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176
Is Thailand Value for money
For me, Thailand is far better value for money than any western country. It's not even expensive unless one wants to live like a nob, and eat at Dukes, LOL. My hotel room all included was a zillion % better than the only thing I can afford back home for more than I was paying in LOS, which is only slightly above living in my car. -
176
Is Thailand Value for money
If anyone thinks the food is the most important thing in their life I pity them. It all ends up looking the same. More to life than restaurants. -
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Melania Trump Praises Donald Trump in Rare TV Interview With Fox
Nothing to do with her next book release! 😃 Cashing on Trump 's name before It's too late! -
176
Is Thailand Value for money
BS. Perhaps you were cheated and overcharged, but most won't be. I generally paid the same as a Thai paid. The exception was national parks and I didn't bother with them, except Samet one time. -
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V P Debate
So..... imagine in a bizarre twist that Harris got installed as the President ( unthinkable) and she was then forced to evacuate the office (most probable) and we got stuck with Walz as the commander in chief ... ( Walz is a lumbering slow thinker, unprepared, and doubtlessly panicking in his response.) Is this what the world needs ?think long and hard before opening your pie hole ! -
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To retire "in comfort", fine. What about your children?
LOL. I earned 10 quid a week when I started, equivalent to $20. Board was 4 quid, so that left me 6 quid to live on. Had I gone without any of the pleasures of life, I might have saved 3 quid a week. How much would my $312 have become if I "invested" it back then? While youths earn more in devalued money today, the same will apply to them in 50 years time. The best investment I made was in buying a house and land- it more than doubled in value in 5 years, but the worst thing I ever did was being with a bad woman who got it all. She did fine for sod all input. So, my advice is forget about the cunning investment strategies devised by bankers to part us from as much of our money as they can, and buy property, but never never never get involved with a woman unless with an iron clad pre nup that leaves them with none of it when the divorce happens. -
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Latest developments and discussion of recent events in the Ukraine War
Ukrainian Armed Forces Kill 6 North Korean Officers in Donbass "More than 20 servicemen were killed in a missile strike on October 3 on Russian-occupied territory near Donetsk, including six officers from North Korea who had arrived for talks with their Russian counterparts,” the statement said. -
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Melania Trump Praises Donald Trump in Rare TV Interview With Fox
In a rare and candid interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Melania Trump offered a glimpse into her life with former President Donald Trump, while voicing strong support for her husband. The former first lady, typically private, was uncharacteristically open as she discussed Donald Trump’s political journey, their shared experiences, and the current state of the nation. Melania sat down with Hannity, her long-time friend, as part of a promotional tour for her upcoming book, *Melania*. The conversation comes amid renewed public interest in the Trumps, especially as the former president ramps up his campaign for the 2024 presidential race. In the interview, Melania praised her husband’s leadership and spoke about their life in the political spotlight. Dressed in a white suit and black blouse, Melania reflected on the lengthy and often unpredictable nature of politics. “You just need to be in it and enjoy it as much as you can,” she said, stressing the importance of staying focused while also being prepared for unexpected developments. She noted how she remained calm during the tense Election Day of 2020. “That’s maybe my personality,” she shared. “I know on Election Day it’s all in people’s hands, people decide what they want for this country, and it will be again this year on November 5th.” Melania revealed that when Donald first confided in her about his intention to enter politics, she was immediately supportive. “You’re going to win,” she told him, confident in his ability to connect with people. “I saw how people react to him, and his passion for this country,” she explained. “We traveled all around the world, and I saw what the people want. I think the country was ready for a change, they wanted to have somebody that wasn’t in politics all the time.” Reflecting on the current political landscape, Melania noted the deep divisions plaguing the nation. “The world, and especially the United States, is more divided than ever before,” she observed. She emphasized the importance of open dialogue, urging both Republicans and Democrats to listen to one another. “We need to respect our freedom of speech, our individuality,” she said. “It’s troubling... in this country that we are cancelling people that they don’t agree [with] on certain issues.” Throughout the interview, Melania remained steadfast in her defense of her husband. She criticized the media for what she described as biased coverage during his presidency and beyond. “I saw how they treated him, how the media was against him,” she said, arguing that they were intimidated by his strength as a leader. “As soon as he announced that he’s running for the presidency, everything really changed... this will not be very pleasant.” Melania expressed a sense of resilience despite the challenges. “I always said to him, ‘What is next?’ So in one way, you’re not surprised, and every event that happened, I’m thinking, ‘What is next, what are they trying to do?’ And you always fear the worst.” Though she didn’t delve into specific controversies surrounding her husband, her words reflected a loyal partnership and a belief in his vision for the country. This rare interview shed light on Melania Trump’s views and her enduring support for Donald Trump as he navigates both his personal and political battles. Based on a report from Daily Beast 2024-10-04- 1
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Met Police Officers Reinstated After Appeal Over Bianca Williams Stop and Search Incident
Two former Metropolitan Police officers, Jonathan Clapham and Sam Franks, have won their appeal to be reinstated after being dismissed last October over their involvement in the controversial stop and search of British athlete Bianca Williams and her partner, Olympic sprinter Ricardo Dos Santos. The Police Appeals Tribunal overturned the previous ruling, which had found the officers guilty of lying about smelling cannabis during the stop, deeming the initial decision “irrational” and “inconsistent.” As for Williams, she has continued her athletic career with great success. At the Paris Olympics this summer, she was part of the British women’s 4x100m relay team, which not only qualified for the final but went on to win a silver medal, a significant achievement in her sporting career. Based on a report from The Independent 2024-10-05 -
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Yazidi Woman Rescued from Gaza After Years of Captivity Following ISIS Kidnapping
A Yazidi woman named Fawzia Amin Sido, who was kidnapped by ISIS at the age of 11 and trafficked to the Gaza Strip, has been reunited with her family in Iraq. Her abduction occurred in 2014 when ISIS forces launched brutal attacks on Yazidi communities in Iraq, seizing control of large areas of the country. During this chaos, Sido was taken from her family and sold to a Gazan man who happened to be in Iraq at the time. According to Israel's foreign ministry, Israeli security forces played a significant role in her extraction from Gaza. The operation was described as complex and involved the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, in coordination with other international parties. In a statement, the IDF disclosed that Sido's captor, identified as a terrorist, had been killed in an Israeli strike during the recent fighting in Gaza, allowing her to flee to a hiding spot. After days of evasion, she was rescued through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel. From there, she was transported to Jordan via the Allenby Crossing before being reunited with her family in Iraq. The IDF emphasized that the incident provided further proof of the connections between Hamas and ISIS, and underscored the crimes against humanity carried out by these groups. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry also issued a statement about Sido’s release, thanking the joint efforts of U.S. embassies in Baghdad and Amman, along with Jordanian authorities. However, no mention of Israeli involvement was made in their announcement. A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed that the U.S. had helped safely evacuate Sido from Gaza, describing her as a young Yazidi woman who had been kidnapped from Iraq and trafficked to Gaza. Her captor’s recent death made her escape and repatriation possible. Steve Maman, a Jewish philanthropist who has been referred to as the “Jewish Schindler” for his work in helping rescue Yazidis, shared a video of Sido reuniting with her family. Maman wrote on social media, “I made a promise to Fawzia the Yazidi who was hostage of Hamas in Gaza that I would bring her back home to her mother in Sinjar. To her, it seemed surreal and impossible but not to me, my only enemy was time. Our team reunited her moments ago with her mother and family in Sinjar.” David Saranga, Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Digital Diplomacy Bureau, also commented on her release, stating: “For years, she was held captive by a Palestinian Hamas-ISIS member. Her story is a reminder of the brutality faced by Yazidi children, taken without a choice.” Sido’s rescue marks the end of a long and harrowing chapter in her life, one that highlights the suffering of the Yazidi community at the hands of ISIS and the brutalities endured by those taken captive during the conflict. Based on a report from BBC | Sky | X 2024-10-05 -
