America’s attack on Iran’s railroad: the strategic blunder that triggered the elimination of Washington’s ability to sustain its advanced missile systems.
A very realistic take on current events.. The USA will not walk away from its 50 years of military buildup and control of the Middle East.. without alot more bloodshed and economic upheaval
I'm afraid your appraisal may be overly triumphalist. While one can certainly hope for a clear defeat of US imperialist aggression by Iran, it would be a mistake to measure the strength of the US killing machine by their previous attacks, which with a few exceptions were largely restricted to attacks on military targets not infrastructure or civilian targets.
While the US may be short of interceptors, it is Iran that has next to none. The US can bomb at will.
No one should ever underestimate the full lethality of US imperialism and its killing machine, or the homicidal character of the US ruling class.
At the same time we can hope this is nothing more than some momentary bluster by Trump, and that the attacks, renewed sanctions and blockade are merely a negotiating tactic by the Trump administration. That is the usual history of US imperialism when dealing with trying to cover its defeats and to extract some concessions during negotiations. That was the case in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan.
It is undeniable that the US suffered a strategic defeat in the initial limited stage of the war. But that has not been consummated. Strategic defeats can be reversed. The war is not over.
As a purely military question the United States could obliterate all of Iranian infrastructure, power plants, desalination and water systems, refineries, bridges, etc. Leaving Iran without power, food or water. That would of course be war crimes. But when has that ever deterred US imperialism? Iran is defenseless to prevent that.
As a purely military question, the US could literally obliterate Iran. It is a nuclear power.
But war is primarily politics and economics not guns. What has held back US imperialism are broader economic and political considerations, not Iranian military might, except to the degree it shuts down the Strait of Hormuz and threatens Gulf energy infrastructure, and that doesn't hurt the US directly.
A consummated strategic defeat of US imperialism, already in historic relative decline, would have devastating consequences for the capitalist ruling class that would spread like ripples everywhere in the world for years. It would be a historic break point.
Is the US ruling class willing to accept that historic defeat and its consequences, without fully attempting to defeat Tehran? Major capitalists are calling on Trump to "finish the job."
It is difficult to imagine that the US will meekly raise the white flag, walk away, and accept its hour is waning.
The only real leverage Iran has is the shut down shipping and the threat to destroy oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf. But that is a dangerous weapon, as at some point the other imperialists may be forced to also attack Iran.
And it is a weak weapon against the US directly. Relatively speaking the US capitalist rulers were unaffected by the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. In fact they're making money hand over fist right now. They don't give a damn about the impact on American workers. That's Trump's and the Republicans' problem.
The war is extremely unpopular among the peoples of the world, and to a degree the various capitalist ruling classes hurt by the repercussions. That is a factor, but is it enough to actually prevent US imperialism from a massive war of destruction against Iran? I don't think so, at present.
Perhaps anger at the US government could massively grow and stay the hand of US imperialism. That would require tens of millions in the streets around the world. Certainly we all hope that comes to be.
And as regards the capitalists it should not be dismissed that as the economic pain grows they too could join the chorus calling for the US to "finish the job." So the economic distress can cut both ways.
US imperialism should be viewed as a wounded animal. It may scare it off, but often it makes it far more dangerous. No one should underestimate its fangs and claws, and the suffering they are capable of inflicting on the Iranian people and the people of the world.
Lastly, China produces only 1.6% of the helium of the world. That decision to restrict exports was to support Chinese production in the face of inevitable shortages as the war heats up again cutting off supplies from Qatar. It is not leverage against any other countries.
The cold-blooded capitalist rulers of China were not expressing solidarity with Iran, they were looking after their own interests.
China was happy to undercut Iranian leverage during the first stage of the war by restricting its oil imports, which lessened the crisis of shortage. It did so merely as a calculation of its own business interests.
If the USA could not win a war in Iraq, Afganistan, Viet Nam, Canada (twice), what makes you think they can win in Iran? In fact the only war I knowthe USA to win was the 'Spanish/American War' ... I don'even think the USA even won the 'American Civil War'
China is not capitalist. China has a professional government which trains for years to gain higher office. Not like American amateurs managed by capitalist crooks.
It hardly matters how much helium China stopped going to the US. The whole point is to cut resources.
The USA already has a plan B. Brian Berletic does an excellent job of explaining the use of color revolutions. The attempt on Iran didn’t work— this time. (Nor for the green revolution about 15 years ago). But the USA was successful in Syria and is still moving forward in Azerbaijan and Armenia. If successful, Iran will be in a difficult position.
