War Iran-United States Military Crisis of 2020 - US Baghdad embassy under siege, rocket fire in US Baghdad green zone, Ukrainian Airlines flight 752 crash, and more!

PantsFreeZone · Jan 3, 2020

Adamska said:
I'm not remotely worried this is going to be a war like what the fearmongers have a confused fearboner for. Unless Iran wants a lot of air strikes and a quick yeeting.

Besides, flat footed.

I would sign up, but I took an arrow to the knee...

Also:

Tookie · Jan 3, 2020

Dom Cruise said:
However I don't remember Desert Storm being processed as a "national trauma", what exactly do you mean by that?

It definitely wasn't. Vietnam was a "national trauma" and kept public sentiment firmly against military intervention until Desert Storm. The Gulf War was such a faceroll and got broadcast live on TV it got the public comfortable with the notion of bombing the shit out of everyone with minimal casualties for the next couple decades.

not william stenchever · Jan 3, 2020

Adamska said:
it upfronts warned the Iranians try something like this again and more of you, the leaders not the people, will be next.

That's the magic of this strike, right there. The core goal for the leadership of Iran is to stay in power and stay alive. Making them add "will this get me killed?" into their decision making will make them much less likely to try to fuck with the US again.

the fall of man · Jan 3, 2020

In general, I like the discourse and dissenting opinions here, because it shows that even though this board tilts conservative there’s no fear to express an opposing opinion (like the shitfest bernie troonfest that is SomethingAwful’s Democratic Primary thread).

Our involvement in the Middle East just isn’t something that will evaporate overnight, though. While it’s very tempting to think the US can just extricate itself from its responsibilities and let the Ottomans and Safavids have at each other again, the truth is that our putzing around over there is keeping legit Holy Wars from starting up again. I don’t even particularly like the fact that atheism exists, but our modern European-influenced rationalist post-modernity is mostly a side effect of Jerusalem being accessible to the daughters of Rome after millennia of effort, and don’t fool yourself into thinking that humanity isn’t totally willing to give up scientific realism and go headlong into Crusade/Jihad territory the first moment any actor thinks they can install the permanent caliphate/holy and eternal church/trump towers temple mount (that one is a joke, and would definitely break the base).

XYZpdq · Jan 3, 2020

Adamska said:
Unless Iran wants a lot of air strikes and a quick yeeting.

"And so with shitposting on twitter and massive airstrikes President Trump created the 'tweet and yeet' doctrine of international dominance "

Gustav Schuchardt · Jan 3, 2020

There will soon be an end to this cold and wicked war
When those hard headed Iranians get what they're lookin' for
Only one thing that will stop them and their atrocious bunch
If President Trump drops an atomic bomb

Now over in Iraq our boys have fought and fell
But they died just like heroes amid the many shot and killed
They had their hands tied behind them and were murdered by the score
By those dirty minded Iranians who started this sad war

There'll be fire, dust and metal flying all around
And the radioactivity will burn them to the ground
If there's any Iranians left they'll be all on the run
If President Trump drops an atomic bomb

Old hard-headed Ali will be feelin' mighty blue
When he finds out he's bitten off more than he can chew
For his aggression will be ended and the job will be well done
If President Trump drops an atomic bomb

Old Tump has the power to stop those murderin' thieves
And he’ll make them sorry for their underhanded schemes
Just leave it to the POTUS for he really has the nerve
To give no good Iranians just what they deserve

There'll be fire, dust and metal flying all around
And the radioactivity will burn their playhouse down
If there's any Iranians left they'll be all on the run
If President Tump drops an atomic bomb

RA-5C Vigilante · Jan 3, 2020

In all this talk, I think I should put in my two cents for a second.

Iran needs to strike back, or more accurately, the mullahs in charge of Iran. They cannot look any weaker at this very moment, and they are probably shitting their Pj's right now. They first had to contend with protests in their own country, protests threatening their loss of a vassal state (Iraq), and now their biggest hero of their elite, high speed SF equivalent gets killed not in glorious combat, but on essentially a whim by a drone while the commander in chief of his killers ate fucking ice cream. They need to whip out their five inch Tehrani terminators and show they still are the big men of the area, cause they look fucking pitiful right now, and the Saudis, Israelis, Iraqi opposition, and anyone else who hates Iran are smelling blood in the water.

