[Today’s Iran war update yet again launched before complete. Please return for a final version at 8:00 AM EDT]
As is so often the case with Trump, no one, likely including Trump himself, knows where he is going as his Iran war failing about pulls the world into deeper economic crisis.
On the one hand, Trump may have finally recognized that even he is subject to Stein’s Law: “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.“ The “something that cannot go on” was well predicted at the start of this conflict. One was the ability to prosecute a high intensity air campaign for all that long, given how depleted US stocks were and the long timetables for replenishment. Second was the idea that the belligerents could subdue a country as big and geographically hostile as Iran absent a truly massive ground invasion.1
On the other hand, Trump has had a long-standing obsession with Iran and delusions about the use of military force, even before his white matter disease set in. He saw the Iran hostage crisis as a US humiliation which he oddly has taken personally. He just posted this clip on Truth Social. It is hard to square Trump posting this old video segment with his hissy fits threatening to throw up his hand and leave the rest of the world to deal with how to wrest control of the Strait of Hormuz back from Iran.
Readers can correct me, but from what I can tell on Twitter, this clip was published on Middle East sites before Trump posted it on Truth Social:
In 1987, a rare video shows U.S. President Donald Trump in an interview discussing the need to control Iranian oil 38 years ago, emphasizing the importance of compensating American losses caused by Iran. pic.twitter.com/xLy16ejZpv
— The Middle East (@A_M_R_M1) March 30, 2026
And as we will soon describe, even if Trump actually were to try to walk out, Israel is still waging war in Lebanon, which means Iran will continue its campaign against Israel, as will the Houthis and of course Hezbollah. Can Trump realistically stand pat in that scenarios?
We’ll turn later to how even what now would be the best of bad options, that of the world slowly coming to grips with the reality of Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz and making transit arrangements. That would take some time to come into play, even so would result in a durable shortfall, since 50% of old transit levels is likely all that would result. As Stanislav Krapivnik pointed out, the loss of Gulf energy is equivalent to US plus Russian output. While both no doubt have some swing capacity, meaningfully increasing output is at a bare minimum three years away. That shortfall can be slightly blunted if the Houthis don’t bar Saudi Arabia from transporting some crude for shipment via the Red Sea.
As readers well know, if the belligerents instead try to destroy Iranian energy assets, Iran will unleash a wave of destruction across the Middle East. Merely taking out desalination plants will make them uninhabitable and maintaining oil production and transport close to impossible.
Iran believes that the Trump climbdown of sorts is yet another ruse, designed to buy Trump more time and keep oil traders on side as the belligerents ready what they fantasize will be a knockout blow:
Prof. Marandi is right.
Don't allow the recent statements by Trump to fool you. The invasion is imminent. https://t.co/dBm6ygAgy1
— Narjes Rahmati 🟩☫🟥 نرجس رحمتی (@Narjes_Rahmati) April 1, 2026
Larry Johnson’s latest post catalogues how US forces are continuing to build up in the Iran theater. From Trump to give “important update on Iran” Wednesday in prime-time speech:
The new deployment of these assets are consistent with a military option that involves close-air support and/or attacks on Iranian fast boats and water drones.
So what is Trump going to announce?
Option 1 — Declare that negotiations with Iran via intermediaries (e.g., Pakistan) are progressing and that they United States is going to cease combat operations against Iran in order to support the negotiations and achieve a peaceful resolution.
Option 2 — Declare that victory has been achieved and that US forces will begin withdrawing from the region, leaving the status of the Strait of Hormuz in limbo.
Option 3 — Announce a massive air and ground operation to secure the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Consistent with the idea of Trump’s TACO-lite being a combo plate of yet more oil price manipulation and attempted Iran deception is never-met-a-war-he-didn’t-want-fought-even-harder Lindsey Graham suddenly signing from a negotiation choirbook. From Graham to Trump: ‘Wind down’ Iran war, ‘wind up’ efforts for peace deal in The Hill:
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Monday he has encouraged President Trump to “wind down” the Iran war and “wind up” efforts for a peace deal while noting that it would take an agreement from both parties to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.
For detail:
Just had a very good discussion with @POTUS about his recent statement regarding the consequences to Iran if they do not agree to an acceptable peace deal.
I support diplomatic efforts to end the conflict consistent with our military objectives, but it takes two to tango.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 30, 2026
Admittedly, the Hill does point out that the childless Graham has come under fierce criticism for his eagerness to send other people’s progeny to die.
And even if Trump was finally genuinely having cold feet and seeking an exit, Israel is blocking the door:
‼️ Netanyahu just made any ceasefire almost impossible.
He openly declared:
“Even if a deal is reached with Iran, we will ensure that the agreement does not include Lebanon. We will decide when & how to handle it.”This is a non-starter for Tehran.
For Iran, the Axis,…— Hala Jaber (@HalaJaber) March 31, 2026
From the body of the tweet:
Netanyahu’s statement confirms the fundamental mismatch:
For the Axis this is existential survival. Iran sees this as proof that the US/Israel are not serious about a real ceasefire.
For Israel it’s a war of choice with no intention of stopping in Lebanon.
While Trump talks about “great progress” & “new reasonable regime, Netanyahu is simultaneously torpedoing the Lebanon component just made a deal much harder, if not impossible in the short term.Expect more missile waves, Axis coordination, not a breakthrough.
The gap remains wide. Expect escalation rather than breakthrough in the coming days.
Consider also a new story from the New York Times, Israel’s Message to Southern Lebanon: Shiites Must Go. Key sections:
In private calls to local leaders across southern Lebanon, Israeli military officials have assured several Christian and Druse communities that they could remain in the evacuation zone. They have pressed them, however, to force out any Lebanese from neighboring Shiite Muslim communities who have sought refuge among them as Israeli bombardment flatten Shiite towns, according to local Christian, Druse and Shiite leaders who spoke to The New York Times. The Shiites make up the majority of southern Lebanon….
[Defense Minister] Mr. [Israel] Katz said in a statement that Lebanese who had fled their homes in the south “will be completely prohibited” from returning “until the safety and security of northern Israeli residents is ensured.” He previously specified that Shiites would not be allowed to return and likened Israel’s strategy in Lebanon to that in Gaza.
That public messaging, along with the private push on local leaders, suggests that Israel is intent on redrawing not only the geographic map of south Lebanon but also the demographic one.
Over the past two weeks, Israeli military officials have called leaders of at least eight villages and told them to expel Shiites who had sought refuge in their communities, municipal officials and local Christian, Druse and Shiite leaders said in interviews. All complied, fearing that if they did not their towns could be hit next in the Israeli bombardment, they said.
Keep in mind that key Gulf States continue to press for escalation. This Young Turks between Ana and Trita Parsi shows a very well-informed Ana politely pushing back against Trita, particularly on the idea that there will be negotiations.2
Trita oddly posits that Iran will have to try to make nice since it can’t afford to have ongoing hostility with its neighbors. As if its neighbors didn’t happily house US bases and were all in for the “strangle Iran” project.3 Confirming that reading:
IRANIAN PARLIAMENT: THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ WILL NOT OPEN, WE HAVE NOT HELD ANY NEGOTIATIONS, AND WE WILL NOT HOLD THEM
— First Squawk (@FirstSquawk) April 1, 2026
Ana then cites a fresh Association Press account that the Saudis and some other Gulf states are still pressing the US for more escalation. Trita then tried to argue that the Saudi Foreign Ministry was making pro-reconciliation noises while MbS was for more use of force against Iran. Ahem, we are to believe that the Foreign Ministry is an independent actor? Seriously?
Simplicius makes the same point more forcefully in his latest piece:
Now that Trump has signaled his willingness to end the war without reopening Hormuz, the Gulf states have erupted in a chorus of fear behind the scenes.
Breaking Points talks to Rory Johnston on what the new world might look like, assuming many states are forced begrudgingly to accept Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz (hat tip Sibiryak):
Key points from Johnston:
That’s where you get prolonged closure of the Strait you get risk of further you know attacks on regional oil infrastructure things that can’t just be undone things that are permanent or at least years-long durable. I think that’s a scenario, but but I see that is so dire that I see it as very difficult to hold as my base case because I just don’t think that any politician least alone Donald Trump has the wherewithal to go through with kind of something so long and arduous like that.
I think more likely here is the other scenario which is my base case from the very beginning which has been what I call the unilateral TACO which is people are like well Trump can’t just TACO this is not tariffs this is not trade policy you know there are multiple participants in this war he can’t just decide by himself.
I humbly disagree and I think that Trump would likely disagree with that as well I think if we’ve seen anything about Trump he’s not bound by precedent, he’s not bound by allies, he’s not bound by anything and I think he’s very clearly already bored of this war….So I think if the if the consequences keep ramping and I don’t think this is over yet. I think that we still need higher oil prices and lower equity prices and more economic pain to force that unilateral TACO. But that’s how I see this eventually going is one day we’re just going to get a post like it’s done. You know, US Navy sailing home. That’s how I picture this ending.
Note we pointed out early on is that the one thing that could force Trump into retreat is an investor revolt. But Trump has done an astonishing job of talking them off the ledge even as the below-the-waterline damage the economy compounds.
More from Johntson:
I think you know any scenario is going to have structurally higher prices. I think in the scenario where you have, you know, a a boots on the ground dragout, $200 plus. I think in this scenario of a unilateral TACO, Iran having some kind of sovereign control over the Strait, which again is just an unthinkable thing to kind of consider long term, but that’s what we’re looking like we’re at least trending towards possibly. In that scenario, I still think that oil prices currently, I’m looking at my screen, Brent’s just about 117. I think that’s still too low. I think that, you know, even though this unilateral taco is bearish or a lower price environment than the boots-on-the-ground scenario, I think both of them are still dire and like a deeply untenable supply situation. And I think in the scenario where Iran does continue to control the Strait, um then we’re just going to like it’s just setting us up very predictably for the next crisis. I think this is like this is a situation that can’t last. It is inherently politically untenable and unstable and we’re going to get the next flare up. So we go from a long drawn out awful Hormuz closure to maybe like a perennial two week closure in Hormuz which seems like an insane thing to bake into the system and but that’s kind of again what it’s looking like we might be arriving at….
So, just let’s talk through the the the size of the toll first because I think you know what we’ve seen discussed so far is a $2 million passage, which sounds very expensive, but relative to like a VLCC or a very large crude carrier tanker, the the largest ones that are typically used, they carry about 2 million barrels of crude. So, that’s only about a dollar a barrel on toll. that is expensive but relative to the current deeply deeply problematic status quo, it is a clear uh kind of beneficial change uh to the global supply situation. But to your point, the the politics of this are deeply untenable and it seems unlikely that Iran would allow a complete reopening of the street again. Prior to the war, we were having about 100 plus 100 to 120 vessels crossing the street every day.
You know, maybe we get back up to 50% of that. Then with some of the offsets that we have in the system like the Saudi East West pipeline and other and other sources, maybe we get back to something that’s, you know, just a deep deficit rather than a catastrophic supply deficit.
But I think that’s the scenario is that we just have some kind of durable control uh for Iran in this in this in this region and the Gulf countries kind of having just need to, you know, swallow the the bitter pill because the alternative is existential for them.
This, I think, is is is existential for them as well. Uh but at least it is a scenario where they continue exporting their oil and restarting their economies relative to right now where virtually I mean by far their large economic sector is completely sidelined.
I hate to say it, but this base case is likely to be a best case.
And I don’t see Iran being the big impediment to normalization of traffic. Iran has said it won’t allow traffic to the US or Israel or co-belligerents. But the US still has sanctions on Iran, which includes sanctioning any party that does business with Iran, as in pay the tolls. If the US keeps that in place, it would considerably constrain this mechanism, particularly with respect to Gulf states that have dollarized economies (the UAE currency is explicitly linked to the dollar) and are presumably very tied into US banking/payment systems.
For a less cheery view, Ben Panga just linked to a new article by the Telegraph’s Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Now brace for an even bigger oil shock. Key points:
The world has lost over a tenth of its daily oil supply, along with critical volumes of jet fuel, diesel and refined petroleum products. Now prepare for loss of the next tenth…
This is not a remote tail risk. It is an all-too-plausible outcome as Donald Trump concentrates the 82nd Airborne Division and US marines to “take the oil” on Iran’s Kharg Island…
The pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen have finally joined the Gulf war, opening a second front in the Red Sea and endangering a further 6pc of global oil supply.
“The Houthis could effectively block all Red Sea shipments,” says Helima Croft, a former CIA analyst now at RBC Capital Markets. “It would only take a relatively small show of force to push crude another leg higher.”…
Trump says America “doesn’t need” the Strait of Hormuz.
Who put that idea in his head? The US imports eight million barrels a day (b/d), either refined products or heavy crude to balance its refineries. It has four times the petrol dependency per capita of the UK.
Internal US prices of jet fuel, diesel, fertilisers, sulphur and aluminium are all shaped by the Gulf through global markets. Iran would control a third of the world’s helium shipments, giving it a partial stranglehold over a critical input for semiconductors…
For what it is worth – not much in an integrated global oil market – UK is one of the least dependent countries in Europe and Asia on Gulf shipments. Overall, the US is actually more dependent…
It is a racing certainty that the Houthis will pull the trigger if Trump attacks Kharg Island and carries out his threat to “conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants!)” – a threat to commit wholesale war crimes…
David Fyfe, the chief economist at Argus Media, says prices will reach traumatic levels if the Red Sea now comes under fire and remains closed for weeks.
“You can pick any arbitrary number – $200, or anything you want – the risk is that we’ll see huge demand destruction, inflation going through the roof and global growth shuddering to a halt. It is a horrible thought,” says Fyfe, who used to run the oil division at the International Energy Agency….
An attack on Kharg Island would be the crowning disaster…It would cut off a further 2.4 million b/d of world oil supply. These Iranian exports make up the lion’s share of the crude shipments passing through the strait at the moment. The barrels mostly go to China but that frees up oil for the world market.
Citrinowicz says the whole idea that Washington can reopen Gulf shipping with a token military force is illusory…
The Kharg facilities would be useless to the US without the hinterland of Iran’s oil fields…
Even if the war ends today, it will take months to restore oil output and years to repair Qatar’s terminal for liquefied natural gas.
RBC Capital estimates that 11.6 million b/d of oil is currently shut down. Each week the war goes on, the greater the permanent damage to well pressure. If the Red Sea is closed too, the giant Saudi fields will also suffer structural degradation.
All the easy buffers are being used up. The lifting of sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil – another Trumpian masterpiece – has released just days of extra supply from barrels floating on water….
Every corner of the globe will be hit by Apr 20 or thereabouts. Regional prices will converge via arbitrage and there will then be a planetary oil crisis with very few places left to hide.
If it’s any comfort, at least we may see regime change in Washington.
This talk provides a very good review of data that shows that oil prices should be much higher than they are now. Snider explains that a big reason why is Trump’s successful market manipulation by forcefully selling the idea that an end to the war is nigh. Oil longs do not want the risk of big losses via a sudden price drop.
