7 hours ago, Wingate said:

Saudi Arabia has long been, and continues to be, a funder of Sunni terrorism. Perhaps you remember that little incident on 9-11-01?

Trump has access to classified intel that indicates Saudi still funds Sunni terror.

Probably a bit more to it than just Saudis. Finger of blame points strongly at who had the most to gain, and how difficult it would be to pull off. So very high level US Neocons conspiring with Israel and Saudi. They all had a dog in that fight - almost certainly. Who was the real mastermind? Dunno, but it sure wasn't some guy sitting in a cave with a Koran, a Kalashnikov and a DVD player.

17 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Probably a bit more to it than just Saudis. Finger of blame points strongly at who had the most to gain, and how difficult it would be to pull off. So very high level US Neocons conspiring with Israel and Saudi. They all had a dog in that fight - almost certainly. Who was the real mastermind? Dunno, but it sure wasn't some guy sitting in a cave with a Koran, a Kalashnikov and a DVD player.

Saudi Arabia funded the Sunni terrorists in order to keep them from trying to overthrow the monarchy. I do not know if the monarchy was aware of what the plans were. The US knew full well back then that the monarchy was doing funding, but as Saudi was buying lots of military weapons from the US, it was overlooked.

The operation itself was pretty simply. al Qaeda operatives are not stupid. They knew where the openings were. They knew the weak spots. The idea of 9-11 came from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and was given the blessing of ObL and Ayman al Zawahiri. The planning began in the late 1990s in Hamburg. Putting sleeper cells in the US, casing airport security, sending "jihadis" to flight school, etc., was not that sophisticated. They were merely patient. They did not know that the structure of the WTC towers made them particularly vulnerable to collapse. That was just a bonus, which they attributed to the will of their deity.

2 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

If as you say Saudi is funding Terroists groups America and the UK must be aiding the Saudis because we supply them with fighters and other weapons. Its doubtful we would in the UK be delivering Typhoon jets to a country funding terroism.

I have to assume your post is sarcastic. Otherwise it's incredibly naive regarding how nations actually behave.

Nations do things that can be largely against their own interests, provided there is some monetary gain. The US has long known Saudi Arabia funds Sunni terrorists, but sells enough weaponry that they are willing to overlook it. There are additional ways Saudi Arabia has betrayed the US, but those remain classified.

The US has very few allies, maybe none now that Trump has alienated the only true allies, who were Canada, the UK and Australia. Japan might be close.

Every nation tries to operate in its own best interest. That's understandable. Sometimes interests overlap with the US, sometimes they are at odds. Betrayal is quite common, and tends to be overlooked if net net some in power think there is a gain.

When one works in the intel community and sees reality vs public statements, it's easy to become a bit cynical. I learned of some massive and dangerous betrayals, which I am not sure have been declassified.

At this point, under Trump, I can say the US has no allies whatsoever.

59 minutes ago, Wingate said:

I have to assume your post is sarcastic. Otherwise it's incredibly naive regarding how nations actually behave.

Nations do things that can be largely against their own interests, provided there is some monetary gain. The US has long known Saudi Arabia funds Sunni terrorists, but sells enough weaponry that they are willing to overlook it. There are additional ways Saudi Arabia has betrayed the US, but those remain classified.

The US has very few allies, maybe none now that Trump has alienated the only true allies, who were Canada, the UK and Australia. Japan might be close.

Every nation tries to operate in its own best interest. That's understandable. Sometimes interests overlap with the US, sometimes they are at odds. Betrayal is quite common, and tends to be overlooked if net net some in power think there is a gain.

When one works in the intel community and sees reality vs public statements, it's easy to become a bit cynical. I learned of some massive and dangerous betrayals, which I am not sure have been declassified.

At this point, under Trump, I can say the US has no allies whatsoever.

Nice conspiracy theory do you honestly think the UK would supply fighter jets to Aid terroists come on.

On 3/2/2026 at 1:57 PM, Bannoi said:

I asked google how many armed conflicts there has been since the WW2 ended and how many the US started.

"According to reports citing data from 1945 to 2001, the United States initiated 201 of 248 armed conflicts in 153 regions, accounting for roughly 81% of such conflicts worldwide

. While formally declaring war only five times, the US has engaged in over 200 military conflicts since WWII, often described as undeclared wars, interventions, or operations. 

Wikipedia +4

Key Details on U.S. Conflicts Since 1945:

• Total Conflicts: Studies indicate the US initiated 201 conflicts between 1945 and 2001, often categorized as illegal or unilateral interventions.

• Examples: Major conflicts included the Korean War (1950–1953), Vietnam War (1961–1975), and more recent interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria.