Also, lets get this out of the way: Irans army, the Artesh, is weak as fuck, upgrades or not. Their tanks are cold war era, some of 70's vintage, and their air force isn't much better. One of their navies new high tech destroyers sank on a break water during trials. They aren't my worry. What is my worry is the IRGC. I hate to bring Nazis into this, but seeing how they are a state apparatus alongside the state, and they have their own army, they are the Iranian Schutzstaffel. Worse, they're an SS with their own Navy, Air force, and missile commands. These are people who are waging the shadow wars, jumping borders, funneling money, trafficking drugs and weapons, and preparing themselves for a holy war to defend their corrupt, inefficient, dying government. They are shooting the protesters, pushing their own trained protesters to go after embassies, and making sure Hezbollah stays a threat in the area. And they just took a fuck of a hit over what would have passed three to four years ago as a "diplomatic incident."

The IRGC are fucking assholes. Well armed, fanatical, powerful assholes. And they will fight tooth and nail so the Islamic Revolution never loses power. Watch them carefully. They are the litmus test to what Iran is going to do next. They are the Persian SS, and their honor will be their loyalty.

An Avenging Bird · Jan 3, 2020

The only downside to such a thorough surgical strike is the bastard's death was undoubtedly instantaneous.

Jan 3, 2020

Spooky Bones said:
Too busy weeping, gnashing his teeth, and rending his clothes. @3119967d0c is my boy though and I would like to hear his thots.

Soleimani died a martyr. A shortsighted person could criticize his aid to US forces in the Battle of Herat, but he has redeemed himself a million times over for his involvement in that strategic decision to trust the Zionist occupied United States government in any way.

I am not personally involved in the retaliation against the Zionists and Zionist tools responsible for this crime, but I will relish it.

Shield Breaker · Jan 3, 2020

Tookie said:
It definitely wasn't. Vietnam was a "national trauma" and kept public sentiment firmly against military intervention until Desert Storm. The Gulf War was such a faceroll and got broadcast live on TV it got the public comfortable with the notion of bombing the shit out of everyone with minimal casualties for the next couple decades.

People also realized how awful the troops were treated during and after Vietnam. The response was to go real far into the other direction.

They even had trading cards for it.

RA-5C Vigilante · Jan 3, 2020

3119967d0c said:
Soleimani died a martyr. A shortsighted person could criticize his aid to US forces in the Battle of Herat, but he has redeemed himself a million times over for his involvement in that strategic decision to trust the Zionist occupied United States government in any way.

I am not personally involved in the retaliation against the Zionists and Zionist tools responsible for this crime, but I will relish it.

Oh thank god I was worried you got killed in a car accident

RodgerDodger · Jan 3, 2020

Otterly said:
There isn’t going to be any official retaliation beyond some sabre rattling because Iran is well aware that’s not a game they will win.
What probably will happen is some small cell will be activated and commit some atrocity against civilians in Europe, soft target type. Some loon/s killing people yelling ‘this is for solomeini’ Then the Iranian regime will be able to hold their hands up and say they had nothing to do with it.
We’ve had this before multiple times. It’s all allahu Akbar amd this-is-for and then we will get some fucking hashtag campaign and a news blitz on why this is actually our fault for being white/western/vaguely civilised.
There will also be knock on repercussions in Iraq and with Hezbollah.

Eh? The only flaw in this line of thinking is to quote an article I read somewhere today, "we may have just killed the only adult in the room with regards to Iran". in other words Soleimani might have been the one advising them to keep their responses limited and deniable. He was so high in the chain of command that we don't really know what the next buffoon will do?

Although looking at him, you can tell he figures he'll be dead in a week.

Those eyes look quite haunted with that look of "I'm so fucked!"

LocalFireDept · Jan 3, 2020

Cheemsburbger said:
MEDICALLY INELIGIBLE FOR MILITARY SERVICE GANG RISE UP! But seriously, fuck this shit. I don't feel like misting kids or dying in a horrific manner

My friend, the US didn't institute a draft when the sandmen flew a plane into buildings on their own soil. I doubt they'll start one up over this.

pipcome · Jan 3, 2020

All the people spreading the narrative of WW3 all over forums should really get a ban if there is no ww3 in a month or so.
Because the idea of ww3 from this is so crazy that most people who believe it are either uninformed or push a narrative because they hate trump and want war.
In both cases they should be banned for their blatant dishonesty should ww3 not be thing from this. There is accepting bullshit to an extend and then there is this pretend "OMG WW3 you bastards!!!" fuckery from two faced liars.

