The after of this attack was meant to be that Trump was going to extort the EU for the cost of the op. Nobody asked for this op. The US does not ship in that area and as mentioned in the chat, they had to do it before Israel, because if Israel did it, they could not extort Europe.
Extorting, Europe would suit putin one hundred percent, and then some-it would destroy EUROPE'S defense fund, and it would divide the eu, both of which putin would love to see happen. Why? Because then Ukraine is left totally defenseless. AND THE EU AS WELL.
That's what most jumped out at me. Not much logic ever seems to hold in why these degenerates posture & swing their dicks, but they always expect to be paid for the performance.
It is worth noting that the Houthi rationale for attacking Israeli and allied shipping in the Red Sea is support for Palestinians being obliterated in Gaza. When a ceasefire was declared, the attacks stopped. When Israel broke it, the Houthi’s THREATENED to resume attacks, also claiming to fire a missile at an Israeli airport. The Israelis told the fuckwits now in charge of our armed forces that they were going to attack the Houthis, so of course the fuckwits decided to do it for them. Again optics I guess.
The Saudis have been pounding Yemen for years with US support. Outside of killing thousands of civilians, this has had no effect. Even Biden stated that he didn’t think bombing them would stop them. The only difference is now the Houthis are targeting US warships and shipping as well.
Thank you Jonathan for pointing out the stupidity behind the stupidity.
What is ignored is that there was a cease-fire since January 19th between Hamas and Israel. The Houthis respected the cease-fire throughout the period and did not attack any ships nor Israel. The U.S. military operation violated the cease-fire, followed by Israel's bombardments of Gaza three days later. The persons present on the Signal chat live in an epistemic bubble of willful ignorance.
Shipping continues to pass through the Suez Canal although it has been halved since late 2023 following the opening of hostilities between Hamas and Israel. After January 19th, shipping did not increase largely due to insurance policies and a wait-and-see attitude by commercial enterprises.
The attack was presumably done without informing the Israelis, unless the person mistakenly substituted by Goldberg in the chat was in some way tied to Israel. In fact, the chat jeopardizes Israeli informants in Yemen since the attack was conducted on their information. Unlike Biden’s killing of Al-Zawahiri with a surgical operation, this attack was conducted to kill the maximum number of civilians and make a show.
Biden never “went it alone” in his military actions against the Houthis. They were always coalition strikes involving the collaboration of allies such as the UK, Canada, Australia, Denmark.
Take aways:
The present administration conducted a frivolous, arbitrary military operation as a PR event.
The U.S. violated a cease-fire they had crafted over years of intense diplomatic activity.
The U.S. apparently did not inform Israel nor their NATO allies of the operation.
Neither Europe nor the unmentioned Egypt were or are “freeloading” off U.S. military might and have always participated in operations against hostile actors until now.
Maritime traffic through the canal is greatly reduced but not entirely blocked as alleged in the chat.
That Europe or Egypt have to foot the bill for a homicidal, unilateral stunt is ridiculous.
I remember when W killed a million Iraqis after 911 “to send a message.” I guess the message was: I ❤️ mass murdering brown people on the other side of the globe (a message the ME has already received numerous times). In fairness, W's people did plan for an after-government/ nation-building, but we saw how that turned out. Messages about bloodlust and the power of the MIC are easy. Picking up the pieces and building something sound is much harder.
It's my view that the elephant in the room is the mad king's mental state. If you squint while reading between the lines of what Vance is saying, you can sort of see it.
I think the mad king has a vague recollection of ordering the assassination of Iran's Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
There is a fragment of his mind that thinks badgering the Houthis with explosives is connected to this somehow. But, for the life of him, he can't remember how.
Perhaps it was something the Butcher of Gaza told him?
Maybe he'll remember if he talks to Jared, who will remind him of their grand plans for the terrific Kushner Shores condominium project on the glimmering beaches of Gaza
And if this makes no sense to you, congratulations. You now understand what I mean by "the elephant in the room."
And....once this chat was blown open and a scandal they could not pursue the extortion - and so it appears to be unfinished.
Also, keep in mind that Witkoff was inside the Kremlin when this chat was launched, this was Putin's op again. He's still trying to destroy Ukraine, the minerals deal has tanked. He'll never stop. He'll use trump every time.
one thing i can’t stop thinking about is this: the invitation to jeffrey goldberg was not an *accidental* invitation that went to a random person. it was an *intentional* invitation that went to the wrong person. so who was waltz *intending* to invite? i don’t think we’ll ever find out, but i bet the answer would be telling.
I could see that, that it might have been a "leak" for a certain narrative that they thought they could control & screwed up. It didn't appear using Signal was a new thing.
Also, the premise being spouted all over rightwing media that "Biden never did anything" is plainly untrue. No matter that "mistakes were made .. at least the US finally did something ... and opened those sea lanes."