If you listen carefully, you will see Snider does not contemplate that oil prices would remain elevated even if the war ended tomorrow due to shipping snarls and the time needed to bring shuttered oil facilities back to full production. That suggests that that is not factoring into traders’ thinking.
Sal Mercogliano provides his usual informative where he politely debunks Trump claims about how many ships are going through the Strait of Hormuz as well as an extended video of a ship making the crossing per Iranian procedures:
Some short kinetic updates. From the aforementioned Simplcius article (images omitted):
All the while, Iran has continued deconstructing its neighbors’ infrastructure, particularly after Iran’s petrochemical facilities were hit in Tabriz earlier. Iran responded by allegedly hitting Kuwait’s largest desalination plant, at least according to some reports:
NASA satellite detects fire at the West Doha Power Plant, Kuwait — its largest Power Generation & Desalination Plant
It accounts for 38.5% of Kuwait’s total desalination capacity
Israeli petrochemical companies were also hit, as announced by Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Majid Mousavi
Massive damage was also seen done via new satellite photos to the US Army’s Camp Buehring base in Kuwait, with many of the base’s varying components targeted this time, from power stations to living quarters:
Extensive damage spotted at U.S. Army Base Camp Buehring in Kuwait following Iranian strikes.
Aircraft hangars, barracks, a gym, warehouses, a power station and other facilities on the base were damaged.
Breaking News:
Israel reports that 48 officers and soldiers were wounded over the past 48 hours in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The cumulative toll now stands at 309 casualties among officers and soldiers, including 23 in very serious condition.
— Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺 (@ejmalrai) April 1, 2026
An important but not well-covered development:
🚨Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Knesset's resolution to execute Palestinian prisoners, calling it a violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and "a deadly blow against international law."
— Mehr News Agency (@MehrnewsCom) April 1, 2026
And some badly needed humor:
Trump’s Downfall.
If you haven’t laughed your ass off, last line will knock you out 🤣 pic.twitter.com/2hidFWyvN6— ITDUDE F.E.L.L.A (@The_Real_ITDUDE) March 30, 2026
Done for today. See you tomorrow!
_____
1 Larry Wilkerson has said even nukes would not finish off Iran given among other things limitations on where they could be deployed given fallout to Israel and the Gulf States. Professor Marandi stated that Iran would survive the destruction of Tehran.
2 I remain mystified as to how many otherwise intelligent people cannot see that negotiations are impossible prior to regime change.
3 In light of recent behavior of the Gulf States, it is not hard to see the China-brokered attempt at normalization between the Saudis and Iran as a combo of hedging bets by elevating China as a force in international affairs (as in making nice to China) and positioning Saudi Arabia to get more leverage with the US.
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Now brace for an even bigger oil shock (Ambrose Evans-Pritchard latest in Telegraph)
Plenty of data and analyst quotes.
—
Thank you Yves for your continuing wonderful work!
I learned recently that an important ingredient (methionine?) of poultry feed is made as a side product of refining the crude oil.
Apparently it makes them chickens grow 20% more and the stocks are running low.
The news just gets better and better, doesn’t it? But how many people believe in the tsunami about to hit us? Can’t even convince my own wife. By the way, you were correct in the name of that ingredient.
If the CIA or other gray eminences really wanted the war to end soon, they would give the IRGC the coordinates of the hide-outs of Netanyahu, Smotrich, Ben Gvir, Katz, et al., and let Iran do its own version of a decapitation strike. Iran may not have great intelligence within Israel, but the US must have a big presence. If the current Israeli leaders don’t want peace and Our Lord and Savior Mr. Market wants peace, “we” could arrange for their replacement as part of an under-the-table deal with the Iranians.
As a show of “good faith,” US would hsve to off these guys publicly. I don’t see Iran biting even if these were offered genuinely and they knew it.
Perhaps Iran would leave them alone, following Napoleon’s timeless strategic dictum. Modern Israel can do no worse to itself than to continue to allow these evil goons to have their way.
Nor can the US self harm more than to maintain it’s current leadership and direction.
“If the CIA or other gray eminences really wanted the war to end soon, they would give the IRGC the coordinates of the hide-outs of Netanyahu, Smotrich, Ben Gvir, Katz, et al., and let Iran do its own version of a decapitation strike. ”
Yes. One has to go to the source. The problem of Israel has become so intractable that it is overwhelmed by its very obviousness. Like white on rice. Wishful thinking may be fanciful, but at least it’s there, facetious or not.
Hello Yves , i do not think you saying the following is correct
” We’ll turn later to how even what now would be the best of bad options, that of the world slowly coming to grips with the reality of Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz and making transit arrangements. That would take some time to come into play, even so would result in a durable shortfall, since 50% of old transit levels is likely all that would result. As Stanislav Krapivnik pointed out, the loss of Gulf energy is equivalent to US plus Russian output. While both no doubt have some swing capacity, meaningfully increasing output is at a bare minimum three years away. That shortfall can be slightly blunted if the Houthis don’t bar Saudi Arabia from transporting some crude for shipment via the Red Sea.”
Surely Iran controlling the Hormus Straights is a much better option than the current state of affairs where the USA controlled the GCC and therefore controlled the Hormuz Straights , is it not better that the Hormuz Straights are controlled by locals , by locals i do not mean the synthetic countries set up in the 1970s by USA so they could control the oil , what i mean is Arabia and Iran and Iraq and Oman the real locals.
Do you not agree it is best these locals control the Hormuz Straits and the oil and other products coming from this area.
How would the USA like it if other far away countries controlled their wheat and oil and gas etc ? lets be honest , they wouldnt , they wouldnt stand for it , they would do exactly what Iran is doing.
You seem to miss:
1. The comparison is to the old normal
2. The GCC is not going to cooperate, which means even this scenario is optimistic and = a global depression, which will be an even bigger fall that the 1930s one due to fragile supply chains and dependence on Big Ag food, chips and whatnot. That means mass deaths and not just in Africa.
The GCC needs to get their heads screwed on straight. The US dangled a giant gold ring in front of the regional elites decades ago and they greedily grabbed for it. They used all the money to create modern day slave states where elites rule uncontested and the majority of the population is brought in from elsewhere to do the grunt work under dangerous conditions, a model current US tech bro elites would very much like to emulate.
The Persians have thrown a massive spanner into the works. The GCC business model is shot. Literally. The elites are slowly going bankrupt now, surrounded by a whole lot of very disgruntled people. They could see the writing on the wall here and cooperate with Iran. If they hold out thinking they’re going to recover their filthy lucre, they risk falling into the second stage of bankruptcy, where it happens all at once. And if they don’t get their heads straightened out, they risk losing those too, also literally.
They could do the whole world a favor by cooperating. But they will likely not cooperate. Nemesis will not be kind to them. Their ‘nations’ may well turn back into camel stops again.
The GCC rulers may have other pressures in their decision-making ability though.
MBS particularly was knee-deep in Epstein stuff. See for example:
Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s relationship with Saudi Arabia (CBS)
Whitney Webb has gone much further than that article, saying that MBS’s ascension to power was organised by Epstein (sorry no link, it’s from a podcast and I don’t have time to search).
Given the Gulf elites well documented proclivities when outside their homelands, I would assume Kompromat exists in Tel Aviv, London and Virginia for almost all of them.
And this leaves aside all the non-blackmail ways they are tied to and dependent on the West, it’s system and security services. They are not independent actors.
Interesting that the war is now an existential crisis for the GCC rulers. Will some of them be forced into exile? Who will have them, Argentina?
London, perhaps. But only if they successfully loot their countries to bring enough money and keep on the downlow when they’re here.
Two big ifs.
I read elsewhere that these GCC states may be trapped, due to the possibility of elites and royal families having their oversea assets frozen if they move forward with Iran
Yes, that is a very good point and pretty probable. They would need to go all together, not in onesies.
If I was amongst the elites and royal families of the GCC states I think I’d be worried less about frozen assets and more about going against people who think assassination of their opponents (along with family and friends of same) is perfectly acceptable.
lyman alpha blob: The GCC needs to get their heads screwed on straight.
Perhaps even if they wanted to they couldn’t. Someone in comments recently posited the notion of a join-only club. Members that try to leave experience very bad things.
The problem with Iran from the GCC perspective (Israel’s too) is that it is a semi-reasonable, democracy all things considered. Ex. Jews in Iran are citizens without any kind of millet system. Saudi wealth has gone to playgrounds for the elite and protection money to US defense contractors.
If the dopes in Iran can do it despite being Shiites, why can’t the Sunnis in X do it too? The Saudi elite do that whole “Americans are great routine” where we need the house of Saud to manage to poor tribals. Does anyone need a member of the House of Saud to sell oil? That is the question the GCC elites are loathe to answer. What if Israel isn’t a democracy?
The Israel situation involves the Israeli-Arab population. In the early oughts, the second class citizens and the Palestinians were projected to outnumber the Jewish population. At what point, would discussion of reparations start?
Hotel California. You can check out anytime you want but you can never leave.
It seems to me that Persian Gulf oil and gas exporters paying a dollar per barrel toll would be an outstanding outcome from this mess.
For one thing, that’s couch change compared to the amount of profits being made by the various oil market players. For another it would turn Iran into a powerful force that has an ongoing interest in keeping the Gulf open and ensuring that other countries and powers (looking at you, Israel) don’t mess with that.
Thanks to US sanctions, Iran and it’s population are the only ones in the area that have not been making heaps of money in the last few decades. I certainly can’t blame them for trying to turn that situation around, and I think the region will be better off by having the many educated and talented people in Iran helping to move the Middle East forward as we face the oncoming polycrises.
I know that various oil market players want to grasp their grubby hands around every penny no matter what the cost is to the rest of human civilization. I would like to see them chip into improving the overall situation for once.
Well, come on all of you, Epstein compromised strong men
Netanyahu needs your help again
He’s got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder adjacent to the promised land
So sail out the navy and gin up some funds
We’re gonna have a whole lotta fun
And it’s one, two, three
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn
Next stop is the promised land
And it’s five, six, seven megatons
Open up the pearly gates
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die
Well, come on Bibi, let’s move fast
Your big chance has come at last
Now you can go out and get those Persians
‘Cause the only good Iranian is one no longer casting aspersions
And you know that peace can only be won
When we’ve blown ’em all to kingdom come
And it’s one, two, three
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn
Next stop is the promised land
And it’s five, six, seven megatons
Open up the pearly gates
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die
Come on Wall*Street, don’t be slow
Why man, this is war a-go-go
There’s plenty good money to be made
By supplying the MIC with the tools of its trade
But just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb
They drop it with some aplomb
And it’s one, two, three
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn
Next stop is the promised land
And it’s five, six, seven megatons
Open up the pearly gates
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die
Country Joe Mcdonald – Feel Like i’m Fixing to Die Rag – Woodstock ’69
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRl6-bHlz-4&list=RDeRl6-bHlz-4
RIP Country Joe, who left us a few weeks ago. That Woodstock clip brings back poignant memories of our youth as well as the realization that, decades later, the shit foisted on us by our misleaders doesn’t change.
I’m so old I worked with his mom, Florence, on anti-war and local politics in Berkeley. She too was a most admirable person.
Perfect song, perfect adaptation.
Get me a Diet Coke and Laura Loomer.
I know what both those things are and I didn’t get that joke. Is it a play on “get me a whisky and my revolver” or simply that she’s nothing more than a drinking straw?
It’s the last line of the Trump’s Downfall comedy video featured at the end of Yves’ post above, just above the footnotes.
It was its use in the Downfall parody that I didn’t understand. :-)
>>>I think you know what we’ve seen discussed so far is a $2 million passage,
this value was essentially made up by Twitter for a Chinese ship. Yes, there was a toll but it’s unknown. expect any hypothetical toll to be substantially higher.
“….The transit was brokered by a Chinese maritime services company acting as an intermediary, which also handled the payment to Iranian authorities, Lloyd’s List understands. The exact amount and method of payment could not be confirmed….”
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156689/Chinese-boxship-pays-Iran-for-Hormuz-passage-as-corridor-traffic-grows
Malaysia has been told by Iran that itt doesn’t need to pay a toll
“Iran’s Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi has informed us that Malaysia is regarded as a friendly nation with strong diplomatic ties, and no toll is being imposed on Malaysian vessels,” Loke told reporters after an event on Tuesday, according to Bernama.
His comments come after the New Straits Times reported, citing Valiollah, that at least seven Malaysian-owned vessels are set to sail safely through the Strait of Hormuz within days. They would be allowed to transit the strait free of charge.
“We received information from Malaysia’s foreign minister that several Malaysian ships are in the Persian Gulf and want to pass through. We have considered this, and InshaAllah they will pass.
“It is no problem as Malaysia is a friendly country, and friendly countries can use the strait,” Valiollah told the English daily in an interview published on Tuesday. “Of course (Malaysian ships are free to pass). We will not charge,” he added.
Any connection between Trump’s speech tonight and that today is April Fool’s Day???
Who will be getting pranked, Iran? The US taxpayers? Europe? Planet Earth?
Thank you. I also noted an apt date for his statement this evening
There’s the April Fool’s Day connection people on the internet are quipping about and then today is also the Artemis mission launch.
“So what is Trump going to announce?”
It will probably include some attempts to get flags waving about the Artemis mission.
In the USA, April Fool’s Day was observed on February 28 this year.
Those villages that were forced to expel Shiite refugees imagine that they might be safe now. But as soon as the first Israeli settlements get built, they too will be bombed and pushed north of the Litani river. Those Settlers operate on the idea that if they can see villages that are not Israeli, then they do not “feel safe” and will demand that the government use the IDF to get rid of them. The more that they expand, the more they insist that “the others” be removed from their sight so that they may feel safe.
This is why I think the only ones in Lebanon who are really playing along with the Israelis are the Sunnis, who are both Gulf aligned and, I think, lack presence in the South. Public noises coming out of the Christians have been ambivalent, but not hostile towards Hizb’ullah, afaict.
First they came for my neighbour. Then they came for me.
The Southern Lebanese ought to be throwing that back in the Zionists’ faces and refusing their divide and rule.
What makes you think Israel will succeed?
We seem biased in favor of a military that has shown it is only effective at killing unarmed woman and children.
After this conflict has ended and the dust has settled, the US will be lucky to be a top 5 power. The incompetence and stark lack of intelligence (as in IQ), reasoning skills and strategic planning is so astounding that one assumes some multi-dimensional chess game is being played, but apparently not: it’s just what happens when a country whose number 1 virtue is greed is captured politically by the vilest degenerates. God, I’m going to be so sick of popcorn… 🎥 🍿
One gets the sense that US has been running on military brand fumes since 1945.
The Special Military Operation in Ukraine has surely stimulated a lot of interest and study among US military people. This conflict will do even more. I suspect that it will tarnish the attractiveness of the service academies as preparation for careers in the Armed Forces.
I’d put the general technical design complacency starting in the late 1960’s. Post Minuteman II and Boeing 747 designs.
I began to see the decline when the Challenger blew up. That space shuttle was a very flawed vehicle with those solid booster gaskets and those belly tiles.
