As irrational as ever, Trump chose to assassinate another high-value target without thinking about strategic consequences. It could get worse.
Trump chose to claim that the US was withdrawing militarily from the Middle East while sending more troops. Much like his other military decision-making Trump concerns himself with “style” rather than substance.
No one in Congress, not even the “gang of eight” was consulted.
Congress must demand answers for an operation that now places Americans everywhere in greater danger.
UPDATE: Iran’s leader Ayatollah Khamenei says “severe retaliation” awaits the killers of top general Qassem Soleimani, in a statement.
The U.S. “bears responsibility for all consequences,” Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also tweetedhttps://t.co/KxxmmkZn1L pic.twitter.com/cjMpsL729C
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) January 3, 2020
To be clear: not saying this is wag the dog — its not news that US Iran policy was unsustainable.
— David Solimini (@CommsDirector) January 3, 2020
The propaganda begins.
I’ll never forget the experience of the 2003 Iraq war, how media outlets became unquestioning beaters of the war drum. Seems to be happening again. https://t.co/K2oCBCCxEP
— Unite in justice for the poor & oppressed (@BreeNewsome) January 3, 2020
Two things can be true:
1. Soleimani is human trash.
2. Assassinating him is reckless and potentially going to be the cause of a massive escalation to an avoidable war.
I don't understand why you are acting like both of these things can't be true.
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) January 3, 2020
Given how poorly Trump has treated American military & intel leaders, how frequently he’s ignored them or abused them insisting he knows better, does anyone believe his escalation toward military conflict with Iran benefits from adequate input & significant strategic judgement?
— Steven Beschloss (@StevenBeschloss) January 3, 2020
"If Trump is defeated, Riyadh should be prepared for a shift. A new administration likely would end US support of the war in Yemen & re-engage Iran. It’s not surprising we’re seeing nascent moves by the Saudis toward potential dialogue with Tehran.” https://t.co/0xnJmHen88
— Suzanne DiMaggio (@suzannedimaggio) December 6, 2019
In sum: Iran isn’t such a terrible threat, US policymaking is misguided and broken, sanctions are now an on-ramp to war (not a way to avoid it), and the US could stumble into something for which it’s not prepared https://t.co/LkHfKM5ohm
— Fareed Zakaria (@FareedZakaria) July 22, 2019
At tomorrow's Evangelicals-for-Trump rally, Trump will make a very big deal of this. He will emphasize that he kept his promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem. He WILL cast the events of tonight in biblical terms, their longed-for hope to set up events for Christ's return.
— Diana Butler Bass (@dianabutlerbass) January 3, 2020
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