I was readying a piece about Qasem Soleimani when I got the news:
President Trump ordered a game-changing U.S. military attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ elite Quds Force, among other military officials at Baghdad International Airport early Friday, the Pentagon confirmed.
Soleimani is the military mastermind whom Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had deemed equally as dangerous as Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In October, Baghdadi killed himself during a U.S. raid on a compound in northwest Syria, seven months after the so-called ISIS “caliphate” crumbled as the terrorist group lost its final swath of Syrian territory in March.
Justice has been served. Iran is outraged:
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted after the attack “The US’ act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani—THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al—is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.”
I couldn’t give a damn.
The UN is outraged
The U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial killing on Friday said the President Trump-approved drone strike against Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s top general, violated international human rights law.
In a lengthy Twitter thread, Agnès Callamard said that “outside the context of active hostilities, the use of drones or other means for targeted killing is almost never likely to be legal,” adding that the U.S. would need to prove the person targeted constituted an imminent threat to others.
She also took issue with the justification for using drones in another country on the basis of self-defense.
I couldn’t give a damn. barack obama killed four Americans – including a 16 year old- and the world shrugged it off. He too is probably outraged, as he loses someone he admired.
I couldn’t give a damn.
democrats are outraged that this evil monster is dead:
Several Democrats vying for the White House in 2020 condemned Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani before taking aim at President Trump for ordering the deadly airstrike that will escalate tensions in the region and was done so without Congress’ approval.
Former Vice President Joe Biden claimed that by ordering the airstrike Trump “just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox.”
In a lengthy statement, Biden said Trump “owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.
I couldn’t care less. They’re idiots.
There’s a reason I have looking forward to this day for a long, long time. This action is on a level with the elimination of Osama Bin Laden. Soleimani was responsible for the deaths and maiming of thousands of Americans:
The Pentagon confirmed Thursday evening that Trump had ordered the attack that killed Soleimani and other military officials at Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. Iran’s top “shadow commander” was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the State Department said.
I cannot begin to express how pleased I am at this and here’s why.
“Soleimani is the guy that sent the copper-tipped IEDs into Iraq,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, referring to powerful improvised explosive devices, which Marine Corps Commandant General Joseph Dunford testified last week were responsible for the deaths of 500 soldiers and Marines.
Soleimani supplied IED’s to Iraq and Afghanistan which resulted thousands of dead and wounded American soldiers.
As part of his Iran deal, obama gave Soleimani sanctions relief.
That Soleimani—who runs Iran’s elite paramilitary and covert operations group, the Quds Force—was even on the list appeared to catch some U.S. officials by surprise. A senior administration official briefing reporters on Tuesday morning didn’t have a ready response when asked when and why Soleimani was added. Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly denied that the 58-year-old general was on the list to be freed from the sanctions yoke. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, agreed, saying Soleimani—whom the U.S. accused in 2011 of plotting to launch a terrorist attack in the United States—had been confused with someone else with a similar name.
They were all wrong—or maybe didn’t want to be right. Soleimani is, in fact, on the list, a Treasury Department official later confirmed to The Daily Beast. And his presence definitely surprised some powerful lawmakers, who are already sharpening their knives for a filleting of the Iran deal.
Obama likely financed the attack on the US Embassy in Iraq.
Pompeo got it right
“We didn’t send pallets of cash to the Iranians. We didn’t pay for hostages. We didn’t create a deal which would have given them a clear pathway to a nuclear weapon. We have taken a very different approach. We believe it’s the one that will ultimately lead to success and stability in the Middle East,”
Iran is, of course, shaking its fist at the US.
We should not give a damn. Iran is learning that the US will no longer bend over and take it up the wazoo as it did under obama.
DrJohn has been a health care professional for more than 30 years. In addition to clinical practice he has done extensive research and has published widely with over 70 original articles and abstracts in the peer-reviewed literature. DrJohn is well known in his field and has lectured on every continent except for Antarctica. He has been married to the same wonderful lady for over 30 years and has three kids- two sons, both of whom are attorneys and one daughter on her way into the field of education.