The sea lanes were open. US and allied ships were patrolling. The only thing that had changed in the lead up to that attack was that Houthis threatened to resume attacking 'Israeli shipping' because Gaza aid, yada ...
Beginning January 11, 2024 - Massive Joint Airstrikes: The US and UK with support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain, conducted major airstrikes targeting Houthi missile storage and launch sites across Yemen. This was a response to continuous Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
Then, we kept attacking them every one to two weeks afterwards, for a couple of months.
I would like some discussion about Stephen Miller telling everyone to shut up because it was what the POSOTUS wanted, when the POSOTUS didn't seem to be aware of the attack. Every one cut the discussion short. Very Rasputiny. Also, I like to say that Stephen Miller's obvious self-loathing has made it unanimous.
Thank you for a clear-eyed methodical review and analysis. Firing people’s emotions always amounts to distraction, never to under-pinning responsible long-range understanding of how each American is complicit in decisions of other people when the citizenry may/may not be paying attention in the moment. That the rest of us are ordering our own lives amounts to the reason others understand that specific demeanor and knowledge are what taxpayers are paying for.
Wow! It’s almost as if Trump surrounded himself by the most unqualified and unintelligent people incapable of a complex thought. He intentionally filled his cabinet and important positions with incompetent idiots who otherwise would be irrelevant so that they would be unconditionally loyal to him and not say no to him no matter how horrible his demands are.
They become irrelevant if/when they disagree; their own opinions are not relevant.
But they seem dangerously relevant in this example, launching jets and missiles, killing dozens, jeopardizing US pilots. While Orangeführer is off lying about something else. Stephen-fucking-Miller seemingly calling shots?
Jonathan, this is a very perceptive observation from you. The incompetence, ignorance and idiocy of these quislings is pathetic.
The after of this attack was meant to be that Trump was going to extort the EU for the cost of the op. Nobody asked for this op. The US does not ship in that area and as mentioned in the chat, they had to do it before Israel, because if Israel did it, they could not extort Europe.
Extorting, Europe would suit putin one hundred percent, and then some-it would destroy EUROPE'S defense fund, and it would divide the eu, both of which putin would love to see happen. Why? Because then Ukraine is left totally defenseless. AND THE EU AS WELL.
Does this clarify?
Why is nobody (other than TFN) talking about this?
1. Our media ecology sucks; 2. our political leadership sucks.
That's what most jumped out at me. Not much logic ever seems to hold in why these degenerates posture & swing their dicks, but they always expect to be paid for the performance.
Trump is Chauncey Gardiner, plus the Studio 54 crudity. All these hangers-on are, too. They think it's all Fox News.
except Chauncey Gardner was inadvertently brilliant. Not so with tRump and crew.
Yep, that's where the analogy disintegrates. Kosinky missed the crudeness that was still to come.
It is worth noting that the Houthi rationale for attacking Israeli and allied shipping in the Red Sea is support for Palestinians being obliterated in Gaza. When a ceasefire was declared, the attacks stopped. When Israel broke it, the Houthi’s THREATENED to resume attacks, also claiming to fire a missile at an Israeli airport. The Israelis told the fuckwits now in charge of our armed forces that they were going to attack the Houthis, so of course the fuckwits decided to do it for them. Again optics I guess.
The Saudis have been pounding Yemen for years with US support. Outside of killing thousands of civilians, this has had no effect. Even Biden stated that he didn’t think bombing them would stop them. The only difference is now the Houthis are targeting US warships and shipping as well.
Thank you Jonathan for pointing out the stupidity behind the stupidity.
What is ignored is that there was a cease-fire since January 19th between Hamas and Israel. The Houthis respected the cease-fire throughout the period and did not attack any ships nor Israel. The U.S. military operation violated the cease-fire, followed by Israel's bombardments of Gaza three days later. The persons present on the Signal chat live in an epistemic bubble of willful ignorance.
Shipping continues to pass through the Suez Canal although it has been halved since late 2023 following the opening of hostilities between Hamas and Israel. After January 19th, shipping did not increase largely due to insurance policies and a wait-and-see attitude by commercial enterprises.
The attack was presumably done without informing the Israelis, unless the person mistakenly substituted by Goldberg in the chat was in some way tied to Israel. In fact, the chat jeopardizes Israeli informants in Yemen since the attack was conducted on their information. Unlike Biden’s killing of Al-Zawahiri with a surgical operation, this attack was conducted to kill the maximum number of civilians and make a show.
Biden never “went it alone” in his military actions against the Houthis. They were always coalition strikes involving the collaboration of allies such as the UK, Canada, Australia, Denmark.
Take aways:
The present administration conducted a frivolous, arbitrary military operation as a PR event.
The U.S. violated a cease-fire they had crafted over years of intense diplomatic activity.
The U.S. apparently did not inform Israel nor their NATO allies of the operation.
