Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.
This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.
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This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.
Deep State Leaks Portion of Intelligence Briefing on Drone Strike That Killed Soleimani to NY Times Reporter in Order to Damage Trump
The Deep State is once again trying to damage President Trump with selective leaks to the left-wing media.
Two ‘sources’ who had intelligence briefings (Obama holdovers) about the strike that killed Iranian military officials leaked portions of the briefings to the New York Times in order to push the narrative that President Trump authorized a drone strike that killed top Iran commander Soleimani with “razor thin” evidence that an attack on American targets was imminent.
The ‘sources’ claimed Soleimani’s travel to Syria, Lebanon and Iraq to meet with Shia proxies was not suspicious, it was just ‘business as usual.’
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/deep-state-leaks-portion-of-intelligence-briefing-on-drone-strike-that-killed-soleimani-to-ny-times-reporter-in-order-to-damage-trump/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=weekend
Richard: Meeting with Iranian proxies who attack and kill US citizens is just “Business as Usual” and not enough evidence to kill the leader of the Quds Force and head of both sections of Hezbollah!! This is more leftist support of our enemies, they don’t want us to win this war.
Flashback: Democrat Senators Took Money from Iran Lobby Before Vote on Obama’s Nuke Deal — Iran Threatened to Out Bribed Officials
In May 2018 President Trump withdrew from the sham Iranian nuclear deal.
President Trump knew the deal with the Iranian mullahs was not working and not worth the paper it was written on.
This was despite former Secretary of State John Kerry working against the Trump administration to salvage the weak deal with the Iranian regime.
Of course, the Iranian regime was very upset with President Trump’s decision.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari reportedly warned Western officials in May 2018 that if they do not put pressure on the Trump administration the Iranian regime would leak the names of all Western officials who were bribed to pass the weak deal.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/flashback-democrat-senators-took-money-from-iran-lobby-before-vote-on-obamas-nuke-deal-iran-threatened-to-out-bribed-officials/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=weekend
Masked goons attack professors and students in Delhi’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University, going from room to room. Allegedly this was the work of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad or ABVP, the student body linked to the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQxdx8G85vs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharatiya_Janata_Party
Pelosi Lashes Out at Trump Admin For Delivering “Classified” War Powers Act Notification to Congress, ‘Americans Are Being Left in the Dark’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lashed out at President Trump on Saturday after a formal notification of the drone strike was delivered to Capitol Hill.
The White House informed Congress of the drone strike that killed General Qassim Soleimani, a top commander of Iran’s al-Quds Force at Baghdad’s International Airport.
The White House delivered a formal, entirely classified notification to Congress on Saturday informing lawmakers of the airstrike that took out several Iranian military officials, fulfilling its duties under the War Powers Act, the NY Times and WaPo reported.
Pelosi was furious that the Trump admin classified the notification and accused Trump of deliberately keeping Congress and Americans in the dark.
This is rich coming from Pelosi after she conducted the sham impeachment hearings in the Capitol Hill basement bunker behind closed-doors.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/pelosi-lashes-out-at-trump-admin-for-delivering-classified-war-powers-act-notification-to-congress-americans-are-being-left-in-the-dark/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=weekend
Missiles Hit Base Where U.S. Troops Stationed In Iraq And Near U.S. Embassy, Reports Say
Multiple rockets hit a military base in Iraq on Saturday where U.S. troops are stationed while mortars were fired at a high-security facility that houses the U.S. Embassy, according to multiple reports.
Reuters reported, “Several rockets fell on Saturday inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, its Jadriya neighborhood, and the Balad air base housing U.S. troops.”
The Times of Israel reported that sources said that sirens “immediately rang out at the American compound in Baghdad hosting both diplomats and troops.”
https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-missiles-hit-base-where-u-s-troops-stationed-in-iraq-and-near-u-s-embassy-reports-say?itm_source=parsely-api%3Futm_campaign%3Ddw_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=housefile&utm_content=non_insiders&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9FLS1OL6k3bH89YBHKppLJ2sLKRYUvAcQpwJavADhY4rz1lomj67DcFdrbaf5SHCkMOa0nCRzIgKv9VV1OnCmubpGcPA&_hsmi=81488042
Mike Pompeo Reveals What Iranian Terrorist Qasem Soleimani Was Planning That Led To Strike
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News’s Sean Hannity of Friday that Iranian terrorist leader Qasem Soleimani was planning an “imminent” attack – dubbed by the Iranians as “The Big Attack” – that could have killed “hundreds of Americans”
“This was an amazing group – our intelligence community working with the best military on the face of the earth, the best intelligence forces, your State Department, and the president made this decision very quickly in response to what was a real threat,” Hannity said. “What can you tell us?”
