If the conscripts are a random selection of male Thais, this doesn't bode well for the society at large, at least the lower or middle classes. This means that a hell of a lot of Thai males are on drugs period. I have a feeling these figures are not accurate.
When the criticism starts coming from the Editorial Board of the WSJ, then you know Rupert Murdoch is getting tired of Trump.
Last to turn will be the New York Post, as it is the most MAGA of Murdoch's press. But turn it eventually will.
Murdoch and the other billionaires are only in it for the tax cuts. But for tax cuts to be meaningful, there has to be income and asset values have to remain steady. As it becomes clear that Trump is destroying their fortunes, they'll dump him. If Trump keeps up this tariff madness, it won't take long.
Fetterman Rejects Diplomacy, Urges Trump Administration to Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites
Senator John Fetterman has made an unambiguous call for the Trump administration to abandon nuclear negotiations with Iran and instead launch a direct military strike on the country’s nuclear facilities. The Pennsylvania Democrat said, “Waste that s–t,” expressing his frustration with ongoing talks and his belief that military action is the only viable course.
The Trump administration is currently preparing for a third round of negotiations with Iranian officials, aimed at dismantling Tehran’s nuclear program and averting a possible military conflict. Fetterman, however, dismissed the effort, stating, “You’re never going to be able to negotiate with that kind of regime that has been destabilizing the region for decades already, and now we have an incredible window, I believe, to do that, to strike and destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities.”
Fetterman also disregarded warnings from foreign policy analysts, many of whom caution that a military strike could trigger widespread instability or even a regional war. “So-called experts” have been wrong before, he argued, citing past concerns about the capabilities of Iran’s proxy groups.
“You know, they’ve been saying for years and years Hezbollah was the ultimate badass that kept Israel in check, and we can’t move on anything beyond that,” Fetterman said. He added that in his view, these groups were overrated militarily. “And Hamas, literally, are just a bunch of tunnel rats with junkie rockets in the back of a Toyota truck. And now the Houthis have been effectively neutered as well. So what’s left? You have Iran, and they have a nuclear facility, and it’s clearly only for weapons.”
The senator’s remarks come as Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff is trying to craft a diplomatic framework with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two sides are expected to meet Saturday in Oman—a country maintaining friendly ties with both the U.S. and Iran—following a week of indirect discussions that were reportedly cordial and productive.
Despite some optimism from both American and Iranian officials about the potential for peaceful resolution, Fetterman remains adamant that negotiations are not the answer. “Years ago, I completely understood why Trump withdrew from the Obama deal,” he said. “Today, I can’t understand why Trump would negotiate with this diseased regime. The negotiations should be comprised of 30,000-pound bombs and the IDF.”
Meanwhile, Israel is said to be considering its own limited military strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, which could require less involvement from the United States if carried out. While Trump officials continue to favor diplomacy, Fetterman’s comments highlight the growing divide among U.S. policymakers over how to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Adpated by ASEAN Now from NYP 2025-04-25
Recommended Posts