DrJohn was brought up with the concept that one can do well if one is prepared to work hard but nothing in life is guaranteed.
Except for liberals being foolish.
These Democrats provide great evidence of why they should NOT be President. Obama killed HUNDREDS of women and children with his drone strikes; al Qaeda used them as recruitment tools. But, no Democrats complained. Their only concern here is that Trump has, again, succeeded and this make them look even MORE foolish than they currently look. It’s nothing but politics and THEIR fortunes that they worry about.
Trump doesn’t want another war or any more entanglements, but he is not so stupid as to ignore threats that are not going to just disappear. Iran has been served and they would be wise to reassess their position. They won’t, but they should.
And we should NEVER tailor our actions for fear of what terrorists might do. We should kill them FIRST.
Obama and Hillary refused to reinforce the Benghazi consulate because it would “look bad”. What had we done to draw that attack? It was just terrorists doing what terrorists do. Had the consulate been secured, either the attack would have been avoided or the terrorists would have paid a much heavier price WITHOUT the loss of American lives. THAT’S the difference between Obama’s leadership and Trump’s; Trump IS a leader.
DJ, you seem to be a bit more up to date on foreign strategy than the regulars here but there’s a profound difference in Bin Laden and Soleimani. There’s a profound difference in our motives. There’s a profound difference of the world view of both our allies and adversaries (assuming one’s knows the difference under Trump). But most impotently, there’s a profound difference in the repercussions.
Beheading this beast ain’t exactly gonna stop the endless insolent martyrs who by the way, thought quite highly of that beast.
But another $20 trillion and 100,000 lives over the next 100 years of aggression and occupation will at least gain us, well, nothing.
They had him on a no fly list this blood thirsty bastid was designated a terrorist.
The UN can kiss our @$$.
@kitt: The UN, like our Democrats and the liberals who post here, take all sides against the United States. Whiny crybabies fear the terrorists and think cowering before them will save them.
@Ronald J. Ward:
@DrJohn: Iraqis and Iranians celebrate Soleimani’s death. Hong Kong protesters celebrate US freedoms. And Democrats denounce them both. Go figure.
@Ronald J. Ward:
Noah Rothman
@NoahCRothman
“Again, for all who weren’t paying attention, Iran was attacking and seizing oil tankers, downing drones, attacking Saudi oil plants, raining rockets on US forces for weeks, and orchestrating the storming our embassy. A retaliatory response is designed to dissuade those actions.”
@Deplorable Me:
Tells you something
It was a good move. Not sure the traitorous left thinks this replicated the Iraq War, but we are talking about a small faction of are infected government now being purged.
@DrJohn:
Pentagon correspondent Helene Cooper said: “We’ve had a bead on this guy for more than a decade and we’ve tracked him and followed him for more than a decade and both President Bush and President Obama made decisions not to assassinate him and not to strike him because they were afraid of where this could lead. The Pentagon is still scrambling right now to tell a story of, Why now? The ‘Why now?’ is sort of a central question that the Trump administration hasn’t really explained.”
Trump walked out of the Iran nuclear deal on his own whim. He slashed over 80% of Iran’s oil exports with sanctions under his own whim and for unsubstantiated reasons despite alarm bells ringing from generals on down. A year later after the predictions of Iranian proxy militia retaliations came to fruition, he took out Qassem Soleimani apparently under his own whim.
What exactly is Trump’s strategy? When Trump cut off the head of the serpent, 100,000 more crawled out.
@Ronald J. Ward:
One could say exactly the same about Bin Laden.
Nothing.
Clinton had ten chances to kill Bin Laden and demurred. We saw how that movie ended.
Trump may have prevented a war from occurring. This bastard clearly believed he could push the US around as he did obama.
Surprise.
