US Attacks Iran 2026

[temporal1]

I suspect that beyond all the noise of Trump's tweets and the online chattering, there actually is a clear strategy of maximum pressure that is much to the detriment of Iran and much to the advancement of the goals of the US and its allies. The US and Israeli militaries are ready to resume hostilities at any time. All Iran can do is take potshots at civilian shipping and declare this and that. It's a threat, but it's the threat of a regime that has no other cards to play. All we know is the online gossip and the propaganda of the US and Iran, and of course the tweeting of the President. The developments that really matter aren't all that transparent. What seems to us like lack of control of the situation might actually reflect something quite different.

well said.

it’s impossible to not be unnerved, and to grieve every human loss.
but, i see and hope for thoughtfulness and restraint.

i have the advantage of not following x and other sorts of internet (stuff like that). too often abused for inciting rash emotions.

[Szdfan]

Are you upset about the U.S. government extending a ceasefire?

Do you want to see a resumption of hostilities, or something?

What exactly do you want?

The internet excels at featuring, “BACK SEAT DRIVERS”. Old saying.

back·seat driv·er [ˌbakˌsēt ˈdrīvər]
a passenger in a car who gives the driver unwanted advice:
"I'm a terrible backseat driver"

a person who is eager to give advice about something for which they are not responsible:
"there are still a lot of backseat drivers talking about the power of hindsight"

i think DanZ nailed it, ordinary people expecting autocrats to act in good faith - are likely to “get nowhere” or much worse.
i have ZERO idea why T would want to take this job on (being POTUS) - but, there he is, and elected to be there.

There are shakeups everywhere - much needed.
Certainly it will be a rocky road, profiteers will fight to maintain THEIR interests to the bitter end.

“If you can’t stand the heat - get out of the kitchen!” T is unusual, he stands up to the heat.

2018 DanZ:

I’ve said this before- but I think his aggressive and unpredictable negotiating style may advantage him with dictators and autocrats - like Kim Jong Un, over and against more diplomatic and placating presidents like Obama.

The public never knows in full, esp not IRT. Frequently, not ever.

The backseat drivers slay, tho. They are EVERYWHERE.

Example: i enjoy Ben Shapiro. Major backseat driver.
The way he speaks, he seems confident he knows EXACTLY what T should do next. [really, Ben?]
Ben’s been at it for years - even tho he often supports and agrees with T.

Backseat drivers is an old term i grew up with.
i remember how unnerving backseat drivers could be, esp as a new driver. Well meaning. But, they could cause accidents.
My grdaughter is a new driver. We’ve been out lots of times.

It’s best to be calmer passengers. Esp when you don’t own a car or know how to drive.

Very very few will ever wear POTUS shoes. That’s a tiny number.

Anyway, i’m in the backseat. Praying like crazy.
For best outcomes for all. i don’t drive that car, i don’t have that license.

It’s rough, esp emotionally. In my view, shakeups are overdue. Jesus is here for it.

i do not lose any sleep for fear T will go without questions+criticisms. Not happening. Ever. For 1 nanosecond.
That part’s covered.

If a driver is racing to the edge of a cliff, I think the passengers should say something and not stay quiet.

But we’re not just passengers here. We’re the ones affected by all of this. Part of being in a democracy means questioning and criticizing the decisions of leadership. It’s not “backseat driving.” It’s our civic responsibility.

[temporal1]

We’re the ones affected by all of this.

no such thing as, “just passengers”.
passengers put their lives in the hands of drivers. and pilots. have you ever watched any of the Sully interviews?
not one life lost.

To repeat, T getting criticism is a non issue. That part’s covered! Enjoy it to your heart’s content.

i’m in 33F biting my fingernails and praying. Jesus is here for it.

[JohnH]

What a leader says and does matters. Whatever might be happening behind the scenes, Trump’s behavior in public isn’t coherent and it’s undermining his credibility.

Undermining his credibility with whom? You?

He isn't doing this to win over people who have been opposed to him since day #1 and will always be opposed to him no matter what he does. This is the problem with extreme partisanship - it makes you irrelevant.

[mike]

President Trump is giving Iran's warring factions a short window of several days to unify behind a coherent counter-offer — or the ceasefire he extended Tuesday ends, three U.S. officials tell me. My story on
@axios

[mike]

Another thing we don't know is the full geo-political picture that moved the US to intervene in places like Venezuela and Iran, countries one could argue were not an immediate threat. There are those who say the war in Iran has more to do with challenging China in some way for instance.

