2 hours ago, Emdog said:

US Approves Rapid Deployment of 82nd Airborne Troops to Middle East

Should be "Trump Approves Rapid Deployment of 82nd Airborne Troops to Middle East"

Polls show only about 36% of population support this war. Lowest ever at this stage

If 63% approved, would you make sure to bold print in large font too?

12 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

only needs 1 lucky strike

True. The USS Cole incident proves that. However, defensive tactics changed. Also, there will be a shoot first procedure in effect, so any threat will be hit as soon as visible. Previous failures were attributable to hesitation and caution to minimize non combatant death. Gloves are off here.

I think that as unpopular as a loss of life or equipment might be, the USN needs to test its defensive measures. They have invested heavily in equipment and training and they need to test it. Can't keep spending and deploying if the equipment is ineffective.

I agree with a Taiwanese fellow, Yale PhD in political science, opinion.

Biggest winner : Israel

Second : Russia

Third : China

Biggest loser : King Trump

24 minutes ago, sscc said:

I agree with a Taiwanese fellow, Yale PhD in political science, opinion.

Biggest winner : Israel

Second : Russia

Third : China

Biggest loser : King Trump

Biggest suckers - MAGA supporters

Well Well Well in the immortal song from the Smiths " Big Gob Strikes again ". He has now called off his threat to strike Iran giving them another Ten days, he is just all gob with no backbone. Years ago country's would have buckled and supported the US in any Theatre of war but not anymore with this President he has been seen as just a bully and a liar. Super power my Arse, are we supposed to bow down because the 82nd Airborn are on the way ? Id put our Para's against them any day of the week.

Bah, the 83rd haven't arrived yet? Are they walking to Iran?🤔

On 3/26/2026 at 1:46 PM, spidermike007 said:

Thank you so much for making me laugh out loud, over estimating the US military seems to be something that MAGA supporters consistently do, despite the fact that they've not even come close to winning a war in 81 years.

I think it's safe to say that a bloated budget and enormous amounts of armaments coupled with a SEC DEF who would not be qualified to manage a Kmart, does not necessarily represent strength in numbers or a successful, nor smart operation.

Come now, success is guaranteed - after all they have got a really sexy, punchy, operation name "Epic Fury" and a really cool new three letter acronym "ACE"...

All you have to do is land your giant transport aircraft on a dirt airstrip in artillery range of the Iranian mainland, in an environment swarming with drones. What could go wrong?

NB: perhaps read the accounts of the battles at Dien Bien Phu and Khe Sanh?

"No plan survives contact with the enemy" - perhaps, particularly, when the enemy have been preparing for as long as the Iranians have. The exact co-ordinates of just about every part of that island, not just the landing strip(s), will be with every Iranian rocket launcher, artillery battery and drone launcher. Sure, the USAF will launch " the mother of all suppressing operations, but a few will get through. You can have Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine working up ideas, as many staff studies as you want coming up with neat acronyms, but you are still asking large aircraft (jolly impressive aircraft but large and vulnerable) to fly in under heavy fire.

I hope I am wrong, but I think it will fail.

Cute little video

1 hour ago, JAG said:

Come now, success is guaranteed - after all they have got a really sexy, punchy, operation name "Epic Fury" and a really cool new three letter acronym "ACE"...

All you have to do is land your giant transport aircraft on a dirt airstrip in artillery range of the Iranian mainland, in an environment swarming with drones. What could go wrong?

NB: perhaps read the accounts of the battles at Dien Bien Phu and Khe Sanh?

"No plan survives contact with the enemy" - perhaps, particularly, when the enemy have been preparing for as long as the Iranians have. The exact co-ordinates of just about every part of that island, not just the landing strip(s), will be with every Iranian rocket launcher, artillery battery and drone launcher. Sure, the USAF will launch " the mother of all suppressing operations, but a few will get through. You can have Pete Hegseth and Dan Caine working up ideas, as many staff studies as you want coming up with neat acronyms, but you are still asking large aircraft (jolly impressive aircraft but large and vulnerable) to fly in under heavy fire.

I hope I am wrong, but I think it will fail.

I agree. It will be an unmitigated disaster if Trump lands troops on the ground.

And it is likely the Persians have been planning an invasion by the US for 250 years now.

22 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

If 63% approved, would you make sure to bold print in large font too?

I copied the post headline as it appeared and then put that at 80%, added the strikethrough. Not a snowballs chance in Dubai of public approving this excursion

This is a couple of days old, talking about a possible taking of Kharg Island,by a USN ex intelligence man.

The podcast is called the Trump report, but it is actually one of many podcasts done by the Times of London newspaper.