Sorry, Ronald, he needed to die. He deserved to die. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. As for fear of retaliation- let them try it and see how many more of them die.
Why now? The ‘Why now?’
Because he had imminent plans.
@DrJohn:
We obviously see things differently so I digress.
You still see Clinton as the culprit of Bin Laden slipping past Bush and I’m still seeing Bush letting him slip away at Tora Bora.
Believe it or not, I actually hope your joy of the long wait and unconcern of retaliations prove to be justified.
@DrJohn: Apparently, someone at CNN didn’t get the approved script for the day.
Why now? Well, because we have a President that puts the safety of Americans ahead of temporal political gain. Now because Obama is not now President. A leader has that position.
Remember all that retaliation after bin Laden was killed? Let’s see… how can we improve on that? I guess when we have intelligence that a consulate or something is going to be attacked, we just go ahead and take steps to prevent it. In other words, take care of business instead of personal politics.
Anyone with a modicum of foreign policy understanding can see this is a culmination of many things. Sad the left has to make this political.
At least we didn’t have HRC at the wheel in a time like this. The embassy would be overrun, Iran triumphant, and the conservatives would somehow be to blame.
The “thousands unleashed” have been unleashed for some time now. We’re finally enforcing a good foreign policy.
@Ronald J. Ward:
See? The dog CAN be trained to see reason…
Yay!
He might even vote Trump in 2020…unless he thinks the major of South Bend can resolve Iran issues better than the Orange One whose been dunking on the Democrats for years now.
@Ronald J. Ward: Appreciated
It’s political because you put an incompetent man in the White House who will do absolutely anything he can get away with to remain there. That includes charging into an unnecessary war that could cost thousands of lives, trillions of dollars, and leave nothing but more exploitable chaos for extremists to take advantage of in its wake. We should know this because we’ve seen it all before.
@Deplorable Me:
I really should know better but the difference is that while most all middle eastern hate us and rejoice in our deaths, Qassem Soleimani was very popular and admired by both Iran and Iraq, the most renowned of the Iranian generals. People there looked at him as their savior from the wicked Americans.
While Bin Laden was cheered for his dastardly deeds to the U.S., he was none of those thing.
@Greg:
That’s worthless partisan conjecture and not worth addressing.
Also irrelevant, because this is 2020, not 2003. Nobody is charging into a war. This conflict has been ongoing for years…decades. The Iranians are the aggressors.
Pick a side, you quisling.
@Greg: No, he does his job. Obama didn’t.
@Ronald J. Ward: You actually don’t think anyone knows anything, do you? Bin Laden was the leader of the world’s foremost terrorist group at the time. He was worshiped by radical Islamists wherever they may have been. But, I wouldn’t expect you to understand; that’s just facts and stuff.
Soleimani’s death is being cheered by Iraqi’s and Iranians that don’t happen to be terrorists.
@Deplorable Me:
AJ/Ward said:
“Qassem Soleimani was very popular and admired by both Iran and Iraq, the most renowned of the Iranian generals. People there looked at him as their savior from the wicked Americans.”
That has got to be one of the dumbest things AJ/Ward has ever said. Apparently he has not informed himself of the protests in Iran that has been going on for quite a while now. And they, the Iranians, are marching in the streets because the IRGC’s head has now been neutralized.
@Ronald J. Ward:
Source? Did you live there, or something? NYTimes tell you that?
All partisan conjecture, meant to dip into the 2008 hate trough against Bush that helped Obama get elected. This isn’t the Iraq War.
Again, for the leftists trolling this site:
If anyone dashed into a war, it certainly wasn’t the US.
That’s ridiculous partisan rhetoric.
@Nathan Blue:
Oh, you know you’d just “reject” it. That’s his latest excuse for lying, then scurrying away from his lies.
Rubio:
‘Nuff Said.