“It in fact was an all of government effort directed and led by President Trump. We identified a risk. The president talked about today that Soleimani, the terrorist, was engaged in active plotting,” Pompeo responded. “There was an attack that was imminent that could have killed dozens or hundreds of Americans. We found an opportunity, and we delivered. ”
https://www.dailywire.com/news/mike-pompeo-reveals-what-iranian-terrorist-qasem-soleimani-was-planning-that-led-to-strike?itm_source=parsely-api%3Futm_campaign%3Ddw_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=housefile&utm_content=non_insiders&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9FLS1OL6k3bH89YBHKppLJ2sLKRYUvAcQpwJavADhY4rz1lomj67DcFdrbaf5SHCkMOa0nCRzIgKv9VV1OnCmubpGcPA&_hsmi=81488042
Iraqi Protesters and Pro-Iran Mourners Clash at Soleimani Funeral
Iraqi protesters in Iraq’s southern cities of Nasiriyah and Basra clash with pro-Iran mourners during the funeral procession of General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Sunday, January 5.
Toronto police threaten Rebel journalist for calling Qasem Soleimani a “terrorist” | David Menzies
( 16 min 39 )
Rebel News mission specialist David Menzies attended a vigil by pro-Iran extremists for Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian terrorist general.
Toronto police repeatedly told David that he could not call Soleimani a terrorist, and physically pushed him away from covering the protest.
Soleimani’s casket brought to shrine in Iran’s Mashhad
Bringing Santa Claus' finger-bone to Russia - now THAT was worth watching!In the Hague, the Netherlands, around 100 Eritreans tried to gatecrash a party, without paying for tickets. Some got in, and the event was cancelled. Police had to be called in, the officers were attacked by 100-150 persons. Police on horseback and K-9 units had to be called in. 4 officers lightly wounded, 4 arrests (possibly more in future), and 1 person in hospital.
In Dutch, with video:
https://www.regio15.nl/nieuws/lijst-weergave/21-politieonderzoeken/31172-geweld-tegen-agenten-en-aanhoudingen-bij-rellen-in-den-haag
6m35 a translator uses patrol car’s PA system to call on crowd to take a special train to leave Central Station (closed at that hour) for HS Station, which is active at night.
“Iran offers $80M bounty for President Trump’s head…”
by Kane – January 5, 2020
https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/iran-offers-80m-bounty-for-president-trumps-head/
Iranian Official: Retaliation For Killing of Soleimani Will Include Strikes on Haifa and Defense Bases in Israel
On Friday morning the United States killed General Qassim Soleimani, a top commander of Iran’s al-Quds Force, in an airstrike at Baghdad’s International Airport. The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. Seven people were reportedly killed in the airstrike.
The Iranians are threatening retaliation against the United States following the death of their terror leader.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/iranian-official-retaliation-for-killing-of-soleimani-will-include-strikes-on-haifa-and-defense-bases-in-israel/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailypm&utm_content=weekend
“Pompeo to FNC’s Wallace: ‘Endless Wars Are the Direct Result of Weakness’ — ‘Trump Will Never Let That Happen’”
by Pam Key – January 5, 2020
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/01/05/pompeo-fncs-wallace-endless-wars-direct-result-weakness/
“AMAZING SPEECH of Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sgt. David G. Bellavia”
Media Magik Entertainment – June 26, 2019
“England’s Muslim Population Tops 3 Million, Exceeds Census Populations of Wales, Northern Ireland”
by Jack Montgomery – January 4, 2020
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/04/englands-muslim-population-3-million-tops-populations-wales-ni/
Thanks, Obama – Iran Can Pay $80 Million Bounty on Trump with Their Obama Cash
On Friday morning the United States killed General Qassim Soleimani, a top commander of Iran’s al-Quds Force, in an airstrike at Baghdad’s International Airport.
The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/01/thanks-obama-iran-can-pay-80-million-bounty-on-trump-with-their-obama-cash/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailypm&utm_content=weekend
India: Kashmir”s Shia community call for revenge over Soleimani killing
Thousands of mourners marched in the Kargil region of Indian Administered Kashmir on Sunday to protest the killing of Iranian top commander Qassem Soleimani.
The procession started from the city’s Jamia Masjid soon after the afternoon prayer and culminated at Lal Chowk after passing through the local market were shops and businesses were shut.
