Events continue to escalate since a US airstrike in Baghdad killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. It is hard to sort fact from fiction at the moment in the fast and furious debate swirling through Washington, Iraq, Iran and the mainstream media, but let’s give it a try.
In an interview with Chris Wallace on his Sunday Fox News program, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo provided some clarity on the president’s strategy going forward. In a nutshell, it’s to show Iran that there will be consequences if they harm Americans.
Why the urgency to take out Soleimani now?
Iran has been provoking the US for a while now, attacking our drones and attacking ships, but this time President Trump drew a line in the sand, saying that the US would not tolerate the death of another American. An American contractor was killed just a little over a week ago in Iraq in an Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia attack. Then the US embassy in Baghdad was attacked by Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia. As a result the US took out the mastermind, Soleimani, that was behind those attacks.
Many on the left are accusing the president of using the Soleimani killing to distract from impeachment. Wallace asked Pompeo why the US needed to take out Soleimani now. Pompeo responded that the risks associated with inaction on the part of the US were greater than the risks of acting.
Wallace also asked if the American people should have access to all the information in the briefings, but Pompeo pointed out that some intelligence cannot be shared publicly as it would jeopardize further intelligence gathering which will be needed going forward.
Democrats argue that Trump had no authority
Nancy Pelosi has accused the Trump administration of acting without authority, but the administration maintains that their authority derives from the AUMF (authorization to use military force) Congress approved back in 2002. They also delivered a formal notification about the airstrike on Soleimani on Saturday, January 4th, as required by the War Powers Act. That act states that notification has to be delivered within 48 hours of the action.
Democrats accuse Trump of starting a war with Iran
Pelosi also accuses the president of starting a war with Iran, but Soleimani was killed in Iraq, where he had been banned by the UN. The killing of Soleimani was not an act of war, it was the death of a terrorist, one who had killed many Americans, Iraqis, and others. Senator Marco Rubio addressed this argument.
1. Soleimani wasn’t “assasinated”,he was killed on the battlefield during active operations.
2. He was in #Iraq in violation of a 2007 UN Security Council travel ban
3. He spent the last few days coordinating imminent attacks against American citizens,allies & interests 1/2— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020
General David Petraeus: Soleimani killing more significant that Bin Laden and Baghdadi
General David Petraeus, commanding general of the MNF (multi-national forces) in Iraq from 2007-2008, said the death of Soleimani was more important than Bin Laden or Baghdadi. In an interview with Foreign Affairs, Petraeus said that the killing of Soleimani is a strong message that the US will respond to the aggressive tactics of Iran and the killing of Americans.
David Petraeus: It is impossible to overstate the importance of this particular action. It is more significant than the killing of Osama bin Laden or even the death of [Islamic State leader Abu Bakr] al-Baghdadi. Suleimani was the architect and operational commander of the Iranian effort to solidify control of the so-called Shia crescent, stretching from Iran to Iraq through Syria into southern Lebanon. He is responsible for providing explosives, projectiles, and arms and other munitions that killed well over 600 American soldiers and many more of our coalition and Iraqi partners just in Iraq, as well as in many other countries such as Syria. So his death is of enormous significance.
Iran is divided
In November, Iranians protested their government. International sanctions and military spending have kept the Iranian people poor and they rose up to protest. The government responded with a brutal crackdown, killing many, and imprisoning thousands. They shut down the internet for days to try to prevent news from getting out and made sharing video of the unrest a criminal offense. Nonetheless, video has trickled out.
According to the BBC, “The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has spent billions of dollars arming, training and paying militias in the region, saying that if the force does not fight Iran’s enemies beyond its borders then it will have to face them on the streets of Tehran.”