But leaving behind a mess, as Trump is supposedly considering, is nothing new. Vietnam is remembered for the helicopter exit from the Saigon embassy, but Pol Pot was a creation of Kissinger’s invasion of Cambodia.
I’ve hesitated to cite Deagel’s last (prior to his death) post because it may well already have been analyzed here and I just missed it.
Any insights about his grim predictions that were posited to start last year?
Got a link? I’m unfamiliar with Deagel.
I can’t help but remember Nixon’s substance-free Peace Plan of 1968 and the subsequent Christmas carpet bombing of Hanoi in 1972. It didn’t work. Nixon resigned under threat of impeachment less than two years later. And Americans were forced to flee Saigon in a panic in April, 1975. Trump learned nothing.
https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/christmas-bombing-of-vietnam/
also throw in Desert One (1979). can’t believe an entire generation of Dem./Rep. Boomer (nothing personal) politicans and pundits lived throw this all, and still learned f….amily logging nothing
AiPAC money is one heckuva drug
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=desert+one
My memory of those times is that everything was because Jimmy Carter, without blame to anyone else, leaving the military’s “reputation” intact. Also, years afterward I recall some people (personal conversation) saying that if Carter hadn’t weakened the military . . .
Jimmy Carter didn’t become President until 1977, when it had been all over for years. Warmongers tried to create the narrative that “the US didn’t try hard enough,” which Hegseth has responded to with his calls for viciousness and no holds barred.
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The Nation of Israel is in an existential war, both the genocide in Gaza and the wider regional war have the vociferous support of almost all Israeli’s.
As much as I’d like to see Netanyahu and the gang gone it would make no difference, the Israeli’s who can flee will flee, those that can’t will fight to the end.
The possible outcomes of this insanity range from very,very bad to horrific.
It’s going to get messy here in the USA as Trump continues to decline and lash out, his Big Beautiful Ballroom is now on hold and he will take that very personally.
Trump is a Narcissist, EVERYTHING is personal to a narcissist.
no water = no fight.
Netanyahu is pushing through a new conscription bill that extends service term to 36 months while leaving Haredi exemptions largely intact. More tension buildup in the Israeli society.
You got to wonder how Haredi subsidies will be viewed by the rest of the society after the war, with diminished GDP and industrial production, and escalating costs of replenishing spent weaponry.
Netanyahu will probably increase their subsidies due to the pain and suffering that they experienced in this war and for all their hard work praying.
If he indeed survives this, then their prayers (+ his mobile bunker) worked!
It looks like the conscripts from the Summer of 2023 (the biggest recruiting cycle) should be getting out now. Those conscripts could have entered actual service in November 2023. I wonder how conscript training went this past month which would be the last month of a big cycle. That is probably why the IDF chief used the word collapse.
The Israeli’s need a Pogo moment…”We have met the enemy, and he is us.”
It may be difficult for Re Donald’s suject to agree, but nonetheless I can’t help but feel the best outcome for the world will be the eradication of Israel and it’s political leadership and their supporters,, the IDF, Mossad and the settlers – the vilest of the vile, whether by trial or by summary justice. Israel is the problem “exceptional nation” gaily tripping down the path to nuclear extinction of the rest of us unless some country or a combination of countries – Russia, China, Iran or even the US – begins the process of destroying it if only to enable the rest of the world to coninue to trade and co-operate in peace.
As anyone who has had an aging narcissistic parent with dementia will tell you, they maintain their enjoyment in being cruel to the bitter end.
Remember Trump burbling on about Iran giving him a big gift and everyone just assuming that’s his white matter losing ground? I think that was his inability to stay quiet and not crow about him and his family making the hundreds of millions on insider trading with his various flip flops. Duping delight at its finest.
Trump seems to want a way out. Combining Pezeshkian’s indicating Iran’s openness to negotiations and Araghchi’s comments to Al Jazeera about complete lack of trust makes me think they expect Trump to make some clear gesture in public. Tonight’s speech could be that. If DJT were planning another headfake I don’t think he would bother with the formality of a national address. Maybe he’ll make some reference to Easter to appeal to his Christian base…. Of course, a national address could also accompany a decision to send in the troops. A pretty binary option point.
Benedict Donald’s approval rating is pretty much relegated to evangs, why would he need to reassure them?
Easter gatherings. The Prosperity Gospel may use “end time” language, but they love conspicuous consumption more than anything. Ex. “Eating meat” to own the libs. The ballroom and gold is why they slurp Trump, but if they lose that option to revel in tacky, then they will get jumpy.
Without a narrative in place, they may start to question the President as the long Summer sets in.
There is probably overlap but the prosperity gospel and christian zionist groups are not really the same and neither includes, for example, Seventh Day Adventists, who center “end times” in their doctrine.
Reassure them that the war will continue until Jesus comes again on Easter Sunday. Or Pentecost. Or after that. As long as it takes.
The Iranian president is not like a US president or European prime minister. The Iranian president is more like a US city manager, an executive with authority over a discrete set of issues. The Guardian Council is the “real” decider
Agreed. But a decent messenger. Add in the Chinese-Pakistani communique calling for a ceasefire, and we have at least the window dressing of seeking peace.
This morning we have part of our answer from Trump — no ceasefire unless Hormuz is open and (paraphrasing) “we’ll come back periodically to blow things up”… This implies he may announce a drop in tempo and then go for a “mow the lawn” approach going forward.
With the Strait staying closed, of course the economic vise will keep tightening.
Pape thinks the structure of the thing is a forcing function towards escalation…
Please stop. This is a hopium free space.
Araghchi has consistently said that there are absolutely no negotiations happening and NO PLAN to negotiate unless and until Iran decides the time has come and even then that would require an official action.
Aragchi also said that the Foreign Ministry is in charge of the drill, there might be some trying to make informal contacts though other channels (security services, the military) but the Foreign Ministry is aware of all of them. So Pezeshkianis NOT a messenger.
This would not be the first time that Pezeshkian had gotten over his skis. He made some kind of sloppy remark before that got him criticized.
And I saw the tweet of his that is being misrepresented. It amounted to, yeah we might consider negotiating if our conditions are met and then restated what Iran has been saying it wants, including reparations, which are a non-starter.
The Iranian president has a similar role to the Shah under Mossadegh’s government. Just saying.
Somewhat disagree. He’s subordinate to the Supreme Leader, but so is the Guardian Council. Officially he’s the second highest ranking official in Iran, and he also heads the Supreme National Security Council, although it was only recently claimed that SNSC’s secretary, late Larijani, was the most powerful man in Iran…
I assume Iran has a dual (or triple if one counts Revolutionary Guards) government, clerical and secular. The clerical part doesn’t really care how the sausage is actually made as long as it’s halal.
At least from the passion the different sects in Iran approach the presidential election, I can only assume the president does actually wield some proper powers.
Dr Marandi says that the president of Iran doesn’t formulate or manage foreign policy.
The Supreme National Security Council formulates foreign policy. The president does not head the council.
The constitution of Iran begs to differ:
He also appoints the secretary of the council. While the accuracy of the translation may be questioned, Larijani’s bio does mention that Pezeshkian (as president) appointed him as secretary to council.
Larijani was also appointed by president Ahmadinejad, who apparently run foreign policy that, besides being still studied in the west, also made USA so mad they tried to bomb him personally.
I think that a national address would be pretty important to justify a decision to commit ground forces, the deficiencies in public communication prior to launching the war may have contributed to the public’s disapproval of it (though it’s hard to see how it could have been justified sufficiently convincingly to stimulate significant public buy-in).
It has been noted that DJT likes to keep options open. Ground intervention is a door that it may be hard to close, once opened. I hope that’s a strong consideration in the decision.
My assumption is that Trump is feigning a desire to negotiate as a subterfuge in place of a large coming attack.
My prediction for Trump address:
1. We have achieved all the objectives and will leave very soon. (Decimated/obliterated/stone age etc). There has been regime change.
2. Europe are very mean and I am seriously thinking about leaving NATO.
3. Hormuz is not my problem. The Euros need to deal with it. Also it will open by itself anyway when I leave. And if Iran doesn’t open it immediately I will destroyify them. But also none of this is a problem.
4. Oil prices will drop radically in a fraction of a Friedman unit.
5. Blah blah blah never make a nuclear weapon again blah blah saved the world.
6. As I said we are leaving very soon, but may pop back for occasional bombings probably
7. Possible tangents about evil Democrats and ballrooms.
8. This war is all Joe Biden’s fault, as he didn’t do the job in cleaning them out in shock and awe as we did.
And he sent all those bombs we aren’t running out of to Ukraine!
Polymarket says:
Ceasefire / Peace Deal 75%
Obliterated / Obliteration 82%
NATO 88%
Nuclear 97%
https://polymarket.com/event/what-will-trump-say-during-address-to-the-nation-on-april-1
So nothing changes.
You may be right, but this effectively keeps things as exactly as they are…until the US actually feels the pain. Which is about 2 weeks from now.
He attended the Supreme Court today, unprecedented among presidents, so I guess birthright citizenship’ll figure in #7.
Prediction?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL7B5GXdm-8
Trump will use this address to further try to fool the people of the US. He will make additional threats and let IRAN know that they will be invaded (yeah, right). He won’t pull back at all.
Cuba libre! Or Greenland being renamed Goldland.
Give him a Nobel Peace Prize already! FFS I told Norway to hurry up about it in December but would they listen?
I think he’s going to go on a ten minute unscripted rant about the terrible judge cancelling his ballroom, and will try to lean on the NASA launch as some “hey we can still do stuff” consolation prize, assuming the launch doesn’t go Challenger-shaped.
Bear in mind stock exchanges will be closed on Friday (Good Friday) and that’s why he will announce usual TACO stuff today instead of tomorrow.
Ignore, for some reason I thought today it’s Thursday. :-(
Hasbara there-done that.
Israel won’t allow any of the carnage inflicted on it be shown, but instead we get puff pieces such as rumors of their demise is greatly exaggerated~
I do not think dmr’s comment is hasbara. It fits with other anecdotal reports from commenters with contacts within israel, that the zionist PMC is still quite complacent. Whether such complacency is justified is to be seen. Their very strict censorship of damage seems to be working well.
The thought occurs to wonder what your assessment is of the current efficacy of Israeli anti-missile defenses, and the implications of that for the protection of vital civilian and military infrastructure.
Israel has never before been in a Mutual Assured Destruction relationship with any of its regional neighbors.
Surely something has profoundly changed.
You forget how small a country Israel is which means that there are a much smaller number of targets that are nonetheless critical in importance. How many major ports does Israel have? Two is it? And one major international airport. The same thing with their electrical grid, desalination plants, railways hubs, etc. Iran could have decided on a major blitz an hit it all at once which might have managed to panic the Israelis enough to reach for their nukes. So instead Iran appears to be doing a slow attrition of Israel’s infrastructure in a slow methodical way. The same way that Russia is attriting the Ukrainians.
In passing, you mentioned the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Didn’t the Iranians hit that place during the 12 day war? Oh, the humanity.
Perhaps something big is going to happen. Today, here in Italy, they just suspended the use of all amateur longwave and shortwave bands (1.8 to 29.7MHz) for national security reasons. Ostensibly, it is to prevent interference with military communications.
I have never seen something like this before.
I did a few news searches for radio onde corte oggi and nothing came up. Where is this coming from?
BillS and Bugs:
I also did a search in Italian and came up with nothing on Duck Duck Go.
Is it possible the Regione di Veneto shut down transmission after a breach of security at Aviano?
What are your local anarchists up to?
I received this memo today. It came from Rome, hence covers all of Italy; not just Veneto.
I also did a few searches and nothing came up. It was something that was decided suddenly and not announced to the press. I must admit that this has left me with a very ominous feeling. As DJG mentioned, maybe there was a breach of security at one of the bases.
You would need to keep those frequencies clear for your 1950’s-ers Continuity of Government broadcasting after the buckets of sunshine have been slopped around….
Or they are looking for (or hiding) something or someone broadcasting on the frequency.
After some investigation, it turns out that this is indeed a case of a “pesce d’prile!” I fell for it. Everything is as normal. Happy April Fools Day everyone!
Trump: Stupidly naive in 1987, stupidly naive and in the driver’s seat now.
Two scenarios: He walks, declares victory and we have a global recession, the instability results in more war-making soon.
or
Some grand further flattening of Iran serves as prelude to a withdrawal, much the same postwar scenario ensues.
Hate to pop anyone’s balloon, but all of this may WELL look like a win for Israel, which has captured more territory and left everyone around them in worse straits than before. Trump won´t be their first sacrificial lamb. (Hell, Americans are so addled, we don´t even know that this costs Trump so dearly.)
Hard to see a win for Israel since the Iranians will still be shooting at them because the Israelis will never cease to shoot at Iran. We are going to find out soon Israel’s capacity for pain when fighting a two front war. And you can bet that the Iranians will not abandon Lebanon. And will Trump be allowed to abandon Israel? So this war will go on.
Parsi made a case a little like mine for what might constitute a “win” for Netanyuhu the other day. (He also thought Iran had good reasons to negotiate while others weren’t so sure.) The idea was that if Israel set Iran back decades in development, they would have a freer regional hand, whatever the political consequences for Trump. I do think that this is, generally, Israel’s approach. And low-grade war is a constant for Israel–we have all grown dulled to such outrageous behavior, esp. in re: Lebanon. IMO a far greater state of multi-kulti democratic urbanity prevailed there and in Gaza 75 years ago than today. The idea that what Gaza’s mid-century modern ambiance gets replaced by settlers/Brooklyners and McDonald’s. . . talk about crimes against culture and humanity.
Which is why Israel will not agree. While the PR machines are making it seem like Iran is destroyed/near destroyed, most analysists with actual insight say Iran can keep up the current attack rate for another year if not more. Israel knows this, even if they don’t acknowledge it.
If the US bails they are on their own, and likely yo be destroyed.
Extricating Israel and Israelis from continual mortal danger may be tough going forward period; Netanyuhu and co. must be working overtime to keep us in place. The market may yet trump both Trump and Netanyuhu, though. April 21 looks like a date beyond which everyone throws up their hands and screams global depression and famine.
“And low-grade war is a constant for Israel.” But against Iran is not getting a low-grade war, where the only effort is to find targets, press the button and sit back and relax. Now they have to duck for cover and check the damages after the fact. No more lo-grade war, no sir. I don’t see Israelis bringing chairs and chaises longues, to watch the bombs dropping on… themselves, the way they did with Gaza…
I saw something yesterday about Kadyrov and the Chechens wanting to enter the war on the side of Iran if the US sends in the troops. The relevant portion is in the beginning of this Times of India YT post:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkJZ66rHQKg
Just imagine what a difference it would make to have the Chechens go into Lebanon right now.
I did see a claim that around 5 million Iranians have already volunteered to defend their country – that would be ~12% of the eligible male population, so a pinch of salt and all that.
But assuming it’s true, and assuming Iran can actually equip such an army, plus adding the one million Pastuns from Pakistan that recently made the promise Iran could in principle rise a rather huge an army. Chechens could be modern day Immortals…
The pashtuns are needed to keep the aki-stanis in check should they try anything cute.
