Current Affairs Iran

[Billy Dean]

Through my dad, I happen to be family friends with an Iranian family – the mum/dad moved over here after the revolution. None of them have been unhappy to see the back of Soleimani, let's put it that way.

But I fully agree Mooms. We're awful. I'm not trying to claim the moral high ground for our government.

I just don't like any regime/way of living which treats what I view as basic human rights (i.e. going to watch a football match). I think it's backwards.

Not saying we should be meddling. But Iran was pretty much one of the most prosperous nations on the planet before the revolution (yes, I know it's a long time ago). I get that it's still a strong economy (18th largest I believe?). Just can't get my head around the virtue signalling of some (mainly on Twitter – I know – not here).

In an ideal world, it'd be nice if governments going around blowing people/other government officials up. But it happens. And in this case, it's like if you can blow anyone up, then these type of scumbags should probably be top of the list.

Again, not saying it's the right thing to do and given the tensions it's reckless.

Re the bold part, it's easy to paint a pretty picture of how Iran was before the Islamic revolution, but between 1953-1979 Iran was led by a vicious dictator (Shah Pahlavi) who Iranian people hated, and who had been installed by the US and UK after they overthrew the democtratically elected government of Mohammad Mossadegh. A lot of Iranians were happy when he was overthrown before they realised the extent of what was coming next.

 

[OnlyBlueWillDo]

That'll be the same bulletin which showed a projectile climbing up from the ground and hitting it's target causing an explosion.
Sad event by any measure.

If Iran can't tell the difference between a massive jumbo jet and a potential US bomber then they need to pack it in, the plane had only just taken off from a major airport.

Monumental F up by them, and it's nailed on they won't admit to it.

 

[tommytowne]

If Iran can't tell the difference between a massive jumbo jet and a potential US bomber then they need to pack it in, the plane had only just taken off from a major airport.

Monumental F up by them, and it's nailed on they won't admit to it.

Can't disagree with your comments.
I called this as soon as I found out about it the other morning.
One aviation commentator this morning said there were a host of commercial aircraft in the airspace over Tehran when this happened including a BA 747.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

didn’t you cheer when Iraq and Iran officials got drone striked?

A case of once it's actually thought about rather than tool to wind up.

Highlighted by some of us here, days ago-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-51021861

 

[DanEFC92]

 

[toffee9]

It's good that they've got you looking out for them. Who's concern begins and ends with them being a stick to beat other muslims with for not caring enough.

When people are using figures to make an argument, it is always useful to put those figures into context. I am still genuinely curious of how this world would look without the USA in it though, that quite a lot of people seem to think would have boundless love and honey in it. Perhaps you can illuminate it for us? That's besides the point though. When placed within the context of other countries, the USA is a generous country that has played a pivotal role in shaping the secure and stable world that we have in the West and I for one am very grateful for it.

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

It's unbelievable weapons of mass destruction all over again. And people gulp it down, then chant Blair and Bush are war criminals, all we can hope is they learn to breathe through their noses.

 

[spectateur]

When people are using figures to make an argument, it is always useful to put those figures into context. I am still genuinely curious of how this world would look without the USA in it though, that quite a lot of people seem to think would have boundless love and honey in it. Perhaps you can illuminate it for us? That's besides the point though. When placed within the context of other countries, the USA is a generous country that has played a pivotal role in shaping the secure and stable world that we have in the West and I for one am very grateful for it.

IMO, American activity in the world throughout the 20th century and into this one has been driven, not by good will to mankind, but to benefit the people who happened to be running the US at any time.

 

[OnlyBlueWillDo]

There is a very good documentary from last year on BBC iplayer called "Shadow Commander, Iran's Military Mastermind".

Watch it and then try to make any case for anyone to lose any sleep over Soleimani's death, long time coming if you ask me.

 

[toffee9]

IMO, American activity in the world throughout the 20th century and into this one has been driven, not by good will to mankind, but to benefit the people who happened to be running the US at any time.

Yes, I agree, undoubtedly they have shaped the world's development in as much as way as possible that they can benefit from it, but that's not an unreasonable strategy. It costs alot to spend so much on military, intelligence, satellites etc. Yet we benefit from alot of those developments too, just as much as American's in most instances.

If they had a different policy though, it doesn't bear thinking about. WW1 and WW2 for example would have had different outcomes.

 

[Prevenger17]

When people are using figures to make an argument, it is always useful to put those figures into context

No it isn't, it's basically like saying that less people have died in illegal American wars since 2001 than have died from mosquito bites in the 20th century. We're talking about American policy in the middle East, not Uighur Muslims in China. You are a simpleton

 

[NilSatisOptimum]

There is a very good documentary from last year on BBC iplayer called "Shadow Commander, Iran's Military Mastermind".

Watch it and then try to make any case for anyone to lose any sleep over Soleimani's death, long time coming if you ask me.

We know and ISIS/Daesh are equally happy with the outcome. Our enemies enemy is our friend.

So are these head choppers now our allies, we have done them a great favour?

 

[DanEFC92]

There is a very good documentary from last year on BBC iplayer called "Shadow Commander, Iran's Military Mastermind".

Watch it and then try to make any case for anyone to lose any sleep over Soleimani's death, long time coming if you ask me.

It's a wee bit more nuanced and complicated than 'bad man dead'.

 

[longers]

If Iran can't tell the difference between a massive jumbo jet and a potential US bomber then they need to pack it in

Iran has had an absolute mare here but the US did similar back in the late 80s, proving even the most technically advanced nations can screw up big time when human error comes in to play.

 

[OnlyBlueWillDo]

They’ve clearly had an absolute mare but the US did similar back in the late 80s and I’m not sure anyone was telling them to pack it in.

How much more advanced are weapons and radar now compared to the 80's, I'm sure they are aware of where the major airports are and the usual flight paths from take offs.