Forum menu
So the alternative is that the regime stays in place but somehow ends up more amenable to the US? The country that unilaterally attacked them twice in the last 2 years during diplomatic negotiations? I mean really?
Shitshow doesn't even begin to describe it. It makes Iraq and Afghanistan look like genius statesmanship in comparison.
thats why theyll have to just keep bombing until everyone is dead!
I suspect Trump will take a deal that involves cheap oil
But what about the Israeli government? Iran is (sort of) on their doorstep, the military-intelligence establishment is filled with smart and well-informed people, and they supposedly have penetrated much of the Iranian state. Surely they aren't also going to leave what happens in Iran next up to chance?
At the moment it kind of looks like they are aiming for... some kind of failed state anarchy?
https://bsky.app/profile/aphclarkson.bsky.social/post/3mg5z32d2522b
Israel can flex their muscles and demolish as much as they can of the state. But unless they suddenly whip a grand plan out of their back pocket it does look like the next step is either a completely rogue state, or perhaps some kind of regional warlords situation. Which is not going to help Israel or the ME generally one bit.
when we’re out of or off oil
Dubai has virtually no oil, comparatively speaking. 4 billion barrels compared to 92 billion in Abu Dhabi
Dubai's success is based on it being a regional business hub rather than oil based revenue. If anything it was more successful as a pearl diving location before the skyscrapers arrived
Weirdly when you see all the scrap yards stacked with exotic cars, what you don’t realise is that they get there from all over the world and the parts are sold worldwide or the cars are repaired with very cheap labour and shipped out.
Israel can flex their muscles and demolish as much as they can of the state. But unless they suddenly whip a grand plan out of their back pocket it does look like the next step is either a completely rogue state, or perhaps some kind of regional warlords situation. Which is not going to help Israel or the ME generally one bit.
I would say the same for the USA.
It seems there is no exit plan. No understanding of 'these are our goals, how we will achieve them, what we do when we have achieved them'.
It strikes me that the fragile and imperfect 'peace' of much of the middle east has been blown up in the last few years, and the last few days continues that process with no way to control what is happening now or in future.
I sincerely doubt any of them are phoning their GP in e.g. Walthamstow or claiming jobseekers allowance, or voting in UK elections.
One of them is an MP, sitting in Parliament and spends his time telling people the UK should be more like Dubai. His hideous wife spends her time (tax-free in the UAE) writing columns for the Torygraph stressing what a lawless cesspit the UK is
As well as the tax situation, they're obviously not too bothered about horrific human rights abuses, but then why would they be? That's only an issue for brown people, not rich white ex-pats economic migrants. According to them it's a state of affairs we should aspire to.
I literally don’t get HTAF a bloke can be a U.K. MP and literally not live in the U.K.
Sort of explains why he’s happy to rip up the ECHR.
Even Tommy R doesn’t live in the U.K.
Sort of bugs me how theses people who literally are getting elected/making a living on running the country down literally don’t live or experience it as they are in a much warmer climate with no tax or a lower cost of living and would be expensing everything whilst back in country continuing the grifting.
I literally don’t get HTAF a bloke can be a U.K. MP and literally not live in the U.K.
Richard Literally Tice literally doesn't literally live in the United Literally Arab Emirates though.
Trump about Starmer – "This is not Winston Churchill we're dealing with"
Err, pick up a history book Trump – where were the USA in 1939, 1940 and most of 1941?
That Guardian article...
“My family built their first ever skyscraper in Dubai in the mid-70s so we have known the place for a long time.”
Ladies and gentleman, this is who the public are likely to make deputy PM... to teach the elites a lesson. It's so Trump.
Sort of bugs me how theses people who literally are getting elected/making a living on running the country down literally don’t live or experience it
Off topic but its fascinating how many of the right wing "patriots" dont live here and spend all their time attacking the country whilst also attacking "woke"/"lefties"/etc for a proclaimed lack of patriotism because if anyone mentions historically it wasnt all bread and roses.