• Nature of Actions: The majority of these conflicts were not formally declared wars by Congress but rather military interventions, peacekeeping missions, or "police actions".

• Definition Ambiguity: The total number can vary significantly depending on whether authorized military operations, smaller interventions, or intelligence-backed actions are counted, with some sources listing up to 235 distinct military engagements. 

  Wikipedia +8"

And that was just 1945 - 2001 how many more has there been from 2001 - 2026.

Makes you wonder just who is the biggest warmonger or terrorist country in the world today

And the most incredible aspect of this is that even though the US has the largest economy in the world, and the greatest military expenditures by far, they have managed to lose every single one of those conflicts except for Panama and Grenada. That says a lot about the US military and it's foreign policy, doesn't it?

1 hour ago, Wingate said:

Saudi Arabia funded the Sunni terrorists in order to keep them from trying to overthrow the monarchy. I do not know if the monarchy was aware of what the plans were. The US knew full well back then that the monarchy was doing funding, but as Saudi was buying lots of military weapons from the US, it was overlooked.

The operation itself was pretty simply. al Qaeda operatives are not stupid. They knew where the openings were. They knew the weak spots. The idea of 9-11 came from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and was given the blessing of ObL and Ayman al Zawahiri. The planning began in the late 1990s in Hamburg. Putting sleeper cells in the US, casing airport security, sending "jihadis" to flight school, etc., was not that sophisticated. They were merely patient. They did not know that the structure of the WTC towers made them particularly vulnerable to collapse. That was just a bonus, which they attributed to the will of their deity.

I am convinced that the Saudis are funding terror to this day, and a lot of it may be directed at America. They may be considered an ally but they're certainly not a friend.

On 3/1/2026 at 10:16 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Presumably Putin has blackmail material on Trump

That statement is as absolute as the statement that Trump is incredibly guilty of many, many statutory crimes that he committed with Epstein.

3 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Probably a bit more to it than just Saudis. Finger of blame points strongly at who had the most to gain, and how difficult it would be to pull off. So very high level US Neocons conspiring with Israel and Saudi. They all had a dog in that fight - almost certainly. Who was the real mastermind? Dunno, but it sure wasn't some guy sitting in a cave with a Koran, a Kalashnikov and a DVD player.

The Jews/Israelis arranged it in the backroom to give themselves more power. You didnt know it?

1 hour ago, BarraMarra said:

Nice conspiracy theory do you honestly think the UK would supply fighter jets to Aid terroists come on.

Quick answer: Yes.

The Brits, like the US, know al Qaeda isn't going to fly fighter jets. The Brits and US get loads of money, and they hope the terror that Saudis fund doesn't harm them. Of course, if it hits, it tends to hit common people, not leadership.

It's not a "conspiracy theory". It's from working in the intel community. I personally provided intel on things the government just said, "Well, so long as it's not too bad." I was even ordered to "stand down" and not pursue things that were "uncomfortable and politically sensitive at this time".

You are welcome to call it "conspiracy", as many things are, and I regularly dismiss them. When I have direct knowledge, however, I know what's real. There's a lot of bs at the top of the heap. My own experience is that it tends to be in Republican Administrations, as that is where I had issues.

There are no grand conspiracies like people on the internet tend to claim, but human frailty, greed and corruption do evidence themselves regularly in many aspects of governance. Trump is actually pretty transparent, as his corruption and self-dealing are right in the open.

11 minutes ago, Wingate said:

Quick answer: Yes.

The Brits, like the US, know al Qaeda isn't going to fly fighter jets. The Brits and US get loads of money, and they hope the terror that Saudis fund doesn't harm them. Of course, if it hits, it tends to hit common people, not leadership.

It's not a "conspiracy theory". It's from working in the intel community. I personally provided intel on things the government just said, "Well, so long as it's not too bad." I was even ordered to "stand down" and not pursue things that were "uncomfortable and politically sensitive at this time".

You are welcome to call it "conspiracy", as many things are, and I regularly dismiss them. When I have direct knowledge, however, I know what's real. There's a lot of bs at the top of the heap. My own experience is that it tends to be in Republican Administrations, as that is where I had issues.

There are no grand conspiracies like people on the internet tend to claim, but human frailty, greed and corruption do evidence themselves regularly in many aspects of governance. Trump is actually pretty transparent, as his corruption and self-dealing are right in the open.

Oh look another retired spy in thailand. Never heard that one before.

47 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Oh look another retired spy in thailand. Never heard that one before.

Be skeptical. Feel better about yourself, if that's what you need. If we ever met in person, I would never bring it up. I dropped cover when I resigned, so I'm free to speak if I want, but no need to. Anonymity is always better. I noted my background here simply to make a point about some things I know in depth, which are the Middle East and radical Islamic terrorism, as I worked in and against it.