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Moldova Accuses Russia of Voter Bribery to Block EU Integration
Moldova is warning of a sophisticated scheme orchestrated by Russia to sway its upcoming elections and referendum by paying citizens to vote against closer ties with the European Union. According to top Moldovan officials, a mafia-style network has been built by Moscow, funneling cash to influence voters in a crucial decision on the country’s future. Viorel Cernăuțeanu, Moldova's chief of police, told POLITICO on Thursday, “Moldova is facing a phenomenon of voter bribery, combined with hybrid warfare and disinformation, the likes of which our country has never seen before.” He explained that the plot involves over $15 million in Russian funds, which have been funneled into the accounts of more than 130,000 Moldovan citizens in just the last month. This alarming development has led authorities to hold a press conference to expose the details of Russia’s plan. At the center of this operation is Ilan Shor, a pro-Russian oligarch who founded the now-banned Shor Party. Authorities claim Shor has been using his network of banks to launder the money intended for voter bribes. Local activists, backed by Russian coordinators, have reportedly been distributing cash to Moldovans via the messaging platform Telegram. Cernăuțeanu said, “This ‘mafia-style’ network, orchestrated from Moscow, aims to influence voters ahead of the presidential elections and EU referendum.” The stakes are high as the referendum on October 20 will determine whether Moldova strengthens its ties with the West by joining the EU, while the simultaneous election pits pro-Western President Maia Sandu against pro-Russian opposition figures. Despite being declared unconstitutional last year, Shor’s political party continues to play a pivotal role in the Kremlin’s efforts to keep Moldova from moving closer to the EU. These revelations come at a critical moment, just as Moldova’s national security adviser, Stanislav Secrieru, warned of Russia’s increasing interference. Secrieru told POLITICO that Russia has launched an “unprecedented onslaught” of propaganda and intimidation ahead of the referendum. He predicted that Moscow would spend around €100 million this year alone to manipulate Moldova’s democratic processes. Moldova, granted EU candidate status in June 2022, has begun accession talks with the bloc. However, Russia continues to wield significant influence over the country, not only through its control over energy supplies but also through its penetration of Moldova’s state institutions. Last summer, Ukrainian intelligence reported a Russian-funded plot to overthrow Sandu’s government, with Ilan Shor named as the key player in the alleged coup. Shor has since been sanctioned by the EU. In response to these escalating threats, the EU has deployed a civilian mission to Moldova aimed at bolstering the country’s defenses against Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics. A senior Moldovan official, speaking anonymously, emphasized the importance of cooperating with Brussels to counter Russia’s interference. “We are learning important lessons as we defend our democracy in this electoral cycle—lessons the EU can also benefit from as they will likely face similar, but more refined, tactics in the future,” the official said. As Moldova prepares for this pivotal vote, the extent of Russian influence over the country’s democratic processes has never been clearer. Based on a report from Politico 2024-10-04 -
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China’s Military Expansion and America’s Defense Deficiency
As geopolitical tensions rise, there is growing concern that the United States may be unprepared to face a significant military challenge from China. Although much of the discourse in Washington has focused on China’s economic struggles—such as high youth unemployment, an aging population, and slow economic growth—these issues have not hindered Beijing’s ability to ramp up its defense capabilities. While some believe that China’s military might is exaggerated, the reality tells a different story. China's defense industrial base is rapidly expanding, and the country has taken a wartime stance in its production of weapons and military technology. Despite its economic challenges, China has been making remarkable progress in the development and production of sophisticated military hardware. Over the past few years, China has outpaced the U.S. in several critical areas, including shipbuilding and missile production. It has become the world’s largest shipbuilder, with production capacity 230 times larger than that of the United States. Between 2021 and early 2024, China’s defense industry produced over 400 modern fighter aircraft, more than 20 warships, and doubled its missile and nuclear warhead inventories. The pace at which China is acquiring weapons systems is five to six times faster than the United States. Admiral John Aquilino, former commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, has described China’s military buildup as “the most extensive and rapid since World War II.” At the heart of China’s defense strategy is President Xi Jinping’s vision of creating a world-class military to fulfill his goal of the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." State-owned enterprises have been key players in building China’s military capacity, with companies like Aviation Industry Corporation of China and China State Shipbuilding now ranking among the largest defense companies in the world. In just over a decade, Chinese firms have gone from being absent in global defense rankings to becoming top competitors of U.S. defense giants like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. One of the most striking examples of China's military advancements is its naval power. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is now the largest in the world, supported by China’s vast shipbuilding infrastructure. China’s shipyards can produce warships, submarines, and other military vessels at a scale that far surpasses U.S. capacity. While the U.S. Navy still maintains an edge in some areas—such as firepower and advanced nuclear-powered submarines—China’s ability to produce ships rapidly gives it a potential advantage in a prolonged conflict. In addition to naval advancements, China has been modernizing its air force and missile capabilities. Its Aviation Industry Corporation has doubled its production of fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets in recent years and continues to improve the country’s drone technology and missile systems. China is also making strides in space technology, increasing its number of satellite launches and developing systems that can track and disrupt enemy assets in space. While China continues its military expansion, the United States finds itself facing significant challenges in maintaining its defense superiority. The U.S. defense industrial base has atrophied over the years, lacking the flexibility and capacity needed to match China’s rapid growth. The current U.S. defense production system is better suited for peacetime operations, and crucial bottlenecks in munitions and equipment could leave the U.S. at a disadvantage in a protracted conflict, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Despite these challenges, the United States has yet to take the necessary steps to overhaul its defense industry. To counter China’s growing threat, Washington needs to address labor shortages in critical sectors like shipbuilding, streamline its contracting and acquisition processes, and invest in new technologies. A presidential-led initiative, akin to Franklin Roosevelt’s World War II “arsenal of democracy” effort, may be required to revitalize America’s defense industry. China’s defense buildup is a warning sign. To ensure its readiness for potential future conflicts, the United States must act quickly to rebuild its military capabilities and safeguard its position on the global stage. Based on a report from Foreign Affairs 2024-10-05 -
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Bruce Springsteen's Call to Action: Endorsing Harris, Criticizing Trump
Bruce Springsteen, known as "The Boss" for his influential role in American rock music, has thrown his support behind the 2024 Democratic ticket, offering an impassioned endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In a video shared on Instagram, Springsteen, who is 75, expressed the importance of the upcoming election, which he described as “one of the most consequential elections in our nation’s history.” In the video, Springsteen enumerated what he believes are the fundamental values that "make America great." Beyond its military and economic power, Springsteen highlighted qualities like "freedom, social justice, equal opportunity, and the right to be and love who you want" as the true pillars of American greatness. A consistent supporter of Democratic candidates over the years, Springsteen’s endorsement was not unexpected. He has previously backed John Kerry, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden, always standing firmly in the corner of the Democratic Party. Now, as the 2024 election looms, Springsteen has once again made his political leanings clear by endorsing Harris and Walz. "Everybody sees things different and I respect your choice as a fellow citizen. But like you, I’ve only got one vote. And it’s one of the most precious possessions that I have," Springsteen remarked, emphasizing the personal significance of his vote. He concluded by saying, "That’s why come Nov. 5, I’ll be casting it for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz." Interestingly, the friction between Springsteen and Trump is not new. On the campaign trail, Trump has made it clear that he is "not a huge fan" of Springsteen. In a speech delivered in Atlanta in August, Trump noted that he only tends to like people who like him, acknowledging, “I have a bad trait” in reference to the mutual lack of admiration between the two. Despite this, Springsteen remains undeterred, using his platform to rally his fans and fellow citizens to action, urging them to vote in a crucial election that could shape the future of the nation. Based on a report from NYP 2024-10-05 -
