The bombs may destroy Iran's arsenal, but only ending the regime prevents tomorrow's nuclear nightmare from becoming every American's permanent reality and greatest fear.
Clarity, are you kidding me. He needs signs in the white house to direct him so he doesn't get lost. He started this war and my gut tells me he will use it now to fuck with the elections. Can't wait for how you'll justify that
I literally laughed out loud when I read this today. Yet another "Trump is playing 9D chess" piece of BS. Trump doesn't know what the hell he's doing, and it shows.
I keep asking myself why I continue to read this nonsense. It is pure masochism to read it anymore.
First off by trying to post a comment to this article, somehow I accidentally touched “like,” about your article, Michael. I do not!! (I tried every which way to remove that).
I keep repeating myself in the comments about the your articles. I’m speechless, again, after reading this, and more than disappointed, angry, and somewhat confused by what I feel is your complete lack of understanding, tone deafness, and I hate to use this term, brainwashed. It’s so baffling to me how you’ve changed.
What’s happening to you? Trump ripped up Obama’s agreement that was working just fine - plus the Strait was open. He went into war without permission from Congress with no plan to end.
He’s cutting budgets that affect Americans to pay for His War.
Good luck having Cankles new friend, Mikey respond. He has never responded to comments during the last few months. Way back when I believed his nonsense I think he did. What has happened to him. Like I’m living in another dystopian reality. Mikey Cohens schizophrenia. Ugh.
The problem here is that Trump doesn’t understand because the only foreign policy experience he has is what he has gained in the Presidency. Trump surrounds himself with inexperienced people just “yes” people unlike his first term. You fail to address the fact that Trump started this war. Trump tore up the JCPOA which was an agreement for Iran to keep their enriched uranium levels low and allow random inspections. The agreement was signed by Iran, US and other countries. This was strength not weakness. Once that agreement was tore up, Iran was given free rein. This is on Trump. Trump makes bad decisions.
While I agree that the fanaticism of the Iranian regime makes it a uniquely existential threat, there are a number of aspects of your analysis with which I respectfully disagree. First, even if we were able to truly obliterate every ounce of their capability to develop nuclear weapons, it would only offer a reprieve, as that very fanaticism -- made even more fervent as a consequence of our aggression -- would ensure their renewed efforts as soon as the smoke cleared. Moreover, it would also stimulate their motivation to pursue alternative, equally lethal bio or cyber attack capabilities vastly less vulnerable to our bombs and missiles. They are guileful, antisemitic and even nefarious, but despite it all they are still rational actors with whom a negotiated solution (like the one that we already had) can be forged. What's called for here is not more bombing but rather, an overwhelming multinational consortium that pressures them into arriving at such a solution again. I can accept the validity of Trump's motives here. But his narcissistic obsession with singlehandedly being able to do a touchdown dance that etches him into the global history books blinds him from seeing any approach other then the one that best satisfies his need for self aggrandizement.
You over state the nuclear threat of Iran. By the time Iran rescues it's nuclear material and builds a bomb there is a good chance other international actors that are at this time disregarded will surface and become a more viable threat.
Ellie Leonard is investigating Ronan Farrow and Michael Cohen.
Old news but significant-2019 Book "Catch and Kill." Regarding coverups of 2016 election. Significant insights given recent developments between Trump and Cohen.
Dawn- Remember in that book is a chapter about cohen, Trump, and Katie Johnson. This is long before the Epstein files were partially released. He was the fixer and this was a 911 within the Trump administration. To whom do you use to cover this up? The fixer. The truth will find a way.
That is why I started asking questions in January. Information wasn't adding up.
And then the Commentators started questioning. Then Meidas cut ties. Everyone was so ready to discredit Lev Parnas. And yet I watch Lev, his information has always been on target (so far) and he is ahead of most of the other Commentators with his information and insights. Perhaps a Second Chance is due and earned here?
I think we all want to give people a Second Chance. No Third Chances for Cohen.
Yes, Truth rises to the surface...........eventually. Truth and Accountability will come.
