58 Comments
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Jon Notabot's avatar

This, right here:

"If US interests **were at the center of US policy**, getting out of the Middle East and its regional rivalries would be a no-brainer." (emphasis added)

Janis Elliott's avatar

we have a regime with no brains though

Jan's avatar

I don’t want an escalation of war but it would be justice for Israel to experience some of what they have done to the Palestinians in Gaza! They are genocidal and not deserving of support.

Nancy's avatar
5hEdited

I think it’s important to point out that Iran repeatedly warned Israel in advance that if Israel continued to attack Lebanon in violation of the “ceasefire,” Iran would retaliate. Yet, the western press is not covering this development that way. Instead, it leads with statements about Iran attacking Israel, and in subsequent statements adds that Iran’s attacks “followed” Israel’s attacks on Lebanon. (The captions also omit any reference to Israel strikes in Lebanon provoking the attacks). Have we so quickly forgotten that Lebanon was included in the fragile ceasefire that Trump agreed to? Israel’s ongoing violations of the ceasefire should be front and center of any coverage.

Martin's avatar

Trump swore at Netanyahu a few days ago not to attack Beirut as it would block his peace deal.

So Netanyahu attacks Beirut to block the peace deal.

Wag the dog.

Claridge's avatar

Apparently the Beirut strike was just after Pakistan officials delivered a note to the Ayatollah in Tehran and reports started registering 'good progress' toward a deal.

We have seen this so many times now, it actually is criminal to not report the fullness of the situation. And, like clockwork, CNN reporting just now that Israel is closing humanitarian crossings into Gaza. Trump has his head in the sand, making the same error -- asserting that he is in control - -and expecting a different results. How many "cut it out" phone calls to Netanyahu, now? Groundhog Day.

cliff Krolick's avatar

What U.S. PRESS? iTS ABOUT ALL BOUGHT UP BY BILLIONAIRE FASCISTS

Stephanie Schoen's avatar

This!!! I simply don't understand why anyone would still expect MSM to report on any issue responsibly. ALL reporting is done in a way that benefits the interest of the billionaire owners and their Epstein-Class cronies.

Why is this so hard to understand?

cliff Krolick's avatar

You got it Steph. Some Americans think that we have a full deck ...We have almost no deck left. Here is what I'm pushing while we still have some time.

Lets simplify this. This is a long term historical battle between the Uber wealthy and the Middle / lower classes, and by the way, it is these two classes that are the majority of Americans. So I'm 76, yea we're all getting to be old farts. And we know that the two party system has failed us. This is not to say that there aren't people in these parties that likely are trying and want to see a fair multinational/racial/gay/straight governmental system survive and thrive .

There are many social, economic, and racial justice organizations that are onboard. The No Kings rallies, racial justice rallies, economic justice, socialists ,progressives. Remember we are the majority and by far. It's easy to be depressed however we need to take the majority...People Power... organize and unite all the organizations and start an occupation in Washington DC with 1/2 million give or take some folks. Folks can stay a while and leave as new folks come in.

We are there for three reasons. #1 -Run a peoples trial and prosecute the regime /Trump too on paper #2 Develop a document for our future as a governed country and society through a Constitutional-Like- Convention. This can be created with cell phone technology and we can draw millions more that are not able to get to DC. We can tally votes and names with a well organized movement and may take 2-3 months time obviously over warmer weather. #3 At the end we will have a document that was created by the common people and we'd expect any governing body to follow closely what the peoples majority has created.

We can overpower this fascist regime ...We have a short window of time...6 months at most. This regime will not leave, We can be assured that law suits will be filed and of course the punny do nothing old democrats in Congress will go along. But we could change this. We need to b e brave ...it's clear we need another American revolution and without it we'll just go back to what was before Trump and we were all ready in deep financial crookery than

Walter Stock's avatar

Lebanon was never part of the cease fire. As usual the liberals are wrong.

peter crowley's avatar

You are echoing what Netanyahu and Trump have tried to assert, but the mediator of the ceasefire, Pakistan, has been completely clear: Lebanon is included.

Iran has insisted that Lebanon be included, and Iran's adherence to the ceasefire depends on the US and Israel ceasing aggression in Lebanon. Trump has pressured Netanyahu to cease bombing Beirut, and Netanyahu has defied Trump's wishes.

Whatever you, and Trump and Netanyahu say, the other parties insist that Lebanon is included, and Iran will back that insistence militarily. If Netanyahu continues to defy Trump, and continues aggression in Lebanon, Iran has stated that it will attack both Israel and US assets in the region.

