assets. Land, businesses, infrastructure, utilities.....

2. I don't want what is good for their future. Fuck them. I want them to be wiped out.

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at July 14, 2026 06:31 PM (XYNFs)

28 Government spending causes inflation and Trump crushing grants and DEI garbage is reducing the money supply, lowering inflation.

Yep = there are only two real ways to reduce inflation - reduce government spending or raise taxes.

And taxes are way too high to begin with.

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2026 06:31 PM (sKqQm)

29 We could use a few of those sea drones over here at Pleasure Point.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:31 PM (UjdFS)

30 No matter how much we try and suppress Iran in the straight of Hormuz they’ve been preparing for this fight for 40 years. They have full control over the straight. There’s no winning here.

Trump administration has no long term plan. He always acts on impulse. No strategic thinking at all

Trump was played by Israel. Convinced it would be easy. Every president for the past several decades was smart enough to know this was a losing battle. Trump is not smart enough to understand this. He is also making hundreds of millions as he manipulates markets. So he doesn’t care.

Absolutely agree. Trump is clutching at straws desperate for control. In order for him to ever have any element of control he’d need to destroy Iran which could take years of more war

We need China to somehow get dragged into this and actually put America in their place

I think if you unilaterally launch a war on the other side of the world, you totally deserve to FAFO.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (oI/gx)

31 There is still around 12 to 15% inflation from when Biden added over 40% to the M1.

Posted by: r hennigantx at July 14, 2026 06:30 PM (/+uur)
---
It's likely not going away, either.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (Fi81e)

32 Next week is bridge and power plant week.
Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 06:26 PM (viF8m)
=====
I'm having deja vu all over again.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (RIvkX)

33 What air operations? The IRGC have some hot air balloons somewhere?

Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (afJtY)

34 Everyone who shouted this MOU was a masterstroke, please submit your membership card for mutilation.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:26 PM (RIvkX)
======

No. It was a masterstroke and remains so.

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (rj6Yv)

35 Now their radars, of course, would still detect massive ships, which is why the US is bombing all of their coastal radar arrays.

Targeting ELINT. So very satisfying!

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:33 PM (2WIwB)

36 I'm about ready to ask: so, what?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty

I suspect that there was some amount of hope in our leadership that they'd be able to leave some amount of Iran's military supplies, at least, intact so that all their neighbors don't fall on them like a bunch of barbaric desert marauders when they decide we've won.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 06:33 PM (vJrRc)

37 I do crack up a bit leftist are still posting infographics showing inflation increasing by 10%+ a year from 20-24 and 3% in '25 then captioning them...SEE TRUMP HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT INFLATION!

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2026 06:33 PM (sKqQm)

38 BOOM go the longboarders and surf schools.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:33 PM (UjdFS)

39 37, exactly

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (VyBeY)

40 We need China to somehow get dragged into this and actually put America in their place

f*cking traitors. move to the commie sh!thole you love so much.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (vJrRc)

41 WHAT ABOUT THE PRICE OF EGGS

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (UjdFS)

42 I've got a hundred people down here, and they're covered with glass.

Posted by: Dwayne T. Robinson, AP at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (yFLFB)

43 Why was it still standing all this time?
Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:28 PM (RIvkX)
---
Maybe because we just found it. Or maybe it wasn't being used until now.

Target lists change. They evolve. New ones emerge. I know people want to hear that if you have a really spiffy plan you can with 100% certainty win a war in three weeks or whatever your preferred time frame is, and if the war doesn't end, why then the plan was crap! Fire the generals! Trump lied!!1

But in reality, we have to accept tradeoffs and limitations. Iran was always going to be a tough nut to crack and I'm absolutely sure that I went back in time and did a poll on this Smart Military Blog asking how many people thought Trump would smash Iran's nuclear program, gut its missile, air and sea power, completely isolate it from the Muslim world AND do it while keeping oil under $100 a barrel with less than two dozen American casualties, I bet the universal opinion would be that I was smoking Jackstraw's whole stash at once.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (ZOv7s)

44 you want to understand inflation: when jfk was president, we were sort of on the gold standard, dimes and quarters were silver, and a candy bar was a nickel

Posted by: gnats local 678 at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (CWTWj)

45 Follow
🚨 BREAKING: U.S. strikes have reportedly destroyed a major IRGC command headquarters in Iran, a key hub used to coordinate Iranian air operations. The attack devastated surrounding buildings, and a massive fire is now raging at the site.
=====
Why was it still standing all this time?
Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:28 PM (RIvkX)

***

This is probably the secondary or even the tertiary facility.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:35 PM (2WIwB)

46 It's incredibly stupid to not include energy and food - in some price index somewhere.
Posted by: FeatherBlade

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

When this was developed, during the Carter years, natch, someone quipped that this was "the inflation metric if you leave out any of the bad news."

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at July 14, 2026 06:35 PM (XYNFs)

47 We need China to somehow get dragged into this and actually put America in their place

FIRST

Posted by: America at July 14, 2026 06:35 PM (UjdFS)

48 It's incredibly stupid to not include energy and food - in some price index somewhere.
——-

No, they want to understate the true nature of the currency devaluations because Social Security and other government salary scales are COLA dependent.

It is difficult to make comparisons over time, even if one isn’t being purposefully deceitful.

But people somehow raised a family as a single breadwinner. Mom stayed home with the kids. They could afford to buy a house. Maybe not a big house, but it was theirs. They could afford to buy a car. Medical expenses did not bankrupt people.

Real estate wasn’t unobtainable. Americans have basically been mugged, robbed, knifed, and left to die in a dark alley.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 14, 2026 06:36 PM (fAGm7)

49 What air operations? The IRGC have some hot air balloons somewhere?
Posted by: Ben Had
......

Flying carpets?

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:37 PM (UjdFS)

50 Listen, just bomb these people back into the stone age, the fact that they have any capacity to retaliate is an embarrassment.

If the admin doesn't want a ground war then level the the entire f**king place.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at July 14, 2026 06:37 PM (XV/Pl)

51 I do crack up a bit leftist are still posting infographics showing inflation increasing by 10%+ a year from 20-24 and 3% in '25 then captioning them...SEE TRUMP HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT INFLATION!

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2026 06:33 PM (sKqQm)
---
I don't think Trump should have sold as hard as he did that he was going to bring prices down.

His claim for 3+% growth in his first term turned out to be based on something, so I was hopeful that maybe he knew a way to decrease prices.

But, it wasn't that realistic of an expectation. Though, we'll see.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:37 PM (Fi81e)

52 Real estate wasn’t unobtainable. Americans have basically been mugged, robbed, knifed, and left to die in a dark alley.

Oh, our undocumented workers still have one last indignity to add to that...But Graham Platner would endorse it

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2026 06:38 PM (sKqQm)

53 We need China to somehow get dragged into this and actually put America in their place

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (oI/gx)
---
YES! A thousand times YES! Send China's oil-fueled carrier groups out of any possible resupply and into massive American land-based air power.

China is so screwed right now. Typhoons blasting the place to pieces. Dam failures, railroads washed out, and there are signs that their command and control has been wrecked by all the purges.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:38 PM (ZOv7s)

54 Thomas Bender, who then pays for the reconstruction?

Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 06:39 PM (afJtY)

55 No. It was a masterstroke and remains so.
Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (rj6Yv)
=====

Right? It had such great results. Peace in our time.

Narrator: The thread is about the war.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:39 PM (RIvkX)

56 >>AND do it while keeping oil under $100 a barrel with less than two dozen American casualties

In normal training we lose a hell of a lot more than we have lost in this series of operations.

Posted by: garrett at July 14, 2026 06:39 PM (uzmqU)

57 I follow several China news sites, and man oh man are they ramping up their military.

They are not just aiming to control the Pacific, and not just parity with the USA. the past 5 years or so they have accelerated and it is very clear they want total superiority over the world, and to have the technology and hardware to make any war with them unthinkable.

We are in deep doodoo unless we accelerate as well.

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at July 14, 2026 06:39 PM (XYNFs)

58 What air operations? The IRGC have some hot air balloons somewhere?
Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (afJtY)
====

I wonder what's left of their communications networks. Carrier pigeons and motorcycle couriers? Maybe it's a renaissance for the heliograph!

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:39 PM (rj6Yv)

59 Who knows though, if galactic-level fraud gets reined in, we might actually see some downward movement in prices.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:40 PM (Fi81e)

60 But in reality, we have to accept tradeoffs and limitations. Iran was always going to be a tough nut to crack and I'm absolutely sure that I went back in time and did a poll on this Smart Military Blog asking how many people thought Trump would smash Iran's nuclear program, gut its missile, air and sea power, completely isolate it from the Muslim world AND do it while keeping oil under $100 a barrel with less than two dozen American casualties, I bet the universal opinion would be that I was smoking Jackstraw's whole stash at once.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (ZOv7s)

***

I have a study of the Iran - Iraq war. Everything you said is absolutely spot on...but there is room to wiggle with "gutting its missile power" part. They missile war between Iran and Iraq suggests they are really good at building and launching missiles...pretty darned quickly and cheaply. They prepped for it. Sure a modified SCUD B is a shitty system, but it still sucks if you're standing where it lands.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:40 PM (2WIwB)

61 Everyone who shouted this MOU was a masterstroke, please submit your membership card for mutilation.
Posted by: San Franpsycho

I see the thought process: maybe Iran complies and we accomplish our goals quickly and peacefully. If not, they're the ones that broke the deal, which gives us political cover for military action.

