by liberal japonicus
The title quotes John McCain, (and I am in no way endorsing the sentiment), and novakant just noted the attack. The BBC has live reporting, while France24 reports Iran firing missles at Israel.
One striking thing to me is the paucity of coverage. It is not unexpected, but I don’t see a lot out there. Anyway, a thread for discussing this.
And double checking on Gemini, while McCain referenced the Beach Boys, it was actually a parody song by Vince Vance & the Valiants, which was recorded during the Iranian Hostage Crisis.
This is straight out of the current Russian playbook being used in Ukraine. Is there any reason at all to think it will work any better here?
The main difference I can see is that Iran starts out with sophisticated, long range, drones — designed and already being manufactured.** I’ll be amazed if Israel doesn’t become aacquainted with Shahed’s for the next few weeks. Or months, as may be. This isn’t like attacking Palestinians, who have no real industrial base.
As for the US, I expect Trump to just declare victory and scuttle home. Before he loses a US Naval vessel or something. Incompetent as this administration is, it will be no surprise if that doesn’t work out well. It’s not like attacking Venezuela after all.
** At least this may cut off Russian imports, and so reduce the attacks on Ukraine, at least a bit.
I’ve already fired off a letter to my Congressman, asking when the Declaration of War got passed. Sarcastically, obviously.
Not that there’s any chance that Congress will push back on this. But just to lend what little support I can.
Europe is already condemning Iran for shooting back (while only being ‘concerned’ about the US’ and Israel’s actions).
As had to be expected.
It would be wrong not to give you the Guardian’s article on this, with the headline Trump vies for Bush’s crown for worst foreign policy decision in history
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/28/trump-iran-analysis-us-foreign-policy-george-bush
Trump, last month, bested his own record (from last year) for the longest ever State of the Union address. (Which of his qualifies as most vacuous is a separate discussion.) Similarly, he will have three more years to exceed this worst foreign policy decision. Bad idea to bet against his doing so.
copying a comment I made elsewhere:
My prediction, which is mine, is that this was the LAST SOTU from Trump.
Why? Because just a few days after Jan 20 2017, when JD can potentially serve two extra full terms, Trump will have a “sudden fatal medical event”.
JD has already offed a Pope and a Queen of England, and is only known by an alias of an alias, so it fits.
Now, the other interesting question is whether Usha realizes that as JD gets close to running for the top job, JD will be motivated to give HER a “sudden fatal medical event” so he could marry the widow Kirk.
If Usha does understand the risk, then she might need to arrange a “tragic, fatal, freak, furniture accident” that removes JD.
All of this will be in the coming season of “Game of Armchairs”, look for it on cable!
…just a few days after Jan 20 2017...
Prediction is easy, especially when it’s about the past.