The chechens might be needed to go into azerbaijan.
this thing will escalate a lot more
If Chechens appear in Azerbaijan, will they be under Russian or Iranian direction?
footnote 2 – read independently of its reference to Trita et al., is prescient.
There will need to be regime change for their to be negotiations – Regime change in the US and Israel and the GCC. This the first war where the US doesn’t even have a fig-leaf coalition.
“2 I remain mystified as to how many otherwise intelligent people cannot see that negotiations are impossible prior to regime change.”
It is meant as a general statement. Applies bigly to Mercouris.
Telling that actual diplomats like Chas Freeman clearly see that this will be settled on the battlefield.
Mercouris voice: “Iran should take the off-ramp that Russia is offering to act as an intermediary in negotiations, before the situation spirals out of control”
Got it…Putin, whom the US-raelis are trying to kill, is going to act as a referee/messenger to the Iranian leaders, whom the US-raelis are also trying to kill. Just as soon as they find out who those leaders are.
The Russians have gotten nowhere for an entire year and Trump had no political skin in the game on the Russia-Ukraine war. He could have screamed, “Biden’s war, Biden’s loss” and left. He couldn’t even do that.
Unilateral TACO would be ideal, but Israel and the NeoCons will have none of it. They’re clearly in charge.
Might not unilateral TACO be compatible with an Israeli shift in focus away from Iran to the annexation of southern Lebanon?
So Israel takes full fire from Iran while the US walks away?
What’s the upside for Israel!
If both the U.S. and Israel (eventually) were to end attacks on Iran, leaving Iran in control of the Strait of Hormuz etc., it would arguably be against Iran’s interests to shift to a policy of unlimited non-retaliatory strikes on Israel.
“We possess the necessary will to end this conflict, provided that essential conditions are met — especially the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression…The solution to normalizing the situation is the cessation of their aggressive attacks. ”
–Iranian President Pezeshkian, March 31
…as in “complete cessation of hostilities against armed organizations across the Middle East”.
Iran stops when Israel stops bombing Iran, Iraq, Gaza and Lebanon. Which likely is right about when the last Zionist uses his last bullet in an ultimate Samson option.
“…that this will be settled on the battlefield.”
That would make Russia an ideal mediator, I would think. Seeing as to how they understand that sentiment perfectly based on their experience in the Ukraine…. ;-)
More seriously, I wondered why the Iranians wouldn’t at least talk to somebody, but I figure that a) they’re adult enough (compared to the other side) that they’re not going to waste their time and b) while martyrdom is not frightening, I also suspect that they’re in no hurry to be the next batch that are murdered by the Epstein Empire.
Is it just me, or is there wider appreciation for the fact that Iran seems to have accomplished a very Trumpian move in getting shippers to make ‘safe passage’ payments to get through the Strait, and thus bolstering their own economy. I’m curious to see if this becomes a permanent feature of the mid-east oil business — it may be a price that other countries agree to pay to keep some sort of regional peace.
Perhaps DJT is incensed that he didn’t come up with such a solution?
I think he did demand free passage for US ships through the Panama Canal, which he built after all.
It’s a bolstered economy as long as their infrastructure holds. This madness with USA/Israel playing chicken with critical infrastructure does no one in the world any good.
My wife and I have learned a lot of geography in and around Iran.
Here’s a link to an OpenTopo map that I think is really good when trying to understand things.
https://opentopomap.org/#map=11/12.5800/43.4801
This takes you right to the Gate of Tears
Added to my reading list. Thanks.
from an airplane, the Appalachians look like hills. But on a road trip, you understand how formidable of a barrier it is on a human scale.
The Iranian mountain ranges are 50% to >100% taller than the Appalachians. try hiking that, lol
Excellent. No Israel just Palestinian Territories
War is how Americans learn geography, I first heard said about Iraq. Probably a saying from long before then.
The Lindsey graham new song is hard to believe. Yes I know it’s real statement, but hard to square it with all of his past statements.
And it leads in the same circle, is he for real if so what changed his mind, is it buying time for the markets, or an invasion, is he saying what Israel wants, who will trust any “peace” deal. Can substitute Trump as well.
If I had to put money down, this is all a diversion and they really will try some kind of invasion and massive bombing campaign in the near term. Because every time in the past with discussing of peace deals have all lead to bombings.
I guess time will tell
My guess is it’s electoral politics. South Carolina is home to several military bases and a decent sized Vet population. When Nancy Mace, who is running for Gov of SC, came out against boots on the ground in Iran I took that as a sign that the war wasn’t polling too well in SC. My guess Graham who wins more because of the R next to his name more than any deep popularity in the State is seeing similar polling and is toning down his rhetoric as a result.
Another point to consider: TMZ, who has a production team now assigned to DC, posted pictures of LG at Disney World over the last couple of days, holding what appears to be a pink scepter or bubble wand. The article make the connection that this was the same Senator Graham calling for boots on the ground while enjoying himself at the Happiest Place On Earth the very next day. That went viral.
Điện Biên Through
Trump Truth social bs update
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116329512466946656
Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!! President DJT
—-
Jennifer Lawrence asked me out for a drink but I told her that unfortunately I’m washing my hair tonight
I just got DM’d by Taylor Swift, asking me for a date, as well. I am a little worried about that Travis Kelce guy, but I think I can take him in a fair fight, despite being 59 years old and 172 lbs.
I’m pretty stoked about the Buffalo Bills finally winning the Super Bowl last month, as well.
Isn’t make-believe fun?
But make-believe is real, too.
INVENTING REALITY IS MY SPECIALTY!*
*Michael Parenti X Predator 2 quote mashup
“they’ve got to draw in their horns and stop their aggression, or we’re going to bomb them back into the Stone Age. And we would shove them back into the Stone Age with Air power or Naval power—not with ground forces”
General Curtis LeMay
Some other quotes from the godly general:
If we maintain our faith in God, love of freedom, and superior global air power, the future looks good.
There are no innocent civilians, so it doesn’t bother me so much to be killing innocent bystanders.
“We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality — judiciously, as you will — we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”
Karl Rove
I suspect that Western militaries are intently studying the (military) realities that the Russians and the Iranians have created.
It looks like the US didn’t bother to study the 12-day war. Until oversight is restored, the go along to get along general corps won’t reform as long as they have private golf courses.
I would politely disagree. Western – and especially the US militaries, are textbook examples of “learning and yearning to fight the LAST war all over again.” The US is still hooked on “shock and awe against feeble opponents.” They’re also set up more to make money for contractors and jobs for retired stars and birds.
Simple example – in ~3 years the Ukrainians and Russians have created massive strategies around drones, swarms of drones, and missiles, produced in ginormous quantities. Where is the US equivalent? I have seen at least two stories now of Ukrainian drone teams beating the snot out of NATO troops in exercises. But has the US fast tracked military drone production? Not that I’ve noticed, but I’m open to evidence otherwise.
Then again, drones don’t make big bucks for dotmil grifters, do they?
Wasn’t Mr. Zelensky just complaining that several Ukrainian companies have sold their whole (EU funded) production runs abroad? It’s not big bucks, but it’ll buy you a house on Côte d’Azur.
Maybe that’s the reveal in his announcement – we’ll find out that Juan Guaido was the long-lost ruler of Iran all along.
Thanks, Yves, and everyone else at Naked Capitalism for making it the must go-to site on the web for anyone desiring a realistic view of everything going on in the world.
Re dog wagging–perhaps one reason Israel has such a fan club among Trump and our other Masters of the Universe is that the United States itself is a kind of tail wagging a world population that is over twenty times larger. This is the theme of indi.ca and now of Iran itself. It was one thing for the British and other 19th c colonialists to control a still developing Third World with their Maxim guns but increasingly the billions have effective weapons that can fight back, up to and including nuclear. So the settler colonial colony in Palestine and the larger one in North America are profoundly out of date.
One certainly hopes that a WW3 won’t be needed to complete the work of WW1 and 2 in bringing the colonial era to an end. But the Iranians and their supporters are not wrong that a profound intellectual change is needed in the West. Netanyahu and Trump are grotesque but they are representative of their also expiring ruling class.
That was always part of the PNAC reasoning. The clock was ticking on the era of smash and grab, so we would need to stay and launch preventive wars. They forgot things need to be nice enough at home for people to feel invested in the colonial project. This could even be why guys like Kristol drifted towards the Democrats. They know things need to be a bit better to get their projects going.
The US, Israel, and the GCC elites were worried that people in those countries would notice Iran was getting better, Russia too – Don’t speak about China! – and asking the inevitable question: why do we need the billionaire class?
The US military says its 70-year-old B-52 bombers are now flying overland missions as air superiority expands over Iran
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-air-superiority-iran-b52-overland-flights-general-2026-3
Do we now find out if the Iranians really were holding back on their anti air defences?
Relatedly, Prof Marandi on Glenn Diesen a few days ago claimed Iran had been using decoys imported from China. Supposedly very good decoys that emitted proper radar signatures. Would be too funny if Chinese knockoffs play a key part in taking down America’s high-tech airforce.
Some, at least, taking off – purely defensively – from the neutral UK.
Wouldn’t landing ground troops and establishing a beachhead be more akin to Anzio, but lets call it AnZion.
Wake Island I, except we are cosplaying as the Japanese.
Very good analogy. The ragtag bunch of marines and contractors managed to sink 2 old destroyers before they ran out of ammo and Japan had to bring in their carriers. Japan took the island but at an almost comical price.
I still think it’s going to be a rerun of Dieppe.
Trump says Iran’s president asked for ceasefire, but U.S. wants Hormuz Strait open first
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/01/trump-iran-war-ceasefire.html
meaning deployment first?
Drone attack targets Kuwait airport, fuel tanks on fire
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/drone-attack-targets-kuwait-airport-fuel-tanks-on-fire-aviation-agency
Neutral Switzerland denies airspace for US military flights to Iran
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/neutrality/several-us-overflight-requests-rejected-by-the-federal-government/91192596?utm_source=multiple&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=news_en&utm_content=o&utm_term=wpblock_highlighted-compact-news-carousel
Greece to send anti-aircraft, anti-ballistic missiles to UAE
https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/01/greece-sends-anti-aircraft-anti-ballistic-missiles-uae/
UAE said pushing for military op to reopen Strait of Hormuz, is willing to take part
https://www.timesofisrael.com/uae-said-pushing-for-military-op-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-is-willing-to-take-part/
and
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/the-gulf/artc-uae-considers-military-role-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-by-force-report
Iran’s FM confirms contact with US envoy Witkoff, denies talks under way
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/31/no-truth-to-us-iranian-negotiations-irans-fm-tells-al-jazeera
OPEC oil output plunges in March to its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/opec-oil-output-plunges-march-war-forces-export-cuts-reuters-survey-finds-2026-03-31/
Netanyahu attacks the Israeli media in a statement, blaming them for “demoralizing the people”.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/qd5mlq690
Indian company buys 2 china bound LPG tankers in the arabian sea from UAE
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/city-co-stops-2-china-bound-ships-buys-50000mt-stock/articleshow/129910827.cms
The Malaysian government has entered “crisis mode”, transport minister warns of ‘very, very serious’ energy crisis
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3348624/malaysian-minister-warns-very-very-serious-energy-crisis
IDF eliminates head of engineering branch of Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps in Iran
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/40dhqcl7o
Anthony Albanese to urge Australians to ‘play their part’ in Iran response in TV address
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-01/anthony-albanese-address-to-nation-fuel-iran-war-mid-east/106520468?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link
the fact that Aragchi even spoke with Witkoff is a bad sign for Iran as there is exactly zero to gain and they can work out his coordinates.
Contact has been made (messages have been exchanged) is a very vague statement. I don’t see how that supports anything much at all, let alone the ability to target his location.
While I agree I don’t see what this would accomplish, it appears to be a low risk event.
Yeah, “spoke with” is very different from “messages exchanged.”
Witkoff: Abbas, buddy, can we talk?
Araghchi: Consume feces and assume room temperature, Steve.
Witkoff: C’mon, Abbas, it’s all a misunderstanding!
Araghchi: Kiss off, Steve.
Witkoff: As a show of good faith, tell me where you’re at and I’ll be right there and we can talk about this in person!
Araghchi: We’re not falling for the ol’ “banana in the tailpipe” again, Steve.
Witkoff: Pretty please, Abbas? We just want to talk.
Araghchi: Talk to the hand, Steve.
Witkoff: Honest, Abbas, we’ll make it all up to you. It’ll be different this time, I promise.
[User Araghchi has left the chat]
Witkoff: What’s this? A restraining order preventing contact? Abbas, you [family blog]er! We’ll get you, those slippers, AND your little dog too!!!!
Prob more like this:
Witkoff to some third country FM: Could you pass message to Aragchi that we want to talk.
3rd country FM passed the message.
Aragchi to the 3rd country FM: No.
So, yes, “a message” has been passed.
More like this please!
Hopefully I’m understanding the request properly.
Araghchi: Get off my [familyblog]ing lawn, Steve, the RO says to stay 750 feet away.
Witkoff: Abbas, we just want you to open the Straight up.
Araghchi: It’s “Strait,” Steve, and it is open.
Witkoff: Not to everyone, Abbas.
Araghchi: We have good lawyers, the firm of Missiles, Mines, and Drones, and the RO also includes “minions,” Steve.
Witkoff: We can talk about lifting sanctions, sorta!
Araghchi: Blow your talk out of your fourth point of contact, Steve. Not that you have any sort of military experience, unlike myself.
[Kushner enters the chat]
Kushner: I wanna buy dirt! Cheap!!!!
Witkoff: Jared, you’re not helping.
Kushner: Lots and lots of dirt! Cheap! So my minions can develop it for ME!
Araghchi: What is WRONG with you people?
Witkoff: Abbas, buddy, what’s wrong with talking? We talked a lot!
[Netanyahu enters the chat]
Netanyahu: BOOM!!!! BOOM!!!! BOOOMMMMM!!!!!!!!
Araghchi: Sorry, Steve, can’t hear you over the sound of more of our civilian infrastructure being destroyed and innocent little girls being murdered.
Witkoff: Bibi, you’re also not helping!
Netanyahu: BOOM!!!! BOOM!!!! BOOMBOOMBOOM!!!!
[Trump enters the chat]
Trump: We’ve won! We’re gonna Win. We’re almost Winning, so bigly, like we always DO! Iran’s a bunch of LOSERS, they’re just too STUPID to know it! Because that’s how Stupid People are! LOSER STUPID PEOPLE! WE WIN! And NATO’s a bunch of sissies! Thank you for your attention to this matter!
[Trump has left the chat]
Netanyahu: BOOM!!!! BOOM!!!! BOOMITY BOOMITY BOOM!!!!!
Araghchi: Steve, you know the terms and conditions we want. Stop bombing us, promise not to bomb us in the future, pay for all the shooting you have done, we get the Strait, and you and your minions get off our lawn.
Witkoff: But Abbas –
Netanyahu: BOOM!!!! BOOM!!!! BOOM!!!!! Onward Christian Soldiers!!!!!
