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

[mongers]

I wonder if Iran very carefully targeted their Scuds to miss.

Nope these things aren't nearly accurate enough, indeed reports out of Iraq show pictures of a probably missile strike all of over 100km away from Erbil.

Though maybe that was shot-down in some fashion, though the photos appear to show an impact crater, rather than debrie having just fallen to earth.

[The Minsky Moment]

carefully targeted ... Scuds

Contradiction in terms.

[Admiral Yi]

Contradiction in terms.

Precisely targeted would be a contradiction in terms.  Carefully is not.

[crazy canuck]

Will the title change tomorrow when it turns out to not be true?

It is already true

A few missiles lobbed and a general killed does not a war make.

In a narrow sense you are correct.  But the US and Iran have been in a proxy war off and on for years.  The relationship with Iran looked to be headed for more moderation after the nuclear deal was made under the Obama administration but that tensions have escalated since Trump cancelled the agreement and the latest act of assassinating their top general is not going to end in the lobbing of a few missiles at US bases.

Iran can't win a conventional war.  But what they do best and what has been happening for a while now (and will intensify) is asymmetrical warfare.

[crazy canuck]

Contradiction in terms.

Precisely targeted would be a contradiction in terms.  Carefully is not.

If the missiles landed anywhere near the target they were not careful enough given the inaccuracy of those weapons - ie could easily have killed US troops.

[OttoVonBismarck]

You guys are talking 2005 era stuff, Iran has much more accurate ballistic weapons now than the old scuds. It's reported they used fin-stabilized Qiam missiles in this strike, which the most recent variants of this scud-derived missile line allows controllers to adjust trajectory mid flight. U.S. Defense Department officials say they're accurate within 10 meters.

[The Brain]

Seems like a rather calm response for Trump (so far, we'll see how he feels in the morning).

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1214739853025394693

All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.

Trump is going cruise.

[crazy canuck]

You guys are talking 2005 era stuff, Iran has much more accurate ballistic weapons now than the old scuds. It's reported they used fin-stabilized Qiam missiles in this strike, which the most recent variants of this scud-derived missile line allows controllers to adjust trajectory mid flight. U.S. Defense Department officials say they're accurate within 10 meters.

Thanks, then Yi's comment stands 

[garbon]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jan/08/iran-trump-news-today-live-latest-updates-attack-us-base-iraq?page=with:block-5e1608718f08c39722647096#block-5e1608718f08c39722647096

Trump talks of "shared priorities" with Iran, in apparent de-escalation
Donald Trump rounded off his short TV address to the public with what might normally be considered some small-talk or waffle but in the current context and with this president counts as actual diplomatic outreach.

It may be no more than lip service. But given that Trump often opts for bellicose and extremely simplistic rhetoric in denouncing or threatening anyone he regards as a foe, his closing sentences were noteworthy.

In fact, all the signals from the last 19 or so hours are that both Iran and the US have embarked on a hasty de-escalation of their sudden crisis.

As he wound down his speech moments ago, Trump referred to the battle against Islamic State, and American forces' assassination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last October.

But then he swiftly pivoted.

"ISIS is a natural enemy of Iran," Trump said at the White House. "We should work together on this and other shared priorities. To the people and leaders of Iran, we want you to have a future, and a great future, one that you deserve, of prosperity and harmony."

He concluded that the US is "ready to embrace peace with all who seek it."

This might be meaningless chat from the US president but indicates an unusual level-headedness, however brief, communicated via Trump by those advising him and is a clear de-escalation of the rhetoric.

[Habbaku]

"War" over.

[FunkMonk]

This result likely seals Trump's reelection.

4 more years of this bullshit, Jesus Christ.

[crazy canuck]

"War" over.

Just like N. Korea has disarmed. 

[Eddie Teach]

This result likely seals Trump's reelection.

4 more years of this bullshit, Jesus Christ.

People won't remember this. His reelection will hinge on perception of the economy, as usual.

[garbon]

This result likely seals Trump's reelection.

4 more years of this bullshit, Jesus Christ.

People won't remember this. His reelection will hinge on perception of the economy, as usual.

This is 'wrapping up' a little soon for that aim.

[Hamilcar]

Adderall is trending on Twitter *sniff* *sniff*