@dissonance It’s almost like they’re not actually patriots at all?
https://bsky.app/profile/chadbourn.bsky.social/post/3mg6ozog6wk2s
Erdogan is going to be **** furious
trump is saying US navy will escort ships in the straight of Hormuz (even though they don't have enough skips there too so it - that this has caught them by surprise is ridiculous)
also reports of US consulate in Dubai & Embassy in Riyadh have been hit by drones
https://bsky.app/profile/johnphudson.bsky.social/post/3mg6onk3vzj2u
oh an the US embassy in Jerusalem is saying it can't help with repatriations....
if Iran dont run out of drones soon, trump will be in trouble
oh and khameni's son Motajab didn't die in the strike that killed his dad as was reported, he's now been elected the new ayatollah...
https://bsky.app/profile/sundersays.bsky.social/post/3mg6prbjijc2g
Attacking civilian targets and friendly fire is very much part of American and Netanyahu’s strategy. It’s certainly something the Americans have excelled at for decades.
I think this war may be spiralling out of trumps grip faster than anyone expected
https://bsky.app/profile/osintradar.bsky.social/post/3mg6r2qtta22t
Turkey are going to be furious , erdogan & netenyahu are already not best of friends
https://bsky.app/profile/osintradar.bsky.social/post/3mg6r6yb4bc2t
Erdogan is going to be **** furious
Given the track record of the USA telling Kurds to "we will back you if you start an uprising now" not sure they will be leaping into action until they know Trump and co wont get bored (I guess Netanyahu could send them a copy of the Epstein tapes).
oh and khameni's son Motajab didn't die in the strike that killed his dad as was reported, he's now been elected the new ayatollah...
I suppose they won't need to change the name on the office door
apparently trump has spoken to iraqi and Iranian Kurdish groups ,
the olan is just so spectacularly half-baked
Turkey is already pissed at israel, this will make things worse, Iraqi militias are gonna get involved, its like they want another Libya
not sure if these are the at the actual embassies/consulates or just nearby, but it seems that the Americans weren't prepared for this
https://bsky.app/profile/hannibalbrigade.biz/post/3mg6uze7ey22g
https://bsky.app/profile/hannibalbrigade.biz/post/3mg6v4wvzw22g
oh and this is (was) a $1bn radar installation that is crucial to NATO's early warning system
not sure if these are the at the actual embassies/consulates or just nearby, but it seems that the Americans weren't prepared for this
It does feel a little like Russia marching into Ukraine being surprised that anyone might try to resist a superpower.
It’s now glaringly obvious that there is no plan at all. Not even a thought as to what follows them bombing the #%*^ out of Iran on behalf of Netenyahu.
They haven’t thought that far ahead. They’re literally making it up as they go along on the back of a fag packet.
This makes Iraq look like the most carefully planned military operation in history.
An utter and complete cluster-****!
Christ only knows what the fallout from this insanity will be
It’s now glaringly obvious that there is no plan at all. Not even a thought as to what follows them bombing the #%*^ out of Iran on behalf of Netanyahu
Yep…….i got called out as a conspiracy theorist for saying the above , I wrote my usual diatribe against that utter ghoul Netanyahu and his government over two years ago in the Gaza thread and said he’s not going to stop until he grabs Lebanon, Gaza , the West Bank whilst dragging the rest of us into war with Iran
War Aims by Peter Arnott in Bella Caledonia:
...Trump , by contrast, believes in nothing, except, perhaps, that people might want to be his friends. I suspect he’ll find out very much to the contrary in the next year or two.
Trump therefore, has no war aim. Just the personal goal of illusory friendship. Oh, he might vaguely have the notion of regional hegemony somewhere in his noggin. Remembering games of Risk, his might think his friend Putin is the hegemon of Europe, as Netanyahu is of the Middle East and he himself is of the Americas. But, when it comes down to it, the reason that Trump has no aim is very simple. This isn’t his war.
Netanyahu, by contrast, has wanted this war all his life. He has always wanted America to join with him in attacking Iran. He has already achieved his war aim. Whatever happens now, whether it comes to the building of new settlements in East Jerusalem, cancelling forever the possibility of a viable Palestinian State, or in the upcoming Knesset elections, Netanyahu has no war aims, because his aims have already been achieved. The sucker has already given him the one-sided carnage he wants in the depths of his dark, self-serving soul...