Araghchi: Bye, Steve. Don’t let the Gates of Hercules hit you on the way out.
Jared: DAD SAID I COULD HAVE DIRT!!!!
[User Araghchi has left the chat]
Netanyahu: BOOM!!!! BOOM!!!! BOOMITY BOOMITY BOOM!!!!!
Witkoff: Bibi, really not helping here….
Thank you OL, those were hilarious! 😂
Thank you Ann for these ongoing supplemental links!
Regarding Malaysia. we are in la la land here. Monster normalcy bias. Which helps me since pretty much no one is stockpiling. I am getting a year+ of everything I can that is in plastic that I use regularly since that will becomes scarce, as well as foods (canned fish, oils, nuts, pickled cabbage and beets, soy sauce, beans, protein powder, mouthwash, toothpaste, cleaning products, getting mini freezer to get more frozen stuff like berries and spinach…..my poor little unit now has many stored items).
Get a load of this….the tourist bureau is modeling different scenarios for the baht as if life will otherwise be as usual: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3228245/stronger-baht-hurts-travel
In the meantime, jet fuel shortages have yet to start, yet per local radio. hotel bookings, which are usually 70% to 80% of full occupancy at this time of year, are at 20%.
>we are in la la land here
Here too with most people I meet. I had several conversations this week with people planning to open or expand businesses to cash in on Da Nang’s rapid expansion as a tourist destination.
At most they might accept that there will be a “slight blip” in the coming months. A couple thing it will be bullish for DN as “all the Dubai Westerners will come here instead” [nonsensical on so many levels].
Spoke today with a very well-informed, smart, rich guy. He can grasp that America is losing, but cannot grasp the implications. The paradigm shift is too big. Told me he’s about to open a bunch of fancy yoghurt shops. Very much of the “Trump will TACO then it’ll all go back to normal” school.
Government still making bold construction and development announcements.
“Monster normalcy bias” is a good description.
Don’t forget light bulbs, and not just the standard ones either. Light bulbs for specialty fixtures as well.
I’m not sure if this is still the case, but a word of potential caution from someone who also posts links and who very much appreciates your contributions. From the site’s Policies page:
Everything I post these days goes into moderation (even when it’s just something as simple as a two character emoticon) so it might not be a bad idea to break up comments with lots of links.
don’t take it personal – it’s just the way it is –
I definitely don’t take it personally. But it does bum me out knowing that every comment I make ends up creating work for someone else. :(
From that Telegraph article that Ben Panga recommended-
‘The US imports eight million barrels a day (b/d), either refined products or heavy crude to balance its refineries. It has four times the petrol dependency per capita of the UK. Internal US prices of jet fuel, diesel, fertilisers, sulphur and aluminium are all shaped by the Gulf through global markets.’
All of this is what Bessent should be telling Trump, especially as the Midterms hove into view and his need to know. But you have to wonder if Bessent would be actually saying this to Trump. Maybe such news would not be welcome causing Trump to shoot the messenger. Or perhaps by now the entire Cabinet is trapped in a form of group-think where they believe that they have almost won the war and all these problems will just go away.
Yeah but the “rational” markets say otherwise: Oil is down, S&P way up. It’s like Tony Montana doing one more blast of cocaine before the inevitable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJUt_x0gwug
Yes, Asia will bid to the moon to get the crude it needs. Some of that supply will come from the US. Oopsie!
Nuclear Batteries Could Change Everything, And China Is Already Ahead
https://www.bgr.com/2132390/china-nuclear-batteries/
Canada’s finance minister aims to shore up support, investment in China
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canada-finance-minister-champagne-china-visit-trump-tariffs-trade-9.7149228
Asia ramps up use of dirty fuels to cover energy shortfall triggered by Iran war
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/01/iran-energy-crisis-asia-dirty-fuels-coal
Nuclear electric batteries were a common feature in H. Beam Piper’s Federation series of stories in the middle of the last century. Science fiction again working toward becoming science fact!
Nuclear batteries: expensive, and low power.
“The first battery that the company plans to launch is the BV100, which it claims will be the world’s first nuclear battery to be mass-produced. Measuring 15mm by 15mm and 5 mm thick, the battery can generate 100 microwatts, with a voltage of 3V. The company plans to launch a 1-watt battery in 2025.”
https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/nuclear-battery-chinese-firm-aiming-for-mass-mark (16 January 2024)
“BetaVolt’s nuclear battery lasts for decades, but you won’t see one in your next iPhone—powering a mobile device would require a cell the size of a yak.”
https://www.wired.com/story/is-this-50-year-battery-for-real/
Also, no indication from a cursory Google search that Betavolt’s actually producing anything commercially yet.
Part 1 (of 3) of an interview with Alastair Crooke from Forum Geopolitica
https://forumgeopolitica.com/article/this-is-an-asymmetric-war-iran-has-prepared-for-decades-interview-with-alastair-crooke-part-i
Thanks for the link. Very informative on strategic thinking and technical matters. At the end a statement on the moral aspects:
“… And I think the other thing to say is that what is different in this war is on the American side, there are no restrictions. Legality, human rights questions, the United Nations, all of this is gone. Its might is right. And that’s how it is. And, however, Iran continues not to follow that pattern. They follow a pattern of escalation. If they are attacked at one certain sort of type of target, then they attack back and escalate at the same time. So it’s a step and escalation to deter America and Israel from going down this path. So those things are certainly a big difference and change in warfare. A bit scary. No rules, maelstrom, genocide, all of these things. The kidnapping of leaders, killing of leaders, decapitation, murder. I mean, a long time ago, wars were sort of a ritual. People would line up and there were rules and someone would say, OK, the battle starts. We moved to the other extreme.”
Thank you, leaf, for this link, really interesting commentary from Crooke about what Iran learned from studying how US typically behaved in earlier conflicts, then developing effective strategies for countering them effectively.
PSA…not trying to pick on anyone :)…
It’s a strait, not a straight…
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strait
In other water related terminology, in the PMW we have “sloughs” which is pronounced as “slew”, not “sluff”
Damned strait!
Strait up, G
🤙
I’ve been in Dire Straits over this very issue, but working in American “education*” has numbed me to English language abuse.
*speaking of “money for nothing….”
And you don’t even get your chicks for free.
Straight is the gait, and few there be that find it.
Whoa, hit the breaks there partner.
Thanks. Now do rein and reign ; )
Blame it on a voice-to-text app that’s not smart enough to suss out t he context.
Yay for the Pacific Morthwest!!
‘Elijah J. Magnier 🇪🇺
@ejmalrai
Breaking News:
Israel reports that 48 officers and soldiers were wounded over the past 48 hours in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The cumulative toll now stands at 309 casualties among officers and soldiers, including 23 in very serious condition.’
Sooo, is the US still demanding that the Lebanese Army disarm Hezbollah? Just read that the Lebanese Army is now abandoning the south of that country.
Incredibly though, not a one unalived according to the Zionist entity. Or perhaps ‘very serious condition’ is a euphemism for ‘no longer fogging a mirror’.
That’s a very serious condition you’ve got there. I’d prescribe something for it, but our main pharmaceutical lab is not developing anything necessarily to it’s advantage at the moment.
“if the belligerents instead try to destroy Iranian energy assets, Iran will unleash a wave of destruction across the Middle East”
This is the reason why the Hormuz toll plan can only be a temporary set up at best.
The US is in a zugzwang, might want to destroy O&G supply to get at China, are deeply conditioned by their myth of redemptive violence, and in any case can be led up the escalation ladder by Israel which has no acceptable endgame that is compatible with Iran’s.
I’m trying to make the point that Iran’s facilities will inevitably be bombed, and thus Iran will bomb the GCC’s O&G facilities. There won’t be anything left to ship out of the Persian Gulf.
It might be Krapivnik that recently was saying along these lines: the family autocracies around the Gulf extracted what they could from the O&G, made their fortunes, and will not dilapidate it after the hostilities by rebuilding infrastructures for resources that now have EROEI (energy return on energy invested) much lower than decades ago and actually too low to economically support rebuilding costs.
Many people have made the point that there is no social cohesion in these family autocracies, and I think I heard on the Duran that capital flows from the Gulf into Hong Kong went parabolic since the beginning of the war.
I believe the countries and borders in the vicinity of the Gulf won’t be the same after the dust settles.
Wilkerson was talking with Nima yesterday about Iran having attacked only primary targets, like US bases and oil refineries. Still readily available are secondary targets like Ras Tanura, which is Saudi Arabia’s major export loading facility with a capacity of 9 million barrels per day. If secondary targets get destroyed, opening of the Strait would be moot.
In Colonel Wilkerson’s interview with Nima, Wilkerson compares Hegseth and Trump to Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. Around the 46:00 mark, I literally laughed out loud when Wilkerson says Hegseth ought to wear the Darth Vader helmet and imitate the breathing through the respirator. Check it out for a laugh.
I am convinced the analogy is insufficient. What exactly was so evil about the “evil” Galactic Empire, symbolized most prominently by Darth Vader and the Emperor? In A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and The Return of the Jedi, I don’t recall too much plot or character development to portray the depths of their malice. There was little to no role of greed in the characterization of the Empire’s motives. Sure, they nuked Alderaan, but the rebels did plenty of purposeless destruction too. As for Vader’s supposed evil, he asphyxiated a high ranking military official because Vader found “[his] lack of faith disturbing.” That’s nothing. Dark Helmet from Spaceballs went straight for the groin, and then while playing with dolls, implies he has fantasies of killing the rebels and raping Princess Vespa. Despite the silliness of Spaceballs, Dark Helmet’s actions would be an apt analogy for those depraved Jewish supremacists who have a fascination with raping, humiliating, and killing Palestinians and now Lebanese too.
By the way, I really don’t care for the entirety of Star Wars. When I was a kid, I thought the first three movies were amazing, but when I re-watched it as an adult, I concluded these movies were pretty terrible. The soundtrack, however, is truly amazing. If we ignore how cliché The Imperial March is and how incompetent the Galactic Empire is, the Imperial March is quite menacing and intimidating, especially when a full orchestra is playing it.
That music was the work of John Williams who did a ton of other music for films like “Jaws”. “The Towering Inferno”, “ET”, “Indiana Jones”, “Jurassic Park”, “Saving Private Ryan”, the first 3 Harry Potter films, etc. etc. etc.-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Williams
In an interview with the judge I listened to this morning Chas Freeman referred to Baghdad Pete as the Secretary of War Crimes.
I should have made some recommendations for John Williams. For Star Wars specifically, check out The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. For John Williams, check out John Williams In Vienna where Williams himself conducts and Celebrating John Williams with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Fully captured are the grandeur of the Jurassic Park theme, the swashbuckling of the Raiders of the Lost Ark march, and the epic atmosphere of the Superman theme. Whenever my kitchen timer rings, I hear the Superman theme (the one from In Vienna). It makes something very ordinary like the finished beans cooking on my stove feel epic. If you have good speakers in your bathroom and you played the Superman march, it would feel like the fate of the entire universe rested on the outcome of your bowel movement.
the problem with the zugzwang analogy is that it applies to almost everyone on the planet now, but the GCC more so than the US. Iran can hope for an outcome better than the status quo ante only if they keep fighting until their objectives are met. Short-term pain for long-term gain.
US “might want to destroy O&G supply” and “can be led up the escalation ladder” doesn’t seem to square with “Iran’s facilities will inevitably be bombed.”
To my regret I have dealt with Dementia cases similar to Trump’s, there’s not much left their except reflexes.
Reflexive cruelty, reflexive greed, reflexive rage at those who do not instantly comply in a groveling manner.
Everything is personal and there are no boundaries.
Oh shit.
Muscle memory and a script from Susie.
He’s confabulating due to the dementia – filling in the gaps in his memory with lies that he 100% believes. Between that and the smell, having to be his handlers must be an awful job.
I have never read such incredible blather:
Amazing that someone would even think this, let alone write it down for a national audience.
The “Arab Israeli conflict” consists of Israel wanting to take over the entire Middle East. The “largest state sponsor of terrorism” is the US, who started every recent major war and who spends 50 cents of every weaponry dollar spent on Earth.
It does seem like likely that this war is going to neutralize the largest state sponsor of terrorism, though. A good thing if it happens.
Iran says Trump’s statements on Tehran requesting ceasefire are false and baseless
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-says-trumps-statements-tehran-requesting-ceasefire-are-false-baseless-2026-04-01/
but we knew this already
@ Tom Stone
Donald Trump is ‘gone’ ex-backer of President warns: ‘The brain’s not doing too hot’
http://pennlive.com/news/2026/04/donald-trump-is-gone-ex-backer-of-president-warns-the-brains-not-doing-too-hot.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=redditsocial&utm_campaign=redditor
Lol, thanks! Alex Jones,
“We need to be sad about Trump,” he continued. “This is not funny. This is not good. But he’s gone, and that’s it. And all the people rallied around him, you can see (Pete) Hegseth’s freaked out. You can see the press secretary is freaked out. They’re being loyal. They think it’s the lesser of two evils and OK. But Trump needs an intervention. Needs to take some time off. We need to pray for Trump and that the Holy Spirit takes his heart and loosens him from whatever evil control he is under, and I’m being serious. I think that’s the answer. We need to pray for President Trump.”
Man overboard!
you can see (Pete) Hegseth’s freaked out.
Is Pete leaking to Alex Jones?
@ Tom Stone
….blaming others….
Donald Trump Wonders Aloud if His Bad Publicity Is Karoline Leavitt’s Fault: ‘You’re Doing a Terrible Job’
https://people.com/donald-trump-wonders-to-karoline-leavitt-face-if-bad-publicity-is-her-fault-11940286?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=photo&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=69cd2b13dc8c770001b1949c&fbclid=IwY2xjawQ6DC9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEel-f-em-0whNPnWrpfEK64i_1dsAEPu83LlQJPaRFpRCPXAsh7V1Q3eN8vdM_aem_YESMxLz-zhvjqjz0P34YfQ?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com&utm_content=post
another one under the bus – wonder who’s next?
BTW Ann – everything from “?” on is unnecessary and is an identifier of you not the link – this is the one that is sufficient –
https://people.com/donald-trump-wonders-to-karoline-leavitt-face-if-bad-publicity-is-her-fault-11940286
Jabura Basadai, is it always this way? Can I always delete the stuff past the “?”
I can say yes, always.
Not on every website, but for news webpages, you can often delete the ? and everything after.
yep – like they wrote – everything after ? is tracking stuff – sometimes but very rarely is the stuff after ? necessary –
And it’s easy to test. Paste the url into a text file, lop off the question mark and all that trails it, then paste that into your browser address bar to verify it takes us where you want us to go.
Maybe Ms. Leavitt could take some pointers from Ms. Ri Chun-hee
Don’t ask me why but I do like her performances. Think that she could get a gig at the White House?
I can guess why as to Ms. Ri’s appeal. Enthusiasm, fully on board with the mission of her country. I mean, if you’re gonna act, ACT.
