Trump expects more ME nations to join Abraham Accords. No, really.

[kyzr]

Why BOOM? - is Israel stupid/mad enough to use nukes? Iran certainly isn't. Nuclear deterrence proved it's immense worth for 77 years.

If Iran gets nukes, all bets are off regarding Israel's nukes. Its high noon, slap leather...

Then how can the "guardian" allow for a military midget like Iran - to target ALL the Gulf-states and control the Persian Gulf????
As for the "real" damage, one has to wait for the new US administration to publicize it.
Imagine Russia targeting US and NATO ally's bases - controlling the Baltic sea - then what good is the USA as a "guardian"?
However unlike those Gulf-states, NATO Europe knows how to use all their "toys".

Who said Iran is a military midget? Before the war Iran ranked #16, ahead of Germany #18, and Canada #20.

Certainly not all - but Saudi-Arabia is definitely a contender. Since they didn't sign the Abraham accord - they are also on Israels list.

IMHO most Gulf States would seek nuclear weapons for self-protection.

Money aka a good lifestyle changes peoples character and priorities - that goes for all countries and all classes of people.

Not when the government ignores elections and rules by hanging dissidents and shooting protesters. AI says:

'No, Iran's elections do not directly elect the Ayatollah. The Supreme Leader is appointed by the Assembly of Experts, which is elected by the public, but the candidates for the Assembly are vetted by the Guardian Council."

 

[Kruska]

If Iran gets nukes, all bets are off regarding Israel's nukes. Its high noon, slap leather...

If so Israel - look at it's size and population - will be gone from the earth once more.

Who said Iran is a military midget? Before the war Iran ranked #16, ahead of Germany #18, and Canada #20.

I don't care for those meaningless rankings - Germany is militarily a midget, (That's why we are part of an alliance) so is Iran, who cares about how many useless tanks and soldiers they have??? even Germany could strike Iran the way Israel has been doing it.

However ground fighting in Iran, would result in a civil and terrorist war - for which e.g. Germany doesn't possess the laws to fight an "irregular" war - see German forces in Afghanistan or the US in Iraq and Vietnam.

IMHO most Gulf States would seek nuclear weapons for self-protection.

That is what China is trying to avoid - perusing rather an alliance between China, Saudi, Pakistan and Iran. Thus guarantying a peaceful economic coexistence for the Gulf States. aka taking over the "guardian" role of the USA.

Not when the government ignores elections and rules by hanging dissidents and shooting protesters. AI says:

'No, Iran's elections do not directly elect the Ayatollah. The Supreme Leader is appointed by the Assembly of Experts, which is elected by the public, but the candidates for the Assembly are vetted by the Guardian Council."

Yes - the Ayatollah is not elected by the people. neither do Catholics vote on the Pope.

The Guardian council is also divided between moderates (Most got killed by US and Israeli strikes) and hardliners.
As for hanging or shooting violent demonstrators - many incited and payed for by Mossad and CIA - both moderates and hardliners will pursue this - that the hardliners will "use" this to also get rid of opponents is understood.

Just like the McCarthy era - denouncing and prosecuting every opponent to be a communist. Since the USA declared itself to be the guardian angel of Western democracy - they couldn't shoot them - Iran has never declared to stand for western democratic values but for Islamic conservative values.

And the same way Saudi-Arabia, or the UAE is loosening it's Islamic grip (due to a great and luxurious life) - the same will happen in Iran.

 

[kyzr]

If so Israel - look at it's size and population - will be gone from the earth once more.

Not if their Iron Dome keeps working.

I don't care for those meaningless rankings - Germany is militarily a midget, (That's why we are part of an alliance) so is Iran, who cares about how many useless tanks and soldiers they have??? even Germany could strike Iran the way Israel has been doing it.
However ground fighting in Iran, would result in a civil and terrorist war - for which e.g. Germany doesn't possess the laws to fight an "irregular" war - see German forces in Afghanistan or the US in Iraq and Vietnam.

We don't need ground fighting in Iran if the blockade and sanctions keep working, at least that's the theory...

That is what China is trying to avoid - perusing rather an alliance between China, Saudi, Pakistan and Iran. Thus guaranteeing a peaceful economic coexistence for the Gulf States. aka taking over the "guardian" role of the USA.

I don't see China displacing the US in the ME. Russia tried to make inroads there too. We'll see how this war with Iran works out.