Dawn- You know better than anyone I was adamant about Cohen and a second chance. I believed but I’m also a critical thinker. When subtle wording changes (like attorneys are trained to do) became questionable, I was compelled to reevaluate his narratives with counter information. His behavior (the subconscious part) gave him away. He becomes so transparent it is nauseating.
I’m always skeptical of second chances but unforgiving of a third chance.
Skip, I have no trouble giving someone a Second Chance. But it is important to Watch and Question. Many people stopped doing that.
Even though often you and I disagreed on Michael Cohen, I could always see you were quite the thinker and also empathetic. All good qualities.
Michael Cohen is just a reminder to watch everyone very carefully right now.
Lots of lying and manipulations. Too many people don't care little about Saving Our Democracy and care more about other matters-their profit, position, power, etc. But they are the MINORITY!
At the end of the day, we can all agree it is all about Saving Our Democracy! We don't have a agree on everything. Just so we support only those people that support our Democracy.
I loved Catch and Kill. Farrow is a good journalist. Then I read Betrayal and felt bad for Cohen. I subscribed and now I’m freaked out. What is going on. Has he changed costumes and become a sycophant to Cankles. So he lied to us?
Mikey-Boy... You've framed this as tonnage versus regime change, and you're right that the tonnage framing is shallow. But the piece stops one question short of its own logic. If the problem is a regime built on perpetual confrontation, then removing the regime doesn't remove the confrontation unless something more stable is standing where it stood. "What stands there next" is the variable that actually decides whether this ends the threat or just launches the sequel.
We have run this experiment. Iraq and Libya both finished the mission in the narrow sense, and both traded a defined adversary for an undefined vacuum that cost more, in American lives and dollars and years, than the regime ever did. That isn't a dovish point or a partisan one. It's just the pattern. Regime removal is the easy half. The state that replaces it is the entire game, and it's the half nobody in these debates wants to cost out, because it's slow and expensive and doesn't fit in a headline.
So ask the harder question and I'm genuinely listening. Not "how many strikes," not even "end the regime," but "who governs 90 million people on the morning after, and what keeps that from becoming the next thing we're bombing?" That last question is the kind of thing I try to work through on my own publication without picking a jersey.
This article is a strong interpretation and consistent with Republican viewpoints and values. But Iran, even without this war, does not have the knowledge to build an ICBM. Nor a hypersonic missile capable of hitting the United States. Iran is not an existential threat to us.
You didn’t mention it but the real existential threat is Israel. Netanyahu pushed Trump into this war. Trump is not worthy of the praise you give him. He simply had a child like reaction to their intransigence. Bomb everything despite his earlier statements that we obliterated everything. If everything is destroyed, as claimed, where did the missiles come from that hit our base and killed 2 soldiers? We have a finite number of munitions. Iran does not with the assistance of Russia and China.
It's impossible for me to respond to your piece Michael . It is so beyond the pale. The thought that Trump and Bibi have the power they have is terrifying . They are not strategic thinkers. They do not listen to anyone. Lots of needless lives lost and losts of wounded for what? heart sick..
So disappointed. This (don’t really know what to call it.. delusional thinking!?? Sucking up to Trump???). Please really look at what you are doing… nothing to help the country imho.
Iran has been the main source of terrorism over the past 30 years, at least. Nothing is going to change that unless they are dealt with harshly. You cant appease them. It's time to end this once and for all. Otherwise this conversation will go on for another 30 years and our children will be dealing with this. Not what I want to happen
This is another Forever War. And to make matters worse a Vanity War that is putting our Service People in harm's way and damaging Economies. Notice our Allies are staying away! Smart. Iran is being funded by China and Russia. Ah, Trump's Blackmail Buddy Putin!
No doubt a diversion from Epstein, eventual election interference, ICE etc. Not as easy as Venezuela, huh? Never anticipated shutting down the Strait. Incompetent. Just wanted to upend the Obama Agreement!