US to leave Iran ‘pretty quickly’ and return if needed, Trump tells Reuters
What does “I’ll take everybody with me” mean?
One thing that the US produces a very small fraction of is drugs IIRC India supplies a lot of our generic drugs and drug precursors and they are a little short on feedstock. Also Iran hit Israel’s generic drug plant. But no worries US has all the powdered raccoon baculum we need https://www.dorfonlaw.org/2026/04/rfk-jr-and-dr-oz-double-down-on-raccoon.html
(skip the first paragraph)
“Teva Pharmaceuticals is the largest generic drug manufacturer in the world.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teva_Pharmaceuticals
MY GUESS FOR TRUMP’S 9 PM talk TONIGHT:
Trump’s talks and Truth Social messages are all timed to coincide with the stock market – which has soared for the last few days.
He’s not going to make a speech that collapses the markets on Thursday – with these markets being closed on Good Friday. So …
Trump will announce America’s huge aircraft and sea armada, and announce that he’s giving Iran 24 hours.
That will be AFTER the stock market closes for the week.
If he attacks, huge stock-market gains for insiders.
If he claims that an agreement has been made – Iran will let ships use the canal, for a stipulated payment. This may not be $2 million.
DOC HUDSON HAS LOCKED IN HIS GUESS 🔒
DO WE HAVE ANY MORE PREDICTIONS FOR TRUMP’S SPEECH TONIGHT?
WILL OPERATION MARKET FURY BE A STOP OR GO 🚦 ?
WILL AMERICA UNITE IN REVOLUTION AGAINST THE EPSTEIN EMPIRE AND JOIN THE REST OF THE GLOBAL PATRIOTS?
#HUDSONHAWK
I’m also expecting some rah-rah about the Artemis mission.
Trump’s speech has absolutely nothing to do with what will happen next–maskirovka. Only rubes (Wall Street traders) think it is indicative of something.
Trump will decide to pull the trigger (or not) only after watching Faux News and getting a massage from Bibi.
You may be right on most of this, but I see no chance of the last item (the toll-booth option) being viable.
Only nations that are friendly to Iran get this option. Way too many countries will still be fully locked out. So even if the markets initially believe anyone can use the passage for a price, it will only take a statement from Iran that this is not the case to show that Trump is lying again.
The coming market crash cannot be avoided, at this point the war has gone on too long and the damage is baked in.
Why everyone tries to predict what Trump is going to say, rateher than what orders will be given and executed on the ground?
huge stock market gains for insiders selects itself, so he will attack
DING DING DING
🛎️
WE HAVE A WINNER, JONNY!
OIL & GAS GO UP
AMERICAN 🇺🇸 ECONOMY GO DOWN
Donald Trump’s Presidency Is in Free Fall
https://newrepublic.com/article/208446/donald-trump-presidency-free-fall
DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse purchases amid review of Noem-era contracts
https://apnews.com/article/mullin-noem-immigration-ice-warehouse-detention-warhouses-0141f54a48a47b1a6753aeaecc1b640b
Secret Chaos at Bondi’s DOJ Over Trump’s $10B Suit Exposed
https://www.thedailybeast.com/secret-chaos-exposed-at-attorney-general-pam-bondis-doj-over-trumps-10b-suit/
Less secret chaos at Kristi Noem’s house. Are all the ICE warehouse’s for the big titty vests?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15695627/Shocked-Trump-reacts-Kristi-Noems-crossdressing-husband-Daily-Mail-blew-lid-national-security-scandal.html
I thought this was an April Fool initially. :-) Sorry for lowering the tone if NC is above salacious gossip. :-)
Paraphrasing the inimitable Morgan Freeman:
“what’s in YOUR closet?”
LOL! Thanks for the laugh, much needed.
My prediction for tonight is Trump waffling about how the war is won and he’s winding down ops. This would give the markets a good boost and on Friday evening he will insert the ground troops and capture some of the disputed UAE Islands or Chabahar port like HistoryLegends says. 🫠
On Monday, he will announce Iran’s oil is captured like VZ so Mr. Market will stay happy! 😅
Or surviving invaders will be captured, then Trump announces if their families want them they can go and get them just like US allies can go and re-open the Strait if they want.
In biblical terms, today is Holy Wednesday or sometimes called Spy Wednesday, as it was the day Judas partnered with the Pharisees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Now, how does that pertain to Galligula’s speech?
Friday is a market holiday…so Trump can give the go signal on Thursday afternoon! He has a whole extra day!
JD Vance’s demon talk is lame youth outreach: Hopping on the “KPop Demon Hunters” trend won’t save the vice president’s career
https://www.salon.com/2026/04/01/jd-vances-demon-talk-is-lame-youth-outreach/
France tells US NATO serves Euro-Atlantic security, not Hormuz offensive missions
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-tells-us-nato-serves-euro-atlantic-security-not-hormuz-offensive-missions-2026-04-01/
Trump, in historic first, attends Supreme Court arguments on birthright citizenship
https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-historic-attends-supreme-court-arguments-birthright-citizenship/story?id=131610905&cid=social_twitter_abcn
My bet is that he hurls some base epithet in the midst of proceedings
“Mr. Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments at the court, watching from the courtroom’s public gallery as the justices across the ideological spectrum questioned his efforts to strictly limit birthright citizenship. … He stayed for a little more than an hour, hearing the government’s side of the case before returning to the White House.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/us/politics/trump-supreme-court-visit.html
No mention of him saying anything. My guess is we’ll hear about it in his upcoming address.
“Consider also a new story from the New York Times: Israel’s Message to Southern Lebanon: Shiites Must Go”.
Especially noticing that framing in the headline after reading Conor G’s post today. Not Hezbollah…but Shiites.
“The right of Israel” became “the right of the Jewish state” all the time about 15 years ago. That wasn’t an accident either.
I suspect the Shia and increasingly the Sunnis too would rather liquidate Likud instead.
Lebanese Sunnis, or at least their leaders, are Gulf aligned and, afaik, not present in the south, so they are, as I see it, rather Israel-friendly. Now, Christians, historically the dominant faction in Lebanon, do have considerable presence in the south. It would be amusing to see the Christians and the Shia join to resist Israel–and also note that the biggest Christian group in Lebanon, the Maronites, are Catholic and have a big presence in France. This could get quite interesting. (The Lebanese president, who, constitutionally, is a Christian (and almost invariably a Maronite, has been making sone interesting noises.)
Humiliated Trump Storms Out of Catastrophic SCOTUS Hearing
https://www.thedailybeast.com/humiliated-trump-storms-out-of-catastrophic-scotus-hearing/
Donald Trump abruptly exited the Supreme Court on Wednesday after some of his own conservative justices did not appear convinced by his bid to upend birthright citizenship in America.
Trump made the unprecedented decision to sit in on oral arguments, staring down the court’s nine justices as they quizzed his lawyers on one of the most consequential constitutional questions they face this year: whether all children born in the United States can continue to automatically receive citizenship.
But after less than 90 minutes of watching several of his own handpicked justices tear his arguments apart, the president abruptly left.
Josh Blackman over at The Volokh Conspiracy thinks he should have stuck around for the second inning to watch “…some tough questions posed for Cecilia Wang, counsel for the ACLU.”
https://reason.com/volokh/2026/04/01/april-1-2026/
The Supremes seem to be more balanced – in the Oregon Court of Appeals if all the questions are coming your way it’s not a good sign for your case.
Other sources – eg BBC, NYT, NBC, CNN, Independent – simply say he left.
He did post “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” on Truth Social. (More than thirty countries have similar policies.)
I’m sure that he stared down “his judges” attempting to scare them. Comey ripped a new one for the Solicitor General around a defective argument so I think it’s over for Trump and the MAGA racist clique on droit du sang.
After that stunt, he’ll only get the benefit of the doubt from Thomas and Alito. My reflexive Midwest lawyer hopium makes me dream of how Roberts might put together an ad hoc tribunal for the corruption and war crimes. I’m sure there are thoughts of that in some of their minds. These are, for the most part, very serious people.
Excellent interview from The Cradle with Chas Freeman here.
He covers a lot, much of which is also discussed in this post. But do note at around the 1:09:00 mark where he mentions how the Zionist entity lobby went after him. At some point someone created a twitter account in his name which was used for a year or so to spit out offensive anti-semitic vitriol. A friend notified him of it, it was eventually taken down, and he found out it had been established in Tel Aviv.
The Zionist entity has become nothing but Assassinations R Us, character or otherwise. The 78 run they’ve had has been more than enough.
Speaking of the “Zionist entity lobby” and considering that the U.S. Congress has been described as “Israeli occupied territory”, this is worth a gander: https://www.trackaipac.com/congress
Thanks for the link. I do believe all of Calif. has sold out.
Entire Congress, with the exception of only 21 Reps and Sens. At least all (most) of the “Squad” members are AIPAC resistant.
Fools rush in again, but I understand that IRGC claims to have struck 6 Landing Craft Utility (LCU) in Kuwait and destroyed them, as well as taking out some marines. I do not believe that this is confirmed. If true, and if they were thinking about some kind of amphibious invasion, well, not sure where they get the boats. If they try to bring in people with helicopters or paratroopers, I don’t know how they get past the drones, missiles, and fixed AD. I wonder if this no US ground war talk is because they realize that they can’t go in without getting completely wiped out, so they are switching to trying to cook up an insurgency or two using special forces, maybe out of UAE or Balochistan? I think the Kurds are remaining on the sidelines, but maybe with the right $$$ incentive, they would go on-line.
The Kurds have a lot at stake, and I would bet they stay out of this. Iraqi Kurdistan is semi-independent and relatively well off due to oil money. Some youtube video (sorry, no reference, I have terrible trouble keeping track of video utterances) said Iraqi Kurds have a better prospect of prosperity than at any time in the last 30 years. Also they have witnessed at least one Iranian missile attack on Erbil, one that, according to Col. Wilkerson, was stunningly accurate. This is not exactly the kind ground level combat that Kurds have seen before and that they rather specialize in. They cannot “graduate” to take up the new kind of warfare. They do not have, and the US cannot provide the Kurds with the kind of technology to fight an ISR based war. Choosing the wrong side could be an almost extinction level event for the Kurdish economy and maybe for the ethnic group itself. Because most other people in Iraq hate, hate, hate the US, the Kurds would be risking their relative autonomy within Iraq and with it their oil money. And then there is the fact that every time the Kurds fight for the US, the US betrays them.
And if the Kurds moved meaningful forces into Iran, other neighbours in Iraq (plus probably Turkey) would seize the moment to push them from behind out of Iraq.
Going into Iran would be going into a two front killing field and risking dispossession and annihilation. Staying in Iraq means making money on oil transfers. You choose!
There is more chance if Iran persuading the Iraqi Kurds to invade Turkey, at least in a low-kevel harrying way.
“I’ll take everyone with me.”
– Trump
Hitler in the bunker?
Not sure where he’ll put ’em, since the Ballroom is on temporary hiatus.
Maybe he is repeating what Nutty Yahoo told him in December?
If the market stops responding to the decrees in a more or less one-to-one manner (“Well, the Big Guy said it, so, we have to behave as though everyone else believes it’s true”), will this be a signal for anything? What would happen if the market responded to a Trump *pronunciamento* with clear, unambiguous disbelief? A revolt of the elites, perhaps including Republicans in congress? Some kind of authoritarian break? Or just a thickening of the pall of unreality? Apologies if anyone here has posed or answered this question before.
The people who move markets are “normies” who only watch Bloomberg and other mainstream media. Eveyrthing they know and believe are what they see in the media. They have zero awareness of the decrepit state of the US military and really believe we are the greatest military in the history of the world. They also have zero awareness of the evil shit US govt does, and really believe whoever US is about to bomb are evil dictator/fascist/terrorist/commies.
Placing U.S. Troops in Middle East Hotels May Violate Laws of War
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/us/politics/troops-iran-hotels.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XlA.X9vs.GbILqVYhjJVP&smid=url-share
Are Trump insiders making a killing on the Iran war?
https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-iran/article/insider-trading-iran-war-trump-administration-news-7nn3tplqw
Ooooh, the second one is an exception proving the rule of Betteridge’s Law!!!!!
As to the first … I wonder if the troops are getting points they can use on other stays in the chain.
Are they staying at Trump owned joints? If so, is Trump charging thr US govt for their stay?
The Times headline is so very British.
I”m just waiting for the blame cannons to get wheeled out once the pain sets in. I can’t shake the feeling that there will be a surge in antisemitism (the real, old fashioned variety) in the US. That “iron-clad” friendship is going to be a hard sell if it become’s “Israel’s war” in the eyes of the public.
I share your concern. The ‘socialism of fools’ does seem to be taking root, both on the right and the (nominal) left. This is sad for a number of reasons, primarily its potential effects, but among them also is the fact that socialists were at the fore in organizing the university encampments, and have, generally, stuck to the line that the tail does not wag the dog in the U.S./Israel relationship. Recently, I’ve heard the term ‘Zionist billionaires’ often, from people who normally take no issue with concentrated wealth and power, and who deal in nationalist and quasi-racist language, like Douglas McGregor (fine though he may be for military analysis). It stings, remembering how hard we had to fight to even be able to distinguish an anti-zionist critique from vulgar antisemitism.
It would be fitting for the character of the country in which I live if the U.S. divorced Israel, but using the reason of racism, not anti-racism. I head Richard Wolf today talking with Nima of Dialogue Works; he blasted Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who discussed the war on Iran using the old “good guys” and “bad guys” language which is typically the exclusive and sovereign domain of children and police officers. It brought up a thought: it seems that some of our young people, faced with the hypocrisy and cruelty of their ruling class, instead of taking the lesson that this worldview suffers from a terminal lack of nuance, rather think that the labels are misapplied and should be reversed. I have met budding young left-wing activists who fall into this category which I call devil-worshippers. Often, they come from religious conservative backgrounds, and instead of expanding their knowledge and the scope of their analysis, simply switch the places of the “good” and “bad” guys.
Russia’s pipeline gas exports to Europe jump 22% year-on-year in March amid Mideast crunch
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-pipeline-gas-exports-europe-jump-22-year-on-year-march-amid-mideast-2026-04-01/
EU announces a further $2.3 million in humanitarian aid for Cuba
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/eu-announces-further-23-million-humanitarian-aid-cuba-2026-04-01/
CNBC – Iran threatens Nvidia, Apple and other tech giants with attacks
This story originally appeared in Reuters last night, and this morning I noticed CNBC (a business site in USA) carrying it. But it seems to be not appearing in other mainstream media.
Reuters is a UK media outlet. I noticed that opinion pieces appearing in other UK media like Telegraph and Guardian seem to be more skeptical of the lies coming out of the White House (which get faithfully reported at face value in the US media). Maybe an indicator of a rift in the decepit “trans-Atlantic” alliance.
Anyways the IRGC was supposed to have started attacking these US tech giants at around Noon Eastern today….. but I haven’t heard anything so far about any such attacks. Now I’m wondering if the IRGC really made this threat, or if it came from an overeager blogger.
Not all attacks require blowing something up. I’m sure Iran remembers stuxnet.
