5 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Videos, news casts and word of mouth can be either lies or the truth, or a combination of both, so the only way is either actually being there, knowing someone you trust is, or seeing the truth eventually come out on all networks without bias.

No bro, the raw videos. The US releases them daily, so do the Israelis

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

No bro, the raw videos. The US releases them daily, so do the Israelis

I watch them every night, from a lot of networks, US and others. One will say the US is winning on all fronts, eliminating all the military, and the other side will say the opposite. If Iran had a military besides soldiers and missiles, we would hear a lot more. having air supremacy is quite obvious, as is navy. Iran has no chance and America isn't using all of it's capabilities as they aren't yet needed.

2 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Go back further LOL

Nice scenario but the Iranians have nothing left other than pin pricks

The mass immigration in to Europe peaked because of failed war on terror,

The peak of immigration to Europe from conflict zones occurred in 2015 and 2016, widely known as the European refugee crisis. During this period, over one million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe by sea in 2015 alone, with another 363,000 arriving by sea in 2016

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

2 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

Consider why the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is being sent from Japan, and not any of the other MEUs currently in the US. Its the only permanently forward deployed MEU. This is because Korea, Taiwan and the South China Sea are places where a crisis could literally erupt in days. The time to deploy a unit from the US takes weeks.

But now this unit is going to take a few weeks to redeploy to the Persian Gulf region (to use the official name, not the unofficial name enforced by Saudi Arabia). A crisis could still erupt in Korea, Taiwan and the South China Sea, and arguably the chances of that have risen over the last week.

If this was part of careful planning (Hegseth insists that the entire operation is meticulously and perfectly planned), one of the US based MEUs could have started the deployment weeks ago, and relocated their Tiltrotor Squadrons to Saudi Arabia. The MEU being sent consists onsists of a company-sized command element, a battalion landing team, a medium tiltrotor squadron and a combat logistics battalion. Its being reportedly redeployed for contingency reasons (evacuation). But it sounds like a reactionary deployment (unplanned) due to changing facts on the ground, because of the risk it exposes troops in the Pacific theatre to.

If there was an invasion of Kharg Island planned, then you could look at Operation Urgent Fury (the invasion of Grenada); a combined air-sea invasion, about 7-9000 marines against a force of maybe 7-800 paramilitaries from Cuba. The technology has changed a little (the Ospreys weren't around then),, but the approach would be similar; sieze the airfield on the Eastern side of the island, to secure against inevitable attempts by the Iranians to reinforce. The planning would also have to include counter-demolitions thinking, in case the Iranians use scorched earth tactics as Iraq tried in 1991 (setting the island ablaze, causing environmental devastation). The range of the Ospreys means they are right at the edge of their range if the unit deployed to the Gulf of Oman or the Red Sea. The battalion landing team have amphibious equipment, with range of a few kms. So, if the MEU is intended to support operations against Kharg, it will have to pass through Hormuz. And the War Department, while boasting it will keep close to its chest details of planning, have announced to the world, the deployment of this very distinctive mini armada. There is no element of surprise. The USS Tripoli will be target Numero Uno, and the Iranians know when its going to arrive, and be prepared.

Here's a Trumpian reasoning why Kharg Island. Its nothing to do with securing the objective of regime change. In fact it would be regime protection. In normal times, Kharg would support 90% of Iranian oil exports. Right its doing jack. Iranian oil isn't getting out of the Gulf, and it had few customers (one very large important one). A purpose would be to seize Kharg for the purposes of supervised export. Essentially America would run the island for Iran; maintain, repair the facilities (which are probably mostly American made anyhow). Revenue is escrowed or partially released under agreed conditions.

Why would Iran agree to such a thing, rather than launch unlimited and highly motivated waves of suicide bombers at it? Iran knows the US cannot maintain the tempo of air operations against Iran that it has been doing. A read of the headlines shows it will bankrupt the country, deplete military stocks. When Trump refers to unlimited bombs, its unlimited in the same way Russian munitions are unlimited; falling back on 1970s, 1960s, even 1950s stocks stashed in some American desert facility.

Under Trump, relationships with the outside world has become transactional. The US is no longer allied with other nations because of shared values, friendship. The US is no longer a friend of Europe or the UK. Maybe it never was. It maintains an alliance because it suits American interests. And similarly, it has no genuine friendship with Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States or indeed Israel (a country that spends less on defence, as a percentage of GDP, than the target set for NATO members.....). Iranian foreign policy is driven by a fear of the Imperialist; it has a recent history of meddling by the Great Powers. It is a neighbour to Arab nations, Arab nations who view their co-religionists with contempt because the Shia hold the heretical view that the Prophet designated his Son-in-law as his successor on earth (its a much deeper schism than Catholics versus Protestants). Throw into the mix a bit of Iranian nationalism, and Persian Empire stuff. This is why the Shah and then the Mullahs wanted the bomb ultimately. It was a big stick to support willy waving.

