Did world war 3 just start?

[NKBJ]

God, I hope not. Even though traditionally, starting wars abroad are how you silence critics at home. Given his failing Mid East policy, I would not be surprised if he did.

It's the Shrub/Soetoro policy that was and has been failing. President Trump* is, has been... modifying it. He doesn't just doesn't seem to be quite so much the joyous killer as his two predatorcessors. And from the wrath of the king makers that the DC functionaries are channeling these days it doesn't look as though they appreciate their wars being dinkered with. Suppose the king makers still probably gonna get their war though. They do have their ways.

* And Vlad the Impudent, praise be.

 

[Brad69]

Vlad did what had to be done!

He stopped the threat!

 

[BugI02]

“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” ― Albert Einstein

 

[T.Lex]

We should have a "Nature abhors a vacuum" thread.

But until then, Israel strikes Iranian targets in Syria.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50485521

Israel says it has hit dozens of targets in Syria belonging to the government and allied Iranian forces.
The Israeli military says the "wide-scale strikes" responded to rockets fired by an Iranian unit into Israel.

 

[BugI02]

Awaiting attribution of this solely to Netanyahu's need to distract from his domestic problems, rather than any real concern that Israel is beset by many enemies

3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

 

[Dead Duck]

Why do they want us to hurt them so badly?


'Iranian commander warns US, allies, 'We will destroy you'

https://www.foxnews.com/world/iranian-cammander-us-allies-we-will-destroy-you

 

[Thor]

Why do they want us to hurt them so badly?


'Iranian commander warns US, allies, 'We will destroy you'

https://www.foxnews.com/world/iranian-cammander-us-allies-we-will-destroy-you

It is typical of Persian military society. Everyone is considered their inferior...no matter what the reality.

 

[T.Lex]

Yeah, that's just big talk, mostly for domestic consumption.

 

[dudley0]

Well then maybe we should dust off and nuke em from orbit.... it's the only way to be sure.

 

[BugI02]

Well then maybe we should dust off and nuke em from [STRIKE]orbit[/STRIKE] [depressed trajectory SLBM].... it's the only way to be sure.

Eight W88s (475 kiloton) per Trident D5. Do they even have more than eight strategic targets?

 

[dudley0]

Why pick eight? There's no kill like overkill.

 

[Thor]

[h=1]Iran, Russia, China to Hold Joint Wargames in ‘Message to the World’[/h]https://freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-russia-china-to-hold-joint-wargames-in-message-to-the-world/

Of course all three together are still third rate powers. If they go nuclear there will be damage but still third rate.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

There are now reports coming in that Iran has upped the ante by striking a US military base north of Baghdad. This is quickly becoming a transformational escalation, one that risks becoming a full-fledged conflict between the US and Iran on Iraqi soil.

If Iran’s proxies in Iraq (who have been on the receiving end of anger from protestors) have everything to lose then that makes them the most dangerous - but not the most desperate. These groups actually feel they have acted with restraint amid wide-ranging local/external threats

That’s awful news for Iraq’s protesters, who could soon be victims of a major crackdown. Politically, these groups will consolidate their control through an expanded campaign of coercion & intimidation. Absent a US strategy, its Iran & its proxies who have the final say in Iraq.

https://twitter.com/RanjAlaaldin/status/1211365373938937857

 

[DoggyDaddy]

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad stormed by protesters after Iraq airstrikes

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/...ted-protesters-after-iraq-airstrikes-n1108861

This doesn't look good.

 

[COOPADUP]

Damn. Not good.

 

[KellyinAvon]

The locals on the gate are worthless—Tanto Paranto. Different country, same problem.

 

[KMaC]

Iran pulls out the old play book, feels like 1979. Deja vu all over again.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad stormed by protesters after Iraq airstrikes

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/...ted-protesters-after-iraq-airstrikes-n1108861

This doesn't look good.

Not good, but should not have been unexpected.

This Al-Jazeera report underscores that this "protest" was planned and organized... note both the headline and the cadres of military aged males in fatigues forming up behind flags to lead the "protest".

My initial assessment is astro-turfed "protest" seeking a Libya repeat.

A Marine security contingent and an administration willing to defend the embassy should Iraqi security forces demurr makes this a different situation entirely.


Al Jeezera: Hundreds of Iraqi mourners try to storm US Embassy in Baghdad
[video=youtube;PtRSIl2MAoQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtRSIl2MAoQ[/video]

 

[Sylvain]

Any updates?

 

[Dead Duck]

Just some spontaneous protests because of an anti-Muslim video they saw on the internet. That's all.