US-Iran War Has Begun! Iran launches dozens of ballistic missiles!

[Sheilbh]

Iranian domestic response to the admission:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/11/iran-plane-crash-admission-sparks-unrest-in-tehran

[Admiral Yi]

I thought I heard on NPR that Iran was offering 176k (?) per passenger, but can't find a link.

[PJL]

I suspect Iran's fairly restrained behavior in the whole incident is coming from a position of not wanting to rock the boat too much and biding their time while they get their nuclear bombs, which they will probably get by the end of the year. Once they get to that, they will become a lot more belligerent. 

[mongers]

I suspect Iran's fairly restrained behavior in the whole incident is coming from a position of not wanting to rock the boat too much and biding their time while they get their nuclear bombs, which they will probably get by the end of the year. Once they get to that, they will become a lot more belligerent.

What's not to love about a world with more nuclear armed states?

After all it's the only way to deter/impress the current/last US president; I wonder how the Danish nuclear programme is doing?

[Eddie Teach]

I suspect Iran's fairly restrained behavior in the whole incident is coming from a position of not wanting to rock the boat too much and biding their time while they get their nuclear bombs, which they will probably get by the end of the year. Once they get to that, they will become a lot more belligerent.

What's not to love about a world with more nuclear armed states?

After all it's the only way to deter/impress the current/last US president; I wonder how the Danish nuclear programme is doing?

Now, now, that's not a fair charge against Obama.

[garbon]

Iraqi base hosting US forces has been attacked with mortar bombs, according to Reuters.

[Razgovory]

Iraqi base hosting US forces has been attacked with mortar bombs, according to Reuters.

Yeah, there is going to be a lot of that.

[Admiral Yi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiPtiQL5KyQ

Trump to Iran: DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTORS

[Sheilbh]

Interestingly honest comment by Johnson on Iran: "The problem with the JCPOA as far as the Americans are concerned is that it was negotiated by President Obama... we need a Trump deal."

[The Minsky Moment]

It's now pretty clear that the Soleimani hit was unlawful.  I understand that the rule of law is now some quaint concept that lame liberal dweebs whine about to ruin the fun of murdering turbaned bad guys, but shouldn't there be some consequence to government officials breaking the law?

[Admiral Yi]

It's now pretty clear that the Soleimani hit was unlawful.  I understand that the rule of law is now some quaint concept that lame liberal dweebs whine about to ruin the fun of murdering turbaned bad guys, but shouldn't there be some consequence to government officials breaking the law?

Was it unlawful because Soleimani was a state actor, and therefor not covered by whatever legal provisions cover drone strikes on other towel heads?  Honest question.

[The Minsky Moment]

He is definitely not covered by the AUMF under even the broadest possible interpretation.  The AUMF authorizes "necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons." Iran and Soleimani had nothing to do with the September 11 attacks.

Since Soleimani is a state official, an attack on him is an attack on a foreign state, which would require Congressional authorization absent emergency (imminence) which it is now clear did not exist.

The attack on Soleimani also runs afoul of the standing Executive Orders prohibiting assassination.

[The Brain]

What do you want? A slap on the wrist, Calley-style?

[MadImmortalMan]

The Congress has been doing their best to absolve themselves of all war powers since 1941. It would be nice if they took that responsibility again, but I don't really believe they want it.

[viper37]

but shouldn't there be some consequence to government officials breaking the law?

Only for Democrats and trivial violations, like using a modern cellphone instead of one that was already outdated in 1995.