The problem is no one actually cares about the political cover excuse, and the negotiations were destined to fail. Best to have obliterated them from the start to finish things as far from the midterms as possible...unless there was an ulterior motive (like we needed time to rearm advanced weapons and target critical sites after the Iranians reorganized).

Posted by: Military Moron at July 14, 2026 06:40 PM (oI/gx)

62 To tame inflation, the government should, oh, I don’t know, pass a budget.

And it should reduce spending to as much as it can get away with.

Because it’s really simple: to tame inflation, a society must spend its money on 1) a good or 2) a service. Government is neither. In fact, imagine how much inflation would come down if a budget was announced, it was balanced, and ther was even money to patty down a portion of the debt.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:40 PM (4g5V+)

63 Trumpflation is ~~Transitory~~ Transitioning!

Posted by: ShainS -- Tricentennial or Bust! at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (iCB1u)

64 I was told Irans military had already been obliterated.

To me this is either invade or walk away. I’d actually prefer an invasion but no nation building afterwards. Just kill all the military brass and leave

But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign

Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)

65 you want to understand inflation: when jfk was president, we were sort of on the gold standard, dimes and quarters were silver, and a candy bar was a nickel
Posted by: gnats local 678 at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (CWTWj)
---
Inflation still happened with hard currency, but it was impossible to sustain long-term because when the vault is empty, the country is bankrupt.

Fiat currency and peacetime deficits really wrecked our currency. Prices were stable for 150 years and then whoosh!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (ZOv7s)

66 To tame inflation, the government should, oh, I don’t know, pass a budget.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:40 PM (4g5V+)
---
It's like you're speaking Amish.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (Fi81e)

67 53 We need China to somehow get dragged into this and actually put America in their place

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (oI/gx)
---
YES! A thousand times YES! Send China's oil-fueled carrier groups out of any possible resupply and into massive American land-based air power.

China is so screwed right now. Typhoons blasting the place to pieces. Dam failures, railroads washed out, and there are signs that their command and control has been wrecked by all the purges.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:38 PM (ZOv7s)

Oh, and they get to pay market price for oil now. No freebies or at least sub sized oil from Venezuela or Iran.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:42 PM (4g5V+)

68 Trump just announced that the bombing will continue every night until Iran relents.
.......

We're going to run out of tuna cans!

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:42 PM (UjdFS)

69 The end result of this increasingly looks like it will be the death of Persian civilization. I don't mean that in the hysterical "millions will die!" shriek that idiots online use. Instead I mean that the failure of the civilian government, the regular military and regular people to deal with the IRCG means that the country is increasingly isolated and despised. Arab nations will do whatever necessary to isolate themselves from the Farsi speaking pariah, and the economy falls into absolute oblivion, with whatever resources that are available being used to make shitty drones to annoy the neighborhood.

There was a time when Afghanistan was powerful and reasonable cultured (the Durrani Empire). They even captured Delhi at one point. That was 300 years ago. Now Afghanistan is a joke unrivaled by anyone by Haiti and Somalia. "Iran" or whatever it is called in the future will look similarly, if some force in the country doesn't kill the IRCG. It seems none of them have the stomach for it though.

Posted by: the lower depths at July 14, 2026 06:42 PM (Yh7zv)

70 I follow several China news sites, and man oh man are they ramping up their military.

Their air defense systems proved really effective in Iran and Venezuela. They could compete as equals with our NATO partners, but not the US. Not anytime soon, at least.

Posted by: Military Moron at July 14, 2026 06:42 PM (oI/gx)

71 Yeah but gas went back up.over $4 in se Pa

Posted by: Skip at July 14, 2026 06:42 PM (Ia/+0)

72 But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign
Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)

No one will ever surrender to an air campaign.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:43 PM (2WIwB)

73 No, they want to understate the true nature of the currency devaluations because Social Security and other government salary scales are COLA dependent.

It is difficult to make comparisons over time, even if one isn’t being purposefully deceitful.

But people somehow raised a family as a single breadwinner. Mom stayed home with the kids. They could afford to buy a house. Maybe not a big house, but it was theirs. They could afford to buy a car. Medical expenses did not bankrupt people.

Real estate wasn’t unobtainable. Americans have basically been mugged, robbed, knifed, and left to die in a dark alley.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 14, 2026 06:36 PM

Americans have been left behind because the vanished middle class has had their money forcibly taken away by the government to give free stuff to millions of non productive people.

Charity used to start and stay in the local community but the federal government in the 60s decided they were going to be "compassionate" and take over helping people over their rough spots. johnson and his great society put this country on a downward spiral that continues to grow at an exponential rate.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 06:43 PM (0N4FZ)

74 And their plans are that once they have superiority, they will just go into the Middle East and take whatever the fuck they want.

Someone --- gosh I can't think of his name just now -- did a debate with a muzzie that was on social media a lot. And he brought up one of my favorite points - that the West doesn't wipe out the muzzie lands because of our morals, and he used that in the debate to refute the argument that the West was immoral.
It's a good point. Now consider if China, or islam gain the power to enforce their will -- do you think China will hesitate to claim the "nine dash line" now includes all the oil reserves in M. E.?

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at July 14, 2026 06:43 PM (XYNFs)

75 I have a study of the Iran - Iraq war. Everything you said is absolutely spot on...but there is room to wiggle with "gutting its missile power" part. They missile war between Iran and Iraq suggests they are really good at building and launching missiles...pretty darned quickly and cheaply. They prepped for it. Sure a modified SCUD B is a shitty system, but it still sucks if you're standing where it lands.
Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:40 PM (2WIwB)
---
We destroyed their factories. Power plants are next. They have no regenerative capability, all they can do is dig deeper into stocks we haven't found and destroyed.

People need to understand one very important thing: a defanged Iran is as good as beaten. Without power projection, they can rage at us all they want. Shake their fists on the shore as the tankers stream by.

We don't need to do anything other than use them for live fire practice.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:44 PM (ZOv7s)

76 Right? It had such great results. Peace in our time.

Narrator: The thread is about the war.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 14, 2026 06:39 PM (RIvkX)
=======

We made a deal with the Iranian government. The IRGC decided that they were the top dogs. China's out. Iraq is out. The UK has declared the IRGC to be a terrorist organization. The Persian Government has proven to be willing to negotiate with the US. IOW, the IRGC is isolated. Nasty people to be put down. So, yes, the MoU was a masterstroke. Thank you, DJT!

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:44 PM (rj6Yv)

77 65 you want to understand inflation: when jfk was president, we were sort of on the gold standard, dimes and quarters were silver, and a candy bar was a nickel
Posted by: gnats local 678 at July 14, 2026 06:34 PM (CWTWj)
---
Inflation still happened with hard currency, but it was impossible to sustain long-term because when the vault is empty, the country is bankrupt.

Fiat currency and peacetime deficits really wrecked our currency. Prices were stable for 150 years and then whoosh!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (ZOv7s)

What is with the gold bugs wanting to waste precious gold on currency?

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:44 PM (4g5V+)

78 We need China to somehow get dragged into this and actually put America in their place

And what place does this Traitor think America is supposed to be in?

I like #47's: "First"

Posted by: Community Notes at July 14, 2026 06:44 PM (9s47C)

79 China would probably not get into this unless they can own large chunks of Iran when the smoke clears.

Speaking of China, until the DSA denounces China for Uyghur slave camps and medical experimentation, they can fuck right off about "global capitalist exploitation".

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (Fi81e)

80 38 BOOM go the longboarders and surf schools.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:33 PM (UjdFS)

"Abdul DON'T surf!"

Posted by: Croaker at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (kkG09)

81 According to my Google search, it was about nine months from when we started operation Iraqi freedom until we captured Saddam, during which time we suffered 343 KIA.

Of course, the occupation that followed was a years-long disaster.

But it seems like we could invade Tehran and root out the IRGC and Mulliahs with fewer casualties than before and then bug out without worrying about occupation.

Posted by: Jack Squat Bupkis at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (jYRYu)

82 I follow several China news sites, and man oh man are they ramping up their military.

Heh.
So what? What are they going to do with it? They can't go anywhere. Well, except maybe Taiwan.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (2WIwB)

83 The US is pounding IRGC headquarters and weapons depots, as well as naval assets on the coast.

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

Make Green Glass Great Again!

Old & Busted: The Strait of Hormuz.
New Hotness: The Skate of Hormuz.

Posted by: ShainS -- Tricentennial or Bust! at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (iCB1u)

84 I would think that the flashes onthe ground are anti aircraft fire, not they are hitting anything in the sky, just when the shells hit the ground

Posted by: Skip at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (Ia/+0)

85 72 But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign
Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)

No one will ever surrender to an air campaign.
Posted by: Diogenes

Technically, US ground troops did take Okinawa...

