War with Iran - DEFCON 3

[dabrockster]

Rumors of Trump looking at the next phase to now include U.S. Troops to Iran. I prefer the arming of Iranians and I hope he does not do this, but this is likely inevitable..

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East, as the U.S. military prepares for possible next steps in its campaign against Iran, said a U.S. official and three people familiar with the matter.

The deployments could help provide Trump with additional options as he weighs expanding U.S. operations, with the Iran war well into its third week.

Those options include securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission that would be accomplished primarily through air and naval forces, the sources said. But securing the Strait could also mean deploying U.S. troops to Iran's shoreline, said four sources, including two U.S. officials.

The Trump administration has also discussed options to send ground forces to Iran's Kharg Island, the hub for 90% of Iran's oil exports, the three people familiar with the matter and three U.S. officials said. One of the officials said such an operation would be very risky. Iran has the ability to reach the island with missiles and drones.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/...234717074.html

[dabrockster]

What U.S. Marines Can Do to Help Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The Marine Corps unit expected to arrive in the Middle East next week could help seize Iran’s strategically important islands near the strait

President Trump is pressing aides and allies to find ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as gas prices rise. His best bet might be the U.S. Marine Corps.

The Pentagon has deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid-response force of about 2,200 Marines, to the Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reported. The U.S. could use the unit to seize one or more of the islands off the southern coast of Iran to use as leverage or as a base to counter Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, according to former and current U.S. officials. The unit, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, is slated to arrive in the Middle East from Japan in just over a week.

https://www.wsj.com/world/iran-war-u...ormuz-b1d7c249

[LVAllen]

What U.S. Marines Can Do to Help Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The Marine Corps unit expected to arrive in the Middle East next week could help seize Iran’s strategically important islands near the strait



https://www.wsj.com/world/iran-war-u...ormuz-b1d7c249

I feel like I've seen this Telegraph video before, in Ukraine. One side using drones against human targets.

[frank ryan]

Perhaps. I'm not saying it's a slam dunk, and I think there is room for debate. I think the advantages for Russia are front loaded as short term gains economically and strategically. If we get regime change, the calculas kills this whole line of reasoning.

Your points are well taken.

Russia has shown it is an awful ally. Their brand is taking a hit, might as well let the US get stuck in Iran and further alienate allies. I'd say the potential for American decline could be a lot more valuable to Putin than having Iran be safe.

Venezuela

Nagorno-Karabak (it's a no longer existing country that was trying to break away from Azerbaijan because it was heavily Armenian).

Iran

Cuba

Transnistia (a breakaway republic in Moldova)

Syria

[Northwestcoug]

On one hand, this is a solid ZING. On the other, yee-ikes:

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[LVAllen]

On one hand, this is a solid ZING. On the other, yee-ikes:

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He goes on to suggest using nuclear weapons. In front of the PM of Japan.

[SteelBlue]

What U.S. Marines Can Do to Help Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

The Marine Corps unit expected to arrive in the Middle East next week could help seize Iran’s strategically important islands near the strait



https://www.wsj.com/world/iran-war-u...ormuz-b1d7c249

This won't work for the same reason destroying their Navy didn't work. They don't control the strait because they have those islands. They have a 10,000 foot fortress on the coast from which to fire and despite the daily reports that tell us all their weapons have been destroyed, they so far have no trouble reaching the GCC and can certainly reach the strait at will. 3,000 marines on small islands are just going to be drone targets.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The Bee used to bug me and rarely amused, but it's been a lot better recently.

Agreed. They used to just churn out slop every day and the signal to noise ratio was very low. Seems like they hired better writers and are have higher standards on content.

Also, they have decided to openly mock the Retard Right. That has made the Bee and Seth Dillon targets of hate from many corners of MAGA. But wise decision as that is a ripe source of comedic material.

[SteelBlue]

Patient told me a joke today: What's the difference between Vietnam and Iran? Trump had a plan for getting out of Vietnam.

[Pelado]

Patient told me a joke today: What's the difference between Vietnam and Iran? Trump had a plan for getting out of Vietnam.

That's good.

[Shaka]

Patient told me a joke today: What's the difference between Vietnam and Iran? Trump had a plan for getting out of Vietnam.

[frank ryan]

Trump is suspending sanctions on Iranian Oil.

[Pelado]

Trump is suspending sanctions on Iranian Oil.

That must mean that the war excursion is going swimmingly.

[Moliere]

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[Maximus]

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Taco will come back