The deal the Americans could offer is to become allies of the Islamic Republic, and become a guarantor for Iranian independance. Ultimately, Trump's America doesn't care what goes on inside Iran. It never cared what went on inside Saudi Arabia. It doesn't really care what goes on inside Israel; all those Kibbutz's are basically communist colonies. Iran could be so much better for American business than the Arabs. Take away their oil, and the Gulf Arabs are nothing more than uneducated Bedu, as Lawrence found. Iran though is actually a proper country, with a proper economy. Yes, it earns a lot from oil, but there is so much going on there. There is a lot more that is in America's interest. In Venezuela, the Americans have effectively installed a vociferously Anti-American Vice-President as President. The Bolivar revolution continues, probably to the disappointment of the opposition (they ain't seeing power anytime soon).

When Trump talks about having a candidate in mind as leader of Iran, he's thinking about one of the Mullahs, not that joker Pretender, the Shah, who would last about 10 minutes after arrival before swinging from a handy JCB. And he wouldn't trust an Iranian electorate to vote for anyone; look what happened in Iraq, when you let foreign people have a say. It becomes unpredictable, and you end up with a government who isn't exactly grateful. US does play to type, with a foreign policy that happily supports dictatorships.

Precedence: Vietnam. Its still a communist country, with banners everywhere. The same mob who beat the Americans and threw their allies into re-education camps. Across America, you still see POW-MIA flags flying everywhere, because there are still Americans who think 80 year old downed pilots are still being held in some Vietnamese hellhole, and Chuck Norris/Rambo will rescue them. Saigon is still called Ho Chi Minh City, and there are museums showing captured American war trophies, and lurid illustrations of American capitalist war crimes. But US and Communist Vietnam have become best buds, with Vietnam enjoying preferential trading terms. There are people on this forum who probably served during the Vietnam war who are regularly making border runs to Vietnam.

On the other hand, Trumpm doesn't know his arse from his elbow, let alone what day of the week it is. The 31st MEU might might deploying to support the primary mission its trained for most recently, humanitarian relief, as the US anticipates things going turbo tits up, as the desalination plants are bombed, and cholera breaks out in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and the US needs to get its people the <deleted> out of Dodge quick.

10/10

5 minutes ago, Hummin said:

The mass immigration in to Europe peaked because of failed war on terror,

The peak of immigration to Europe from conflict zones occurred in 2015 and 2016, widely known as the European refugee crisis. During this period, over one million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe by sea in 2015 alone, with another 363,000 arriving by sea in 2016

Throw them out then. You country evidently wants them though.

12 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

If Iran had a military besides soldiers and missiles, we would hear a lot more. having air supremacy is quite obvious, as is navy. Iran has no chance and America isn't using all of it's capabilities as they aren't yet needed.

Even reading the Iranian favouring media shows you whos winning

5 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Even reading the Iranian favouring media shows you whos winning

From what I've seen, Iran's military is gone besides troops, and that won't win a war against a side with Navy and Air Force, especially helicopters and jets.

10 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Throw them out then. You country evidently wants them though.

Not a new thing, showing your lack of logic!

18 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Not a new thing, showing your lack of logic!

Are you denying your country is rife with Islamacists? That you let in?

20 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

From what I've seen, Iran's military is gone besides troops, and that won't win a war against a side with Navy and Air Force, especially helicopters and jets.

Spec Ops will take Kharg backed up by the 15th MEU already in theatre. Hormuz will be open by next week.

17 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Are you denying your country is rife with Islamacists? That you let in?

your country creating the biggest humanitarian crises for decades because of failed wars, and you have no balls to admit the wrongdoing, and start distractions to avoid the painful truths, just as your chief in command.

8 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Spec Ops will take Kharg backed up by the 15th MEU already in theatre. Hormuz will be open by next week.

Fake news. Part of the 15th has only just finished the Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand, and have returned to California. Your shift manager has given you the wrong notes tovarisch. Stick to the Islamophobia, and keep an eye on that Chechen geezer two seats down from you.

https://news.usni.org/2026/03/12/u-s-forces-partner-nations-defend-against-maritime-drones-in-exercise-cobra-gold

26 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

Fake news. Part of the 15th has only just finished the Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand, and have returned to California. Your shift manager has given you the wrong notes tovarisch. Stick to the Islamophobia, and keep an eye on that Chechen geezer two seats down from you.

https://news.usni.org/2026/03/12/u-s-forces-partner-nations-defend-against-maritime-drones-in-exercise-cobra-gold

Sorry I meant the 26th MEU. My map got confused. Why do you refer to Chechens?