Posted by: Imperial Japan 1945 at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (oI/gx)

86 Trump also said in his just released Fox interview that Space Force has cameras on Iran and they are so powerful they can read a guys name tag.

Whether you like the way Trump and team are going about this systematic destruction of Iran until they relent they obviously have a plan. They might adjust as conditions warrant but it's beyond obvious he doesn't want to flatten Iran the way some want, he wants to leave a somewhat functioning country behind. All those millions of innocent Iranian people many were concerned about at the start of the war are going to need a somewhat functional country. He also has a region full of new allies and he probably is getting asked not to create a flood of immigrants looking for a place to go.

What is the rush? Iran has been fucking with us for 50 years. Iran is going to fall one way or the other.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (viF8m)

87 that's a big boom on that building. whoooeeee.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (n5tGW)

88 To me this is either invade or walk away. I’d actually prefer an invasion but no nation building afterwards. Just kill all the military brass and leave
......

If we invade we must plant the American flag. If they behave we could maybe give it back to them in 10 years.
No more pull out and pray.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (UjdFS)

89 Taxes do NOT work in our current system.
You as a citizen and voter need to suffer equally within reason. Besides 14% (your side and employer side) of SSI people need to pay about 5 to 7% of their income in taxes even if they make $100k as a family.
April 15th needs to hurt like a snake bite.
Long term gains need to approach zero in about year 3 to 5.
If you put up $100k in 2026 and it is worth $300k in 2029 govt gets about $60k, for zero skin in the game.
In the 3rd year it should be 5% or so as that $100k let the company work, build, pay employees, pay taxes, and improve the USA.

Posted by: r hennigantx at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (/+uur)

90 Fiat currency and peacetime deficits really wrecked our currency. Prices were stable for 150 years and then whoosh!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (ZOv7s)
---
I believe it was Friedman who posed a money supply based control of the economy.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (Fi81e)

91 >>I would think that the flashes onthe ground are anti aircraft fire, not they are hitting anything in the sky, just when the shells hit the ground

I would think it is more likely ammo cooking off seeing as it starts after the initial missile strike.

Posted by: garrett at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (uzmqU)

92 What air operations? The IRGC have some hot air balloons somewhere?
Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (afJtY)

The odd missile and/or drone they launch on mobile launchers popping out of hidey holes. Its just effective enough to irritate their Muslim neighbors since they don't shoot at ships with them.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (uhVAy)

93 I wrote many time they need to sink anything in Iran that floats

Posted by: Skip at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (Ia/+0)

94 We destroyed their factories. Power plants are next. They have no regenerative capability, all they can do is dig deeper into stocks we haven't found and destroyed.

People need to understand one very important thing: a defanged Iran is as good as beaten. Without power projection, they can rage at us all they want. Shake their fists on the shore as the tankers stream by.

We don't need to do anything other than use them for live fire practice.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:44 PM (ZOv7s)

Yeah but you are talking like someone who understands logistics. (As much as I respect 99% of the good people here, I don’t think people here appreciate what goes into a military operation - on our side or theirs. They cannot, and never have, just happened.)

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:47 PM (4g5V+)

95 “Stable” prices, yes. But prices actually go down over time in the normal course of economics. Not up. Really.

The “experts” tell us a little bit of inflation is good for you.

In practice this means your savings and investments are cut in half every 20 years, if you’re lucky. LOL

Posted by: Common Tater at July 14, 2026 06:47 PM (fAGm7)

96 But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign
Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)
=====

I'm so old, I remember when entire Iraqi units surrendered to US spotting drones.

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:47 PM (rj6Yv)

97 Evenin’, All.

I’m at the point where I log on to a new thread and don’t comment on it because I assume that I’ve already commented on it. I hate that.

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2026 06:47 PM (77rzZ)

98 72 But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign
Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)

No one will ever surrender to an air campaign.
Posted by: Diogenes

Technically, US ground troops did take Okinawa...
Posted by: Imperial Japan 1945 at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (oI/gx)

Japan did.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (uhVAy)

99 Oh, and they get to pay market price for oil now. No freebies or at least sub sized oil from Venezuela or Iran.
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:42 PM (4g5V+)
---
China has implemented strict currency controls. You cannot move money out of China now. Go look it up. Chinese people with foreign holdings must repatriate them. Chinese cannot invest abroad. They are in a very very bad way.

Oh, and a single-engine plane spent 20 minutes flying around Beijing without authorization before hitting the tallest building. Not a single fighter was scrambled. Great air defenses!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (ZOv7s)

100 Ace, thanks for the final video, very interesting and informative.

Posted by: Joemarine at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (y171U)

101 But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign
Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)

No one will ever surrender to an air campaign.
Posted by: Diogenes

Technically, US ground troops did take Okinawa...
Posted by: Imperial Japan 1945 at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (oI/gx)

My FNL was at Okinwawa...he'd beg to differ...a bit.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (2WIwB)

102 Technically, US ground troops did take Okinawa...

Posted by: Imperial Japan 1945 at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (oI/gx)
---
And Hussain remained in power until the ground troop invasion of Baghdad.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (Fi81e)

103 The MOU was never about just the US and Iran. This is geopolitical on the largest scale ever

The Euros found out just how screwed they are, the Gulf Arab states are all realigning and China has taken a hit. That lousy MOU.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (afJtY)

104 People need to understand one very important thing: a defanged Iran is as good as beaten. Without power projection, they can rage at us all they want. Shake their fists on the shore as the tankers stream by.

We don't need to do anything other than use them for live fire practice.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:44 PM (ZOv7s)

I recently read an excellent book called "Queen Victoria's Little Wars". Punitive expeditions against tiresome locals (usually Muslim) was extremely common. Because British and Empire casualties were quite low, there wasn't much reaction to the umpteenth war along what is now the Pakistani border.

But the trick is to get retards (our retards, the left's retards are incorrigible) to stop sperging every time force is being used somewhere. This site is full of people who claim to hate Islam, and yet a approach that treats them like weeds that have be periodically whacked is responded to as though it is the same as a peer conflict with ground troops. JUST SHUT UP AND GO BACK TO GRILLING!

Posted by: the lower depths at July 14, 2026 06:49 PM (Yh7zv)

105 BOOM go the longboarders and surf schools.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:33 PM (UjdFS)

"Abdul DON'T surf!"

Posted by: Croaker at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (kkG09)

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

Abdul also LOVES THE SMELL OF GOAT BALM IN THE MORNING!

Posted by: ShainS -- Tricentennial or Bust! at July 14, 2026 06:49 PM (iCB1u)

106 I wrote many time they need to sink anything in Iran that floats
Posted by: Skip at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (Ia/+0)

For military vessels, they already have.

IGRG peeps commandeering speedboats with popguns still exists, but mounting 50 cals on even cargo ships with military crews would see those boats off.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:49 PM (uhVAy)

107 The “experts” tell us a little bit of inflation is good for you.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 14, 2026 06:47 PM (fAGm7)
---
But only after the "It's not happening" and the "okay, it's happening a little" phases.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:50 PM (Fi81e)

108 In the 1980s they were still telling the joke that a "buccaneer" was "too much to pay for corn".
$1/ear is still on the high side. But not a joke.

Posted by: gKWVE at July 14, 2026 06:50 PM (gKWVE)

109 Technically, US ground troops did take Okinawa...
Posted by: Imperial Japan 1945 at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (oI/gx)

Japan did.
Posted by: Oldcat

OKINAWA IS PART OF JAPAN, SO TECHNICALLY THERE WAS A GROUND INVASION, WHICH WAS THE POINT OF THE ORIGINAL POST. THEY DIDN'T JUST SURRENDER TO AIR POWER, YOU SEE.

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (oI/gx)

110 Speaking of inflation - I'm arranging flights for four people from my city to another city. Middle of the road airline, not a toilet, not fancy - Southwest. Given that all the talk of horrible prices has been related to fuel, and I did notice about a month or six weeks of higher pricing on gas, I expected to get bent for the tickets.

It's cheaper than the last time I had to fly to this city 4 years ago.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (BI5O2)

111 My dad came THIS CLOSE (holds fingers 1/2 inch apart) to buying it at Okinawa. But it was via suicide boat.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (2Ez/1)

112 >>No one will ever surrender to an air campaign.

There might be some people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki who would disagree if they weren't vaporized.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (viF8m)

113 that's a big boom on that building. whoooeeee.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk
-------

Tell me about it.

Posted by: Construction crane operator at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (XeU6L)

114 Yeah but you are talking like someone who understands logistics. (As much as I respect 99% of the good people here, I don’t think people here appreciate what goes into a military operation - on our side or theirs. They cannot, and never have, just happened.)
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:47 PM (4g5V+)
---
I spent the bulk of my career as a Certified War Planner (alas, not of my wars happened, sigh), so yeah, that's the lens I use to see things.