The different factions of the Anglo-American oligarchy only care about profit. They can be bought off by other factions. Or destroyed as Lehman Brothers was.
The US remains very powerful and dangerous.
BRICS has 11 members working to create a multi polar world.
by others this has been called a 'tit-for-tat' between the US and Iran, which even to the untrained reader seems total b*llocks, so thank you for the explanations here!
First of all, thank you for responding and subscribing.
Second the war is 1.5 billion dollars a day, and it will cost more because to replenish those very equipment that we have lost will be three times the price
You forget to mention the economic disaster happening to Iran and Russia . Your side is extremely one sided - meaning America bad, Russia /china/iran strong and good . Of course I agree the war with Iran is useless and only makes America weaker , but the real fact is that America is preventing China from cashing in on oil and Russia becoming poorer and poorer and losing more and more people to a war they never signed up for . I would like to see some financial statistics when you voice your opinion. I never see stats re the Russian inflation, economic upheaval , the real side to who‘s winning and why!
Thanks for always providing a great piece which I appreciate it and simply want more .
May I suggest you find “Inside China Business “ on YouTube. China is doing “just fine “. China is transitioning off of oil. By 2030 I believe it will have several Thorium reactors. China has not tapped its SPR.
Russia is not losing the war. How badly Russia is doing depends greatly upon the source you choose. I have a long list which say Russia is doing OK. the sources saying otherwise tend to be the same ones who ignore the genocide.
If you do, please also check out Berletic's "New Atlas" videos where he explains that "money makes the US go 'round".
It is kind of frustrating for me to have some insist that Berletic supports Israel because he "follows the money" to come to his conclusions about who controls American, while others look at the "Jews" who seem to be on the News all the time pushing Israel.
I want to declare "both are correct". It just depends on the parameters you use to make your judgement.
“temporary export prohibition on Helium” .. lazy journalism… the U.S. is the largest global Helium producer, followed by Qatar. China stopped exports because it is the vulnerable party.
A very realistic take on current events.. The USA will not walk away from its 50 years of military buildup and control of the Middle East.. without alot more bloodshed and economic upheaval
I'm afraid your appraisal may be overly triumphalist. While one can certainly hope for a clear defeat of US imperialist aggression by Iran, it would be a mistake to measure the strength of the US killing machine by their previous attacks, which with a few exceptions were largely restricted to attacks on military targets not infrastructure or civilian targets.
While the US may be short of interceptors, it is Iran that has next to none. The US can bomb at will.
No one should ever underestimate the full lethality of US imperialism and its killing machine, or the homicidal character of the US ruling class.
At the same time we can hope this is nothing more than some momentary bluster by Trump, and that the attacks, renewed sanctions and blockade are merely a negotiating tactic by the Trump administration. That is the usual history of US imperialism when dealing with trying to cover its defeats and to extract some concessions during negotiations. That was the case in Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan.
It is undeniable that the US suffered a strategic defeat in the initial limited stage of the war. But that has not been consummated. Strategic defeats can be reversed. The war is not over.
As a purely military question the United States could obliterate all of Iranian infrastructure, power plants, desalination and water systems, refineries, bridges, etc. Leaving Iran without power, food or water. That would of course be war crimes. But when has that ever deterred US imperialism? Iran is defenseless to prevent that.
As a purely military question, the US could literally obliterate Iran. It is a nuclear power.
But war is primarily politics and economics not guns. What has held back US imperialism are broader economic and political considerations, not Iranian military might, except to the degree it shuts down the Strait of Hormuz and threatens Gulf energy infrastructure, and that doesn't hurt the US directly.
A consummated strategic defeat of US imperialism, already in historic relative decline, would have devastating consequences for the capitalist ruling class that would spread like ripples everywhere in the world for years. It would be a historic break point.
Is the US ruling class willing to accept that historic defeat and its consequences, without fully attempting to defeat Tehran? Major capitalists are calling on Trump to "finish the job."
It is difficult to imagine that the US will meekly raise the white flag, walk away, and accept its hour is waning.
The only real leverage Iran has is the shut down shipping and the threat to destroy oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf. But that is a dangerous weapon, as at some point the other imperialists may be forced to also attack Iran.
And it is a weak weapon against the US directly. Relatively speaking the US capitalist rulers were unaffected by the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. In fact they're making money hand over fist right now. They don't give a damn about the impact on American workers. That's Trump's and the Republicans' problem.
The war is extremely unpopular among the peoples of the world, and to a degree the various capitalist ruling classes hurt by the repercussions. That is a factor, but is it enough to actually prevent US imperialism from a massive war of destruction against Iran? I don't think so, at present.
