webfact Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Pompeo defends U.S. killing of Iranian as Democrats ask 'Why now?' By Doina Chiacu and Daphne Psaledakis FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks on human rights in Iran at the State Department in Washington, U.S., December 19, 2019. REUTERS/Erin Scott WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's decision to kill Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, as Democratic lawmakers questioned whether the action was justified and the United States braced for retaliation. Democrats in Congress said it was not clear why the Iranian military leader, long seen as a threat by U.S. authorities, had to be killed now. They said Trump does not have the authority to go to war without congressional approval, and that his actions put the country at greater risk. Trump's fellow Republicans in Congress have generally backed his decision. Pompeo, Trump's top diplomat and a trusted adviser, made the administration's case during multiple television interviews on Sunday, saying there was "no skepticism" among senior U.S. leaders who had access to all the intelligence on Friday's targeted killing. He deflected questions about the "imminent attack" he had cited on Friday as justification for the strike, and described the threat posed by Soleimani as long-term and wide-ranging. "We would have been culpably negligent had we not taken this action," Pompeo said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "It's never one thing. ... It's never one moment. It's never one instance," he said. "It's a full situational awareness of risk and analysis." U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said Soleimani had been plotting against the United States for decades and that lawmakers had not received enough information on the alleged threat to convince him the killing was warranted. "So the question is, why now?" he asked on CNN's "State of the Union." 2020-01-05T195336Z_1_LOV000LPP654F_RTRMADV_STREAM-2000-16X9-MP4_IRAQ-SECURITY-USA.MP4 U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday defended the intelligence assessment that led the United States to kill Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, as Democratic lawmakers questioned whether there was an imminent threat. Zachary Goelman reports. "I don't think the intelligence supports the conclusion that killing a top Iranian official is going to either stop (the) plotting or improve American security." Pompeo repeatedly said Soleimani's killing made Americans safer, but he also tallied the steps the United States is taking to guard against Iranian retaliation, including warning Americans to leave the region, boosting the U.S. military presence and shoring up cybersecurity systems. LONG-RUNNING HOSTILITIES The attack that killed Soleimani at Baghdad airport took long-running hostilities between Washington and Tehran into uncharted territory and raised the specter of wider conflict in the Middle East. Senator Elizabeth Warren, a candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in November's presidential election, noted the strike came as Trump faced a Senate trial after his impeachment by the Democratic-led House of Representatives. Democratic Senator Mark Warner said Trump's "taunting tweets" to Iran did not help de-escalate tensions, a stated goal of the Trump administration. In a series of Twitter warnings to Iran on Saturday, Trump said Washington had identified 52 targets, including some "important to Iran & the Iranian culture," that would be hit hard and fast if Tehran attacked Americans or U.S. assets. Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, also said he was not yet convinced there was an imminent threat that justified the strike. "I accept the notion that there was a real threat. The question of how imminent is something that I need more information on," Warner told NBC's "Meet the Press." "We do not need this president either bumbling or impulsively getting us into a major war," added Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, on ABC's "This Week." Pompeo said intelligence justifying the Soleimani strike has been shared with leaders in Congress and he expects they will be briefed again this week. He bolstered Trump's promise to respond forcefully to any Iranian attack. "We've told the Iranian regime: enough. You can't get away with using proxy forces and think your homeland will be safe and secure. We're going to respond against the actual decision-makers - the people who are causing this threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran," Pompeo said on ABC. In a statement on Saturday, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said the strike was "provocative, escalatory and disproportionate." She said a classified notification lawmakers received on Saturday prompted "serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran." White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien said on Saturday the operation was legal and that Justice Department lawyers had signed off on it. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Daphne Psaledakis and Tim Ahmann; Editing by Gareth Jones and Daniel Wallis) -- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-06 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gargamon Posted January 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2020 Trump needs a war to ensure his reelection. Its as simple as that. 18 5 5 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Puchaiyank Posted January 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2020 Answer: If not now...when? There is no perfect senerio or time to payback the Iranians for their non-stop terrorist behavior... Most countries in that region fear the Iranians and welcome any support to bring them down a notch or two. Ok...all you US haters...take your best shot! 14 2 8 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BobBKK Posted January 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2020 It is obvious that TVF members do not have the intelligence information behind this. What if they had killed the 9/11 plotters before the attack? no doubt some here would cry about that too. A huge terrorist attack could have been/was prevented and one scum was sent to hell. Job well done now shut down the embassies and get US citizens out of there and let them stew in their fundamentalist broth. 13 7 2 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Somtamnication Posted January 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2020 That guy was never behind the 9/11 plot. You don't assassinate without congressional approval. You do not assassinate the number 2 man in a government unless you want full out war. Trump and the 'merkins are not prepared for war with people who do not fear death. Period. 