Neither Europe nor the unmentioned Egypt were or are “freeloading” off U.S. military might and have always participated in operations against hostile actors until now.
Maritime traffic through the canal is greatly reduced but not entirely blocked as alleged in the chat.
That Europe or Egypt have to foot the bill for a homicidal, unilateral stunt is ridiculous.
Excellent reporting again. This is why people should upgrade to paid.
Also follow The F*ck*ng News which is brilliant but with 100% more swearing.
Thank you, Lois!
Thank you, Chris.
It's why I upgraded a while ago. Also why I'm going to buy some swanky swag at the swanky swag shop.
Aw, Chris, thank you! Bless your heart, but not in that insincere, passive-aggressive way southerners purportedly mean when they say it...
I remember when W killed a million Iraqis after 911 “to send a message.” I guess the message was: I ❤️ mass murdering brown people on the other side of the globe (a message the ME has already received numerous times). In fairness, W's people did plan for an after-government/ nation-building, but we saw how that turned out. Messages about bloodlust and the power of the MIC are easy. Picking up the pieces and building something sound is much harder.
Photo shows that Hegseth has no clue what the others are talking about.
If I sat like that while conversing with my wife, she'd throw something at me.
It's my view that the elephant in the room is the mad king's mental state. If you squint while reading between the lines of what Vance is saying, you can sort of see it.
I think the mad king has a vague recollection of ordering the assassination of Iran's Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
There is a fragment of his mind that thinks badgering the Houthis with explosives is connected to this somehow. But, for the life of him, he can't remember how.
Perhaps it was something the Butcher of Gaza told him?
Maybe he'll remember if he talks to Jared, who will remind him of their grand plans for the terrific Kushner Shores condominium project on the glimmering beaches of Gaza
And if this makes no sense to you, congratulations. You now understand what I mean by "the elephant in the room."
Looks the Butcher of Gaza is expanding his slaughter to the West Bank.
And....once this chat was blown open and a scandal they could not pursue the extortion - and so it appears to be unfinished.
Also, keep in mind that Witkoff was inside the Kremlin when this chat was launched, this was Putin's op again. He's still trying to destroy Ukraine, the minerals deal has tanked. He'll never stop. He'll use trump every time.
one thing i can’t stop thinking about is this: the invitation to jeffrey goldberg was not an *accidental* invitation that went to a random person. it was an *intentional* invitation that went to the wrong person. so who was waltz *intending* to invite? i don’t think we’ll ever find out, but i bet the answer would be telling.
I found this framework to be convincing:
https://open.substack.com/pub/thewestpointhistoryprofessor/p/a-powerful-cell-is-operating-the?r=6wn9x&utm_medium=ios
I could see that, that it might have been a "leak" for a certain narrative that they thought they could control & screwed up. It didn't appear using Signal was a new thing.
right. how many jg’s are on signal, which has, i think, in excess of 40 million users?
Also, the premise being spouted all over rightwing media that "Biden never did anything" is plainly untrue. No matter that "mistakes were made .. at least the US finally did something ... and opened those sea lanes."
The sea lanes were open. US and allied ships were patrolling. The only thing that had changed in the lead up to that attack was that Houthis threatened to resume attacking 'Israeli shipping' because Gaza aid, yada ...
Beginning January 11, 2024 - Massive Joint Airstrikes: The US and UK with support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain, conducted major airstrikes targeting Houthi missile storage and launch sites across Yemen. This was a response to continuous Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
Then, we kept attacking them every one to two weeks afterwards, for a couple of months.
The emperor has no clothes once again. Great piece. Thanks
I would like some discussion about Stephen Miller telling everyone to shut up because it was what the POSOTUS wanted, when the POSOTUS didn't seem to be aware of the attack. Every one cut the discussion short. Very Rasputiny. Also, I like to say that Stephen Miller's obvious self-loathing has made it unanimous.
Great points Jonathon.
Thank you for a clear-eyed methodical review and analysis. Firing people’s emotions always amounts to distraction, never to under-pinning responsible long-range understanding of how each American is complicit in decisions of other people when the citizenry may/may not be paying attention in the moment. That the rest of us are ordering our own lives amounts to the reason others understand that specific demeanor and knowledge are what taxpayers are paying for.
Wow! It’s almost as if Trump surrounded himself by the most unqualified and unintelligent people incapable of a complex thought. He intentionally filled his cabinet and important positions with incompetent idiots who otherwise would be irrelevant so that they would be unconditionally loyal to him and not say no to him no matter how horrible his demands are.
They become irrelevant if/when they disagree; their own opinions are not relevant.
But they seem dangerously relevant in this example, launching jets and missiles, killing dozens, jeopardizing US pilots. While Orangeführer is off lying about something else. Stephen-fucking-Miller seemingly calling shots?
I meant they were irrelevant before he tapped them for important positions. RFK, McMahon, Hegseth, totally irrelevant before getting appointed.