Protesters carried photos of Soleimani and Ayatollah Khamenei and chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”. Protesters called for revenge so that the “blood of martyrs will not be in vain”.
Pakistan: Shia community march on US consulate over Soleimani death
Shia Muslims held a massive protest in front of the US consulate in Karachi on Sunday, over the assassination of Iranian Quds Force General Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike.
Thousands of demonstrators chanted slogans and marched with pictures of Soleimani. Some children sat on US and Israeli flags.
Member of the Shia Ulema Council, Allama Syed Shehanshah, said that “this rally is against America’s brutal and criminal act, this act is also violation of international laws.”
Protesters also attempted to push back through the police cordon and climb over the containers put in place to protect the US consulate.
According to reports, the police succeeded in preventing demonstrators from crossing the barricades.
Shia Muslims in Kashmir protest against US killing of Soleimani
The Fatemiyun Division (Afghan) and the Zeynabiyoun Division (Paki) – they’re both on my Wishlist-4-Hellfires.
Those devil-brigades are colonizing regions of Syria that have been ethnically cleansed of Sunnis.
They’re putting on Syrian uniforms, have sworn allegiance to their leader – NOT Assad, but the Twisted-One in the Islamic Republic. Uncle Vlad might not be pleased…
Liberty Doll on the Church Shooting, she has a lot of background info on the shooter.
Good Guy with a Gun Stops Church Shooting
#DeathToAmerica is Chanted in the Iranian Parliament
US Official Claims Iran Missile Forces Across Country Are On Heightened State of Alert – Report (sputniknews, Jan 5, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001051077954127-us-official-claims-iran-missile-forces-across-country-are-on-heightened-state-of-alert—report/
“On Friday, a US drone attack killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) elite Quds Force in Baghdad, prompting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to state that Tehran will take revenge for what it views to be a terrorist action by Washington.
An unnamed US official claimed that Iranian missile forces across the country were on a “heightened state of alert”, noting that the US military have been closely watching for further moves by Tehran, Reuters reported.
According to the report, the official said that “it was unclear whether the higher readiness level was defensive in nature or not”.
“They’re clearly at a heightened state of alert. Is that heightened state of alert to be better prepared defensively or to be better prepared offensively? That can’t be determined at this point,” the official said, cited by Reuters.
The report comes on the heels of a rocket attack that targeted the Green Zone in central Baghdad, where government buildings and diplomatic facilities are located.
According to an Iraqi military statement, six katyusha-type projectiles late on Sunday hit the area, with three shells hitting the heavily-fortified Green Zone and three others striking the nearby Jadriya area.
Tensions in the Middle East sharply escalated following the assassination of Soleimani, the IRGC commander of the Quds Force, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of an Iraqi Shia militia group, in a targeted US attack on Friday.
US President Donald Trump claimed the recent strikes were a preemptive, defensive move to prevent war, although later boasted that Washington had identified 52 Iranian military and cultural targets at which US forces were ready to strike. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that Tehran will take revenge for what it views to be a terrorist action by the US.”
At Least 3 Shells Hit Baghdad’s Green Zone, Adjacent Area of US Embassy in Iraq (sputniknews, Jan 5, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001051077953921-rockets-hit-vicinity-of-us-embassy-in-baghdad—reports/
“The shelling comes hours after Iraq’s parliament voiced its support to order the withdrawal of US-led coalition troops from the country and end all foreign military presence in Iraq, including in the nation’s airspace and surrounding territorial waters.
The Iraqi military said, cited by Reuters, that three katyusha-type projectiles hit late on Sunday the area with two shells hitting the heavily fortified Green Zone and another one the nearby Jadriya area.
According to various media reports, citing sources, several people were injured after Soviet-made katyusha-type projectiles, hit Baghdad’s so-called Green Zone – a dense area of governmental buildings – particularly, territory adjacent to the US embassy.
Iraqi sources say that at least one family was injured in the attack. Netizens have shared a footage allegedly showing the moment when the shells hit the Green Zone. The shaky video captures sounds of distant explosions.
No group has claimed responsibility for the shelling, according to reports…”
Trump Doubles Down on Iran Warning, Says US to Strike Back ‘Perhaps in a Disproportionate Manner’ (sputniknews, Jan 5, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/us/202001061077954099-trump-doubles-down-on-iran-warning-says-us-to-strike-back-perhaps-in-a-disproportionate-manner/
“US President Trump repeatedly tweeted threats at Iran, warning that if Tehran struck US targets or military personnel in response to the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the US would strike back.
US President Donald Trump tweeted more threats at Iran on Sunday, saying that he could respond with any “disproportionate manner” if Iran were to strike any “US person or target”.