14 1 1 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post steven100 Posted January 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2020 how the heck can anyone of the TV intelligence experts really know anything about this guy or what was really going on behind the scenes. Maybe the US acquired credible evidence that an attack on US soil was immanent or that this guy was planning something sinister. Who knows ? so for people to make any kind of practical judgement based on what we know is simply guessing and nothing more. 6 1 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bristolboy Posted January 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2020 35 minutes ago, BobBKK said: It is obvious that TVF members do not have the intelligence information behind this. What if they had killed the 9/11 plotters before the attack? no doubt some here would cry about that too. A huge terrorist attack could have been/was prevented and one scum was sent to hell. Job well done now shut down the embassies and get US citizens out of there and let them stew in their fundamentalist broth. Exact same argument used to justify Iraq War. Paging Colin Powell. 5 3 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spidermike007 Posted January 5, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) Why now? Because Trump is facing much scrutiny over his crimes, and he is not willing to face the reality that he is not above the law. So, wag the dog and create a distraction. His devotees love it, as the consequences are not something they are considering. America is untouchable in their minds. Yeah, let us see. I think the US is in for a world of hurt from Iran, and a world of humiliation from Iraq. Looks like the 5 trillion dollar investment, has not paid off. What exactly has been accomplished there, and in Afghanistan? How many soldiers lost? Conservative estimates are over 7,000 soldiers for the US alone. And how many maimed, and how many suicides? Former soldiers affected by PTSD, and other ailments? And casualties for the allies? And how many civilians? I know for most Trump supporters that is not really an issue. But a half million lives is an issue for mankind. Chalk those up to more wars lost for the US. Korea (kind of a draw?), Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq. Not to mention proxy wars, like Yemen, Egypt, Libya, etc. No wars won in 75 years. A massive military is not necessarily a capable, nor a smart military, as the US has proven over and over again. Edited January 6, 2020 by spidermike007 13 3 1 13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ezzra Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said: Why now? Because Trump is facing much scrutiny over his crimes, and he is not willing to face the reality that he is not above the law. So, wag the dog and create a distraction. His devotees love it, as the consequences are not something they are considering. America is untouchable in their minds. Yeah, let us see. I think the US is in for a world of hurt from Iran, and a world of humiliation from Iraq. Looks like the 5 trillion dollar investment, has not paid off. What exactly has been accomplished there, and in Afghanistan? How many soldiers lost? Conservative estimates are over 7,000 soldiers for the US alone. And how many maimed, and how many suicides? Former soldiers affected by PTSD, and other ailments? And casualties for the allies? And how many civilians? I know for most Trump supporters that is not really an issue. But a half million lives is an issue for mankind. Chalk those up to more wars lost for the US. Korea (kind of a draw?), Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq. Not to mention proxy wars, like Yemen, Egypt, Libya, etc. No wars won in 75 years. A massive military is not necessarily a capable, nor a smart military, as the US has proven over and over again. So according to your premise, the several attacks and commandeering of merchant ships and oil tankers, among them a US naval boat, the dowing on a US drone, the attack on the Saudi oil installations and the attack on the US embassy and the killing of a US contractor among many other attacks on US and its allies interests all have been orchestrated so Trump can divert attention from his legal issues and help his re election? is that what your logic thelles you?... 7 2 2 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metisdead Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 Some posts using trolling memes and other troll posts have been removed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Skallywag Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 Was surprised to see Geraldo Rivera speaking the truth on Fox news, as he is also a contributor there at times. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kamahele Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 I did see Pompeo on CNN last night, NOT answering questions... 3 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Boon Mee Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 hours ago, Puchaiyank said: Answer: If not now...when? There is no perfect senerio or time to payback the Iranians for their non-stop terrorist behavior... Most countries in that region fear the Iranians and welcome any support to bring them down a notch or two. Ok...all you US haters...take your best shot! Exactly. If not now, when? 3 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post nobodysfriend Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 hours ago, webfact said: Pompeo repeatedly said Soleimani's killing made Americans safer Sorry , but that is BS . Americans anywhere in the world will now become targets for radicalized Muslims . Even at home in the States . 9 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spiekerjozef Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 Why now? Every us president has to start a war while he's in charge of the country. It seems Trump's term is over so he had no choice to provoke something... The US needs a female as president, not another EGO-loving alpha male. 6 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spiekerjozef Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 43 minutes ago, Skallywag said: Was surprised to see Geraldo Rivera speaking the truth on Fox news, the truth on Fox news......lol 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cory1848 Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 17 minutes ago, Boon Mee said: Exactly. If not now, when? How about never. Does never work for you? If you're so eager for bloodshed, get out from behind your computer and go enlist. 