Won’t someone please think of the expats
https://bsky.app/profile/francesryan.bsky.social/post/3mg6igbps7224
Given the track record of the USA telling Kurds to "we will back you if you start an uprising now" not sure they will be leaping into action until they know Trump and co wont get bored (I guess Netanyahu could send them a copy of the Epstein tapes).
Probably they are aware of the fate of the Iraqi marsh Arabs who believed similar promises after GW1.
It’s now glaringly obvious that there is no plan at all.
Apparently it's being reported that quite a few soldiers have complained about "extremist Christian biblical rhetoric" being used to justify the attacks on Iran. Christian fundamentalists and MAGA republicans are going to bring back Jesus, even if they have to kill everyone in the process.
It’s now glaringly obvious that there is no plan at all.
Apparently it's being reported that quite a few soldiers have complained about "extremist Christian biblical rhetoric" being used to justify the attacks on Iran. Christian fundamentalists and MAGA republicans are going to bring back Jesus, even if they have to kill everyone in the process.
Just seen SM reports of this. **** me, if some bellend extremist Christian American tries to make this a crusade then the bellend extremist Muslims are going to escalate it so we can all get into our own version of heaven. Via hell on Earth.
Israel and the US are after Irans oil reserves, an Iranian leadership put in place by Trump will strike an oil deal with the US.
Unfortunately, oil ownership equals power, Trump is all about power.
Trump will drag nations along with him only for him to get an oil deal that benefits the US, tommerhawk missiles are a million a go someone has to pay for them!!!!
I wonder how much money the members of the board of peace have made with the prior knowledge of this attack
Man, it’s difficult to keep up…..
SM is telling me that “of course they needed to secure the Venezuelan oil before destabilising the Middle East” which mean there was definitely a plan and it started rolling some time ago, but at the same time “Trump has gone into this without a plan” 😂
I think Israel is being aggressive because Israel is aggressive. It might be because of oil, but it's probably more because they have been itching for a fight with Iran for the longest time and now they have found the perfect president to take with them.
Look at the unhinged speach of Whiskey Pete and the MAGA Christian nutcases in the military talking about a crusade. The US far right Christians want this because they think this will bring back Jesus and Trump wants this because he wants to be remembered for something big (and probably to distract from Epstein and cancel midterms).
Never mind the legality, never mind the lack of a plan for a stable future for Iran, never mind the human cost of people who _just_ live there, just attack and, quite literally, let God judge them.
The RW press is absolutely hammering Starmer for not joining in with Trumps mad war
Im not sure how much is just to attack starmer, how much because theyve got MAGAbrain and how much is ecaus ethe editorial board and owners and senior journos all love to hang out there and pay no tax
Commentary on this on the Newsagents' podcast where they said that Starmer does not want this war to taint his legacy in the same way as its done for Blair.
I'm not really a fan of Starmer, but he is completely right on this.
Other than assuaging the Mad King, what possible reason would the UK have for supporting a conflict between the US and Iran, one that the US and Israel started?
I'm not really a fan of Starmer, but he is completely right on this.
Other than assuaging the Mad King, what possible reason would the UK have for supporting a conflict between the US and Iran, one that the US and Israel started?
Absolutely agree with this. And he needs to call out his critics who have not learnt the lessons from Iraq and want to send dozens of UK personnel to die, it's a great chance to put some distance between the government and the right on what would be a popular position.
(He doesn't have a great track record at scoring open goals though.)
The RW press represent the opinions of their billionaire tax-dodging owners, but are totally out of step with the mood of the majority of the country on this one.
They cheered on going into Iraq and Afghanistan and look how that worked out. They also got uppity, exactly like this, when David Cameron was prevented by Parliament from taking us into Syria. Imagine what fun that would have ended up as?