In Mariwan, a small Kurdish border town in Iran at least ten people killed in anti-Government protests. The city looks like war zone. #iranprotest #kurdistan #bbcpersian #bbcnews pic.twitter.com/V7L3jZ5zt3
— Jiyar Gol (@jiyargol) November 20, 2019
Iraq is divided along religious lines
What is happening in Iraq and in the Middle East is basically a religious war of Shi’ites against Sunnis. The Shi’ites are in charge of Iran and almost control Iraq now. But Sunnis may by fighting back.
There is evidence Iraq is anything but united and that many Iraqis want Iranian influence out of their country. In October and November 2019, Iraqis attacked the Iran consulate twice in Karbala and set it on fire. They also tore down the Iranian flag and replaced it with the Iraqi flag. Iran sent Qasem Soleimani to advise on how to handle the protests in Iraq, and 250 people were killed during the protests.
Part of Iraqi Parliament votes to remove all foreign troops from Iraq
On Sunday, the Iraqi Parliament voted to remove foreign troops from Iraq. The vote was one-sided, all Shi’ite lawmakers. The Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers boycotted the vote. They are concerned that an Iran-led insurgency is the likely alternative in the absence of coalition forces.
According to the Jerusalem Post, “One Sunni member of parliament told Reuters that both groups feared that kicking out U.S.-led coalition forces would leave Iraq vulnerable to an insurgency, undermine security and heighten the power of Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias.
Indeed, knowing the power and influence that Iran wields in the region, Iraq could easily become a vassal state in a growing Iranian empire.
Pompeo placed the blame for Iranian aggression and endless war squarely on Obama
President Trump has talked a lot about getting the US military out of the Middle East and has said someone else needs to fight over it.
Wallace asked Pompeo if we were getting out of the Middle East or stepping back in? Pompeo stated, “Endless wars are the direct result of weakness.”
“The Obama administration created enormous risk to the American people in Iran, this administration is working to reduce that risk.”
Wallace asked Pompeo if impeachment has emboldened our enemies, to which Pompeo responded, “You should ask Mr. Soleimani.”
616 Responses
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
Hi there, I think your web site could possibly be having browser compatibility problems. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, great website!
I precisely wished to thank you very much all over again. I am not sure what I would have used in the absence of these ideas discussed by you directly on my theme. It absolutely was the daunting condition for me, but seeing your skilled approach you handled the issue made me to cry for gladness. I am just happier for the support and as well , hope that you really know what an amazing job that you’re doing training others using your webpage. I know that you have never come across any of us.
Very good post. I am facing many of these issues as well..
You are so awesome! I do not believe I’ve read a single thing like that before. So wonderful to discover somebody with some unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal site now 😉
You’re so interesting! I don’t believe I’ve truly read something like this before. So great to discover somebody with some unique thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to trade methods with other folks, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thank you!
After looking at a number of the blog articles on your site, I really like your way of blogging. I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site too and tell me what you think.
Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
Excellent article. I will be experiencing many of these issues as well..
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and also the rest of the website is extremely good.
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am going through difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the answer can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
I love it whenever people get together and share opinions. Great website, keep it up!
Great info. Lucky me I discovered your website by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve book marked it for later!
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
You’re so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read anything like this before. So wonderful to discover someone with a few original thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Excellent blog post. I certainly love this site. Thanks!
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am having problems with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anyone else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely believe this web site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the information!
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog web site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vivid clear concept
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across this in my search for something regarding this.
May I simply say what a comfort to find somebody who truly understands what they’re discussing over the internet. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people have to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular since you definitely possess the gift.
The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I really thought you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the site is also very good.
Everything is very open with a clear description of the issues. It was truly informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
Some really quality articles on this internet site , saved to favorites .
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is useful. Thank you for sharing!
bookmarked!!, I love your blog!
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you should publish more about this topic, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people do not discuss these issues. To the next! Many thanks!!
It’s the best time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have read this submit and if I could I wish to recommend you some fascinating issues or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles relating to this article. I wish to learn even more things approximately it!
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Many thanks, However I am going through troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
You’ve made some decent points there. I looked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
This web site truly has all of the information and facts I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.