11 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spiekerjozef Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 hours ago, BobBKK said: A huge terrorist attack could have been/was prevented and one scum was sent to hell. If a foreign country attacks the US they call them terrorists and if the US attacks a foreign country they call themselves a hero. 6 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiekerjozef Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) why not Edited January 6, 2020 by spiekerjozef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cory1848 Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 7 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said: If a foreign country attacks the US they call them terrorists and if the US attacks a foreign country they call themselves a hero. Thank you. Twice as many Iraqi civilians died during the opening weeks of Bush II’s “Shock and Awe” campaign as died in Manhattan on 9/11. Both were unprovoked attacks against civilians -- i.e., terrorism -- but Bush’s folly has had far greater consequences. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chomper Higgot Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 "It's a full situational awareness of risk and analysis." Not something Trump has ever demonstrated. 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sammieuk1 Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 I doubt whether Soleimani would have been concerned with public opinion before blowing something up now take out his replacement times a million or two???? 2 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post nobodysfriend Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) Did Trump really think that there would be NO iranian replacement for Soleimani ? This guy did not work alone ! He will be replaced by somebody else very soon . He was just the symbolic leader , and for killing that symbol , americans will pay a price . If that was worth it ? I do not think so ... Anyway , it looks like Trump did not act alone as well : US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is believed to have briefed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of time about US plans to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran’s elite Quds Force who was assassinated early Friday morning, https://www.timesofisrael.com/tv-israel-likely-warned-of-us-plans-to-kill-soleimani/ Edited January 6, 2020 by nobodysfriend 7 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ThaiFelix Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 hours ago, Puchaiyank said: Answer: If not now...when? There is no perfect senerio or time to payback the Iranians for their non-stop terrorist behavior... Most countries in that region fear the Iranians and welcome any support to bring them down a notch or two. Ok...all you US haters...take your best shot! Take your complete post but replace 'Iranians' with 'US' and that is closer to the truth and why there are so many US haters. Have you ever stopped and wondered why so many hate the US or are you totally blinded by their "saving the world" brainwashing? 7 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cory1848 Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, Puchaiyank said: Answer: If not now...when? There is no perfect senerio or time to payback the Iranians for their non-stop terrorist behavior... Most countries in that region fear the Iranians and welcome any support to bring them down a notch or two. Ok...all you US haters...take your best shot! That’s all so totally beside the point -- you write about “payback” and bringing people “down a notch” as though you’re talking about competition in the Premier League. (If you follow American football, looks like Tom Brady sure has been brought down a notch!) Right now, the Iranians are taking their time deciding on a response that will make a statement but not lead to all-out war. Likewise, Trump, for all his stupid bluster, would love an off-ramp, because he really has no stomach for a shooting war (thankfully) -- all he wants is a temporary distraction that makes him look like a big guy and gives him a boost in the polls. (Think Ukraine -- he wasn’t interested at all in an actual “investigation” of the Bidens, all he wanted was the announcement -- something he could turn into a TV ad.) He’s all show, and at this moment I count that as an asset. In a real war, there are no winners. Meantime, a million people like you are clamoring for blood, like a mob run amok. How about working backward toward a resolution whereby both sides gradually stand down? Kennedy did it; Carter did it. Only a very few people died during those crises. Edited January 6, 2020 by Cory1848 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BobBKK Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 hours ago, bristolboy said: Exact same argument used to justify Iraq War. Paging Colin Powell. Not at all... no evidence for WMD here they have demonstrable evidence, over many years. Anyway he's gone so wave goodbye more important is what's next? the Dems would probably invite him for coffee but he's gone. I have always stated I think USA should get out and stay out of every other country as they are a world menace most of the time. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Skallywag Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 52 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said: Sorry , but that is BS . Americans anywhere in the world will now become targets for radicalized Muslims . Even at home in the States . Doesn't the Quran teach forgiveness? hahaha 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabas Posted January 6, 2020 Share Posted January 6, 2020 25 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said: "It's a full situational awareness of risk and analysis." Not something Trump has ever demonstrated. But the US military-intelligence complex is pretty good at that. They got Soleimani tout suite. 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chomper Higgot Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 minutes ago, rabas said: But the US military-intelligence complex is pretty good at that. They got Soleimani tout suite. I’m not sure where you find evidence of any risk analysis. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post stevenl Posted January 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 6, 2020 2 hours ago, steven100 said: how the heck can anyone of the TV intelligence experts really know anything about this guy or what was really going on behind the scenes. Maybe the US acquired credible evidence that an attack on US soil was immanent or that this guy was planning something sinister. Who knows ? so for people to make any kind of practical judgement based on what we know is simply guessing and nothing more. I know there was no imminent attack planned on the US, because if so pompeo would not have deflected questions about it. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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