Welcome to Home & Away. Today, I will focus exclusively on the issue that has taken up almost all my time of late: the war between Israel and Iran—and quite possibly the United States—now entering its second week. My own views are captured in the various Substack conversations and other appearances linked below as well as a print and online column for the
Your analysis is an excellent path to stop the killing. But it takes two to tango!! We have the TACO Man and the Iranian dictator to resolve the problem. Lot’s a luck with that combination. Trump ‘s cast of characters who are his advisors is another deep dive into incompetence. Time will tell how this resolves. In the meanwhile innocent people are being killed!
If Trump starts a war with Iraq or anywhere, what will he think about those military personnel who parish? Will he be calling them names, or being civil (which he seems to be incapable to do) to their families. So, obviously he is waiting for someone else to take on this situation.
Wonderful post as always, Richard. One thing that concerns me is the lack of discussion of the international legal issues. The US sought approval of the UN Security Council for its actions in Iraq. By my analysis, the only legal basis for military strikes in this case would be a vote of the Security Council. I think it's important that as we discuss all this we keep our commitment to the rules-based international order front and center. I know that is important to you as well. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I believe Trump is out of his depth here. The steps to be taken require sober reasoned analysis. Trump is instinctual and makes decisions by the seat of his pants. We may now be seeing the result of electing a person not suited for this office.
Israel may have other options than to try to bomb the nuclear facilities that are deep within a mountain.. There must be entrances, rail lines, power sources like electrical lines or fuel sources. Then there are food and water sources. Do the workers live underground or do they come and go daily or weekly? A neutron bomb penetrates structures without destroying them. It seems to me that Israel does have options.
trump will do whatever he thinks will best serve his political and financial self-interests-we know who he is-but then, he wants the nobel peace prize so...
US is an observer in this as Iran and Israel are the two players.
Your analysis is an excellent path to stop the killing. But it takes two to tango!! We have the TACO Man and the Iranian dictator to resolve the problem. Lot’s a luck with that combination. Trump ‘s cast of characters who are his advisors is another deep dive into incompetence. Time will tell how this resolves. In the meanwhile innocent people are being killed!
incredible analysis, thank you!
If Trump starts a war with Iraq or anywhere, what will he think about those military personnel who parish? Will he be calling them names, or being civil (which he seems to be incapable to do) to their families. So, obviously he is waiting for someone else to take on this situation.
Wonderful post as always, Richard. One thing that concerns me is the lack of discussion of the international legal issues. The US sought approval of the UN Security Council for its actions in Iraq. By my analysis, the only legal basis for military strikes in this case would be a vote of the Security Council. I think it's important that as we discuss all this we keep our commitment to the rules-based international order front and center. I know that is important to you as well. Thanks!
Impossible to get UN Security Council on board given state of relations with Russia and China. So that option not available
Unfortunately, I believe Trump is out of his depth here. The steps to be taken require sober reasoned analysis. Trump is instinctual and makes decisions by the seat of his pants. We may now be seeing the result of electing a person not suited for this office.
Is "preventative war" not synonymous with "war of aggression "? And therefore a war crime?
Israel may have other options than to try to bomb the nuclear facilities that are deep within a mountain.. There must be entrances, rail lines, power sources like electrical lines or fuel sources. Then there are food and water sources. Do the workers live underground or do they come and go daily or weekly? A neutron bomb penetrates structures without destroying them. It seems to me that Israel does have options.
trump will do whatever he thinks will best serve his political and financial self-interests-we know who he is-but then, he wants the nobel peace prize so...