Iran is also very unlikely to push its Iraqi political forces to go ahead with legislation asking US troops to leave the country, as this would raise strong objections from Kurdish and Sunni forces and push them to work for separation. Iran would be the first party affected by such a dangerous move.
That said, Trump’s wager may pay off. The Iranian regime has historically been aggressive but not suicidal. The knowledge that the U.S. can and will target top regime leaders probably terrifies Iranian officials as much as it enrages them. And whereas Iran had been controlling the pace of the confrontation prior to this point — gradually increasing the military pressure in response to U.S. economic pressure — Washington has now shown its ability to escalate in unexpected and devastating ways. Washington may have miscalculated in killing Soleimani and Muhandis, but right now is it Iranian leaders who surely feel that they have badly misjudged the enemy. That realization may indeed have a sobering effect as Tehran considers whether it would profit from intensifying the confrontation.
Certainly it’s well within the realm of possibility that the killing was completely justified.
If you consider the safety of US personnel abroad of no consequence, or if you think the term is limited to military personnel only, then we’re not going to see eye to eye.
I’m not currently arguing whether or not the act was justified (although I do have an opinion on that). I am arguing whether it constitutes an act of war or not.
Directing our national military to target and kill an official of another state is an act of war.
That statement’s veracity has nothing to do with whether or not the killing was justified.
It’s one thing when the US military is targeting terrorist targets that are acting independently of a nation state. It’s another thing when the US military is targeting officials of another government.
Do folks ever listen to the language chosen.
He was ‘terminated’ not ‘killed’ .
He was a ‘terrorist leader’ not an 'army general '.
Just say he was killed at least.
I’ve never got why gassing your own people is worse than gassing other people. And I don’t think Saddam considered Kurds his own people nor did the Kurds consider themselves his people.
Just want to take this opportunity to point out Tulsi Gabbard thinks this is true.
“Trump’s actions last night in bombing the Baghdad airport with the targeted killing of Iran’s top military general was an act of war – with no authorization or declaration of war from Congress,” Gabbard said in a video posted to Twitter. “He has put us in a state of war with Iran and seriously escalated this tat for tat conflict, pushing us deeper into an endless quagmire. So the question is: What’s the end goal? What are we trying to achieve here?”
Many fans of her here before, loud and proud, defending her honor vigorously when Hillary implied there was something not legitimate about her, who have since disappeared magically!
Of course Gabbard also voted ‘present’ on impeachment, yet implies this action is unconstitutional without saying Trump should be impeached for it. I guess she should be heading there though, it being a violation of the constitution and all, according to her.
…Now that is funny.