Yes - the Ayatollah is not elected by the people. neither do Catholics vote on the Pope.
The Guardian council is also divided between moderates (Most got killed by US and Israeli strikes) and hardliners.
As for hanging or shooting violent demonstrators - many incited and payed for by Mossad and CIA - both moderates and hardliners will pursue this - that the hardliners will "use" this to also get rid of opponents is understood.
Just like the McCarthy era - denouncing and prosecuting every opponent to be a communist. Since the USA declared itself to be the guardian angel of Western democracy - they couldn't shoot them - Iran has never declared to stand for western democratic values but for Islamic conservative values.
And the same way Saudi-Arabia, or the UAE is loosening it's Islamic grip (due to a great and luxurious life) - the same will happen in Iran.

The election for 22 or so members of the Assembly of Experts is scheduled for 2026, the last election was March of 2024. It seems like the US Senate where they serve 8-year terms and 1/4 gets elected every other year. The sticking point is that all candidates must be vetted by the Guardian Council. So only radical clerics are allowed to run, not looking good for reformers.

 

[Lisa558]

Not if their Iron Dome keeps working.

We don't need ground fighting in Iran if the blockade and sanctions keep working, at least that's the theory...

I don't see China displacing the US in the ME. Russia tried to make inroads there too. We'll see how this war with Iran works out.

The election for 22 or so members of the Assembly of Experts is scheduled for 2026, the last election was March of 2024. It seems like the US Senate where they serve 8-year terms and 1/4 gets elected every other year. The sticking point is that all candidates must be vetted by the Guardian Council. So only radical clerics are allowed to run, not looking good for reformers.

We have Democrats who want to defund Israel’s Iron Dome and thus set up the ajewish country for destruction. Speaks volumes.

The Dems are the new Nazi Party: Let the “Death to Israel!” Iranian terrorists get nukes…..a Dem who says we should put Americans who support Israel in ICE detention centers….run people for Senate who have a Nazi tatoo….and elect antisemitic mayors.

Any Jew who votes for Dems is an idiot. (So are non-Jews, for that matter.)

 

[kyzr]

We have Democrats who want to defund Israel’s Iron Dome and thus set up the a Jewish country for destruction. Speaks volumes.
The Dems are the new Nazi Party: Let the “Death to Israel!” Iranian terrorists get nukes…..a Dem who says we should put Americans who support Israel in ICE detention centers….run people for Senate who have a Nazi tattoo….and elect antisemitic mayors.
Any Jew who votes for Dems is an idiot. (So are non-Jews, for that matter.)

True. How can any Catholic or Christian vote for them either.

 

[Zincwarrior]

So another day, another NACHO. What day is the war in?

 

[Kruska]

Not if their Iron Dome keeps working.

The Iron Dome doesn't & can't intercept high altitude ballistic missiles.

We don't need ground fighting in Iran if the blockade and sanctions keep working, at least that's the theory...

Yup - only theory

I don't see China displacing the US in the ME. Russia tried to make inroads there too. We'll see how this war with Iran works out.

We will see - and unlike Russia, China has actually a lot to offer - especially economic wise.

The election for 22 or so members of the Assembly of Experts is scheduled for 2026, the last election was March of 2024. It seems like the US Senate where they serve 8-year terms and 1/4 gets elected every other year. The sticking point is that all candidates must be vetted by the Guardian Council. So only radical clerics are allowed to run, not looking good for reformers.

Yes - but obviously moderates are also vetted since they make up around 55% of the seats. How this will continue with the new radicals that Israel's and the USA's illegal war managed to install - we will see.

 

[kyzr]

The Iron Dome doesn't & can't intercept high altitude ballistic missiles.

OK, my bad, I thought that all IDF defensive systems were listed under the umbrella of the Iron Dome.
Copilot just said that David's Sling and Arrows 2 an3 are used to shoot down ballistic missiles.

Yup - only theory

More of a SWAG than a WAG. Iran's economy is a slow-motion train wreck. It can last 3-months tops...in theory...

We will see - and unlike Russia, China has actually a lot to offer - especially economic wise.

You think Gulf states need economic assistance? I think they want...
"Gulf states—primarily Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—seek security guarantees, advanced technology partnerships, economic diversification, and geopolitical balance from the US and EU."

"Short answer: No—Gulf states will not “replace” the US and EU with China and Russia, but they will continue deepening ties with BRICS countries to gain leverage, diversify partnerships, and increase their strategic autonomy.
The Gulf is not choosing sides. It is choosing options"

Yes - but obviously moderates are also vetted since they make up around 55% of the seats. How this will continue with the new radicals that Israel's and the USA's illegal war managed to install - we will see.

I have no clue if moderates have a shot at a majority. I do know that Kohmeini had to "drink from the poison chalice" to end the war with Iraq, they can do it again...