It’s unfortunate, I don’t think people grasp the sheer scale of disastrous conflicts that were erupting the last four years, or about to erupt, all at once, and that the United States was going to have to manage while being pulled away from strengthening its industries.

Armenia–Azerbaijan, the Rwanda–Congo–Uganda issue, South Africa consolidating its position with Iran, China, Russia, Venezuela against Guyana, Israel against Iran’s proxies and the risk of a wider regional war, Iran nearing nuclear capability, and China leveraging those same networks to entangle the U.S. in the Red Sea, all layered on top of Russia’s war in Ukraine with North Korea sending troops.

Things aren’t perfect but the world was moving towards a catastrophe.

[Szdfan]

What a leader says and does matters. Whatever might be happening behind the scenes, Trump’s behavior in public isn’t coherent and it’s undermining his credibility.

Undermining his credibility with whom? You?

He isn't doing this to win over people who have been opposed to him since day #1 and will always be opposed to him no matter what he does. This is the problem with extreme partisanship - it makes you irrelevant.

What a leader says and does matters. Whatever might be happening behind the scenes, Trump’s behavior in public isn’t coherent and it’s undermining his credibility.

Undermining his credibility with whom? You?

He isn't doing this to win over people who have been opposed to him since day #1 and will always be opposed to him no matter what he does. This is the problem with extreme partisanship - it makes you irrelevant.

Allies, for starters. How many of the US’s traditional allies that helped the US during its post-9/11 “War on Terror” are helping Trump now with Iran?

Secondly, Iran. No matter how much Trump declares victory, the Iranians aren’t acting like it. Maybe they don’t believe his threats. They’re not acting like they do.

This isn’t about me or what I think. Look at the patterns of how other actors and entities around the world are responding. Credibility in foreign policy shows up in how other countries respond. Right now we’re seeing hesitation from allies and defiance from Iran. If Trump’s messaging and behavior was more consistent, I’d expect more alignment than that.

[mike]

Allies, for starters. How many of the US’s traditional allies that helped the US during its post-9/11 “War on Terror” are helping Trump now with Iran?

Keep in mind that these are the countries who for years let the US essentially fund their own defense, in the form of financing NATO, while not meeting their own commitments, and who also called for the US to support Ukraine's war against Russia, while they funded both sides in the form of buying Russian energy, and while not supporting Ukraine to the extent that it could actually prevail against Russia. I assume these are some of the reasons Trump doesn't care as much about what US European allies currently think.

[Szdfan]

Allies, for starters. How many of the US’s traditional allies that helped the US during its post-9/11 “War on Terror” are helping Trump now with Iran?

Keep in mind that these are the countries who for years let the US essentially fund their own defense, in the form of financing NATO, while not meeting their own commitments, and who also called for the US to support Ukraine's war against Russia, while they funded both sides in the form of buying Russian energy, and while not supporting Ukraine to the extent that it could actually prevail against Russia. I assume these are some of the reasons Trump doesn't care as much about what US European allies currently think.

Even if everything you say about the allies is true, Trump still needs them on board to be able to exert “maximum pressure” on Iran. Foreign policy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. If the allies aren’t supporting or coordinating with the US, that limits the amount of pressure and makes it easier for Iran to evade.

[JohnH]

Allies, for starters. How many of the US’s traditional allies that helped the US during its post-9/11 “War on Terror” are helping Trump now with Iran?

Considering how poorly the "War on Terror" was conducted, I don't think anything about how it was done then is a very good guide on how to do things in the future.

Secondly, Iran. No matter how much Trump declares victory, the Iranians aren’t acting like it. Maybe they don’t believe his threats. They’re not acting like they do.

My understanding is that Iran now consists of multiple factions who are not unified, and the rumour going around is that Trump has successfully negotiated with one and is trying to position for them to "win" over the other factions.

This isn’t about me or what I think. Look at the patterns of how other actors and entities around the world are responding. Credibility in foreign policy shows up in how other countries respond. Right now we’re seeing hesitation from allies and defiance from Iran. If Trump’s messaging and behavior was more consistent, I’d expect more alignment than that.

What exactly are you asking for?