?The tweet comes after accusations that Trump in his Saturday tweets was threatening to commit war crimes against Iran, as his threat to hit 52 Iranian sites, including those “important” to Iranian culture, is in breach of United Nations Resolution 2347 which outlaws the destruction of cultural heritage artifacts, structures and locations during periods of conflict.
Iran stated that it would respond to the assassination of top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in a targeted US drone strike on Friday by targeting US “military sites”, according to an advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s on Sunday.
“It was America that has started the war. Therefore, they should accept appropriate reactions to their actions. The only thing that can end this period of war is for the Americans to receive a blow that is equal to the blow they have inflicted”, said former Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan.
The attack saw several missiles launched by a drone killing up to seven people, including Soleimani, as the commander’s two-car convoy drove from the Baghdad airport.
Following the attack, Trump declared that Soleimani’s “reign of terror” was over. Trump also suggested that he could defend Americans if they become threatened.
Both Pentagon officials and Trump have claimed that the attack was preemptive and alleged that the Iranian general was planning to launch attacks on American targets in Iraq and other regions of the Middle East.
The attack was personally ordered by US President Donald Trump from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, and was done without informing either the US Congress or the UK government; the latter is a staunch military partner to the US and has soldiers and equipment on the ground in the region.
Prior to the attack, the US embassy in Iraq was stormed in response to attacks on Iranian-backed militia groups in the country which killed up to 27 Hezbollah fighters.”
German Police Kill Knife Attacker in Gelsenkirchen After Suspect Attempted to Injure 2 Officers (sputniknews, Jan 5, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/europe/202001061077954568-german-police-kill-knife-attacker-in-gelsenkirchen-after-suspect-injures-2-officers—reports/
“German police reportedly killed a Turkish national in the city of Gelsenkirchen after the man tried to attack the patrol officers with a knife. The suspect reportedly had a serious record of violent crimes.
The incident occurred at approximately 19:40 local time on Saturday. German media said, citing a spokesman for Gelsenkirchen police, that 2 officers were preparing to start their shift and were standing near a patrol car when suddenly a man hurled some object towards the police vehicle.
The officers tried to apprehend the hooligan but he drew a knife out of his pocket and attempted to attack the police. Eventually, the suspect was killed before he yelled „Allahu akbar“.
The local area was immediately put on a lockdown and security measures increased at the scene. Local authorities have launched an investigation. Netizens have shared footage alleging aftermath of the incident with criminalists working at the scene.
The identity of the killed suspect remains unknown. The spokesman for Gilsenkirche police said only that the attacker was the 37-year-old mad and held Turkish citizenship.
Earlier unconfirmed reports claimed that the police officers were injured. The information has, however, not been confirmed. The police said that the attacker was killed with only a one shot.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW”
MESSER-MANN (37) ERSCHOSSEN
Polizei verhindert Terror-Anschlag in Gelsenkirchen
Täter soll „Allahu akbar“ gerufen haben
+ video
https://www.bild.de/news/2020/news/er-lief-mit-messer-auf-beamte-zu-polizei-erschiesst-mann-37-in-gelsenkirchen-67114140.bild.html
Iraqi Government Working on Steps to Expel Foreign Troops – Prime Minister (sputniknews, Jan 6, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202001061077954539-iraqi-government-working-on-steps-to-expel-foreign-troops–prime-minister/
“The Iraqi government has begun working on steps to implement the parliament’s decision on the expulsion of foreign forces from the country, the press service of Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi said in a statement, as regional tensions are rising in the wake of the assassination of Iranian general by the United States in Baghdad.
“Iraqi specialists from various agencies are drafting a document on further legal and procedural actions to implement the parliament’s decision to remove foreign troops [from Iraq],” the prime minister said during his conversation with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian, as quoted in the statement on Sunday.
The parliament voted to support a resolution recommending that the government recall its request for foreign military assistance on Sunday.
On the same day, the US-led international coalition, operating in Iraq and Syria, said it was suspending its anti-terrorist operations in Iraq, adding that its activities would be focused on protecting US military bases in the country in the wake of the recent attacks on the facilities hosting US troops.
The United States also expressed disappointment over the Iraqi parliament’s decision to recommend that the government ban foreign troops from the country.
The escalation in the region followed the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the elite Quds Force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Abu Mahdi Muhandis, a senior member of Iraq’s Iranian-backed Shia Popular Mobilization Forces, by a US airstrike in Baghdad on Friday. The United States believes that both officials were behind the attack on military bases, as well as other activities targeting the United States, in the region.”