Iran is getting smacked silly on a world-historic scale. Iran's literally hoping that we stop because are arms get tired. Or maybe our fists get tender from breaking their nose 20+ times.

This is not like the Southern Watch/Northern Watch with Saddam in the 1990s. Iran has been pulverized. We're sailing suicide drones into their harbors. They have no money, only small arms, and all their neighbors hate them.

Such Iranian winning!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (ZOv7s)

115 But why are oil prices up if it's "flowing like never before"?
Posted by: Blonde Morticia

It's called the futures market for a reason. They're not all smart

Posted by: MkY at July 14, 2026 06:52 PM (q6tQZ)

116 In the 1980s they were still telling the joke that a "buccaneer" was "too much to pay for corn".
$1/ear is still on the high side. But not a joke.

Posted by: gKWVE at July 14, 2026 06:50 PM (gKWVE)
---
For no reason whatsoever that reminds me of the "Tampa Bay Bunch-of-queers" when they were in the NFC Central division.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:52 PM (Fi81e)

117 >>Such Iranian winning!

Trump Always Chickens Out, though.

/

Posted by: garrett at July 14, 2026 06:52 PM (uzmqU)

118 I follow several China news sites, and man oh man are they ramping up their military.

Heh.
So what? What are they going to do with it? They can't go anywhere. Well, except maybe Taiwan.
Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (2WIwB)

They also had quite a few purges of officers, and the rest are a bit restive. Neither makes a thrust at Taiwan a slam dunk win.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:53 PM (uhVAy)

119 There might be some people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki who would disagree if they weren't vaporized.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (viF8m)
---
That was Godzilla.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:53 PM (Fi81e)

120 The current Brent oil crude price per barrel is $USA USA 85.44

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (rj6Yv)

121 98 72 But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign
Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)

No one will ever surrender to an air campaign.
Posted by: Diogenes

Technically, US ground troops did take Okinawa...
Posted by: Imperial Japan 1945 at July 14, 2026 06:45 PM (oI/gx)

Japan did.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (uhVAy)

***

And Iran could end quickly the same way. But do we want that?
The issue, and I have said this in the past, is that the IRGC does not control everything. Neither does the Mullah. The command structure is so fractured that we are looking at a variety of clans and separate command trying to figure out what the fu*k to do. And of course, being a muzzie, anything fired at you is a mark on your manhood so missiles must be fired back.
Its a mess and nothing short of total conquest, either from internal or external forces will fix it.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (2WIwB)

122 Evenin’, All.

I’m at the point where I log on to a new thread and don’t comment on it because I assume that I’ve already commented on it. I hate that.
Posted by: Bulg
......

I didn't see any comments about boobs yet.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (UjdFS)

123 Trump Always Chickens Out, though.

/
Posted by: garrett at July 14, 2026 06:52 PM (uzmqU)
---
Yup. He's an existential threat fascist who always chickens out.

Just like all the existential threats and fascist dictators in history.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (Fi81e)

124 China has implemented strict currency controls. You cannot move money out of China now. Go look it up. Chinese people with foreign holdings must repatriate them. Chinese cannot invest abroad. They are in a very very bad way.

Oh, and a single-engine plane spent 20 minutes flying around Beijing without authorization before hitting the tallest building. Not a single fighter was scrambled. Great air defenses!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:48 PM (ZOv7s)

See, this is what happens when you have your hands in dozens of pies. I did not know this about currency controls…

I remember well as a boy, going into the GDR and all of us being told we had to exchange for Ostmarks at the border at 1:1 no matter the currency and that no Ostmarks could leave. We all know what eventually happened to the GDR because of such things and much else besides, nicht wahr?

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (4g5V+)

125 Is it a 'war'?

police action
conflict
an occasional series
ongoing project

Posted by: Don Black at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (ZxPkt)

126 Government spending causes inflation and Trump crushing grants and DEI garbage is reducing the money supply, lowering inflation.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:29 PM (ZOv7s)

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

Yet this is not being taught in any university, Ivy League or state. It's almost as if the entirety of current university faculties have graduated in the USSR or Communist China.

Posted by: Decaf at July 14, 2026 06:55 PM (ZNpJk)

127 Taiwan's military is risible, but even they have been getting into the underwater drone game in a big way. The Taiwan Strait is considerably wider than the English Channel. It was already going to be an unprecedented amphibious landing, but it's far harder now if your troopships and your follow-on logistics can get sunk by cheap drones. If you combine that with Xi's purges of the PLA, I don't think their military is going to be used offensively against other countries very soon. It might be used on their own people though, and perhaps that is who their military propaganda is really targeted at.

Posted by: the lower depths at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (Yh7zv)

128 > They could afford to buy a house.

When I went to grad school I bought a cheap house. Two bedroom, one bath, about 800 square feet.

Built in the late '40s, just post-WWII with no upgrades to speak of since. I penciled it out and figured I could save money plus not have to deal with a landlord.

I bought it from the family of an old lady who was going into care. She and two husbands raised four kids in that two bedroom, one bath, 800 square foot house.

You can't even legally build an 800 square foot house in many locations nowadays.

That's how they were able to "afford to buy a house".

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (IG3/x)

129 Is it a 'war'?

police action
conflict
an occasional series
ongoing project
Posted by: Don Black at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (ZxPkt)
---
Just an idea.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (Fi81e)

130 I wrote many time they need to sink anything in Iran that floats
Posted by: Skip at July 14, 2026 06:46 PM (Ia/+0)

For military vessels, they already have.

IGRG peeps commandeering speedboats with popguns still exists, but mounting 50 cals on even cargo ships with military crews would see those boats off.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:49 PM

Back in the 80s during the tanker wars we welded stanchions all over our ships to mount extra .50 cals on them. My buddy was on an FFG and they stopped in the philippines on their way to the gulf and they pulled out two WWII twin 40mm AA mounts and welded them to the bridge wings before they were deployed to the gulf. Those stupid iranian suicide boats were everywhere back then. Fun times.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (0N4FZ)

131 OKINAWA IS PART OF JAPAN, SO TECHNICALLY THERE WAS A GROUND INVASION, WHICH WAS THE POINT OF THE ORIGINAL POST. THEY DIDN'T JUST SURRENDER TO AIR POWER, YOU SEE.
Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at July 14, 2026 06:51 PM (oI/gx)

They didn't surrender after Okinawa fell in April-June 45. The surrendered after air power nuked them twice in August and Hirohito yanked control away from the generals.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (uhVAy)

132 Trump has to get the oil moving thru the straight. Traffic before resumption was still a 1/3. It is less now.
Iran doesn’t have to possess the straight to control it. They only need to plausibly threaten it and get one or two major players to go along, i.e. China and EU.

Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (T8bqm)

133 And Iran could end quickly the same way. But do we want that?

Nuke Iran? Permanently solve a global issue and put Trump in the history books? You might be on to something...

Can we get a combo meal and somehow nuke the Palestinians too?

Posted by: Military Moron at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (oI/gx)

134
Trump is doomed.

Hillary will take her rightful place as POTUS.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (O0L8i)

135 IGRG peeps commandeering speedboats with popguns still exists, but mounting 50 cals on even cargo ships with military crews would see those boats off.
Posted by: Oldcat
See:

PT boats with M4/T9 automatic cannons scavaged from P-39's, and mounted on the bow. The cannon, btw, was buit by Oldsmobile (RIP).

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (XeU6L)

136 125 Is it a 'war'?

police action
conflict
an occasional series
ongoing project
Posted by: Don Black at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM

*minor incursion*

Posted by: Buck Fiden at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (2Ez/1)

137 What is the rush?

We only have 2½ years of Trump, assuming Nov 2026 has strong patriot turnout.

I don't think anyone on the bench for either party has the stomach, balls, or brains to do what Trump effortlessly does.

Posted by: Community Notes at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (a3CJ+)

138 how many of y'all eat here

@FoxNews
·
1h
NEW: Federal and state health officials are investigating whether Taco Bell locations could be linked to a growing parasite outbreak.

Posted by: Don Black at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (ZxPkt)

139 I remember well as a boy, going into the GDR and all of us being told we had to exchange for Ostmarks at the border at 1:1 no matter the currency and that no Ostmarks could leave. We all know what eventually happened to the GDR because of such things and much else besides, nicht wahr?
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (4g5V+)
=====

Did you make your border crossing while wear four pairs of blue jeans?

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (rj6Yv)

140 Is it a 'war'?

police action
conflict
an occasional series
ongoing project
Posted by: Don Black at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM

*minor incursion*
Posted by: Buck Fiden at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (2Ez/1)
---
Just the tip.

Posted by: Crazy Uncle Joe at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (Fi81e)

141 They also had quite a few purges of officers, and the rest are a bit restive. Neither makes a thrust at Taiwan a slam dunk win.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 06:53 PM (uhVAy)
---
So Zhang Youxia was supposedly purged in February, but his name is still on the PLA web site. He was (is?) the vice-chair of the Central Military Commission, which is the C2 for the entire PLA. Orders flow not from the President, but from the CMC, which the President (Xi Jinping) chairs.