On the Kaministiquia's avatar

Actually, it most definitely was, as the Pakistani announcement of the ceasefire, which was clearly vetted by the US government, said. As usual, it's Zionists who always fall for Israeli propaganda.

Walter Stock's avatar

As usual it’s terrorist lovers that lie.

Walter Stock's avatar

Lebanon’s official government signed a U.S.-brokered cease-fire agreement with Israel in early June 2026, which requires Hezbollah to halt all attacks, withdraw its fighters from southern Lebanon, and establish exclusive security zones. The agreement depends entirely on Hezbollah’s compliance, but the group has REJECTED the terms and continues to clash with Israeli forces.

cliff Krolick's avatar

Liberals??????? You must be a Green ?????

L P Inness's avatar

If the US had a sane, intelligent, informed head-of-state, the world would not be in this position.

cliff Krolick's avatar

Ask Walter S. he has an answer for all seasons. Now there is very little difference when it comes to terror organizations be them Hezbolllah or Zionists. T hey both ignore the. rules of the unpaved road

H Glavina's avatar

Israeli impunity began when Trump was in diapers. May it end while Trump is (again) in diapers.

AweSeeker's avatar

Fault lies with key Arab nation in the Middle East. They tied their horses to US and Israel. They need to step up and stop this war and demand the US and Israel stop violating ceasefires. Once this happens, they should be working with Iran to stabilize relations and support the recovery of Iran. Additionally, grow up and build a path to a Palestian state. Both could be strong steps to future peace.

cliff Krolick's avatar

Faults lie with imperealistic ,opportunistic corporate inhumanity and greed. Resource extraction without compensating the entire middle east populations. The Haves against the have nots. The Britts were the 1st and US interests...Oil Barrons, robbed the countries blind as they propped up only the nobles of the country while the general populations starved. Unless American Middle and lower classes join forces against the billionaire class, CEO's, extractive companies WE TOO will be starving as this current US regime is bent on remaining in power No Matter What

Walter Stock's avatar

Iran sb destroyed (every IRGC and Basij member) and “Palestine” had its chance, many times.

peter crowley's avatar

The US and Israel have lost the war. The only way to destroy Iran is to destroy the world economy with it.

peter crowley's avatar

What are they thinking in Ankara, Cairo, and Riyadh, watching a Muslim country stand up to Israel and its sponsor?

moin uddin's avatar

Iran is the only Muslims country who is brave enough to free Palestine and Lebanon from this zenocidel monster Israel but Iran must asked other resistance group to join in and Iran must send their special forces from Iraq Yemen and Syria and fight Israeli zenocidel army IDF

Dizzy's avatar

So before the war, Israel could just attack someone with impunity, because other countries were intimidated. After they started a war with Iran, there are now repercussions.

Because they lost the war. People are no longer afraid of them. God I love saying that.

Antizionistic's avatar

Good that Iran's red line is unlike Biden's Rafah red line.

Let's hope Trump doesn't make any stupid moves for the Israelis.

elliottobermanprofile's avatar

It would be wise for Israel to stop its appalling destructions of Gaza and Lebanon and return to a peaceful existence to safeguard its own people, there is always a possibility that Netanyahu will harm Israelis in an attempt to stay out of the courts. Let us hope Trump will reign him in so peace can take effect in Iran and the US. Remember Trump will not be there in the future and Israel will have to suffer the consequences when the international community comes around in the future. In the interim Israel just abuses itself and the Region. The suffering of Palestinian's is difficult to many in the world and most of US citizens.

Marian Gillis's avatar

Lots of money to be made on high oil prices and the insider trading.

Dave Mullins's avatar

By doing this attack on Beirut to test Iran's resolve to protect a third party from Israeli aggression, Israel has taken the bait in a trap set by Iran to establish a legitimate precedent fot it to protect other victims of Israeli aggression in the region also--i.e., Gaza and the West Bank. By extending protection to one third party in the region (Lebanon), Iran has begun defining itself as the dominant power and protector over all states in the region. It is establishing itself as both a regional enforcer of international laws and a regional protector of the defenseless. This will re-shape the global balance of power over the next 10 years.

Kevin KC Flynn's avatar

Wait — I can’t remember — Isn’t this what John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt were saying back in 2006?

Abhishek Singh Chauhan's avatar

Iran is attempting to demonstrate that its long-standing warnings carry military consequences. After years of declaring that attacks on its territory, personnel, and regional allies would not go unanswered, Tehran is now seeking to project an image of deterrence and strategic resolve. Supporters argue this reflects a regional power willing to absorb costs and challenge opponents directly rather than rely solely on rhetoric.

Mehdi Javanmard's avatar

Great analysis Trita as always. You're a good man 👍🏻