You say in your puffed up pr material to potential subscribers is you need us “ Because if we don’t fight for truth, no one will.” I believed that when i subscribed. You were one person who was played by trump and you started on the road to redemption from all your dirty and illegal work for Cankles. You begged us for a second chance. And we did. Then we find out you played us. Kissed and made up with Cankles. Why? Pardon perhaps? Then your wierd polemics started lifting up the Fedand Cankles. Reread your last few months puffery. We all see it. . Now this wierd analysis of your truth about Trump isa genius, around Iran becausehe asks the right questions and Washington doesn’t ? That’s truth? Listen Mikey. 1. Your new friend Cankles started the war. Repeat that line after me. Cankles and Bibi started a war then without-congressional approval . With the WH communication -‘ oh we-need a regime change-‘then Cankles the Cankles the demented told Iranian citizens overthrow the. gov. Because We killed your leaders now you’re free “. - but that failed. Then the bombs that Bibithe Bomber manipulated the80 year old for began falling killing girls and moms and even folk like you 2. Then, testostone Ted says we obliterated their military- oops that didn’t happen.
And it goes on. Lies lies and more lies.
Tell the truth Mikey. And now you are trying to sell us Lies from the office of CrazyAgent Orange here’s the truth Mikey, trump , Bibi and testosterone Ted are lying to the American public about cost, timing of ending war. and the number of dead and injured. They have no plan Michael. No plan. Stop feeding us wierd analysis. The nuclear question was handled by John Kerry until trump ripped a great piece of diplomacy. And then he started a war. No congressional approval. Repeat after me. NO congressional approval. Stop defending lies Mikey. You are becoming a DorianGray. Get back to fighting for truth and not rot. Next thing you will be telling us , your subscribers that Trump won the2020 election and that Jan 6was a mirage. Truth Michael not a pr piece on how Cankles is a genius. Do better.
Clarity, are you kidding me. He needs signs in the white house to direct him so he doesn't get lost. He started this war and my gut tells me he will use it now to fuck with the elections. Can't wait for how you'll justify that
I literally laughed out loud when I read this today. Yet another "Trump is playing 9D chess" piece of BS. Trump doesn't know what the hell he's doing, and it shows.
I keep asking myself why I continue to read this nonsense. It is pure masochism to read it anymore.
I feel it is our civic duty to inform all and call out the bullshit
I’m in total agreement. Nonsense. Read my post a bit down.
First off by trying to post a comment to this article, somehow I accidentally touched “like,” about your article, Michael. I do not!! (I tried every which way to remove that).
I keep repeating myself in the comments about the your articles. I’m speechless, again, after reading this, and more than disappointed, angry, and somewhat confused by what I feel is your complete lack of understanding, tone deafness, and I hate to use this term, brainwashed. It’s so baffling to me how you’ve changed.
What’s happening to you? Trump ripped up Obama’s agreement that was working just fine - plus the Strait was open. He went into war without permission from Congress with no plan to end.
He’s cutting budgets that affect Americans to pay for His War.
No more excuses for him.
Thank you ! Pamela
I’ve never read a reference from you, Michael, to the JCPOA, during the Obama administration, and the fact that Trump ripped it up. Why is that??
Good luck having Cankles new friend, Mikey respond. He has never responded to comments during the last few months. Way back when I believed his nonsense I think he did. What has happened to him. Like I’m living in another dystopian reality. Mikey Cohens schizophrenia. Ugh.
The problem here is that Trump doesn’t understand because the only foreign policy experience he has is what he has gained in the Presidency. Trump surrounds himself with inexperienced people just “yes” people unlike his first term. You fail to address the fact that Trump started this war. Trump tore up the JCPOA which was an agreement for Iran to keep their enriched uranium levels low and allow random inspections. The agreement was signed by Iran, US and other countries. This was strength not weakness. Once that agreement was tore up, Iran was given free rein. This is on Trump. Trump makes bad decisions.