Perhaps anger at the US government could massively grow and stay the hand of US imperialism. That would require tens of millions in the streets around the world. Certainly we all hope that comes to be.
And as regards the capitalists it should not be dismissed that as the economic pain grows they too could join the chorus calling for the US to "finish the job." So the economic distress can cut both ways.
US imperialism should be viewed as a wounded animal. It may scare it off, but often it makes it far more dangerous. No one should underestimate its fangs and claws, and the suffering they are capable of inflicting on the Iranian people and the people of the world.
Lastly, China produces only 1.6% of the helium of the world. That decision to restrict exports was to support Chinese production in the face of inevitable shortages as the war heats up again cutting off supplies from Qatar. It is not leverage against any other countries.
The cold-blooded capitalist rulers of China were not expressing solidarity with Iran, they were looking after their own interests.
China was happy to undercut Iranian leverage during the first stage of the war by restricting its oil imports, which lessened the crisis of shortage. It did so merely as a calculation of its own business interests.
I think Iran has plenty of air defense missiles. US jets don’t even fly over Iran. GHF attacks are stand IFF missiles from shops snd offshore planes.
If the USA could not win a war in Iraq, Afganistan, Viet Nam, Canada (twice), what makes you think they can win in Iran? In fact the only war I knowthe USA to win was the 'Spanish/American War' ... I don'even think the USA even won the 'American Civil War'
China is not capitalist. China has a professional government which trains for years to gain higher office. Not like American amateurs managed by capitalist crooks.
It hardly matters how much helium China stopped going to the US. The whole point is to cut resources.
The USA already has a plan B. Brian Berletic does an excellent job of explaining the use of color revolutions. The attempt on Iran didn’t work— this time. (Nor for the green revolution about 15 years ago). But the USA was successful in Syria and is still moving forward in Azerbaijan and Armenia. If successful, Iran will be in a difficult position.
The different factions of the Anglo-American oligarchy only care about profit. They can be bought off by other factions. Or destroyed as Lehman Brothers was.
The US remains very powerful and dangerous.
BRICS has 11 members working to create a multi polar world.
wonderful appraisal!
Thank you
by others this has been called a 'tit-for-tat' between the US and Iran, which even to the untrained reader seems total b*llocks, so thank you for the explanations here!
The cost of this war to the US must be in the billions already. No sign of it ending yet.
First of all, thank you for responding and subscribing.
Second the war is 1.5 billion dollars a day, and it will cost more because to replenish those very equipment that we have lost will be three times the price
Excellent summary, thank you. I am curious that you "liked' the comment by Aaron Ruby. Do you think this is a valid reading?
No. He isn't correct. But that doesn't mean I didn't appreciate his response.
Btw, thank you for your response amd subscribing 😊
You are brilliant! Thanks
You forget to mention the economic disaster happening to Iran and Russia . Your side is extremely one sided - meaning America bad, Russia /china/iran strong and good . Of course I agree the war with Iran is useless and only makes America weaker , but the real fact is that America is preventing China from cashing in on oil and Russia becoming poorer and poorer and losing more and more people to a war they never signed up for . I would like to see some financial statistics when you voice your opinion. I never see stats re the Russian inflation, economic upheaval , the real side to who‘s winning and why!
Thanks for always providing a great piece which I appreciate it and simply want more .
Lol. The iranians are better off today financially than they were prior to the war.
Not only they have opened up roots and monitor systems that the us can't control but they made more money from the oil
By the way, the economic issue will be discussed tomorrow
May I suggest you find “Inside China Business “ on YouTube. China is doing “just fine “. China is transitioning off of oil. By 2030 I believe it will have several Thorium reactors. China has not tapped its SPR.
Russia is not losing the war. How badly Russia is doing depends greatly upon the source you choose. I have a long list which say Russia is doing OK. the sources saying otherwise tend to be the same ones who ignore the genocide.
Thank you - will definitely check it out
If you do, please also check out Berletic's "New Atlas" videos where he explains that "money makes the US go 'round".
It is kind of frustrating for me to have some insist that Berletic supports Israel because he "follows the money" to come to his conclusions about who controls American, while others look at the "Jews" who seem to be on the News all the time pushing Israel.
I want to declare "both are correct". It just depends on the parameters you use to make your judgement.
But no one wants to hear nuance.
“temporary export prohibition on Helium” .. lazy journalism… the U.S. is the largest global Helium producer, followed by Qatar. China stopped exports because it is the vulnerable party.
It seemed like a good idea at the time…
New here. Great to have you analysis.
WARS END WHEN ONE SIDE GIVES UP