This guy is one of their last combat vets and has a massive patronage network. He was Xi's ally but has been betrayed. Xi is purging his own guys. There are rumors that there will be a coup on or after 8/1, the PLA's birthday. The PLA has to be able to celebrate it, and the parades will give cover to move troops to Beijing.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 06:58 PM (ZOv7s)

142 >>They didn't surrender after Okinawa fell in April-June 45. The surrendered after air power nuked them twice in August and Hirohito yanked control away from the generals.

In fact, those bombs prevented a ground invasion and saved a lot of American lives.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 06:58 PM (viF8m)

143 To me this is either invade or walk away. I’d actually prefer an invasion but no nation building afterwards. Just kill all the military brass and leave

But Iran will never surrender to an air campaign
Posted by: Maroon at July 14, 2026 06:41 PM (e0rEI)

The goal doesn’t have to be to make them surrender, the goal is to make them stop throwing missiles at their neighbors and funding proxy armies all over the Middle East. They’re like the mule that has to be hit over the head with a 2x4 to understand anything; and they’re especially stubborn asses, so they will probably have to be hit over the head a couple of hundred times before it starts to sink in that “hey this sucks.”

And the best is that for our part, we can have a lot of fun doing it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 06:58 PM (wLnmp)

144
*minor incursion*

Posted by: Buck Fiden at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (2Ez/1)

__________

"Just saying hello"

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 14, 2026 06:58 PM (O0L8i)

145 They didn't surrender after Okinawa fell in April-June 45. The surrendered after air power nuked them twice in August and Hirohito yanked control away from the generals.
Posted by: Oldcat

And being starved by the destruction of thier merchant marine fleet. But TECHNICALLY there was a ground invasion, but you're correct...they would have surrendered after the nukes regardless of Okinawa or not.

Posted by: Military Moron at July 14, 2026 06:58 PM (oI/gx)

146 Trump is doomed.

Hillary will take her rightful place as POTUS.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM

*ahem*

Posted by: Old Lady Emhoff at July 14, 2026 06:59 PM (2Ez/1)

147 Trump is doomed.

Hillary will take her rightful place as POTUS.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (O0L8i)

Go long on vodka futures.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:59 PM (2WIwB)

148
In fact, those bombs prevented a ground invasion and saved a lot of American lives.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 06:58 PM (viF8m)

_____________

We did it to stop the Russians!!! I was told that!!!!-!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 14, 2026 06:59 PM (O0L8i)

149 129 Is it a 'war'?

police action
conflict
an occasional series
ongoing project
Posted by: Don Black at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (ZxPkt)
---
Just an idea.
Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (Fi81e)

If we were to declare a war - which is an act for diplomats, not the military - we’d have no place to send the pretty parchment paper. Iran’s embassy closed in 1980.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:59 PM (4g5V+)

150 Iranians are so stupid thinking that all they have to do is withstand the US attacks until a change of government in Washington. They are so weakened now that should there be a change in DC Turkey under Erdogan will simply march over the border and take Iran.

Posted by: Decaf at July 14, 2026 06:59 PM (ZNpJk)

151 but mounting 50 cals on even cargo ships with military crews would see those boats off.

I don't know of any ports of call that would be OK with some foreign flagged vessel siding up with 50s all around the deck.

Posted by: Community Notes at July 14, 2026 07:00 PM (a3CJ+)

152 It might be used on their own people though, and perhaps that is who their military propaganda is really targeted at.
Posted by: the lower depths at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (Yh7zv)
---
The PLA deployed troops to assist with the flooding but they were also equipped with riot shields. You know, just to be safe.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 07:00 PM (ZOv7s)

153 138 how many of y'all eat here

@FoxNews
·
1h
NEW: Federal and state health officials are investigating whether Taco Bell locations could be linked to a growing parasite outbreak.
Posted by: Don Black at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM
-------
Two words: Holy Land.

Posted by: Freddy from Germany at July 14, 2026 07:00 PM (2Ez/1)

154 Hillary will take her rightful place as POTUS.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (O0L8i)
---
When the moon eclipses Carcosa. Hillary, in tatters, will rise.

Posted by: Crazy Uncle Joe at July 14, 2026 07:00 PM (Fi81e)

155 Trump has to get the oil moving thru the straight. Traffic before resumption was still a 1/3. It is less now.
Iran doesn’t have to possess the straight to control it. They only need to plausibly threaten it and get one or two major players to go along, i.e. China and EU.
Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (T8bqm)

Well as TJM often notes, a lot of that traffic is going through pipelines now, but you are correct that getting tankers to go through the strait and stop being scaredy-cats would be extremely helpful. You probably would have to replace the dot Indians who run these ships (presumably at cut-rate wages), with slightly more doughty sailors though.

Maybe we can guarantee the oil in Gulf Monarchy tankers if they replace the incompetent and easily scared dot Indians in the crews?

Posted by: the lower depths at July 14, 2026 07:00 PM (Yh7zv)

156 My buddy was on an FFG and they stopped in the philippines on their way to the gulf and they pulled out two WWII twin 40mm AA mounts and welded them to the bridge wings before they were deployed to the gulf. Those stupid iranian suicide boats were everywhere back then. Fun times.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (0N4FZ)
=====

The US Navy still had 40mm shells in the shore magazines during the 80s?

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 07:00 PM (rj6Yv)

157 I wasn't talking about China's capability above, but their intent.

The point was that they are ramping up for war and each year they just accelerate. But my main point was that only the West hesitates to tell those humps in the M. E. to please play nice. Please buy our assets. Please allow us to use the strait.

Posted by: bob (moron inbobnitus) at July 14, 2026 07:01 PM (XYNFs)

158 (As much as I respect 99% of the good people here, I don’t think people here appreciate what goes into a military operation - on our side or theirs. They cannot, and never have, just happened.)
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:47 PM (4g5V+)

Having never served, I understand that I don't understand much about military strategy. I was letting my hair catch fire early on, but I calmed down, and I'm just watching it all happen. Lots of good analysis and commentary from the horde that help me see how it all works.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 14, 2026 07:02 PM (zYpTz)

159 I don't think anyone on the bench for either party has the stomach, balls, or brains to do what Trump effortlessly does.
Posted by: Community Notes at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (a3CJ+)

If you want to be really grossed out, the last time this happened a couple years back the cause was that the lettuce pickers weren’t using proper “facilities” out in the field, and lettuce was getting into the distribution system with human fecal matter on it.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:02 PM (wLnmp)

160 And the best is that for our part, we can have a lot of fun doing it.
Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 06:58 PM (wLnmp)
---
They are painting bomb missions on our aircraft again. I saw an A-10 that had almost filled the panel with little bombs. Also two aircraft and two tanks.

Boat stencils will also be valued. I bet those guys are having a total blast.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at July 14, 2026 07:02 PM (ZOv7s)

161 122 WTh, sorry.. I bitched about the microscopic boobs on the Art Thread and then went off to do other stuff.

So, when/if Sydney S. gets preggers, what size are her Charlies gonna inflate to?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2026 07:02 PM (77rzZ)

162 I remember well as a boy, going into the GDR and all of us being told we had to exchange for Ostmarks at the border at 1:1 no matter the currency and that no Ostmarks could leave. We all know what eventually happened to the GDR because of such things and much else besides, nicht wahr?
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (4g5V+)

Heh.
An Army buddy of mine used to do the Helmstedt Autobahn weekly back in the day. He discovered that for a few Playboys and bottles of bourbon, he could trade for anything with the Russian guards. He showed up one day at work in a complete Russian Captains uniform. All traded for at the border.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (2WIwB)

163 Did you make your border crossing while wear four pairs of blue jeans?
Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 06:57 PM (rj6Yv)

You make a joke…

On the drive back the radiator went dry. No biggie, really, we had water for it. Two locals pointed out there was a pond by the road with more water if needed. And “can you help us escape?”

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (4g5V+)

164 And Iran could end quickly the same way. But do we want that?
The issue, and I have said this in the past, is that the IRGC does not control everything. Neither does the Mullah. The command structure is so fractured that we are looking at a variety of clans and separate command trying to figure out what the fu*k to do. And of course, being a muzzie, anything fired at you is a mark on your manhood so missiles must be fired back.
Its a mess and nothing short of total conquest, either from internal or external forces will fix it.
Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 06:54 PM (2WIwB)

Possibly, if as part of the deal is the IGRC gets bought off and some other set of factions moves into control that will spin down the worldwide mullah terror army. Problem is that the IGRC gonna be the loser if that happens so they vote no and pop off a drone to demonstrate it.

I figure at some point they will look impotent enough someone will be able to purge them, or take over a district or port city and perhaps Arab ground forces can defend the area with our air support and form a nucleus for local forces to be raised, or change sides.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (uhVAy)

165 >>The point was that they are ramping up for war and each year they just accelerate. But my main point was that only the West hesitates to tell those humps in the M. E. to please play nice. Please buy our assets. Please allow us to use the strait.