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The Acquittal of Three Former Officers in Tyre Nichols Case Sparks Accountability Debate
Three former Memphis police officers were convicted on Thursday of federal witness tampering charges in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man. However, they were acquitted of the more severe charge of violating Nichols’s civil rights by causing his death. This mixed verdict has raised questions about accountability in policing and whether justice was truly served. The officers—Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, and Justin Smith—were part of a specialized unit within the Memphis Police Department when the tragic incident occurred in January 2023. In addition to the federal charges, they, along with two other officers who had already pleaded guilty, still face state charges, including second-degree murder. Demetrius Haley was also convicted of violating Nichols’s civil rights by causing bodily injury. Tyre Nichols’s death shocked the nation, particularly given the disturbing video evidence of the incident. After Nichols fled from a traffic stop, the officers pursued him, ultimately beating him while he cried out for his mother and tried to comply with conflicting commands. The brutal encounter, captured on both body cameras and surveillance footage, showed officers viciously punching and kicking Nichols before propping him against a police car, where he was left without medical aid for several minutes. None of the officers reported the full extent of the violence that occurred that night. The trial, which spanned 17 days, offered a glimpse into a deeply troubling culture within the Memphis Police Department, where violence and secrecy appeared to be tolerated. Prosecutors highlighted how officers on the Scorpion street crime unit, where the defendants served, seemed to operate under an unspoken agreement to use excessive force against those who fled and then downplay the violence. In her closing statement, Kathryn Gilbert, a Justice Department lawyer, emphasized the clear evidence captured on video, urging the jury to rely on their common sense in assessing the officers’ actions: "You know what these officers did and know it because you saw it over and over again." Throughout the trial, federal prosecutors summoned both former and current Memphis police officers, along with medical staff who had treated Nichols after the beating. Video footage was played repeatedly, showing not just the violence but also the officers’ casual conversations afterward. In one of the most compelling moments of the trial, two officers who had previously pleaded guilty testified against their former colleagues, identifying their voices and detailing violations of police protocol as they watched the footage. One of the testifying officers, Emmitt Martin III, recounted his anger when Nichols managed to break free from their grip, admitting to an unspoken pact among the officers not to disclose the full brutality of their actions to their superiors. "I knew they weren’t going to tell on me," he said. "And I wasn’t going to tell on them." Desmond Mills Jr., the other officer who testified, became emotional while watching the videos, confessing to his role in beating Nichols with a baton and delivering a powerful kick to his limp body. Overcome with remorse, Mills tearfully stated, "I made his child fatherless. I’m sorry." Prosecutors recommended significant prison sentences for both men—up to 40 years for Martin and up to 15 years for Mills. For Nichols’s family, who kept a vigil throughout the trial, the legal proceedings were a painful ordeal. His mother, RowVaughn Wells, often left the courtroom to avoid watching the harrowing footage or sat quietly as her husband shielded her from the images of their son’s body. Lawyers for the defendants attempted to build separate cases for each client, casting doubt on the training the officers received and their level of responsibility for Nichols’s death. They sought to redirect blame toward Martin and Mills, but the prosecution’s case was strongest against Haley, who had a reputation for aggressive behavior and had previously been involved in using excessive force. Haley was also caught on video delivering a vicious kick to Nichols and had sent a disturbing image of Nichols’s bloodied body to a former girlfriend. Although Haley’s defense acknowledged his role in the beating, they argued that his actions fell within the scope of police training and that his words, such as calling to "beat that man," were not necessarily sinister. Despite the convictions for witness tampering, broader questions remain unanswered about the future of policing in Memphis, a city still grappling with high crime rates and the use of excessive force by its police department. While some have expressed hope for change, others remain skeptical, especially given the Republican-dominated state legislature’s reluctance to embrace police reform and the ongoing investigation by the Justice Department. Michael Sierra-Arévalo, a sociologist and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, voiced the skepticism many share: "This is accountability, not justice. Justice would be a system that doesn’t so reliably hurt the people that it’s meant to protect." As sentencing looms in January, Nichols’s death remains a powerful reminder of the challenges of achieving true justice and reform in policing. Based on a report from NYT 2024-10-05 -
