US may have killed Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani

[hog88]

Yeah, that’s pretty out there. They aren’t going to lob missiles across the world, either.

I can see them trying to sink one or two of our ships in the Gulf.

 

[McDad]

Was having this discussion at lunch today: if the Iranians are looking to do something proportional in response, killing some random citizens would not make sense. Nor would an attack on a military installation make sense. A singular strike against a highly-placed US general or political figure, from their perspective, would be an in-kind response.

We've got plenty of politicians to spare if they target one successfully.

 

[volinbham]

Yes, but nearly as publicly (and not nearly as many civilians). That’s why most people heard his name for the first time this morning.

I agree - just thinking through the principle and why one seems like a no brainer while the other not. This guy was and has been more dangerous; also killed large numbers of Americans. A major difference is that taking out OBL even if right after 9/11 had limited risk for significant retaliation.

Just separating out the "is it okay to assassinate" from the "was it smart to assassinate" angles

 

[KB5252]

All indications are that he’s popular in Iran. You’re going to have to pick a better argument.

Iran is a very polarized state, if you get half the people to like you it's probably because you did something horrible to the other half they'll never forgive you for.

 

[tvolsfan]

I can see them trying to sink one or two of our ships in the Gulf.

You have to think they’re going to feel pressure to do something, but they also know this isn’t a fight they can win. They need something to pound their chests about without provoking a bigger response. That seems like it’s going to be a narrow window.

 

[volinbham]

I can see them trying to sink one or two of our ships in the Gulf.

my guess is it will be more stealthy. direct actions like that justify more direct actions from us. indirect actions make it harder to publicly justify more direct actions.

speculation on my part of course

 

[tvolsfan]

I agree - just thinking through the principle and why one seems like a no brainer while the other not. This guy was and has been more dangerous; also killed large numbers of Americans. A major difference is that taking out OBL even if right after 9/11 had limited risk for significant retaliation.

Just separating out the "is it okay to assassinate" from the "was it smart to assassinate" angles

Which is perfectly fair. This guy deserves to die.

But this was stupid.

 

[volinbham]

We've got plenty of politicians to spare if they target one successfully.

I vote for de Blasio!

 

[volinbham]

Which is perfectly fair. This guy deserves to die.

But this was stupid.

I haven't reached that conclusion

 

[DinkinFlicka]

@hog88 I thought this was going to get us out of the ME.

 

[tvolsfan]

I haven't reached that conclusion

I’ll change my mind if it becomes apparent they’ve actually prepared for the consequences. As of right now, our allies think we are the crazy ones.

 

[hog88]

my guess is it will be more stealthy. direct actions like that justify more direct actions from us. indirect actions make it harder to publicly justify more direct actions.

speculation on my part of course

Any action in the immediate future even through surrogates is a direct action.

They may pound their chests and make threats for the immediate future.

 

[hog88]

@hog88 I thought this was going to get us out of the ME.

Then you are stupid.

 

[hog88]

I’ll change my mind if it becomes apparent they’ve actually prepared for the consequences. As of right now, our allies think we are the crazy ones.

As I said earlier the SOB & Co better have a plan that does not involve a war.

 

[DinkinFlicka]

Then you are stupid.

I think it was you who said that it was good that we were getting out of Iraq no less than three hours ago.

We're sending 3000 troops in, in case you haven't heard.

So I think you just called yourself stupid.

 

[volinbham]

I’ll change my mind if it becomes apparent they’ve actually prepared for the consequences. As of right now, our allies think we are the crazy ones.

link?

 

[Orange_Vol1321]

All indications are that he’s popular in Iran. You’re going to have to pick a better argument.

Your indications? And they are suppressed, they have to show their happiness in private.

Gtfo

 

[DinkinFlicka]

I haven't reached that conclusion

I'm gonna wait another month or so and let the ramifications germinate and pan out but so far all signs point that this move was not punk rock at all.

 

[volinbham]

I'm gonna wait another month or so and let the ramifications but so far all signs point that this move was not punk rock at all.

seems very punk - in a Sid Vicious hitting a fan with his bass kinda way

 

[volfanjustin]

Name one thing

Too easy. Trying to overthrow a fairly elected President

 

[BreatheUT]

I vote for de Blasio!

Lol

 

[tvolsfan]

Your indications? And they are suppressed, they have to show their happiness in private.

Gtfo

Get help.

 

[KB5252]

I’ll change my mind if it becomes apparent they’ve actually prepared for the consequences. As of right now, our allies think we are the crazy ones.

This seems more like a strike to prevent a coordination/planning of events to come. It seems like they had a window and they took the head of the snake. There are consequences to every action but what many aren't considering is there are also consequences to inaction.

 

[DinkinFlicka]

seems very punk - in a Sid Vicious hitting a fan with his bass kinda way

This felt more like Garth Brooks going all Chris Gaines on his fan base.

 

[LouderVol]

cyber acts anticipated.

maybe step up some weapons support to 3rd party groups for targeting our installations/personnel.

I could see them lashing out at Israel.