While I agree that the fanaticism of the Iranian regime makes it a uniquely existential threat, there are a number of aspects of your analysis with which I respectfully disagree. First, even if we were able to truly obliterate every ounce of their capability to develop nuclear weapons, it would only offer a reprieve, as that very fanaticism -- made even more fervent as a consequence of our aggression -- would ensure their renewed efforts as soon as the smoke cleared. Moreover, it would also stimulate their motivation to pursue alternative, equally lethal bio or cyber attack capabilities vastly less vulnerable to our bombs and missiles. They are guileful, antisemitic and even nefarious, but despite it all they are still rational actors with whom a negotiated solution (like the one that we already had) can be forged. What's called for here is not more bombing but rather, an overwhelming multinational consortium that pressures them into arriving at such a solution again. I can accept the validity of Trump's motives here. But his narcissistic obsession with singlehandedly being able to do a touchdown dance that etches him into the global history books blinds him from seeing any approach other then the one that best satisfies his need for self aggrandizement.
You over state the nuclear threat of Iran. By the time Iran rescues it's nuclear material and builds a bomb there is a good chance other international actors that are at this time disregarded will surface and become a more viable threat.
Ellie Leonard is investigating Ronan Farrow and Michael Cohen.
Old news but significant-2019 Book "Catch and Kill." Regarding coverups of 2016 election. Significant insights given recent developments between Trump and Cohen.
Sometimes we forget old history.
Americans deserve better.
Dawn- Remember in that book is a chapter about cohen, Trump, and Katie Johnson. This is long before the Epstein files were partially released. He was the fixer and this was a 911 within the Trump administration. To whom do you use to cover this up? The fixer. The truth will find a way.
That is why I started asking questions in January. Information wasn't adding up.
And then the Commentators started questioning. Then Meidas cut ties. Everyone was so ready to discredit Lev Parnas. And yet I watch Lev, his information has always been on target (so far) and he is ahead of most of the other Commentators with his information and insights. Perhaps a Second Chance is due and earned here?
I think we all want to give people a Second Chance. No Third Chances for Cohen.
Yes, Truth rises to the surface...........eventually. Truth and Accountability will come.
Americans deserve better.
Dawn- You know better than anyone I was adamant about Cohen and a second chance. I believed but I’m also a critical thinker. When subtle wording changes (like attorneys are trained to do) became questionable, I was compelled to reevaluate his narratives with counter information. His behavior (the subconscious part) gave him away. He becomes so transparent it is nauseating.
I’m always skeptical of second chances but unforgiving of a third chance.
Skip, I have no trouble giving someone a Second Chance. But it is important to Watch and Question. Many people stopped doing that.
Even though often you and I disagreed on Michael Cohen, I could always see you were quite the thinker and also empathetic. All good qualities.
Michael Cohen is just a reminder to watch everyone very carefully right now.
Lots of lying and manipulations. Too many people don't care little about Saving Our Democracy and care more about other matters-their profit, position, power, etc. But they are the MINORITY!
At the end of the day, we can all agree it is all about Saving Our Democracy! We don't have a agree on everything. Just so we support only those people that support our Democracy.
Americans deserve better.
I loved Catch and Kill. Farrow is a good journalist. Then I read Betrayal and felt bad for Cohen. I subscribed and now I’m freaked out. What is going on. Has he changed costumes and become a sycophant to Cankles. So he lied to us?
Not according to him. 99% of his guests, Meidas, and his followers have left. Group think is always a danger but in this case there is validity.
Mikey-Boy... You've framed this as tonnage versus regime change, and you're right that the tonnage framing is shallow. But the piece stops one question short of its own logic. If the problem is a regime built on perpetual confrontation, then removing the regime doesn't remove the confrontation unless something more stable is standing where it stood. "What stands there next" is the variable that actually decides whether this ends the threat or just launches the sequel.
We have run this experiment. Iraq and Libya both finished the mission in the narrow sense, and both traded a defined adversary for an undefined vacuum that cost more, in American lives and dollars and years, than the regime ever did. That isn't a dovish point or a partisan one. It's just the pattern. Regime removal is the easy half. The state that replaces it is the entire game, and it's the half nobody in these debates wants to cost out, because it's slow and expensive and doesn't fit in a headline.
So ask the harder question and I'm genuinely listening. Not "how many strikes," not even "end the regime," but "who governs 90 million people on the morning after, and what keeps that from becoming the next thing we're bombing?" That last question is the kind of thing I try to work through on my own publication without picking a jersey.
Thinking about corruption.