@Deplorable Me: The Left is losing the information war, mainly because telling lies catches up with you eventually. The rest of us aren’t perfect, but when you see Trump’s policies (our policies, as we voted for him based on that, not his celebrity appeal), you see those policies are simply superior to the Left’s policies. No argument needed: it’s plain to see.
The propaganda isn’t working anymore, and the orders from Soros Central went out to tie the Soleimani counter-attack in equivalency to the Iraq War and George Bush. You have Greg and AJ/Ron parroting the same thing…immediately…as if they are sock puppet morons.
They’re desperate.
@Nathan Blue: https://www.mrctv.org/videos/biden-96-iran-bombings-act-war-us-can-take-whatever-action-it-deems-appropriate?fbclid=IwAR3QIbi3_zEP8EiqjK4W-kXChFBL-67YqnHA2E33q5RbL277KAmJw7IP11c
Back when things were totally different than they are now, i.e., not a Republican in the White House. Of course, like all Democrat threats of confronting threats, they were nothing but talk.
@Deplorable Me: It’s over for them, and these are merely death throes of a broken party.
I know they’ll recover with better members, and better policies.
For now, however, the corruption of the current “Left” is being washed away.
@Nathan Blue: I see a slight misspelling in the 2nd Paragraph, third word from the end begins with the letter C not S.
The geldings that haunt the sight have nothing but DNC talking points. Our President was elected to do exactly what he is doing. They whine Trump didnt consult with the Democrats or the UN before he splattered the biggest pile of human filth sending his demon riddled soul to the lowest depths of hell.
They are so far past desperate, there is nothing that will stop what is coming.
@DrJohn: well, one things for damn sure….Qassem Suleimani did not kill him self…..jus sayin’
@kitt: The lead up to this is apparent. The Dem/MSM Misinformation Bureau have to do everything they can to make this look bad, but it’s so hollow at this point. No one is really buying their rhetoric.
Love that.
Geldings…so apt a term.
Next target: Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, the previous deputy commander of Quds force, as Soleimani’s replacement.
Trump is becoming quite the pest exterminator https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-u-s-military-kills-more-top-iranian-backed-terrorist-leaders-in-airstrikes-report-says
@kitt, #31:
The next target may be one of our own, since Trump has just established that it’s entirely acceptable to assassinate foreign governmental officials. If you want to rapidly escalate adversarial posturing to open warfare, that’s the way to do it.
@Greg: Are you retarded?
What the hell do you think has been going on in the middle east? Why are our young men carrying guns and driving around in armored vehicles? He was a demon ridden blood thirsty madman not some politician or Ambassador.
We just happen to be at war, to win a war you dont die for your country you make the other dumb bastard die for his.
After he killed over 600 American servicemen your beloved Barry gave him 1.7 billion dollars to spread death and destruction.
Trump is not going to let Iran take over all of Northern Africa.
The Iranian puppet PM in Iraq is done.
Barry, Valarie, Stinky and Humas plans are crumbling, too bad so sad.
A very bold and decisive move by our government. Very pleased. The President implied we’re poised to take out further threats should hostilities continue.
Finally have some leadership in our WH.
@kitt, #33:
No, I’m not—unlike those who think war with Iran is a good idea.
You tell me. Wasn’t Trump the guy who was going to pull our troops out and finally end our endless war? All that actually amounted to was stepping aside in Syria—or hurrying out of the way to avoid being run over. First Trump’s followers were OK with that; now they’re OK with rapid escalation that could quickly lead to war with Iran and destabilization of the entire region.
Back in the real world where clever quips are not magical, the reality is that war with Iran would likely be far worse than Iraq ever was, in terms of both American lives lost and trillions of dollars expended, and there would almost certainly be more regional instability afterward than before. No doubt the Saudis would be as eternally grateful to us for neutralizing Iran as Iran was to us for neutralizing Iraq. Then, once again, all of the lunatic Islamist extremists who make someone like Soleimani look like Mr. Rogers would come out of the woodwork and back fill the power vacuum. It’s every bit as predictable as it was before the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
@Greg: Yup retarded. Do you think with an average IQ of 70 in the ME many are going to rise to the level of the demon we just blew back to hell?
