Trump's record of catastrophic ignorance, mental & emotional imbalance as POTUS required intervention from the beginning. Without knowing the history, military capacity, or the countries bordering North Korea or within an easy missile lob, Trump recklessly engaged in actions that raised the risks of an accidental nuclear war:
https://www…
Trump's record of catastrophic ignorance, mental & emotional imbalance as POTUS required intervention from the beginning. Without knowing the history, military capacity, or the countries bordering North Korea or within an easy missile lob, Trump recklessly engaged in actions that raised the risks of an accidental nuclear war:
In the end, and after guidance from leaders of other countries, including Russia & his military leaders, Trump settled for two photoshoots, some love letters, and zero diplomatic progress in addressing North Korea's nuclear threat. Rather than pursuing the one potential route through diplomacy with China to help negotiate a nuclear agreement with North Korea, Trump chose to declare a trade war with China, which soon escalated into a new cold war. In the meantime, North Korea went about perfecting its weapons arsenal, which Trump claimed was within their understanding of an unwritten and stealth agreement. Trump viewed North Korea's short-range ballistic missiles as unthreatening, even though we had troops stationed in Japan, South Korea, and Guam.
After striking out on the Korean Peninsula and raising tensions with China while losing his trade war, Trump figured Iran would be his next target of sponsored interest, starting with disassembling the Iran Nuclear Treaty. How could he lose? The U.S. spends almost a trillion annually on its military while Iran spends about 15 billion:
Again, Trump had not bothered to look at a map to determine the countries with significant oil production within the range of Iran's offensive missiles. It took an Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia's oil production to temper Trump for the moment, in addition to learning about the Straight of Hormuz. Russia was probably also instrumental in helping Trump understand specific options were off the table.
Seven months before the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, Trump was ready to improve his stature by assassinating Soleimani. However, in December of 2019, the House impeached Trump for putting his personal, political interests above the interests of U.S. foreign policy. Rather than learning a lesson from his new title of an impeached POTUS and its consequent disgrace, Trump became more determined to elevate his low standing and get reelected. However, he needed a justification to offset the risks of starting a major Regional War. Qassem Soleimani had been on Trump's radar for seven months. In his mind, a war would satisfy his sponsors, make him a wartime POTUS, and elevate his status in the Presidential Elections. Towards the end of 2019, before the pandemic, the American economy was slowing. Most economists predicted a recession, and of the massive new debt his Admin had created, 83% went to the wealthiest Americans and their concentrated ownership of corporate wealth.
When the military presented Trump with options to respond to probable Iranian involvement in an attack in Iraq, Trump chose the option that would benefit him the most and likely result in a counter-attack on undefended American troops in Iraq:
Fortunately, Iran was only interested in responding with a minimal but clear message. They don't want a war with the U.S. and don't try to start a fight when your troops are unprotected, as Trump couldn't wait to do.
To America, the message of the Trump Crises should be don't elect unqualified representatives who put their interests and pathologies above the country's, the general welfare, a sustainable future, the truth, and our democracy. Learn to spot a desperate & corrupt con man or woman. Demand that our democratic institutions provide the necessary, Constitutional checks and balances on each other.
Excellent synopsis of Trump's foreign-policy chops coupled to his incessant, all-consuming, self-defeating bid for reelection. Note to voters: Don't elect ignorant fools and mental cases.
Trump's record of catastrophic ignorance, mental & emotional imbalance as POTUS required intervention from the beginning. Without knowing the history, military capacity, or the countries bordering North Korea or within an easy missile lob, Trump recklessly engaged in actions that raised the risks of an accidental nuclear war:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korea-crisis-how-events-have-unfolded-under-trump-n753996
In the end, and after guidance from leaders of other countries, including Russia & his military leaders, Trump settled for two photoshoots, some love letters, and zero diplomatic progress in addressing North Korea's nuclear threat. Rather than pursuing the one potential route through diplomacy with China to help negotiate a nuclear agreement with North Korea, Trump chose to declare a trade war with China, which soon escalated into a new cold war. In the meantime, North Korea went about perfecting its weapons arsenal, which Trump claimed was within their understanding of an unwritten and stealth agreement. Trump viewed North Korea's short-range ballistic missiles as unthreatening, even though we had troops stationed in Japan, South Korea, and Guam.
After striking out on the Korean Peninsula and raising tensions with China while losing his trade war, Trump figured Iran would be his next target of sponsored interest, starting with disassembling the Iran Nuclear Treaty. How could he lose? The U.S. spends almost a trillion annually on its military while Iran spends about 15 billion:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-54972269
Again, Trump had not bothered to look at a map to determine the countries with significant oil production within the range of Iran's offensive missiles. It took an Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia's oil production to temper Trump for the moment, in addition to learning about the Straight of Hormuz. Russia was probably also instrumental in helping Trump understand specific options were off the table.
Seven months before the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, Trump was ready to improve his stature by assassinating Soleimani. However, in December of 2019, the House impeached Trump for putting his personal, political interests above the interests of U.S. foreign policy. Rather than learning a lesson from his new title of an impeached POTUS and its consequent disgrace, Trump became more determined to elevate his low standing and get reelected. However, he needed a justification to offset the risks of starting a major Regional War. Qassem Soleimani had been on Trump's radar for seven months. In his mind, a war would satisfy his sponsors, make him a wartime POTUS, and elevate his status in the Presidential Elections. Towards the end of 2019, before the pandemic, the American economy was slowing. Most economists predicted a recession, and of the massive new debt his Admin had created, 83% went to the wealthiest Americans and their concentrated ownership of corporate wealth.
When the military presented Trump with options to respond to probable Iranian involvement in an attack in Iraq, Trump chose the option that would benefit him the most and likely result in a counter-attack on undefended American troops in Iraq:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa-iran/trump-authorizes-military-to-respond-after-deadly-attack-blamed-on-iran-backed-militia-idUSKBN20Z251
Fortunately, Iran was only interested in responding with a minimal but clear message. They don't want a war with the U.S. and don't try to start a fight when your troops are unprotected, as Trump couldn't wait to do.
To America, the message of the Trump Crises should be don't elect unqualified representatives who put their interests and pathologies above the country's, the general welfare, a sustainable future, the truth, and our democracy. Learn to spot a desperate & corrupt con man or woman. Demand that our democratic institutions provide the necessary, Constitutional checks and balances on each other.
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/01/14/why-did-the-pentagon-ever-give-trump-the-option-of-killing-soleimani/
Excellent synopsis of Trump's foreign-policy chops coupled to his incessant, all-consuming, self-defeating bid for reelection. Note to voters: Don't elect ignorant fools and mental cases.