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

No bro, the raw videos. The US releases them daily, so do the Israelis

How the Tet Offensive going grandad ? Oh and then there was the Surge in Iraq and of course Trump who got the US out of Afghanistan. Pride comes before a fall. Welcome to Afghanistan x 10 - one more push .....the US just keep winning wars.

3 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

How the Tet Offensive going grandad ? Oh and then there was the surge and of course Trump who got the US out of Afghanistan. Pride comes before a fall. Welcome to Afghanistan x 10 - one more push .....

What about the Tet offensive?

7 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

How the Tet Offensive going grandad ? Oh and then there was the Surge in Iraq and of course Trump who got the US out of Afghanistan. Pride comes before a fall. Welcome to Afghanistan x 10 - one more push .....the US just keep winning wars.

Well we are winning this one, and you are on the losing side. Keep screeching.

5 minutes ago, TedG said:

What about the Tet offensive?

Is was a rhetorical flourish. Hitler was winning in 1940 all over the place if you remember. A war's not won until it is and all I have to do is look at Trump/Hegseth running the show with no plan , no strategy and no brains. That's all I need to know. That's it.

2 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Hitler was winning in 1940 all over the place if you remember.

Until we got involved.

3 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Is was a rhetorical flourish. Hitler was winning in 1940 all over the place if you remember. A war's not won until it is and all I have to do is look at Trump/Hegseth running the show with no plan , no strategy and no brains. That's all I need to know. That's it.

The Tet offensive was a North Vietnam offensive that largely failed. So, what is your point?

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

Until we got involved.

And Uncle Joseph and his commie mates. Don't forget them they liberated Auschwitz and established the first Jewish autonnomous oblast on earth long before the Zionists did elsewhere.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Autonomous_Oblast

3 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

And Uncle Joseph and his commie mates. Don't forget them they liberated Auschwitz and established the first Jewish autonnomous oblast on earth long before the Zionists did elsewhere.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Autonomous_Oblast

And your point is?

17 hours ago, Purdey said:

Accurate? Blowing up a school and killing children was accurate?

Hit the target, just the wrong one.

13 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

And your point is?

It's not just about Uncle Sam all the time. It was an Alliance.

22 minutes ago, TedG said:

The Tet offensive was a North Vietnam offensive that largely failed. So, what is your point?

Damn I should have done a quick fact check. Will concede that one and can't be arsed to look up a relevant one. Will withdraw !

1 minute ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

It's not just about Uncle Sam all the time. It was an Alliance.

No dude, it was us cleaning up other folks mess with out industrial power and military. The Soviets rode to Berlin on Studebakers or whatever

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Go back further LOL

Nice scenario but the Iranians have nothing left other than pin pricks

There still sending missiles into Israel, Dubai, Bahraine so there not depleted are they Yagoda.

Just now, Yagoda said:

No dude, it was us cleaning up other folks mess with out industrial power and military. The Soviets rode to Berlin on Studebakers or whatever

And charging us royally for the privilege - besides which many immigrants (yes that word eh!) wanted to support their native lands in their hour of needs. Not the Micks obviously or the Hun or the Ities for the most part.

Lets be honest the Yanks are not that good at winning wars are they ? Most Marines in the Nam were off there tits on LSD anyway. Good job we cleaned up early in the Falklands you lot would have been there years. Your planners just Bomb baby Bomb with napalm or agent orange killing everything for years then usually you scurry off with your tails between your legs.

5 minutes ago, BarraMarra said:

Lets be honest the Yanks are not that good at winning wars are they ? Most Marines in the Nam were off there tits on LSD anyway. Good job we cleaned up early in the Falklands you lot would have been there years. Your planners just Bomb baby Bomb with napalm or agent orange killing everything for years then usually you scurry off with your tails between your legs.

The British, not that I agree and it was mostly Scots anyway ran the Empire with about 4k colonial civil servants. Perfidious Albion as it were was hugely succesfull once it had rid istelf of it's troublesome colonies in the New World. DividE and rule was a great strategy that and give the ruling elite become rich as Croesus if you help otherwise we will kill you and go to war over shoving opium down the poor Chinese mouths and we had plenty of help from Mohammedon friends once we had sneaked in to Mecca and figured out how they worked.

3 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

The British, not that I agree and it was mostly Scots anyway ran the Empire with about 4k colonial civil servants. Perfidious Albion as it were was hugely succesfull once it had rid istelf of it's troublesome colonies in the New World. DividE and rule was a great strategy that and give the ruling elite become rich as Croesus if you help otherwise we will kill you and go to war over shoving opium down the poor Chinese mouths and we had plenty of help from Mohammedon friends once we had sneaked in to Mecca and figured out how they worked.

what ever this means ????