It's gonna be tough for China to keep those ships and planes moving without fuel, fuel we now largely control.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 14, 2026 07:04 PM (viF8m)

166
Trump announced the new tolling scheme on Monday

I first read that as trolling scheme.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2026 07:04 PM (Cqx++)

167 It’s not the crews, it’s the tankers. If Iran were to disable a bunch of them, there is no rapid way to replace the capacity. Pipelines to ships that don’t exist.
I still don’t understand how there is anything alive within 50 miles of Irans gulf coast.

Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 07:05 PM (8jVAy)

168 WTh, sorry.. I bitched about the microscopic boobs on the Art Thread and then went off to do other stuff.

So, when/if Sydney S. gets preggers, what size are her Charlies gonna inflate to?
Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2026 07:02 PM (77rzZ)

Funny how one can scan the comments and BOOBs just kinda stands out on their own.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 07:06 PM (2WIwB)

169 Heh.
An Army buddy of mine used to do the Helmstedt Autobahn weekly back in the day. He discovered that for a few Playboys and bottles of bourbon, he could trade for anything with the Russian guards. He showed up one day at work in a complete Russian Captains uniform. All traded for at the border.
Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (2WIwB)

Kids in my HS in the 70s used to go on field trips to the USSR and carry Kennedy coins to trade with the locals for souvenirs.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:06 PM (uhVAy)

170 I could have been first but I was eating a hotdog with ketchup.

Posted by: fd at July 14, 2026 06:24 PM (MWfyi)

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

This is worse than adding okra to gumbo.

Posted by: ShainS -- Tricentennial or Bust! at July 14, 2026 07:06 PM (iCB1u)

171 My favorite naval gun: 3-inch/50-caliber
-----

Rather an odd designation.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2026 07:07 PM (XeU6L)

172 I don’t think people here appreciate what goes into a military operation - on our side or theirs. They cannot, and never have, just happened.)
Posted by: Cow Demon

The big difference is, the US has the capability and resources to pull off otherwise impossible movements in seemingly minimal time. Throw enough money around, and you can get contractors and foreign nations to assist moving virtually unlimited amounts of personnel and equipment. And there are thousands of planners at all echelons with movement plans involving rails, ships, aircraft, etc, to all parts of the world. It IS incredibly complex, and kind of a modern miracle that the US can execute it so well. Our ability to project force globally is what really defines us as a superpower above all other nations.

Posted by: Military Moron at July 14, 2026 07:07 PM (oI/gx)

173 Heh.
An Army buddy of mine used to do the Helmstedt Autobahn weekly back in the day. He discovered that for a few Playboys and bottles of bourbon, he could trade for anything with the Russian guards. He showed up one day at work in a complete Russian Captains uniform. All traded for at the border.
Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (2WIwB)

Yeah, I was a kid, but some things you remember. We got the Checkpoint Alpha briefing with the slide show on a slide projector (!) and as it ended the soldier giving the brief said “One last thing - no trading with the Soviets. Yes, they WILL ask.” Sure enough, at each stop, the Soviets would try trading items with the old man. He got in the truck (compact four banger that was probably a Lamborghini compared to the Trabbis) at one point and said “The Russians are comical.”

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:07 PM (4g5V+)

174 On the drive back the radiator went dry. No biggie, really, we had water for it. Two locals pointed out there was a pond by the road with more water if needed. And “can you help us escape?”
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (4g5V+)
======

+5

And when I see a Che shirt or listen to some DSA sh*tbrain drone on about a revolution, I remember East Germans risking, and too often, losing their lives in the mad dash to climb the Berlin Wall.

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 07:08 PM (rj6Yv)

175 166 Appropriate, since Trump is the ultimate troll.

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2026 07:08 PM (77rzZ)

176 170 How about adding carrots and/or maple syrup to gumbo?

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2026 07:09 PM (77rzZ)

177 I figure at some point they will look impotent enough someone will be able to purge them, or take over a district or port city and perhaps Arab ground forces can defend the area with our air support and form a nucleus for local forces to be raised, or change sides.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (uhVAy)

It may come down to that.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 07:09 PM (2WIwB)

178
151 but mounting 50 cals on even cargo ships with military crews would see those boats off.

There’s been a video on X of a Russian training exercise I wish I had the link to! They’ve got a pair of AA machine guns on a swivel mount, the trainee gets behind and fires. Well it starts to spin like a mad merry go round, WHILE firing continuously, he’s hanging on with his hands while his legs are flying behind before he’s spun off, and everyone hits the deck as the gun is now firing in a wild 360 degree pattern til the magazine gives out.

I swear, that’s gotta be the most Russian thing ever.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:09 PM (wLnmp)

179 171 My favorite naval gun: 3-inch/50-caliber
-----
Rather an odd designation.
Posted by: Mike Hammer

Naval guns, as I understand, use an old, unusual system of terminology (like everything else in the navy). The first number is the barrel diameter (3 inch). The second number is the length of the barrel. 50 caliber mean 50 times the barrel diameter, so 150 inches.

Posted by: Military Moron at July 14, 2026 07:10 PM (oI/gx)

180 >>> I still don’t understand how there is anything alive within 50 miles of Irans gulf coast.
Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 07:05 PM (8jVAy)

No one, among the countries that can, us being one of the few, do wide area bombing anymore. It is considered impolite and only polite wars are allowed. Every thing is pin point attack which can designate a .00001% of that area.

Everyone knows a situation like this would be completely over after some good long and hard B-52 deployment. Everyone also knows that will not be done.

Posted by: banana Dream at July 14, 2026 07:10 PM (3uBP9)

181 Trump has to get the oil moving thru the straight. Traffic before resumption was still a 1/3. It is less now.
Iran doesn’t have to possess the straight to control it. They only need to plausibly threaten it and get one or two major players to go along, i.e. China and EU.
Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 06:56 PM (T8bqm)

Iran can say they block the straight all they like, but for China the US Naval Blockade is the one that matters. The recent cease fire got a few ships out toward China but Iran closing the straight means China gets no oil.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:11 PM (uhVAy)

182 I have a Soviet military belt. Heavy duty Hammer & Sickle brass buckle.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2026 07:11 PM (XeU6L)

183 • Trump rescinds toll decision: US President Donald Trump announced earlier he will not impose a 20% reimbursement fee on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will be replaced by Gulf state investments in the US.

• Oil prices rise: Global oil prices are up sharply, with benchmark Brent crude rising to its highest level in over a month.
---

Math brain with people skills.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 14, 2026 07:11 PM (59EWv)

184 The big difference is, the US has the capability and resources to pull off otherwise impossible movements in seemingly minimal time. Throw enough money around, and you can get contractors and foreign nations to assist moving virtually unlimited amounts of personnel and equipment. And there are thousands of planners at all echelons with movement plans involving rails, ships, aircraft, etc, to all parts of the world. It IS incredibly complex, and kind of a modern miracle that the US can execute it so well. Our ability to project force globally is what really defines us as a superpower above all other nations.
Posted by: Military Moron at July 14, 2026 07:07 PM (oI/gx)

Everything here is correct.

But after 22 years in logistics, I can say, with all that: it is still a complete and total bitch and can never be taken for granted.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:11 PM (4g5V+)

185 If you want to be really grossed out, the last time this happened a couple years back the cause was that the lettuce pickers weren’t using proper “facilities” out in the field, and lettuce was getting into the distribution system with human fecal matter on it.
Posted by: Tom Servo

We'll buy the entire field.

Posted by: Chipotle at July 14, 2026 07:11 PM (P+WAR)

186 The US Navy still had 40mm shells in the shore magazines during the 80s?

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 07:00 PM

Yep, Navy ships still mounted 40mm AA guns well into the 60s. The battleships were using 16 inch ammo from the 50s when they were in the Gulf for Desert Storm in 1991. The US military never throws anything away.

And the military never throws anything away.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 07:11 PM (0N4FZ)

187 >>> BOOBs just kinda stands out on their own.
Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 07:06 PM (2WIwB)

it do be that way

Posted by: banana Dream at July 14, 2026 07:12 PM (3uBP9)

188
What air operations? The IRGC have some hot air balloons somewhere?
Posted by: Ben Had
......

Flying carpets?
Posted by: wth

YES!

https://t.ly/7qUUz

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 14, 2026 07:12 PM (Cqx++)

189 I’ve got a lot of Soviet/Russian souvenirs from my stint in Sinop in 1991-1992.

Posted by: Bulg at July 14, 2026 07:12 PM (77rzZ)

190 Everyone knows a situation like this would be completely over after some good long and hard B-52 deployment. Everyone also knows that will not be done.
Posted by: banana Dream at July 14, 2026 07:10 PM (3uBP9)

There will be no Linebacker III because that is SO MEAN.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:13 PM (4g5V+)

191 Everyone knows a situation like this would be completely over after some good long and hard B-52 deployment. Everyone also knows that will not be done.
Posted by: banana Dream at July 14, 2026 07:10 PM (3uBP9)

Even the 52s couldnt take out North Vietnam. Air power can derange an army, it can kill peeps, but it isn't magic.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:13 PM (uhVAy)

192 Bertram Cabot, hahahahaha.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 07:14 PM (afJtY)

193 Yep, Navy ships still mounted 40mm AA guns well into the 60s. The battleships were using 16 inch ammo from the 50s when they were in the Gulf for Desert Storm in 1991. The US military never throws anything away.