But apparently they did blow something up.
Breaking Points reported it today –
Iran BOMBS Amazon, THREATENS US Tech Companies As Trump FLAILS I haven’t listened to the whole thing yet, but Ryan Grim interjects at the beginning that Iran hit an Amazon facility.
Oddly, or not, when I looked it up to see who else was reporting it, I did not find any major MSM sources. But here are a couple others –
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/amazon-s-cloud-operation-in-bahrain-damaged-in-iran-strike-report/3888577
From Times of India – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlxHDOKZUG8
Both of the above cite the Financial Times as the original source. However, when I searched for “Iran bombs Amazon today Financial Times”, I came up empty. If anyone else can find it, please post.
Reuters is owned by Canadians these days (Thomson) and is historically very squirrelly, staffed by MI6 and rooted in Great Game intrigue. The founder was the first foreign concessionaire in Iran….
On to Kharg Island. Oorah Epstein! Oorah Bibi! Israel First!. (The US Marines’s battle cry.)
i wish i could post a jpg file of a screen shoot i took of a eurasia group presentation i witnessed today on the conflict. despite presented by an iran expert (greg brew, phd in iranian history etc) and macroeconomist (robert kahn) and despite their belief significant market underpricing of long term risks, i would still say they had the typical detachment of symbols/heuristics/financial/geopolitical matters from the physical realities.
but now to the heart of their analysis through June….(paraphrasing a slide)
20% probability T de-escalates
scope: T accepts limited victory; announces ceasefire; Iran follows de-escalation and gradually reopens Hormuz
Timeframe: before April 15; US-rael halt attacks; Iran halts attacks
Hormuz/Oil status: prices fall after de-escalation; flows recover May-June; $85-100 per barrel
25% probability T runs out of road
scope: Iran retains Hormuz closure capabilities and to threaten GCC and US forces; pressure on US to de-escalate after April 15
Timeframe: Likely de-escalation before Mid-may; Hormuz re-opening to follow
Hormuz/Oil status: Prices remain high until de-escalation and efforts to re-open; $110-130
55% probability T sticks it out
scope: T continues war after mid-April with potential ground troop deployment; US escalates and continued Iran resistance keeps war through May with risk Iran causes significant damage to regional infrastructure
Timeframe: US operations through May; Hormuz closed until June at earliest
Hormuz/Oil status: $120-135; If Iran strikes cause serious damage, spike to $150
i’m sure many readers will realize we’ve already crossed many of these thresholds (i.e. serious damage to GCC oil infrastructure). also the April 15 threshold/deadline was entirely based on US military assets being transported to ME theater.
i’m amused to only see $150 in their worst case, spilling out of control scenario.
also, very little weight given to Iran being in charge and calling the shots on terms and conditions of Hormuz operations and final settlement. eurasia group presenters placed A LOT of weight on some coalition (incl India and china and europe) as coming to rescue and escorting shipping through the straight if Iran wouldn’t allow it. HUH? as long as Iran can launch projectiles, they’re dictating Hormuz.
Thus they believe a better than even chance that Trump escalates. Despite probably running out of interceptors during this window. Despite the risk that things go badly and the US has to stay engaged and the spike is much worse. It does align with the two to three week rumor for tonight.
From Kharg Island in Hormuz
To the shores of the Dead Sea
We fight the Zionists battles
In the air, on land, and sea
Forced to fight for far right Judaism
And to keep the IDF skivvies clean
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine
We were proud to claim the title of United States Marine.
I think there reallynis this sentiment spreading.
Israel halts defense trade with France, sources tell ‘Post’
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-891742
Jews paused Indiana’s abortion ban — by turning a religious freedom law against the evangelical right
https://forward.com/news/816427/religious-freedom-jews-mike-pence-indiana-abortion-law/
Trump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalition
https://www.ft.com/content/d304071a-ca97-4b3b-be93-ff880a6645c3?segmentid=c50c86e4-586b-23ea-1ac1-7601c9c2476f
Trump’s “God Squad” discards the administration’s supposed interest in whale protections
https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trumps-god-squad-discards-the-administrations-supposed-interest-in-whale-protections
U.S. Plans Military Expansion in Greenland
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/world/europe/us-military-seeks-expansion-in-greenland.html
A second poll of US Jews finds the same result: Most oppose the war in Iran
https://forward.com/fast-forward/816076/most-american-jews-oppose-iran-war/
Trump administration launches new bid to attract U.S. oil companies to Venezuela — but finding few takers
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bakx-venzuela-ceraweek-shell-chevron-machado-9.7148762
Iran says it will not reopen Strait of Hormuz because of Trump’s “ridiculous displays”
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/04/01/8028284/
“A second poll of US Jews finds the same result: Most oppose the war in Iran”, Serious question, do US Jews who oppose the war have a voice anywhere?
My social media feed, where they are roundly ignored by anybody who doesn’t already agree with them.
https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
Focused on Palestinian justice, not the Iran War per se, but surely would be a place to find Jews who oppose the War against Iran
Vance ‘offered Iran ceasefire in exchange for Hormuz reopening’ (via Telegraph blog)
JD Vance spoke to Pakistan about the war in Iran on Tuesday, sources have told Reuters.
At Donald Trump’s direction, JD Vance signalled privately that the US was open to a ceasefire as long as certain demands were met, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the source told Reuters today.
Mr Vance also delivered what the source described as a “stern message” that Mr Trump was impatient, warning there would be growing pressure on Iranian infrastructure unless Tehran agreed to a deal.
—-
But….these are both things Trump wants and Iran does not want lol.
“Here’s something I want, and in exchange you give me another thing I want”.
You’d think that in Yale Negotiations 101 they’d at least require the coeds to read “Getting To Yes” or the other old classic of Management (and Divorce) Lit, “Who Moved My Cheese”?
These guys are truly rank amateurs. Hillbilly Elegy indeed.
Nothing’s gonna stop us now
Sung to the tune of, “Nothing’s gonna stop us now” by Starship
(Apologies to Grace Slick)
[Voice of Vladimir Putin]
Lookin’ in your eyes
I see you realize
This gang of neocons wants to slaughter you, too!
Standin’ here beside you
Want so much to give you
Cheap energy and markets that we’ve opened for you!
[Voice of Xi Jinpeng]
Man, that Trump is crazy!
I don’t care about that
Better hang together
Comrade, don’t ever look back
Let a dying empire
Just fall apart
Comrade, we can make it, if we join our hearts
CHORUS: (sung by both)
And we can stop this hegemony
Bankrupt all their cronies
Nothing’s gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of dollars
We’ll just laugh and holler
Nothing’s gonna stop us
Nothing’s gonna stop us now
Oh, whoa!
[Vlad]
I’m so glad I found you
I’m not gonna lose you
Whatever it takes ™
Kissinger’s face turnin’ blue
End global institutions
Stop color revolutions
Whatever it takes ™
Is what I’m gonna do!
Xi:
Man, that Orangeman’s crazy!
What do they know?
Sending arms right at ya!
Comrade, roll those tanks through Po-land
Let a dying empire
Be dead and gone,
Comrade, we can make it, I got next (Taiwan!)
CHORUS:
And we can stop this hegemony
Bankrupt all their cronies
Nothing’s gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of dollars
We’ll just laugh and holler
Nothing’s gonna stop us
Nothing’s gonna stop us now
Nothing’s gonna stop us
Bridge:
Oh, Don can rage bait ’til he’s blue
All that I ever need
All that I want to do
Is trade in Rupies, Yuan, and Rials … hey!
[Guitar solo]
And we can stop this hegemony
Bankrupt all their cronies
Nothing’s gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of dollars
We’ll just laugh and holler
Nothing’s gonna stop us
Nothing’s gonna stop us now …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wxyN3z9PL4&list=RD3wxyN3z9PL4
Hey, tonight
Gonna be tonight
Don’t you know I’m lying
Tonight, tonight
Hey, c’mon
Gonna chase up the market tomorrow
Tonight, tonight
Gonna get ground troops to Hormuz
Watch me now
All those Jody’s gonna get religion
All night long
Hey, c’mon
Gonna goose the Dow
Tonight, tonight
Gonna get ground troops to Hormuz
Watch me now
All those Jody’s gonna get religion
All night long
Aah!
Hey, tonight
Gonna be tonight
Don’t you know I’m lying
Tonight, tonight
Tonight, tonight
Hey Tonight, by CCR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk8ZRq7uzrk&list=RDtk8ZRq7uzrk
WIll China try to backstab Iran?
John Helmer thinks so: https://johnhelmer.net/hormuz-is-the-trump-card-trumping-all-in-the-game-including-china/
The Chinese are really not afraid of the Americans, at all. As such, they want \things to go as they were. Throwing Iran under the bus would make for some Red Wedding type of ploy. However, Iran is not planning for a wedding but for a funeral and a mass grave, but not only itself.
Helmer sees backstabbers everywhere.
I would expect that he’s probably more right than not, in the sense that China will not sacrifice its significant interests just for Iran, BUT, at the same time, I don’t see China gaining much by backstabbing Iran. China MAY get on a slightly nicer side of US and Israel, but being on slighyly nicer side of US isn’t much and probably much less than what China can gain by using Iran as leverage, especially given our demonstrated untrustworthiness. And, Israel, it ain’t worth that much economically. Among others.
Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad seems an apt saying for this moment. Nothing is working, so let’s escalate and escalate. It’s the sort of stupid and reckless “thinking” you’d expect of gangsters, which is hardly a surprise with the current ruling class.
IDF kills senior Quds Force operative, strikes Iranian regime chemical manufacturer
Israel/Palestine
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-891860
Iranian president says in letter that Iran harbors no enmity towards ordinary Americans
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranian-president-says-letter-that-iran-harbors-no-enmity-towards-ordinary-2026-04-01/
Reuters managed to give that story a whopping two sentences. Can’t have the Golden Billion easily access any unapproved opinions.
More detail from the actual source Reuters cited – https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2026/04/01/766191/pezeshkian-letter-American-people
Any US attack better be soon, and before their ‘magazine’ of offensive and defensive missiles becomes too depleted, since USrael is using a year’s worth of production every week or two. Trump’s current ‘two or three weeks’ timeline may reflect this reality.
Also, the Saudi port of Yanbu may encourage a joint military ‘excursion’ by USrael-Saudi-UAE along with loyal Yemeni forces, against the Houthis in northern Yemen, who have in the past threatened hostile ships passing through the Bab al Mandeb Straits (the aptly named Gateway of Tears).
According to Lloyd’s List, there were 33 VLCC tankers in the Red Sea near Yanbu which “has a loading capacity of around 4.5m bpd.”, and I read that ~11M barrels had already been loaded onto tankers. And while the VLCC tankers cannot pass through the Suez Canal:
“If the Bab el Mandeb is ever closed in retaliation for future US military action, VLCCs already in the Red Sea could reroute. They could head north, unload a portion of the cargo at the Sumed pipeline in Egypt, transit the Suez Canal and pay the toll, top off in the Mediterranean, then circumnavigate Africa to reach buyers in India and China.
Ballast VLCCs from Asia would have to go all the way around Africa in the other direction and cross the Mediterranean to get to Yanbu to load. The much greater voyage distances in both directions would render the trade considerably less attractive.
Furthermore, using the much longer route via the Suez Canal to avert the Bab el Mandeb wouldn’t necessarily protect tankers loading crude in Yanbu. The Houthis and the Iranians have both displayed the ability to reach targets there.”.
https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1156734/Houthis-see-no-reason-to-prevent-Yanbu-VLCC-trade-at-present
More on same topic:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/27/yemenis-fear-economic-consequences-of-being-dragged-into-us-iran-conflict
https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/29/world/yemen-houthis-iran-war-intl
https://globalsecurityreview.com/red-sea-uncertainty-a-2026-forecast-for-the-houthis-actions/
But is USrael now desperate enough, and crazy enough to think they could defeat the Houthis?
My Easter Weekend prediction is this happening. Easter Lemmings instead of Easter Bunnies?
Risky commando plan to seize Iran’s uranium came at Trump’s request (Washington Post)
“The scale and complexity would make the mission extraordinarily difficult, but it is possible, according to a former defense official with direct knowledge of Iran war plans and Special Operations capabilities.”
Lots of detail on how stupid (“challenging”) it would be. I mentioned yesterday that Wilkerson said that the Delta Force guys said they could do it successfully.
A terrible idea but catnip to Trump and Hegseth I imagine:
1. Flashy in/out (ish) op
2. Hegseth is a SpecOps humper
3. It sounds like the plot of a dumb 80s movie
4. It would give Trump the “win” he needs to TACO with glory
5. All the other invasion options are equally suicidal but without the potential payoff
6. We live in the stupidest timeline
7. They don’t actually care about the lives of the troops
8. Trump can watch in real time on private TV feed
—
Considered making some crucifixion jokes but it’s too depressing.
It will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon recently wrote in the Telegraph:
“There’s a dangerous whiff of theatre about President Trump’s talk of seizing Iran’s uranium. If it’s not a ruse, then it’s a profound misunderstanding of how Special Forces operations actually work.
You do not broadcast intent. Not ever.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/30/trump-us-special-forces-iran-operation-delta-seals/
Trump’s announcing his intent has turned a near-impossible mission into one doomed to utter failure at best.
‘I Don’t Care About That’: Trump Says Iran’s Enriched Uranium Is Not a Concern
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/us/politics/trump-iran-war-nuclear-uranium.html
The Old Man Dreaming Up Wars for Young Men to Fight
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/opinion/iran-war-kharg-island.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WlA.t2jp.T0lQb6Af89zY
Stellantis in Talks to Make Chinese EVs at Idled Canadian Plant
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-01/stellantis-in-talks-to-make-chinese-evs-at-idled-canadian-plant
I want one of these Chinese EV’s!
Mitch McConnell takes stand against Donald Trump
https://www.newsweek.com/mitch-mcconnell-takes-stand-against-donald-trump-nato-11771203?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=reddit_main
Four ways a hasty Trump exit from the Iran war may not end the conflict
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/01/middleeast/four-ways-a-hasty-trump-exit-from-the-iran-war-may-not-end-the-conflict-intl
Risky commando plan to seize Iran’s uranium came at Trump’s request
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/04/01/trump-commando-plan-seize-iran-uranium/
Iran Is Using America’s Playbook Against Us
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/opinion/iran-us-war-strait-hormuz.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WFA.p6EW.ndY2vYZNX5HX
Listening to the People on the Other Side of US Bombs
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/experiences-of-iraq-war
Pezeshkian released a public letter to the people of the United States (which nobody will read)
Original tweet (tbh could have done with a copy editor)
Full text:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
To the people of the United States and to everyone who continues to seek the truth amidst distortions and fabricated narratives and strives for a better life:
Iran — with its name, character, and identity — is one of the oldest and most continuous civilizations in human history. Despite its historical and geographical advantages at various times, Iran has never chosen the path of aggression, expansionism, colonialism, or domination in its modern history. Despite being subjected to occupations, attacks, and constant pressures from global powers — and having military superiority over most of its neighbors — Iran has never been the party to initiate a war. On the contrary, it has resolutely and bravely repelled those who attacked it.