Seth Frantzman tweeted in response:
“Iraqi Prime Minister had resigned more than a month ago (Nov 30, 2019) due to months of protests, he’s not even supposed to be in office now”
Knife attack in Metz – France
METZ – FRANCE
from 1:14 to 1:44 on this video
Iran: Ex-Revolutionary Guards chief threatens Israel with ‘annihilation’ if US retaliates
Expediency Council Secretary and ex-Chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Mohsen Rezaei threatened to “annihilate Haifa and the centres of Israel” in case of US retaliation, amid heightened tensions over the assassination of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike. The statement came during a mourning ceremony for Soleimani in Tehran, on Sunday.
“If we take revenge, then you would attack? Be sure we will utterly annihilate Haifa and the centres of Israel and there will be no Israel,” said Rezaei, before the crowd started chanting “Death to America, death to Israel.”
“We are serious about the issue of revenge and retaliation against you and your soldiers and we will have no hesitation and we will not give up on it,” added Rezaei.
Soleimani and the deputy leader of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Mohammed Ali Ebrahimi, also known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and other militia leaders were killed in a US airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Pentagon released a statement confirming the US had carried out the airstrike at the order of US President Donald Trump, calling it a “decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “severe revenge awaits the criminals” behind the attack.
IRGC General Soleimani Says Still in Quest of Martyrdom (sputniknews, Jan 6, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/us/202001061077954976-trump-administration-attempted-to-block-iraqi-parliament-vote-on-expelling-foreign-troops—report/
“On Sunday, the Iraqi parliament voted in favor of expelling all foreign military troops from the territories of Iraq following the killing of Iranian top military commander Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a senior member of Iraq’s Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, by a US drone strike in Baghdad.
The Trump administration attempted to thwart the efforts of the Iraqi parliament to expel foreign military forces from the country in the wake of the killing of a top Iranian military commander and an Iraqi militia leader by US forces inside Iraqi territories, Axios reported on Sunday, citing two unnamed US officials and an Iraqi official.
The three officials told Axios that the Trump administration tried to convince the Iraqi government to block its parliament from passing the resolution, which will force the US military out of Iraq. One US official reportedly said that the exit of US troops from the country would “be catastrophic for Iraq”.
“It’s our concern that Iraq would take a short-term decision that would have catastrophic long-term implications for the country and its security. But it’s also what would happen to them financially if they allowed Iran to take advantage of their economy to such an extent that they would fall under the sanctions that are on Iran,” the official reportedly said. “We don’t want to see that. We’re trying very hard to work to have that not happen.”
Axios also cited an unnamed senior Iraqi official who claimed that many Kurdish and Sunni members of the Iraqi parliament, who are supporting the US presence in Iraq, did not attend the parliament vote on expelling all foreign military forces, including US-led international coalition, from Iraqi territories.
“This is a temporary victory for the parties which are pro-Iranian, but it’s also a clear message from the Sunnis and from the Kurds [who didn’t vote] and from some Iraqi Shia, for the Americans to tell them we want you to stay in Iraq,” the Iraqi official said, according to the website.
Earlier in the day, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution to end the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, following a US airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the elite Quds force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Abu Mahdi Muhandis, a senior member of Iraq’s Iranian-backed Shia Popular Mobilization Forces, on Friday.”
Garry Kasparov@Kasparov63
Jan 4
What is happening between the US and Iran is a consequence of what I describe in Winter Is Coming: an aggressive dictatorship’s sense of impunity leading to the crossing of one line too far.
Deterrence is based on standing up against small aggressions in order to prevent big ones, when the price will be much higher. Many years of success led Iran & Soleimani to feel invincible, to attack a US embassy, when of course a US president had to respond.
This is how appeasement kills. This is why inaction can be a deadly choice. It raises the stakes, postpones the inevitable, and encourages aggressors to assume they can act with impunity until the eventual response is massive and destabilizing.
Action has clear costs because it is the reality of the road taken, making it politically unattractive. Inaction hopes to pass the dire consequences and blame to a successor, as has happened with Syria and Iran.
I wish Trump had a competent team capable of strategic planning and of inspiring the trust of allies and the fear of enemies. That is far from the case. But I can’t criticize the killing of a mass-murdering terrorist mastermind & reminding his ilk that they are not safe.
We’ll never know how many more innocents Qasem Soleimani would have murdered or how many hundreds of thousands more refugees he’d have helped create. But don’t pretend you know that what is to come is worse than the world with such a person in it.
https://twitter.com/Kasparov63/status/1213575972097863680