5 minutes ago, Wingate said:

Be skeptical. Feel better about yourself, if that's what you need. If we ever met in person, I would never bring it up. I dropped cover when I resigned, so I'm free to speak if I want, but no need to. Anonymity is always better. I noted my background here simply to make a point about some things I know in depth, which are the Middle East and radical Islamic terrorism, as I worked in and against it.

You also said you were a high power wall st investor.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

On 3/2/2026 at 1:00 PM, Schoggibueb said:

Another journalist asked if he had a message to the families of the three U.S. service members killed in the conflict.

Trump just walked away.

Typical trump as he has said that Americans who die in the service of their country are "suckers and losers", but Melania contradicted him at a United Nations Security Council meeting which she presided over, when she said: “To the families who have lost their heroes who sacrifice their lives for freedom, their bravery and dedication will always be remembered,” she said this before the packed chamber.

Donny will have to have strong words with her LOL.

And just a reminder for MAGA fans......

Don't ya love it!!

We have an absolutely imbecilic circus clown leading the most powerful country in the world ,with a deep sense of hatred in his heart and a rather extreme racist mentality. So what could possibly go wrong?

Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, topped $84 a barrel, up 8% Tuesday following a 6% spike Monday. WTI crude jumped 8% to above $77 a barrel after a 6% jump as well on Monday.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander said the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most vital transit route for crude oil — is closed and that Iran would set ablaze ships attempting the route, Reuters reported, citing Iranian media.

How about destroying most American alliances and making a rather valiant attempt at trashing the world's economies?

9 hours ago, blaze master said:

Oh look another retired spy in thailand. Never heard that one before.

Yes blaze knows more than Mossad lol. In my previouse life i was barramarra 008, but shush don't mention it to anyone.

15 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Yes blaze knows more than Mossad lol. In my previouse life i was barramarra 008, but shush don't mention it to anyone.

Your secret is safe with me...marra...barra marra

11 hours ago, blaze master said:

You also said you were a high power wall st investor.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

I know it's difficult for a MAGA to think anyone can walk and chew gum at the same time. I guess it's equally difficult to think someone can switch careers.

Again, if you need to feel better about yourself for having led a boring and banal life, have at it.

Getting back to barramarra's incredulity, every decision made by a government weighs the plusses and minuses.

Re Saudi, the US has long known they fund Sunni Islamic terror groups. That's the negative. Most Administrations have decided that they also buy lots of weaponry, which helps US industry, often in key electoral districts. Their purchases also place US weapons in an area where the US might someday need to "borrow" them. Finally, maintaining friendly surface relations might give the US some influence if all of a sudden the world needs Saudi to boost oil production. Those pluses are felt to outweigh the minuses.

It's not conspiracy theory, it's just Machiavellinism or cold-hearted practicality.

The same style of calculus is used with other countries. The US has been grossly betrayed by a supposed ally 3 times of which I am aware, yet those betrayals have been tolerated because Administrations felt the gains outweighed them.

12 minutes ago, Wingate said:

I know it's difficult for a MAGA to think anyone can walk and chew gum at the same time. I guess it's equally difficult to think someone can switch careers.

Again, if you need to feel better about yourself for having led a boring and banal life, have at it.

Can you ever make a comment without childish name calling ? Seems you make a lot of wrong guesses.

Nice deflection too. Please don't go all CIA on me.

Wow, everyone is soooooooo concerned about this dust up, but God, one month ago, the IRGC were going into hospitals and killing kids, moms, dads, sons, daughters during the protests, and I am sure that I never saw this much commentary about the blood letting that was ignored. But, Trump and Israel finally said, ok, you guys gotta go and look at all the experts and concerns about the bogeyman.

Humans are ignorant predators.

Thanks blazeMaster for a minute i thought my identity was Compromised. Enough of this nonsense Wingate put up or shut up, post links from a reputable source where you claim the Saudis are aiding rebels or supporting terroists groups.

4 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

one month ago, the IRGC were going into hospitals and killing kids, moms, dads, sons, daughters during the protests

NY Times via https://archive.ph/EClud reporting on a 6-minute interview with the NY Times 01 MR 2026:

When pressed on his plans for a transition of power, Mr. Trump said he hoped Iran’s elite military forces — including hardened officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who have held substantial influence and profited from the existing regime — would simply turn over their weapons to the Iranian populace.

“They would really surrender to the people, if you think about it,” he said.

It was those same security forces — in particular, the Basij, which organizes local militia — that opened fire on street protesters in January and killed thousands.