They may get themselves all worked up at the prospect of a good war, but the majority of people in this country think Trump is a **** and that we should certainly not be getting involved in any more of Americas crusades in the Middle East. Especially not after Trump insultingly failed to even acknowledge the sacrifice of UK troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in his usual graceless manner
Or just because regardless of who the PM is, the press love to criticise them for whichever decision they make - you can be pretty sure that if he'd jumped on Trump's coattails the headlines would be more likely to be "Spineless Starmer bows to Trump" than "Special relationship shows its strength". Personally, I've not spoken to a single person who thinks we should have been involved in the initial attack, and even the most anti-Starmer people seem to be glad he didn't say yes; I don't think the press understand the sentiment in the country!Im not sure how much is just to attack starmer, how much because theyve got MAGAbrain and how much is ecaus ethe editorial board and owners and senior journos all love to hang out there and pay no tax
Don’t forget, “The purpose of newspapers, is to sell newspapers”
It’s now glaringly obvious that there is no plan at all. Not even a thought as to what follows them bombing the #%*^ out of Iran on behalf of Netenyahu.
Of course there is a plan. Just like the plan they had for Syria etc starting with the decapitation the leadership to be followed by some forms of insurrection with puppet regime approved or backed by the duo US and Israel. If they don't comply then bomb them into compliance or to create as much destruction as possible to cripple them financially and to add further hardship etc, regardless of whether it is legal or illegal.
Iran is the last standing opponent in the middle east, and their destruction is also a necessity for the creation of greater Israel. Note, Israel conducted the pre-emptive strike to be followed by posse Trump, while so called "negotiation" was still ongoing. A tactic that is very dark and low but effective. All these have come to the past as the destruction has started. The objective now is simply to fight (using proxies as much as possible) until one side gives in holding the white flag. If Iran is as strong or as capable as they have been perceived to be, then there will be plenty of disruption all over the world for sometime to come.
As there are four or five main "clans" in Iran holding significant power, the best plan is to encourage them to fight amongst themselves to start a civil war to create a dysfunctional environment relying on handouts from their masters. The Kurds hold some power but if they got played into the hands of the posse, they will pay a heavy price when the tide is turned in future. i.e. promising the creation of greater Kurdistan (not sure how Turkey will feel about that). Therefore, the best possible condition is to spark the fire and let them burn amongst themselves.
In the meantime, if the situation (war) is being prolonged I guess we can expect price hikes in many things and the UK govt's plan to reduce inflation might just have to wait.
Interesting coincidence that 140 Iranian navy sailors find themselves in the ocean off Sri Lanka today
“A commercial flight chartered by the UK Government will depart Muscat at 7pm on Wednesday (04 March) for British nationals wishing to leave Oman following unrest in the region.
Approximately 130,000 British nationals have enrolled in the “Register Your Presence” programme, from the region in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates”
#evacuation #flight #aviation
It would take over three hundred 400 seat A380s to evacuate them all if that’s what it needed……
"register your presence" isn't "get me out of here", but seems like it would make things easier if it really kicks off in those countries
"British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and United Arab Emirates can register their presence to receive direct updates from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)."
Foreign Office travel advice updates - GOV.UK
Yep - I think the first person he got rid of was the person whose job it was to report on Amazon. Then a couple of hundred more for good measure……
And now we have Iranian navy ship torpedoed and sunk in Indian ocean by US submarine...
Listening to Tiny Pete Hegseth again. I have physically shuddered a few times. I don't think listening to someone speaking has ever had a physical impact on me like that before.
Death! Strength! Epic! Total Domination! America, **** Yeah!
He can't even spell Furry right
He’s definitely been on the roids! It’s terrifying, the way he’s so obviously getting off on the weapons porn he’s so gleefully announcing! He just needs to start rubbing his legs like Vic Reeces on Shooting Stars
He’s definitely been on the roids!
I am not convinced he is keeping to his promise about staying off the booze when working.
He might be keeping that promise, but then failing to mention a bunch of other stimulants.
a flaming stealth banana split the sky
I reckon he's more of a Metallica fan than Tool
Death! Strength! Epic! Total Domination! America, **** Yeah!
They have gone rogue. Power gets to their head and they only understand destruction.
Lunatic Americans have just torpedoed an Iranian Navy ship in international waters but this is "not a war"?
US citizens somewhere in the world will be the victims of retaliation for this and other attacks.
MAGA are amazing in that, even after more than a year in power, they shock me on a daily basis.