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Iran's Nuclear Ambitions and Israel's Growing Concern
In recent weeks, tensions have heightened as Israel grows increasingly anxious about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, learned a hard lesson about the limits of his foreign policy strategy. Despite having well-armed and well-trained proxy forces like Hezbollah, these surrogates can falter when faced with the might of a modern, determined army. The recent Israeli offensives in Gaza and Lebanon demonstrated this when many high-ranking Hezbollah members, including Hassan Nasrallah, were killed. This loss, alongside Israel's successful dismantling of Hezbollah’s capabilities, left Tehran scrambling to regain face. Tehran’s response was a failed ballistic missile attack on Israel, an attempt to restore dignity after its top proxy had been severely weakened. Iran has long employed proxies like Hezbollah to carry out its agenda, using them to spread its influence and attack enemies while shielding itself from direct retaliation. However, Israel’s rapid dismantling of Hezbollah’s missile systems and crews has shown the clerical regime that proxy forces alone are insufficient for maintaining its influence in the region. Moreover, Iran’s reliance on ballistic and cruise missiles as a deterrent has also come under strain. Despite its heavy investment in these conventional weapons, Israel's air defenses have proven capable of neutralizing many of these attacks. With its proxies under attack and its missile strategy losing effectiveness, Iran may be closer than ever to considering the development of a nuclear weapon as its ultimate guarantee of security and regional influence. This rising threat has Israel on edge. Many in Israel fear that Iran’s missile barrages could push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the ultimate step of launching a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. This would be a last-ditch effort to prevent Tehran from acquiring the only weapon that could allow it to maneuver freely in the Middle East. While Israel’s leadership debates the severity of its response, the United States, Israel’s most crucial ally, has entered crisis-management mode. President Biden continues to seek de-escalation, although months of diplomacy have failed to yield meaningful results. Biden has expressed his opposition to an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, yet he has also insisted that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear bomb. This delicate balancing act does not easily align with calls from both political parties in the U.S. to avoid being dragged into perpetual conflicts. Despite these differing views, the strong alliance between Israel and the United States may be the last remaining obstacle to Iran’s nuclear aspirations. Israel’s recent intelligence successes, including the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a top Hamas leader, in a Revolutionary Guards compound in Tehran, have likely given Khamenei pause. He must now question whether any secret plans to assemble a nuclear bomb would leak, leading to a preemptive strike by Israel or the U.S. Nevertheless, Iran may still see reasons for optimism in the post-October 7 Middle East. While Israel has dealt severe blows to its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah are likely to survive. Additionally, the current conflict has derailed the possibility of Saudi-Israeli normalization, along with a potential U.S.-Saudi defense alliance that would have been a significant threat to Tehran. The deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians have also led Saudi and Emirati royals, once vocal opponents of Iran, to adopt a more conciliatory tone toward Tehran. Should Iran successfully test a nuclear weapon in the near future, the balance of power in the region would shift dramatically. It would weaken both Israel’s and America’s influence in the Middle East overnight. Historically, the U.S. has never attacked a nuclear-armed state, and Israel, widely believed to possess its own nuclear weapons, would likely face significant restrictions in engaging with a nuclear-armed Iran. The doctrine of mutually assured destruction would, in fact, limit Israel more than Iran. For Ayatollah Khamenei, becoming a nuclear state would provide a new means to project power domestically and internationally. It would also neutralize the risk that another attack on Israel would lead to a conventional conflict in which Iran cannot compete. In authoritarian regimes, maintaining an image of strength is crucial, and foreign defeats can have domestic consequences. Khamenei understands this well, and a nuclear Iran could reshape not only the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East but also the internal dynamics of his theocratic rule. Based on a report from NYT 2024-10-04
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