 

[Deplorable Yankee]

Trump links Abraham Accords to any Iran deal

Trump said one or two of the countries he spoke with may have a reason for not joining, but most should be "ready, willing, and able to make this Settlement with Iran a far more Historic Event than it ‌would, otherwise, ⁠be."

www.reuters.com

Absolutely giddy after Israeli dual citizens carried the election for Gallrein in KY-4, on a recent conference call Trump asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords. The silence on the other end of the call was so deafening, Trump thought the call disconnected

"I am mandatorily requesting that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and that, ⁠if Iran signs its Agreement with me, as President of the United States of America, it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Normal people are looking at Israeli behavior in Gaza, the West Bank, Iran, Lebanon and the despicable treatment of International coalition of aid workers looking to bring food and medicine to Gaza and wondering if Trump is serious about asking ME nations to normalize relations with Israel or if there's something seriously wrong with him

 

[Kruska]

More of a SWAG than a WAG. Iran's economy is a slow-motion train wreck. It can last 3-months tops...in theory...

Iran has endured 47 years of a mediocre economy. Therefore they have become self-reliant/sustainable.

The Gulf states have lost around US$ 16 billion on oil export since March 2026. Sustained damage on their infrastructure of an estimated US$ 55 billion. And expanded around US$ 5 billion on the defense of their countries.

The ones calling the shots to end this war are the Gulf-states and China - not the USA nor Israel.

You think Gulf states need economic assistance? I think they want...
"Gulf states—primarily Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—seek security guarantees, advanced technology partnerships, economic diversification, and geopolitical balance from the US and EU."

"Short answer: No—Gulf states will not “replace” the US and EU with China and Russia, but they will continue deepening ties with BRICS countries to gain leverage, diversify partnerships, and increase their strategic autonomy.
The Gulf is not choosing sides. It is choosing options"

Exactly - they are choosing "options" - and the EU is totally out.

I have no clue if moderates have a shot at a majority. I do know that Kohmeini had to "drink from the poison chalice" to end the war with Iraq, they can do it again...

Iraq went bankrupt due to their war with Iran - therefore they both called it even. And Saddam went on to take Kuwait to compensate for his losses. And we know how that turned out.

 

[kyzr]

Iran has endured 47 years of a mediocre economy. Therefore they have become self-reliant/sustainable.
The Gulf states have lost around US$ 16 billion on oil export since March 2026. Sustained damage on their infrastructure of an estimated US$ 55 billion. And expanded around US$ 5 billion on the defense of their countries.

Below you say Iran surrendered to Saddam because they went bankrupt, that is happening again. The Gulf states are rolling in money, they can take the pain.

The ones calling the shots to end this war are the Gulf-states and China - not the USA nor Israel.

Your proof is? I call bullshit. China and the Gulf states want the war ended, but Trump controls the US blockade.

Exactly - they are choosing "options" - and the EU is totally out.

Link?

Iraq went bankrupt due to their war with Iran - therefore they both called it even. And Saddam went on to take Kuwait to compensate for his losses. And we know how that turned out.

yep

Court refuses to open records of conversation between diplomat and Saddam Hussein

Court refuses to open records of conversation between diplomat and Saddam Hussein 01/11/1994 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Records of the long- disputed conversation in 1990 between former U.S. ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, a dialogue that occurred one week before...

www.rcfp.org

 

[Kruska]

Below you say Iran surrendered to Saddam because they went bankrupt, that is happening again. The Gulf states are rolling in money, they can take the pain.

IRAQ went bankrupt - that's why Saddam took Kuwait.

Your proof is? I call bullshit. China and the Gulf states want the war ended, but Trump controls the US blockade.

Link?

He ask China to help him, to open the Strait !!!! Xi even smirked at him, telling him in their last meeting - "we will be glad to be off assistance". And Trump did NOT refute that remark.

Check onto news regarding China selling Military hardware to Saudi-Arabia and other Gulf states. And the recent meetings and discussions between Saudi-Arabia and China/Pakistan. Pakistan is China's foremost military partner - Pakistan and Saudi-Arabia signed the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) in August last year, that also establishes a collective defense mechanism.

 

[kyzr]

IRAQ went bankrupt - that's why Saddam took Kuwait.

OK

He ask China to help him, to open the Strait !!!! Xi even smirked at him, telling him in their last meeting - "we will be glad to be off assistance". And Trump did NOT refute that remark.
Check onto news regarding China selling Military hardware to Saudi-Arabia and other Gulf states. And the recent meetings and discussions between Saudi-Arabia and China/Pakistan. Pakistan is China's foremost military partner - Pakistan and Saudi-Arabia signed the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) in August last year, that also establishes a collective defense mechanism.

OK. Still not seeing China replacing the US in the Gulf states.