Clockwork_PurBle · Jan 3, 2020

I have vague memories of playing in the floor next to the TV with the news showing video footage of happenings during the Iraq war.

I remember looking at the equipment and thinking, even as a wee lass, "daaang how old are the terrorists' trucks and tanks? How do they function?"

Feline Supremacist · Jan 3, 2020

zap2theextreme said:
The embassy shouldn't even exist. I don't even know if I should bother as you seem to be entirely delusional about the reality of the situation. America did start it. The entire premise that Saddam Hussein had WMDs, was working with Al Qaeda, and helped orchestrate 9/11 was a full on lie. The entire situation in the middle-east is predicated on this

While there's truth about the deception and outright lying that took place, what did you do about it? What are you doing about it now? I don't have any respect for those who moan and bitch about the US while enjoying the benefits of living in (often off) the US.

I bet it's nothing. Fish or cut bait as my daddy used to say.

zap2theextreme said:
What you're saying makes no sense. You say it's not a big deal, but Killing a key military officer of a foreign nation is an act of war.

Attacking a US Embassy is an act of war and retaliation is not only acceptable, it's expected.

Adamska · Jan 3, 2020

3119967d0c said:
Soleimani died a martyr. A shortsighted person could criticize his aid to US forces in the Battle of Herat, but he has redeemed himself a million times over for his involvement in that strategic decision to trust the Zionist occupied United States government in any way.

I am not personally involved in the retaliation against the Zionists and Zionist tools responsible for this crime, but I will relish it.

He got yeeted by a drone while our president ate ice cream.

He went out like a bitch.

Billy_Sama · Jan 3, 2020

All I know is to get my gas tank full before the prices go up.

Aria · Jan 3, 2020

US authorities prepare as Iran vows revenge for Soleimani strike

US authorities are increasing vigilance and fortifying defenses as Iran warns of a "harsh revenge" in the aftermath of a US drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of the country's elite Quds Force.

edition.cnn.com

US authorities prepare as Iran vows revenge for Soleimani strike

Washington (CNN)US authorities are increasing vigilance and fortifying defenses as Iran warns of a "harsh revenge" in the aftermath of a US drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of the country's elite Quds Force.
The major escalation by the US, conducted in Baghdad as tensions in the region flared following the Iranian-backed siege of the US embassy in Iraq, has inevitably invited Iranian retaliation, experts say, and national security officials in the US are preparing for attacks on multiple fronts, including American outposts abroad, soft targets in the US and in cyberspace.

Law enforcement officials said there is no indication of an active or imminent plot within the US, but local police in cities across the country announced on Friday that they were strengthening patrols to defend against potential violence inspired by the killing or even the activation of possible underground terrorist networks seeded by Iran in the US and across the world.

Meanwhile, FBI counterterrorism investigators were reviewing possible threats from supporters of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia whose broad reach is known to extend outside of the Middle East to Europe, South America and the US, according to current and former US law enforcement officials.
Investigators are looking through tips and investigative leads and redoubling attention to suspects already on the FBI's radar to determine whether they require deeper scrutiny, a US official said.
https://kiwifarms.net/javascript:void(0)

"Iran has a worldwide reach through their clandestine networks and is capable of asymmetrical operations against their enemies: terrorism, proxy warfare, assassinations and kidnapping," said Christopher Costa, the former senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council under the Trump administration who now heads the International Spy Museum in Washington.

Hezbollah is believed to have secretly amassed caches of explosives in the West for potential attacks on soft targets, and American prosecutors have brought charges against Iranians and people linked to Hezbollah who were allegedly gathering intelligence on vulnerable public locations in the US.

In 2017, two men were charged by the Justice Department with quietly supporting the terror group for over a decade as they lived inconspicuous American lives.

A bigger concern, however, are possible threats to US diplomats and servicemembers -- as well as American citizens -- living in the Middle East, where Iran could more easily stage an attack, according to a law enforcement official and national security experts.

Iran and its proxies, particularly Hezbollah, have a history of attacks, including the Khobar Towers truck bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed US military members in 1996.

Hezbollah and Iranian-supported groups were also behind a series of bombings in the early-to-mid-1990s targeting Jewish organizations and Israeli diplomatic facilities in Argentina and elsewhere.
The group has a robust network of supporters who provide fundraising and other assistance in the US and other countries.

Law enforcement officials have also tracked their efforts to launder money through the drug trade in Colombia and Venezuela, as well as certain African countries.

