quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:
What happened to the campaign speeches about being a peacetime president and a negotiator?

Implying something? Don't dance or pussyfoot around. Come out and say it.

America is roughly 37 trillion dollars in debt. We don't have the money to be getting involved.

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:...
America is roughly 37 trillion dollars in debt. We don't have the money to be getting involved.

Tell us how much it costs us (either more, or less) to do nothing, verses "getting involved".

Real, no shit, honest numbers.

I'll wait...

Open traveling the seas has been a duty of every legitimate navy since Rome.

The Houthis are acting as pirates. If we would treat them as such, it would over, quickly, and cheaply.

Same with the Somali pirates.

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Originally posted by sigmonkey:

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:...
America is roughly 37 trillion dollars in debt. We don't have the money to be getting involved.

Tell us how much it costs us (either more, or less) to do nothing, verses "getting involved".

Real, no shit, honest numbers.

I'll wait...

Diplomacy and peace talks are nearly free compared the cost of another war in terms of blood and treasure. President Trump campaigned on being a negotiator and a dealmaker. I believe a large portion of his voters supported him for this very reason. I think a lot of Americans are tired of the constant drumbeat of war.

There's a video of Tim Pool interviewing, then candidate, Trump who strongly criticized the Biden administration for being foolish warhawks rather than trying to negotiate. It's been awhile since I saw it, but I believe he was talking about Ukraine and Russia. I'd like to see President Trump and his team flex their negotiation muscles and keep a campaign promise to the voters.

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Originally posted by HuskySig: I'd like to see President Trump and his team flex their negotiation muscles and keep a campaign promise to the voters.

I think he's doing that with Iran. He's also showing them what will happen if they don't negotiate in good faith by what he's doing to their proxies in Yemen. Carrot vs. Stick negotiations.

Those people only understand one thing. Been that way since God was a baby. They know Trump well and understand his motives and willingness to protect American interests and its allies. That does not mean they won't need a refresher course or two or three.

HuskySig.

Negotiations in the term of “behave by international standards, or be exterminated,” is cheaper.

There’s nothing to negotiate with them. They’re insane, as far as I can tell.

Now, if orders were limited to “distress the enemy” or “destroy the enemy, as effectively as possible,” then force would also be vastly cheaper.

It’s the “building hopes and dreams and rainbows,” which lets the grift in.

Iran is actively aiding terrorists heavily disrupting trade to Europe- not that I see a good portion of those asshole governments thanking us for trying to keep the route open.

Iran is actively working on nuclear weapons and has openly espoused eradicating Israel; I have zero doubt they will use a nuke if allowed to do so (both previous Democrat presidents have seemingly supported this through fresh cash and a lack of oversight on nuclear development.

Fuck the Houthi and their Iranian masters. I’m for cutting the head off the snake once and for all.

The only suitable way to negotiate with the Houthis is to introduce them to a JDAMS. And everyone who shelters or aids them.

Keeping shipping lanes open isn't in our interest? That's news to me.

Negotiation is fine if the other party or parties wish to be negotiated with, but sometimes force is all some people understand.

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/mahan

Sea lanes and national interest were discussed by Alfred Thayer Mahan many years ago.

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Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/mahan

Sea lanes and national interest were discussed by Alfred Thayer Mahan many years ago.

The short version goes "He who controls the seas, controls thr world"