Just blame Trump for Valarie and Humas failed policies, he was suppose to clean up after them in less than 3 years while under constant attack by the resistance, the IC, UN and EU.
Still waiting for the grand list of foreign policy wins by the democrats…waiting…waiting.
If Iran doesnt start something.
The clever quip was a version from General Patton.
General George S. Patton quotes “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.” General George S. Patton quotes (American General in World War I and II, 1885 – 1945)
Who has a special place in my heart for saving the Lipazzan brood mares from the Germans.
Another “May God have mercy for my enemies because I won’t.”
AP, Friday evening, January 3, 2020 – Iraqi official: Airstrike hit cars carrying Iran-backed militia north of Baghdad
According to Iraqi sources, Friday evening—one day after killing General Soleimani—the United States has carried out another airstrike against cars carrying Shia militia members north of Baghdad, killing 6 unidentified persons.
This second strike was carried knowing there were to be protests in Baghdad tomorrow, and with reinforcements at the U.S. embassy ready to use deadly force. When we should be trying to deescalate the situation, it’s being deliberately escalated.
This second strike was a calculated provocation. Somebody is deliberately attempting to start a war. This may cost American lives. We have American troops spread thin throughout the Middle East and North Africa. We’re not ready to react quickly enough when there are so many potential targets for retaliation.
@kitt, #37:
Or from George C Scott. In any case, Patton was both a brilliant tank commander and a bit nuts. He likely would have appreciated Soleimani’s tactical skills and considered him a formidable adversary.
@Greg: I already posted the second strike you are late to the celebration of more dead cockroaches. #31
Who says the US isnt ready? The pseudo experts on MSLSD?
Give it up retard you have no clue at what state of readiness our military is at. You havent a clue, as Trump doesnt broadcast intentions or plans or warn terrorists they are on Mossads hit list.
According to the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, three years ago the Obama Administration warned the Iranian government that Israel was about to assassinate Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the overseas arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, in Damascus. Treasonous worm he was.
Trump is doing precisely what he claimed Obama would do to win a second term. Obama, of course—unlike the man who made the claim—never did. Trump was actually telling us how low he would go. It’s that projection thing again.
No good can come of war with Iran, but that’s where he’s taking us. It’s looked like that for a while now.
@Greg: Actually it could make the region much more stable the Strait of Hormuz safer for fuel to get to EU without the constant BS shenanigans the Iranis are pulling. Cut the funding and leadership of many terrorist militias, free the very unhappy people of Iran.
Problem is the IQ of the region you just can find anyone intelligent enough to rebuild and run a destabilized country there.
No matter what Trump does the resistance wont like it.
@Greg:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/numerous-casualties-in-shooting-at-afghan-training-academy/2014/08/05/434613ba-1cb0-11e4-ae54-0cfe1f974f8a_story.html
@Greg:
Nah, Trump is pretty consistent about doing what he says he’s going to do. No “evolving” or hot mic statements about his “flexibility”.
Trump has already won his second term on his consistent action alone.
And no good can come of ignoring the situation like the Dems did for 8 years. We’re here largely because they pushed off the burden of this aggressor nation who decries “Death to America” nightly.
We’re not going to war with Iran. They are trying to go to war with us. Taking out Soleimani was something Obama’s WH failed to do, mostly because Dems are more concerned with appearances than with competent performance.
I love how Trump continues to praise the Iranian people and encourages them and the world to do the right thing. Very classy.
@Greg:
…and taken him out with extreme prejudice.
When you write traitorous garbage like the above I become more convinced you are a non-American paid propagandist working in a Soros-esque bot farm.
This guy was a monster and a terrorist. His tactical skill was so great we plucked him off like a tick while he sat in a car.
Formidable? No.