The concern among American authorities has been that Hezbollah supporters could carry out attacks if US-Iran tensions boil over into broader conflict, current and former law enforcement officials say.

"We need to be at an increased security posture to protect against threats to our people in Baghdad and more broadly, we should consider risks beyond the immediate region given the penchant for proxies abroad," said Lisa Monaco, homeland security and counterterrorism adviser to President Barack Obama, in an email.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security were considering whether to update a terrorism threat advisory in light of the attack, a senior DHS official told CNN.

Top DHS leadership convened after news of the US strike broke in Washington to assess potential new threats and responses by the agency, which oversees much of the defense of critical infrastructure points across the country, acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement.

Iran has steadily expanded its cyberspace capabilities, experts say. Once viewed as a third-rate digital power, the country is now considered at least a second-tier player, according to Adam Segal, director of the digital and cyberspace policy program at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Though lacking the punch of countries like China and Russia in the space, Iran is capable enough to "cause serious damage" to the United States and its many soft civilian targets, said Peter W. Singer, a strategist at the New America Foundation and the author of an upcoming book on infrastructure attacks. And, he added, Iran won't need to bother to conceal its activities.

In the past, Iran has largely kept its cyberspace offensives limited to the Middle East. But the country has increasingly probed western nations for vulnerabilities.
In 2015, US intelligence officials said Iran was behind a 2014 cyberattack on American casinos partly owned by billionaire Sheldon Adelson. The attack resulted in the theft of credit card data, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

A year later, in 2016, the US government accused seven Iranians of hacking into dozens of American banks in 2012 and 2013, alleging millions of dollars in damage. The attacks spurred concerns that much of America's critical infrastructure — power grids, water systems and more — could be at risk.

Now, experts say that an Iranian cyberattack in retaliation for Soleimani's death is a "real possibility."
"The big question is will they do something symbolic, like the bank attacks, or try for both symbolic and disruptive, as they did with the Sands (casinos)," said James Lewis, director of the technology policy program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

As Iran plots its next steps, experts cautioned that the country was likely to act slowly and with an eye towards a more long term response.

"The Iranians are determined not to slip into a conventional war with the United States, which they will lose. They want to engage in a long-term, low-grade battle with the United States, which I think they can win," said Jon Alterman, the director of the Middle East Program at CSIS.

School of Fish · Jan 3, 2020

Well one thing is for sure, someday Iran is going to learn the hard way the same way that Japan learned that their worship of the emperor can only get you so far until reality comes knocking at their door.

If you know anything about what Japan was like during their imperial period, they worshiped their emperor as a god and when World War 2 then started to take off, they thought that they were going to win because they had the 'divine power of the emperor' at their side.

That all ended once reality shattered that delusion when the United States dropped the atomic bombs in Japan; what could they really do now when the United States had something that Japan did not have (which was the power of the sun) that can destroy anything in seconds and leave everything in total ruin.

And the same thing will someday happen to Iran too. Here they are thinking that Allah will save them but just like the Japanese before with their blind total religious devotion to the emperor, the country of Iran will also suffer the same fate because they refuse to see the reality of things.

War Iran-United States Military Crisis of 2020 - US Baghdad embassy under siege, rocket fire in US Baghdad green zone, Ukrainian Airlines flight 752 crash, and more!

PantsFreeZone

Smartest monkey on the spinning space rock

Tookie

Mountain of Molten Lust

not william stenchever

I AM NOT REASONABLE. I AM AN EVIL WIZARD.

the fall of man

thorns will take the earth

XYZpdq

fbi most wanted sskealeaton

Gustav Schuchardt

RA-5C Vigilante

Alone, Unarmed, Unafraid

An Avenging Bird

Lean in snorted

⠠⠠⠅⠑⠋⠋⠁⠇⠎ ⠠⠠⠊⠎ ⠠⠠⠁ ⠠⠠⠋⠁⠛

WHO DARES BATTLE THE SARACEN

Shield Breaker

Back but busy

RA-5C Vigilante

Alone, Unarmed, Unafraid

RodgerDodger

LocalFireDept

pipcome

Clockwork_PurBle

405 scares me. I left my ducky in there.

Feline Supremacist

Adamska

Last Gunman

Billy_Sama

♂Love and Muscle in Heaven♂

Aria

No mohgin

US authorities prepare as Iran vows revenge for Soleimani strike

School of Fish