Americans have just torpedoed an Iranian Navy ship
made all the more impressive as Trump claimed the Iranian Navy to be "completely destroyed" just 2 days ago.
either they have built an entire ship, launched it and traveled to the indian ocean in 2 days, or they possess advanced stealth technology hitherto unknown.
or they possess advanced stealth technology hitherto unknown.
Well they rebuilt their nuclear program sufficiently for it to be an immediate threat after it was completely destroyed last year so they seem quite good at knocking stuff together quickly.
The Iranian Navy ship - had IRIS Dena -been a participant in the 2026 International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam, India.
This was an international maritime exercise hosted and conducted by the Indian Navy on behalf of the President of India in February 2026 to improve relations with other navies in the region.
Over 140 crew members reported as missing. No indication that the vessel was an imminent threat to any US or Israeli ships.
The evil joy on Hegseth's stupid face as he boasted of this unnecessary slaughter of sailors is sickening. How the **** did these lunatics take over?
Lunatic Americans have just torpedoed an Iranian Navy ship in international waters but this is "not a war"?
Don't be daft. It's a "special military operation".
Lunatic Americans have just torpedoed an Iranian Navy ship in international waters but this is "not a war"?
Best not mention the rumour of a missing Iranian sub as well then.
The RW press is absolutely hammering Starmer for not joining in with Trumps mad war
Im not sure how much is just to attack starmer, how much because theyve got MAGAbrain and how much is ecaus ethe editorial board and owners and senior journos all love to hang out there and pay no tax
looks like Spain have told the orage ne to jog in in more firm language...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93wwq1n542o
Hegseth not heard of the Belgrano, apparently.
Hegseth not heard of the Belgrano, apparently.
My first thought was enacting a tribute to Thatcher, who I imagine is highly regarded amongst the MAGA louts.
Hegseth not heard of the Belgrano, apparently.
The rumours that he personally ordered the machine gunning of the survivors of the boat allegedly carrying drugs from South America seems a lot more plausible having listened to that speech.
Sinking a random ship in international waters does seem to be verging on the war crimes side of things.
the shootdowns earlier were air to air
Hegseth not heard of the Belgrano, apparently.
Or the INS Khukri and ROKS Cheonan.
Former definitely by sub and the second probably (although a midget one).
Not sure if other people are familiar with professor Jiang Xueqin (apparently not a real professor) but I listened to his presentation on the USA vs Iran war this afternoon. Whilst I`m aware he is very marmite - his views on this war was very interesting.
From Iran`s reasons of attacking other gulf states - shia motivation for jihad - the pitfalls of USAs military doctrine and model - water insecurities - and likely outcomes.
Some seemed very plausible - some not so. But worth a listen if you can find it on youtoob
In the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter, but it niggles me that the BBC news website are referring to the ship as the ‘Iris Dena’ rather than the ‘IRIS Dena’. I assume they use the most junior members of staff to do these sort of stories.
the shootdowns earlier were air to air
seems less likely than SAM to me. While they are capable of carrying more, the usual load out of sidewinders on a F18 is two on the end wing pylons I'm not aware that the Kuwati's differ from this. Given the ability to indent F15 that close if they were firing sidewinders it seems unlikely.
But I could be entirely wrong.
perhaps, but Ward Carol is good source
That Kuwaiti pilot could be an ace by the weekend
That Kuwaiti pilot could be an ace by the weekend
That Kuwaiti pilot could be an ace by the weekend
Double post- looks like he's not the only one who's trigger happy 😂
shame that didnt post 5x
It's a US duck shoot. Nasty MAGA regime.
"register your presence" isn't "get me out of here", but seems like it would make things easier if it really kicks off in those countries
The UK government has never promised to evacuate all UK citizens from anywhere, and people should make their own plans as best they can. And buy travel insurance for short trips. And recognise that when you move somewhere, you live there.
UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman all have land borders with Saudi Arabia, which has two large international airports located much further away from Iranian drones and rockets...
What.. No free charted taxi from my hotel in Dubai to an airport in Saudi?
The bloody cheek of it! Don't they know how many social media followers I have?