@Greg:
Is that what crybaby whiners call terrorists today? Every US commander and soldier already considers themselves terrorist targets, genius. When did it become acceptable to kill US contractors?
Now there is evidence Iran financed the Benghazi attack and Soleimani provided the funds and coordinated the attack. He wasn’t some administrator; he was (WAS) a terrorist leader. Stop trying to invent reasons why this was a bad thing. Stop siding with terrorists against your own country. It’s disgusting.
And who would that be? Unlike when Obama was President, every action does not spiral into disaster now.
We’re OK with US leadership taking care of business. Yes, we want drawdown and peace, but we don’t want to ignore terrorist threats. Obama pulled all US troops out of Iraq when the threat still existed there and we got ISIS. Trump obviously wants out but he won’t pull out at all costs; he WILL address and eliminate threats. The fact you can’t see the difference explains why you vote and support the way you do.
@kitt: Democrats are just pissed Trump did what they never could. One idiot on CNN said it was “the right action, wrong Commander in Chief”. Well, he was right there; Trump IS the wrong C in C to have done this; Obama, if he hadn’t been such an Iranian worshiper, should have been the C in C to kill Soleimani, but he was too dedicated to the Iranians to protect and avenge Americans. Obviously, Democrats hate this country and only support their now thoroughly decadent and hateful party.
As more information about the plots stopped by killing these terrorists come forth, the Democrats will begin claiming that Obama had this all set up and Trump is just taking the credit… like his wonderful economy.
The Iranians were responsible for 500 Americans being killed and hundreds more wounded with their IED’s. I knew and served with people who were killed or wounded by IED’s who may be included in those numbers. Any so called American supporting or making excuses for these animals is on their side plain and simple. The only difference is these so called “Americans” were too chickenshit to go over there and confront our military and do the deeds themselves.
@another vet: Well, these are the military people the Democrats hate, anyway. Soleimani was just punishing them for being war mongering baby-killers.
@Greg:
While the U.S. has never declared war on Iran, you seem to forget that Iran declared war on us in 1979 under the hapless Jimmy Carter. Carter’s foreign policy errors have been felt for the last 40 years and astute Americans understood even then that eventually we would have to clean up Carter’s mess. No one wanted to tackle that beast and Obama only made it worse with his appeasement of the Supreme Leader of Iran, sending plane loads of cash so Obama could [falsely] take credit for the release of four hostages.
From a 2009 CNN interview with an Iranian protester:
Mohammad: Americans, European Union, international community, this government is not definitely – is definitely not elected by the majority of Iranians. So it’s illegal. Do not recognize it. Stop trading with them. Impose much more sanctions against them. My message…to the international community, especially I’m addressing President Obama directly – how can a government that doesn’t recognize its people’s rights and represses them brutally and mercilessly have nuclear activities? This government is a huge threat to global peace. Will a wise man give a sharp dagger to an insane person? We need your help international community. Don’t leave us alone.
Chetry: Mohammad, what do you think the international community should do besides sanctions?
Mohammad: Actually, this regime is really dependent on importing gasoline. More than 85% of Iran’s gasoline is imported from foreign countries. I think international communities must sanction exporting gasoline to Iran and that might shut down the government.
What did Obama do to destabilize the Ayatollah’s radical brutal regime?
NOTHING. Obama aided and abetted the brutal regime, and you said nothing.
But Trump orders the take down of a really, really bad dude (making CornPop look like a Boy Scout) and you go nuts.
More and more I think if you really were fighting in Vietnam, it was for the NVC.
@Deplorable Me: Greg isn’t an American.
@Greg: Did you cast the bones to forecast what is going to happen? You state it as fact. Again, what a fool you are. Where are they going to get someone as competent as Soleimani. If you look back at Carter, Clinton, and Obama you can directly show how we got to where we are in Iran. The human rights issues that Carter had with the Shaw was greatly increased by the regime Carter pushed into power. Lack of confrontation by Clinton and finally the big support by Obama to international terrorism.