I'm still wrapping my head around Trump's decision 2 attack Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani's convoy
We can question why he was in Baghdad, but is his presence there a reason for killing him? No one can deny that Trump has had a 'hard on' for Iran. Like Venezuela, he has tried to put an economic squeeze on them, by freezing their assets & stifling their Oil flow. Now to be clear, Venezuela is a 'Player' in Latin America, but Iran is a 'Major Player' in The Middle East. The Trump Administration is naive to think they can use the same action in both areas w/ similar results- This is 2020, not 1980.
Iran has threatened 'great revenge' for the assassination of their Living Legend. Gen. Suleimani was a Rock Star to Iranians. What baffles me, is the timing of Trump's attack- what's the End Game? I fully understand that Trump promised to shake up the way Washington does business, but looking at his Foreign Policy moves over the last 3Yrs, we see:
Trump begins by disrespecting Mexico- essentially calling them Criminals, Murderers, & Rapists; before declaring that They will pay for his Border Wall.
He disrespects Palestinians, first by recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli Capital & erecting an American Embassy there; then issues a statement that U.S. will no longer seek to sanction Israel for developing Settlements in the West Bank (see Kushner Cos).
He calls Afrikan, Caribbean, & Latin American Countries 'Shit Hole Countries'
He 'befriends' Kim Jung Un, making military concessions that threaten the security of S. Korea & Japan- in return for an empty promise of nuclear reduction & increased rocket testing.
He makes a fool of himself at Global Summits, by siding w/ Vladimir Putin & taking [cheap] shots at NATO Allies- takes U.S. out of Paris Accord & Iran Nuclear Deal.
He starts a 'Trade War' w/ China that hurts American Farmers & Swineherds; all while America owes China upwards of $5.2 Trillion
He sides w/ Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) & Saudi Gov't in disappearance & apparent death & dismemberment of (American Citizen) Jamal Khashoggi- citing a $110B Arms Deal, based on Letters Of Intent.
He extorts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to 'announce' investigation of Joe Biden's role in Hunter Biden's tenure at Burisma Holdings, in return for a White House visit & (release of) $391M in Military Aid.
He withdraws American Troops in Northern Syria & Iraq- abandoning Kurdish allies at the request of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, leaving them defenseless against a swift & brutal Turkish assault.
This last foreign policy move by the Trump Administration brings us current. Kurdish Soldiers were an invaluable ally to Iraqis in Northern Iraq & Syria. The Turkish assault on Kurdish Towns has destabilized the Region & forced Iraqi Troops to look elsewhere for support... Enter Iran. Iran was first to assist Iraq in the fight against ISIL/ISIS. Actually, Iran has been involved in Iraq since 2003. Iranian Popular Mobilization Forces, Kataeb Hezbollah in particular have been celebrated by Iraqis. Trump's attack on them, followed by the the assassination of Gen. Suleimani has people taking to the streets from Tehran to Baghbad.
I understand the Neo Conservative (NeoCon) conspiracy to overthrow Iran. It goes back to Reagan & Bush '41'; actually, it goes back to 1953 & the rise of Mohammad Reza (Khan) Pahlavi- The Former/Last 'Shah of Iran'. The Conservative view is, Iranian Popular Mobilization Forces are 'terrorist proxies' that have targeted U.S. interests in Iraq for years. The President has a Right to respond in kind! Americans have pretty short memories, but the Iranian memory is longer & more vivid.
The (overzealous) actions of the Trump Administration can be seen as 'poking the Tiger'. So far, Trump's rhetoric has succeeded in galvanizing the Iranian People to support their Government's stance of retaliation. Despite the sanctions, Iran [still] has a lot of Influence. Iran supplies the EU... Trump runs the risk of putting America into a Conflict w/o Global Support- is this what he meant by 'America First'?
I personally think this is deeper. Iran has worked w/ Iraqis of Shi'a/ Shiite descent since the fall of Saddam & the Baath Party. The lines of demarcation set up by European Colonizers are crumbling on a Global scale. Borders seem to be going back to their natural or Tribal lines. Assassinating Gen. Suleimani in Baghdad, where he was welcomed, only makes the Iraqi people reflect. America promised salvation from a brutal Dictator (Saddam Hussein), but delivered destruction of their Cities, Society, & Economy. Museums were raided & treasured artifacts were looted.
In the manner that Russia is claiming Ukraine, China is claiming territory from Hong Kong to Tibet, & the Taliban are claiming Afghanistan; I expect Iran to (eventually) claim the Shi'a dominated Cities of Iraq... I don't know what 'great revenge' Iran has in mind- Talking Heads forecast a Cyber assault. Judging from the flags being burned, it's safe to say that American, British, & Israeli ships in the Persian Gulf should be on notice.