And the military never throws anything away.
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 07:11 PM (0N4FZ)
======

Thanks! I'm impressed.

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 07:14 PM (rj6Yv)

194
167 It’s not the crews, it’s the tankers. If Iran were to disable a bunch of them, there is no rapid way to replace the capacity. Pipelines to ships that don’t exist.
I still don’t understand how there is anything alive within 50 miles of Irans gulf coast.
Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 07:05 PM (8jVAy)

Russia is finding that out the hard way. Over that last couple of weeks, the Uke’s anti naval drone program has hit over 100 Russian tankers and cargo ships on the Black Sea / Sea of Azov.

Mostly not sunk, but if you burn out the ships bridge it’s gonna be in dock for while.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:14 PM (wLnmp)

195 One of the things we wanted to come out with was a channel on the Iranian side for reducing conflict, which we did. They were like, ‘OK, fine, we’ll send somebody from the IRGC to go hang out in Doha with somebody from CENTCOM,’ and that’s how we’re going to settle a lot of these disputes!

Posted by: Vantz Kant Dantz at July 14, 2026 07:14 PM (QdtAi)

196 Heh.
An Army buddy of mine used to do the Helmstedt Autobahn weekly back in the day. He discovered that for a few Playboys and bottles of bourbon, he could trade for anything with the Russian guards. He showed up one day at work in a complete Russian Captains uniform. All traded for at the border.

Posted by: Diogenes at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (2WIwB)

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

I have a buddy in Vegas (we used to work on The Ford Aerospace O & M Contract with Nellis AFB and got to play The Soviet Russkie electronic threat sites during Red Flag and other training events); he acquired one of these Soviet Soldier Ushanka Winter Hats.

He wears it everywhere (except in the blazing hot Vegas summers) -- and virtually everyone who sees it loves and stops to chat with him about it:

ushanka.com/product/
soviet-soldier-winter-hat/

Posted by: ShainS -- Tricentennial or Bust! at July 14, 2026 07:14 PM (iCB1u)

197 Rinse, repeat. Attrition. No boots on the ground unless we are taking the oil. The world is a big, bad place.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 14, 2026 07:15 PM (sYM3s)

198 Air Power softens resistance and incentivizes surrender.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 14, 2026 07:15 PM (59EWv)

199 From Quick Hits:

114 Posted by: Pedantic Language Nerd at July 14, 2026 05:47 PM

What are your thoughts on the Oxford Comma?
Posted by: Assistant Associate AoSHQ Copy Editor, Punctuation Brigade, Comma Company, Oxford Platoon at July 14, 2026 05:48 PM (0sNs1)

The music video is amusing, organized, and perplexing.

Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
https://youtu.be/P_i1xk07o4g

Posted by: SciVo at July 14, 2026 07:15 PM (Sy6m/)

200 Funny how one can scan the comments and BOOBs just kinda stands out on their own.
Posted by: Diogenes
......

They're eyecatchers.

Posted by: wth at July 14, 2026 07:16 PM (UjdFS)

201 Dude, I need to lose some weight. A couple days on the john might even do me some good.

Posted by: gKWVE at July 14, 2026 07:16 PM (gKWVE)

202 Air Power softens resistance and incentivizes surrender.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 14, 2026 07:15 PM (59EWv)
---
And definitely, you want to have air cover for advancing ground troops.

Posted by: Axeman at July 14, 2026 07:16 PM (Fi81e)

203 What air operations? The IRGC have some hot air balloons somewhere?

Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 06:32 PM (afJtY)

They are farting in our general direction.

Posted by: ... at July 14, 2026 07:17 PM (vE0+H)

204 And the military never throws anything away.
Posted by: Mister Scott
-----

I continue to nurture hopes for a cast-off ONTOS.

Pic: https://shorturl.at/EDsgF

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (XeU6L)

205 ..., well done, darlin.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (afJtY)

206 Consider:
1) the EU, Democrats and China, The Troika, conspire to shove Russia into a war with Ukraine
2) the troika works with Iran to goad the US into a direct war with Iran
3) if the plan works, the US is done in the ME and China controls the global oil and EV supply.
The next Can Mex US trade deal will be a treaty organized by a Democrat.

Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (/Chlc)

207 nough someone will be able to purge them, or take over a district or port city and perhaps Arab ground forces can defend the area with our air support and form a nucleus for local forces to be raised, or change sides.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (uhVAy)

I can see a problem with this idea and it starts with "arab"

Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (vJrRc)

208 So one day I was at work and I get a call from my wife asking, "hey did you buy any frozen fruit, don't eat it". Um yeah, and I put it in a smoothy and ate some. Turns out, Krogers sourced their frozen berries from a country that likes to have their people crap on the food they package. They sent out a notice to the people that bought via Krogers cards/credit cards to not eat their literally crappy food. Thanks Krogers.

So the food tested positive for hep. Based on what my Dr said to be safe I put my self through a round of hep vaccines, like I was planning on a life of sex tourism in the congo.

So I have that going for me.

Posted by: banana Dream - gunga, gunga-lagunga at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (3uBP9)

209 Sekret is to kill or capture the leaders. Very persuasive to mainline troops to give it up. Of course, there are no mainline IRGC.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (59EWv)

210
183 • Trump rescinds toll decision: US President Donald Trump announced earlier he will not impose a 20% reimbursement fee on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will be replaced by Gulf state investments in the US.”

lol - last night someone asked “how are we gonna collect those fees?” And I replied “like this! (Waves hands wildly in the air)

It sounded good on first hearing, but it wasn’t a well thought out plan. But that didn’t matter, it got peoples attention.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (wLnmp)

211 +5

And when I see a Che shirt or listen to some DSA sh*tbrain drone on about a revolution, I remember East Germans risking, and too often, losing their lives in the mad dash to climb the Berlin Wall.
Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 07:08 PM (rj6Yv)

I was on this trip as a nine year old. My fourth grade teacher (an amazing person; if I went on everyone would be like “why can’t all elementary school teachers be exactly like her?”

also insisted I see the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, which is a museum that back then documented how people escaped the East. She has been to West Berlin just before she took up her fourth grade teaching post and was delighted to hear I was going there. And I did see that museum.

Gee, why did I become such a virulent anti-communist with no time for it or “Democratic Socialism”?

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (4g5V+)

212 Apropos of nothing, my wife went running this morning and spotted a Quarter on the Reynolda path. She picked it up (hopefully because the place occasionally produces interesting artifacts, not because she thought we could really use that 25 cents). Anyway, it turned out to be a US Quarter from American Samoa. Coolest, almost even creepiest, U.S. coin I've seen. Image search it. It is 2022 minted.

Posted by: Lincolntf at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (vV6n9)

213 So the food tested positive for hep. Based on what my Dr said to be safe I put my self through a round of hep vaccines, like I was planning on a life of sex tourism in the congo.

So I have that going for me.
Posted by: banana Dream - gunga, gunga-lagunga

Dang.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 07:21 PM (vJrRc)

214 Chuck Schumer said the SAVE act would nock ten billion people off the voter rolls...

Posted by: 18-1 at July 14, 2026 07:21 PM (sKqQm)

215 So I have that going for me.
Posted by: banana Dream

Did you do the skank circuit...just for grins?

Posted by: MkY at July 14, 2026 07:21 PM (q6tQZ)

216
They are farting in our general direction.
Posted by: ... at July 14, 2026 07:17 PM (vE0+H)

If you have to fart, fart! You will feel much better for it.

Posted by: Mao at July 14, 2026 07:21 PM (4g5V+)

217 I can see a problem with this idea and it starts with "arab"
Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (vJrRc)

LOL!! Never forget that the Saudi army, supplied with all our best weapons, went into Yemen to get rid of the Houthi and got their asses completely kicked by a bunch of goat herders.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:21 PM (wLnmp)

218 What are your thoughts on the Oxford Comma?
Posted by: Assistant Associate AoSHQ Copy Editor
-----
"Only godless savages eschew the series comma. No sentence has ever been harmed by a series comma, and many a sentence has been improved by one." — Quote by Benjamin Dreyer

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2026 07:22 PM (XeU6L)

219 206 Consider:
1) the EU, Democrats and China, The Troika, conspire to shove Russia into a war with Ukraine
2) the troika works with Iran to goad the US into a direct war with Iran
3) if the plan works, the US is done in the ME and China controls the global oil and EV supply.
The next Can Mex US trade deal will be a treaty organized by a Democrat.
Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (/Chlc)

Who cares?

Posted by: PM Carney at July 14, 2026 07:22 PM (4g5V+)

220 nough someone will be able to purge them, or take over a district or port city and perhaps Arab ground forces can defend the area with our air support and form a nucleus for local forces to be raised, or change sides.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (uhVAy)

I can see a problem with this idea and it starts with "arab"
Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (vJrRc)

Well they are the local troops we are allied to. Better than NATO since they exist.