The Iranian people harbor no enmity towards other nations, including the peoples of America, Europe, or neighboring countries. Throughout their proud history, Iranians have always made a clear distinction between governments and the peoples they govern, even in the face of repeated foreign interventions and pressures. This is not a temporary political stance but a principle deeply rooted in Iranian culture and collective consciousness.
“IF THERE IS NO THREAT, ONE WILL BE INVENTED”
Therefore, portraying Iran as a threat is inconsistent with historical facts or observable phenomena today. Such a perception is a product of the political and economic whims of the powerful; it is the need to invent an enemy to legitimize oppression, maintain military dominance, sustain the arms industry, and control strategic markets. In such an environment, if there is no threat, one will be invented.
In this same context, the United States has concentrated its largest forces, bases, and military capabilities around Iran, a country that has never initiated a war since its establishment. The recent American attacks launched from these bases have proven how threatening such a military presence is. Naturally, no country facing such conditions would abandon strengthening its defense capabilities. What Iran has done and continues to do is a measured response based on legitimate defense; it is never an attempt to initiate a war or attack.
The relations between Iran and the United States were not initially hostile, and the first interactions between the Iranian and American peoples were not tainted by enmity or a coup — the illegal intervention by America in 1953. The turning point was the intervention aimed at preventing Iran from nationalizing its own resources. That coup disrupted Iran’s democratic process, restored dictatorship, and sowed deep seeds of distrust towards U.S. policies among Iranians. This distrust deepened with America’s support for the Shah regime, its backing of Saddam Hussein during the imposed war in the 1980s, the implementation of the longest and most brutal sanctions in modern history, and ultimately, the two baseless military attacks against Iran in the midst of negotiations.
Yet, all these pressures have failed to weaken Iran. On the contrary, since the Islamic Revolution, the country has grown in many areas by 30% [translation note: there may be an error in the expression in the text, likely meaning ‘stronger’]: literacy rates have tripled compared to today; higher education has dramatically expanded; significant advancements have been made in modern technology, exceeding 90%; healthcare has improved; infrastructure has developed at an unprecedented speed and scale compared to the past. These are measurable and observable facts independent of fabricated narratives.
At the same time, the destructive and inhumane effects of sanctions, war, and aggression on the lives of the resilient Iranian people should not be underestimated. The continuation of military aggression and recent bombings deeply affect people’s lives, attitudes, and perspectives. This reflects a fundamental human reality: when war inflicts irreparable damage on our lives, homes, cities, and future, people will not remain indifferent to those responsible.
“WHICH INTEREST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DOES THIS WAR SERVE?”
This situation raises a fundamental question: Which interest of the American people is exactly served by this war? Was there an objective threat from Iran that would justify such behavior? The slaughter of innocent children, the destruction of cancer-treating pharmaceutical facilities, or boasting about “returning a country to the Stone Age” serves no purpose other than further damaging the global reputation of the United States?
Iran has continued negotiations, reached an agreement, and fulfilled all its commitments. The decision to withdraw from this agreement, escalate towards conflict, and initiate two acts of aggression in the midst of negotiations were destructive decisions made by the U.S. government — choices that serve the delusions of a foreign aggressor.
Attacking Iran’s vital infrastructure, including its energy and industrial facilities, directly targets the Iranian people.
These kinds of actions go beyond being a war crime and have consequences that extend far beyond Iran’s borders. They create instability, increase humanitarian and economic costs, and perpetuate cycles of tension by sowing seeds of hatred that will last for years. This is not a show of force; it is a sign of strategic bewilderment and an inability to produce a sustainable solution.
Is it not also true that America has entered this aggression as a proxy for Israel, being influenced and manipulated by that regime? Is it not true that Israel is trying to divert global attention from the crimes it commits against the Palestinians by creating an artificial Iranian threat? Is it not clear that Israel now aims to fight Iran to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar — shifting the burden of its own delusions onto Iran, the region, and the United States itself for illegitimate interests?
“CONFLICT IS MORE COSTLY AND FRUITLESS”
Is the principle of “America First” really among the priorities of the U.S. government today?
I invite you to look beyond the disinformation mechanism that is an inseparable part of this aggression and instead talk to those who have visited Iran. Observe the many successful Iranian immigrants who have studied in Iran, currently teach and conduct research at the world’s most prestigious universities, or contribute to the most advanced technology firms in the West. Do these facts align with the distortions you are told about Iran and its people?
Today, the world stands at a turning point. Continuing down the path of conflict is more costly and fruitless than ever. The choice between conflict and engagement (dialogue) is vital in both reality and its consequences; the outcome will shape the future of generations to come. Throughout its proud history spanning millennia, Iran has outlived many aggressors. The only thing left of them are their tarnished names in history; Iran, however, continues to exist resiliently, dignifiedly, and proudly.
Thank you for this. I wonder if it will make the Times.
Trump officials prepping for ‘nightmare scenario’ at gas pumps
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/oil-cost-iran-war-usa-trump-b2950191.html
On reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Trump tries to shift responsibility away from US
https://abcnews.com/Politics/reopening-strait-hormuz-trump-shift-responsibility-us/story?id=131579105
Nevada National Guard deployed to support war on Iran
https://nevadacurrent.com/briefs/nevada-national-guard-deployed-to-support-war-on-iran/
The War That Is Way ‘Ahead of Schedule’
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/opinion/trump-hegseth-rubio-iran-war.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XlA.xG0m.F8RjfQFstI1K&smid=re-nytopinion
Trump Has a Way Out of the War (Friedman, NYT)
Unsurprisingly does not grasp realities covered many times by Yves and others. Not least the uselessness of the bit I bolded below.
The nut:
It’s why we need to keep this as simple as possible. America should extend assurances that we will end the war, leave the regime in place, stop destroying Iran’s infrastructure and even offer some relief from oil sanctions, if Iran turns over all its near weapons-grade fissile material and halts all hostilities from its side. Everything else gets postponed for another day. (Meanwhile a much-weakened Iranian regime would have to be more responsive to its people.)
I read that as saying that we will stop attacking you now and throw you a few crumbs. But just wait until we rebuild our weapons stock and we come at you again.
Oil-thirsty Asian nations seek Russian crude as Iran war strains supplies
https://abcnews.com/amp/Business/wireStory/oil-thirsty-asian-nations-seek-russian-crude-iran-131561459
Trump to declare Iran war is winding down and others need to resolve Hormuz
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/01/trump-to-declare-iran-war-is-winding-down-and-others-need-to-resolve-hormuz-00854265
When opportunity knocks, opportunists answer:
Ocasio-Cortez Says She Will Oppose All U.S. Military Aid to Israel NYT
True enough, but I remember that Frank Bardacke, an Oakland organizer of Stop The Draft Week in 1967, said: we thought it was good if we were attracting opportunists, it meant we were winning!
‘I came, I saw, I conquered:’ Trump set to claim victory in Iran at primetime address
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/01/trump-to-declare-iran-war-is-winding-down-and-others-need-to-resolve-hormuz-00854265?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication
Veni, Vidi, Arrivederci
I went, I saw, I soiled my trousers.
Ambassador Chas Freeman on Judging Freedom (26 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP1FOI2NeQE&t=891s
Heh-heh-heh…
Have you heard the news?
(News? What news?)
Can’t afford no go-juice
(Ow! Get a deal on bike)
Have you heard the news?
(News? Can’t afford a cell phone)
Can’t afford no go-juice
(Hi-yo-hi)
Went to buy industrial inputs
Some insurgent nation got my load
Got my load
Got my toad
That I stowed
Well, well,
Hey lawdy mama,
Can’t afford no go-juice
Maybe there’s some oily rags that I could use
Hey anybody,
Can you spare some time
If you’re really hurtin’, a battalion would be fine
Hey everybody
Nothin’ we can buy
Chump HooRah MAGA, ain’t no good to try
Recession
Depression
Wah-ooh-wah-ooh WAH-WAH
Wah-ooh-wah-ooh WAH-WAH
Well, well,
Hey lawdy mama,
Can’t afford no go-juice
Maybe there’s some oily rags that I could use
Hey anybody,
Can you spare some time
If you’re really hurtin’, a battalion would be fine
Hey everybody
Nothin’ we can buy
Chump HooRah MAGA, ain’t no good to try
Recession
Depression
“Can’t Afford No Shoes”
Frank Zappa One Size Fits All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd5o3uBWWtE
I can hear Johnny Guitar Watson singing the backup.
Kudos to our poets.
One of Frank’s best tunes, I am sure he would have approved your version.
For the soldiers in the en-route MEU…
The mama pajama rolled to a stop
And she ran from the petrol station
When the papa found out he began to shout
as he heard about the Iran invasion
It’s against the law
It was against the law
What the mama saw
It was against the law
The mama looked down and spit on the ground
Every time his name gets mentioned
The papa said, “Oh, if I get that boy
I’m gonna stick him in the house of detention”
Well I’m on my way
I don’t know where I’m going
I’m on my way
I’m taking my time
But I don’t know where
Goodbye to Karol, the queen of bologna
Seein’ me and Rubio
Down by the schoolyard
Seein’ me and Rubio
Down by the schoolyard
Whoa, in a couple of days they come and take me away
But the Prez let the story leak
And when the radical priest
Come to get me released
We was all on the cover of Facebook
And I’m on my way
I don’t know where I’m going
I’m on my way
I’m taking my time
But I don’t know where
Goodbye to Karol, the queen of bologna
Seein’ me and Rubio
Down by the schoolyard
Seein’ me and Rubio
Down by the schoolyard
Seein’ me and Rubio
Down by the schoolyard
‘Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard’, Paul Simon
The more the idea of A ground War is talked about, the more it persuades me tactical nukes will be used… And i dont think Trump The Resolute is particularly bothered that escalation, whatever form it takes, will plunge the world into Deep Depression. Remember He said He decides what’s moral, probably the only factual thing he’s said EVAH…
Trump The resolute has claimed He’s been talking to a kinder, more agreeable Iranian leadership who’ll help him Solve Everything. I suspect his property redeveloper mates
Witkoff and Kushner are members of this leadership group, waiting to be installed as
“Board Of Peace #2” …
The U.S.-Iran War Is Illegal. Here’s Why That Matters. | If this war continues without accountability, it threatens even more dire consequences in years ahead.
https://inthesetimes.com/article/iran-war-united-states-israel-trump-illegal
Indonesia Earthquake: Tsunami Alert Issued After Magnitude 7.8 Quake Strikes Molucca Sea Near Maju Island
https://www.timesnownews.com/world/asia/earthquake-indonesia-today-molucca-sea-magnitude-usgs-data-updates-article-153978282
Six-story apartment building collapses in central Tel Aviv, injuring two
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-891896
I want you to Taco
I need you to Taco
I’d love you to Taco
Markets are beggin’ you to Taco (repeat)
Shine up my oversized shoes
Put on the old brown shirt
Get long some AI circle jerk
If you say, that you’ll Taco
Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I, see you lying?
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I hear someone shout “you lie?”
Feelin’ all alone on Fox and Friends, you know you feel like dying
Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I heckle “you lie?”
I want you to Taco
I need you to Taco
I’d love you to Taco
Markets are beggin’ you to Taco
Shine up my oversized shoes
Put on the old brown shirt
Get long some AI circle jerk
If you say, that you’ll Taco
Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I, see you lying?
Oh, didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I hear someone shout “you lie?”
Feelin’ all alone on Fox and Friends, you know you feel like dying
Didn’t I, didn’t I, didn’t I heckle “you lie?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wyL1NtMVPo&list=RD2wyL1NtMVPo
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon was asked on Fox & Friends on Tuesday about the energy shock from the US-Iran conflict.
“Look the markets are unpredictable and it’s hard to for me to tell you exactly what,” Dimon said of a potential impact. “But I think they’re just looking at, is there a chance something can go wrong now? […]The markets will be concerned until it’s over.”
“It’s much more important that this be successfully completed than what the market does. ”
“Yes, I hear people say they were not an imminent threat. But these people have been engaged in violent acts for 47 years, killing people, killing Americans, and funding Hamas. Several Americans were killed on October 7. They have fought proxy wars and threatened people. A ballistic missile can travel 3,000 miles. These are bad people who needed to be stopped. I do not know what the military and the president know, but we have to finish this thing and finish it right.””
Possibly my favorite guilty pleasure is the Letters to Cleo rendition at the end of 10 Things I Hate About You. An excellent job Chris.
Britain to host 35 countries for strait of Hormuz talks, says Starmer
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/01/hormuz-strait-talks-britain-starmer
Ukraine to get €1.4bn in Revenues From Frozen Russian Assets
https://dmarketforces.com/ukraine-to-get-e1-4bn-in-revenues-from-frozen-russian-assets/
Britain to host 35 countries
Is Britain where all the Gulf “Influenzars” scurried off to?
Trump speech was resolutely full of magical thinking about how he wants things to be without much recognition of reality.
Also full of assertions about how great everything is in America right now and that nothing happening over there will affect the US.
Didn’t exactly sound like someone who plans to declare victory and get the hell out of there. Sounded more like: “we’ve done everything we wanted to do and more, but nonetheless aren’t quite done just yet, but don’t worry it will all be worth it in the end”
Contrast/compare to Iran’s foreign minister Araghchi : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgFq_jZwUYQ
Trump has finished speaking. His last remarks, according to NBC:
Trump threatened more strikes against Iran, saying that over the next two to three weeks, the U.S. will “bring them back to the stone age, where they belong.”
“I’ve made clear from the beginning of Operation Epic Fury that we will continue until our objectives are fully achieved. Thanks to the progress we’ve made, I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America’s military objectives shortly, very shortly,” Trump said.
“We’re going to hit them extremely hard. Over the next two to three weeks, we’re going to bring them back to the Stone Age, where they belong. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing,” Trump added.
Trump says US forces will ‘finish the job’ soon in first prime-time speech since starting Iran war
https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-trump-lebanon-april-1-2026-19cf516c2d2c614eb182dbad7a6592ef
The price of WTI crude since Trump’s speech:
Crude Oil WTI (OIL)
https://www.investing.com/commodities/crude-oil
Up 4% after he spoke.
Well I didn’t even listen to the speech, but I’m guessing Trumps still wants to blow stuff up.
Trump’s behavior reminds me of Babylon 5 season 4’s episode where Earth’s president does decide to go scorched earth. Trump does like lasers.
Along with so many other things I deeply desire but will never see, I deeply want there to be a law making deployment of the National Guard to foreign countries and the Coast Guard outside of our internationally recognized waters to be illegal except for a Congressionally declared war or Internationally organized humanitarian aid support.
But then I also want every military age immediate relatives of Congress, the Cabinet, President and VicePresident to be immediately conscripted legally for any obvious military action undertaken by the stated officials. I am beyond tired of people who think families should go hungry because the adults are unable to work for whatever reason or don’t recognize having two part time jobs as working enough thinking they shouldn’t also have to meet real requirements and consequences to invade someone.