Ah, and Congress Members who are sick and disappear and still get paid. Nice, huh?
Americans don't get a deal like that. Drop out, stop communicating........and get paid.
Let's call in today. If Mitch McConnell is fine, why can't he be interviewed from his Hospital Bed?
Americans deserve better.
So sorry to recognize the “return to Trump cult” slant of your writings. I will not be renewing my subscription to you formerly clever writings. To
This article is a strong interpretation and consistent with Republican viewpoints and values. But Iran, even without this war, does not have the knowledge to build an ICBM. Nor a hypersonic missile capable of hitting the United States. Iran is not an existential threat to us.
You didn’t mention it but the real existential threat is Israel. Netanyahu pushed Trump into this war. Trump is not worthy of the praise you give him. He simply had a child like reaction to their intransigence. Bomb everything despite his earlier statements that we obliterated everything. If everything is destroyed, as claimed, where did the missiles come from that hit our base and killed 2 soldiers? We have a finite number of munitions. Iran does not with the assistance of Russia and China.
totally agree Skip - Israel is more of a threat to the world than Iran is
It's impossible for me to respond to your piece Michael . It is so beyond the pale. The thought that Trump and Bibi have the power they have is terrifying . They are not strategic thinkers. They do not listen to anyone. Lots of needless lives lost and losts of wounded for what? heart sick..
So disappointed. This (don’t really know what to call it.. delusional thinking!?? Sucking up to Trump???). Please really look at what you are doing… nothing to help the country imho.
Iran has been the main source of terrorism over the past 30 years, at least. Nothing is going to change that unless they are dealt with harshly. You cant appease them. It's time to end this once and for all. Otherwise this conversation will go on for another 30 years and our children will be dealing with this. Not what I want to happen
Vinnie, strongly disagree with you.
This is another Forever War. And to make matters worse a Vanity War that is putting our Service People in harm's way and damaging Economies. Notice our Allies are staying away! Smart. Iran is being funded by China and Russia. Ah, Trump's Blackmail Buddy Putin!
No doubt a diversion from Epstein, eventual election interference, ICE etc. Not as easy as Venezuela, huh? Never anticipated shutting down the Strait. Incompetent. Just wanted to upend the Obama Agreement!
End Iran now!
Americans deserve better.
You say in your puffed up pr material to potential subscribers is you need us “ Because if we don’t fight for truth, no one will.” I believed that when i subscribed. You were one person who was played by trump and you started on the road to redemption from all your dirty and illegal work for Cankles. You begged us for a second chance. And we did. Then we find out you played us. Kissed and made up with Cankles. Why? Pardon perhaps? Then your wierd polemics started lifting up the Fedand Cankles. Reread your last few months puffery. We all see it. . Now this wierd analysis of your truth about Trump isa genius, around Iran becausehe asks the right questions and Washington doesn’t ? That’s truth? Listen Mikey. 1. Your new friend Cankles started the war. Repeat that line after me. Cankles and Bibi started a war then without-congressional approval . With the WH communication -‘ oh we-need a regime change-‘then Cankles the Cankles the demented told Iranian citizens overthrow the. gov. Because We killed your leaders now you’re free “. - but that failed. Then the bombs that Bibithe Bomber manipulated the80 year old for began falling killing girls and moms and even folk like you 2. Then, testostone Ted says we obliterated their military- oops that didn’t happen.
And it goes on. Lies lies and more lies.
Tell the truth Mikey. And now you are trying to sell us Lies from the office of CrazyAgent Orange here’s the truth Mikey, trump , Bibi and testosterone Ted are lying to the American public about cost, timing of ending war. and the number of dead and injured. They have no plan Michael. No plan. Stop feeding us wierd analysis. The nuclear question was handled by John Kerry until trump ripped a great piece of diplomacy. And then he started a war. No congressional approval. Repeat after me. NO congressional approval. Stop defending lies Mikey. You are becoming a DorianGray. Get back to fighting for truth and not rot. Next thing you will be telling us , your subscribers that Trump won the2020 election and that Jan 6was a mirage. Truth Michael not a pr piece on how Cankles is a genius. Do better.