It isn't like they have to do a lot except hold their ground and call in airpower.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:22 PM (uhVAy)

221 call from my wife asking, "hey did you buy any frozen fruit, don't eat it". Um yeah, and I put it in a smoothy and ate some. Turns out, Krogers sourced their frozen berries from a country that likes to have their people crap on the food they package.

The snozzberries taste like dingleberries!

Posted by: willy wonka's fudge factory at July 14, 2026 07:23 PM (gKWVE)

222 That’s capacity that won’t be replaced.
Cheap oil is over.
10/7 was a trap for Netanyahu.
This war is a trap for Trump.

Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 07:23 PM (/Chlc)

223 183 • Trump rescinds toll decision: US President Donald Trump announced earlier he will not impose a 20% reimbursement fee on cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will be replaced by Gulf state investments in the US.”

lol - last night someone asked “how are we gonna collect those fees?” And I replied “like this! (Waves hands wildly in the air)

It sounded good on first hearing, but it wasn’t a well thought out plan. But that didn’t matter, it got peoples attention.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (wLnmp)

I believe that was Blonde Morticia who is often rather incisive.

Posted by: ... at July 14, 2026 07:23 PM (vE0+H)

224 197 Rinse, repeat. Attrition. No boots on the ground unless we are taking the oil. The world is a big, bad place.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at July 14, 2026 07:15 PM (sYM3s)

So if we reestablish an embassy in Tehran, no USMC guarding it?

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:24 PM (4g5V+)

225 That’s capacity that won’t be replaced.
Cheap oil is over.
10/7 was a trap for Netanyahu.
This war is a trap for Trump.

----------------------------
Ah, you must be one of our new batch of trolls. I assumed that you were joking earlier, but you apparently take the same drugs as "Paul".

Posted by: the lower depths at July 14, 2026 07:24 PM (Yh7zv)

226 "182 I have a Soviet military belt. Heavy duty Hammer & Sickle brass buckle."

same here; haven't worn it in years ... might be misunderstood these days

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at July 14, 2026 07:24 PM (VyBeY)

227 This war is a trap for Trump.
Posted by: Accomack

Our Nostradamus, ladies and gentlemen.

Posted by: MkY at July 14, 2026 07:24 PM (q6tQZ)

228 That’s capacity that won’t be replaced.
Cheap oil is over.
10/7 was a trap for Netanyahu.
This war is a trap for Trump.
Posted by: Accomack at July 14, 2026 07:23 PM (/Chlc)

That's what they said about the first Gulf War. The oil fires were put out and prices fell.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:25 PM (uhVAy)

229 3) if the plan works, the US is done in the ME and China controls the global oil and EV supply.“

Well it looks like the US will end up in charge of that supply; but the Chinese will end up with the bulk of the worlds overpriced golf cart supply.

So they got that going for them.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:25 PM (wLnmp)

230 Don't feed the trolls. It's a Cheap Trick.

Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 07:26 PM (rj6Yv)

231 >>lol - last night someone asked “how are we gonna collect those fees?” And I replied “like this! (Waves hands wildly in the air)

It sounded good on first hearing, but it wasn’t a well thought out plan. But that didn’t matter, it got peoples attention.
Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM
===========

Call us.

Posted by: EZ Pass at July 14, 2026 07:26 PM (2Ez/1)

232 That's what they said about the first Gulf War. The oil fires were put out and prices fell.
Posted by: Oldcat

I recall the talk about "nuclear winter." All that smoke will obscure the sun!

Posted by: MkY at July 14, 2026 07:26 PM (q6tQZ)

233 Coolest, almost even creepiest, U.S. coin I've seen. Image search it. It is 2022 minted.

Posted by: Lincolntf at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (vV6n9)

That is completely and utterly fucked up - looks like it was minted in 2020! BTW I was trawling old comments this morning trying to find something from years back and came across some good ones from you and was wondering if you were still around (I thought you were but I wasn't certain).

Posted by: ... at July 14, 2026 07:26 PM (vE0+H)

234 230 Don't feed the trolls. It's a Cheap Trick.
Posted by: mrp at July 14, 2026 07:26 PM (rj6Yv)

The trolls are the Dream Police!

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:27 PM (4g5V+)

235 lol - last night someone asked “how are we gonna collect those fees?” And I replied “like this! (Waves hands wildly in the air)

It sounded good on first hearing, but it wasn’t a well thought out plan. But that didn’t matter, it got peoples attention.

Posted by: Tom Servo at July 14, 2026 07:19 PM (wLnmp)

Pretty simple. We look at the bill of lading of the ship when it leaves port, and send bills to everyone involved when they exit the strait of Hormuz proportionally. Now 20 percent of what is a good question.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:27 PM (uhVAy)

236 Cafe is open!

Posted by: Piper at July 14, 2026 07:27 PM (Dd38x)

237
I believe that was Blonde Morticia who is often rather incisive.
Posted by: ...

===========

Haha, Blonde Morticia is rather bewildered and just asks, like, HOW?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at July 14, 2026 07:28 PM (mmrXZ)

238 That's what they said about the first Gulf War. The oil fires were put out and prices fell.
Posted by: Oldcat

I recall the talk about "nuclear winter." All that smoke will obscure the sun!
Posted by: MkY at July 14, 2026 07:26 PM (q6tQZ)

amazing what things can happen when people can make money when it does happen.

Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:28 PM (uhVAy)

239 nood!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at July 14, 2026 07:28 PM (VyBeY)

240 218 What are your thoughts on the Oxford Comma?
Posted by: Assistant Associate AoSHQ Copy Editor
-----
"Only godless savages eschew the series comma. No sentence has ever been harmed by a series comma, and many a sentence has been improved by one." — Quote by Benjamin Dreyer
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 14, 2026 07:22 PM
=========

They love their colons.

Posted by: Stuff Chris Plante sez at July 14, 2026 07:28 PM (2Ez/1)

241 Even the 52s couldnt take out North Vietnam
——-

Since they didn’t bomb Hanoi until 1972, that’s a distinction without a difference, isn’t it?

Gen. Curtis LeMay said (about 1965) “Stop swattin flies, and go after the manure pile”.

It isn’t that he was a deranged warmonger, but he rightly pointed out “Limited war” is total bullshit. Either go in to win it, or don’t bother.

They finally took his advice, eventually.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 14, 2026 07:31 PM (HTb2h)

242 220 nough someone will be able to purge them, or take over a district or port city and perhaps Arab ground forces can defend the area with our air support and form a nucleus for local forces to be raised, or change sides.
Posted by: Oldcat at July 14, 2026 07:03 PM (uhVAy)

I can see a problem with this idea and it starts with "arab"
Posted by: FeatherBlade at July 14, 2026 07:18 PM (vJrRc)

Well they are the local troops we are allied to. Better than NATO since they exist.

It isn't like they have to do a lot except hold their ground and call in airpower.

Posted by: Oldcat
---

Arabs don't work, they pay other people to do their work.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 14, 2026 07:31 PM (59EWv)

243 @178
Here ya go:
https://tinyurl.com/22h8mm3y

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at July 14, 2026 07:31 PM (XMwZJ)

244 Americans have been left behind because the vanished middle class has had their money forcibly taken away by the government to give free stuff to millions of non productive people. (This obsession with “class” needs to stop. There IS a middle class of sorts, but it needs to be looked at like an H-R Diagram. How else did my father emerge dirt poor from the streets of St. Louis and wound up dying comfortably ensconced in what the class-obsessed would call the “upper class”?)

Charity used to start and stay in the local community but the federal government in the 60s decided they were going to be "compassionate" and take over helping people over their rough spots. johnson and his great society put this country on a downward spiral that continues to grow at an exponential rate. (Truth. Charity is part of civil society. Government used to shut up and let civil society run rampant. Now government is AT WAR with civil society because as long as it exists people can turn to it and not politicians.)
Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at July 14, 2026 06:43 PM (0N4FZ)

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 14, 2026 07:39 PM (4g5V+)

245 Let me second Rodrigo. I live in a 1951 house. It's similar to my grandparent's house, where I grew up. If you suggest to people that they buy a house this small, they ignore you. It's the houses people used to buy and raise a family in.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at July 14, 2026 07:43 PM (bkuEU)

246 Yet this is not being taught in any university, Ivy League or state. It's almost as if the entirety of current university faculties have graduated in the USSR or Communist China.
Posted by: Decaf at July 14, 2026 06:55 PM (ZNpJk)

Hey sweetie, you know our Econ text!

Posted by: Samuelson and Nordhaus at July 14, 2026 07:45 PM (rbvCR)

247 Let me second Rodrigo. I live in a 1951 house. It's similar to my grandparent's house, where I grew up. If you suggest to people that they buy a house this small, they ignore you. It's the houses people used to buy and raise a family in.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at July 14, 2026 07:43 PM (bkuEU)

But the reason you bought that house in the Midwest is because that same house is two or three times the price in, for example, Oregon

Posted by: Kindltot at July 14, 2026 07:47 PM (rbvCR)

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