Rubio speaks on the topic of the Iran MOU
I was waiting to hear from Rubio on this. Ignore the silly clickbait title:
Rubio’s attitude and the tenor of his message contrasts at least somewhat with that of Vance. Rubio seems more realistic to me in terms of what he’s saying. Of course, neither is in charge; Trump is. And the Rubio/Vance contrast – which is more one of emphasis, I think – may be intentional, with Rubio presenting to Iran as the “bad cop” and Vance the “good cop.”
The video isn’t all that long. But it highlights the important bits, with commentary. I watched it like I watch most talking heads videos: speeded up. But if you don’t have the patience to watch, here’s a very short excerpt I think is important. Rubio has a very clear way of stating things; here he’s asked about the attitude of the current Iranian leaders and whether they are religious fanatics:
I’m heartened by his statements and the military response this past week. As long as they (and we should also) ignore all the BS Iran pumps out, and then just judge by the actions, we’ll see what plays out.
I have been very interested in Rubio’s relative silence. I was beginning to think it ominous.
If the Administration is playing ‘good cop-bad cop’ I would advise them to stop playing, and meet Iran with eyes wide open, and a measure of determination. A joke. I suspect that Trump does not take advice.
I imagine that the likes of China and Russia view the scenario that has played over the past two months, and are encouraged by what can only be interpreted as a certain lack of resolve.
Unlike Physicsguy, with whom I usually agree, I am not impressed by a retaliation involving six airplanes hitting four targets of unknown significance. Iran hit one ship. CentCom says U.S. forces shot down three other drones; were they fired on three other ships? Not clear. Then Iran fired a missile, or missiles, at Bahrain, which is the headquarters of our 5th Fleet.
That is deliberate provocation.
It would seem that the Trump team are not negotiating with the people who have their fingers on the trigger. Further, I do not know how you negotiate through honest brokers such as Pakistan and Oman. Even if you trust the intermediaries, which would be naive in this case, there is tremendous potential for miscommunication.
On a subject related to Hormuz. Not so long ago, I read that the European brain trust had convened and developed a joint plan to keep the straits open. Then I read that France’s little aircraft carrier was in the area, and prepared to do something or other. Clearly, misleading.
Vance is a ‘counter-puncher. Rubio a skilled middleweight boxer. Trump a brawler, think “Rocky”. DeSantis a JAG REMF.
Vance/Rubio 2028?
Rubio/DeSantis 2028?
Vance/DeSantis 2028?
Rubio has impressed me very much, beyond what I expected.
It may be interesting to see what DeSantis does after he leaves the governorship.
I used to find Rubio a lightweight, but in recent years he’s made sense to me every time he opens his mouth. This was a great excerpt. I especially appreciate the emphasis on seeing what the crazy Iranian leadership does and not getting too wound up by the nonsense that comes out of their mouths.
Rubio/DeSantis get my vote as of this moment..
Rubio is 54 years old and DeSantis 47. A perfect line of succession.
Rubio’s calm demeanor, foreign policy and Legislative experience, paired with DeSantis’ proven Executive expertise are synergy made in political heaven.
I don’t know what the relationship is between the two, however.
Vance’s refusal to publicly distance himself from Tucker Carlson, and his deplorable statements on Israel vs Hezbollah have caused me serious concern. But much can change in two years. I won’t comment on his beard affectation.
No negotiating position taken by Iran can be taken to be in good faith any more than Arafat’s promises at Oslo in 1994 were in good faith.
Nobody is threatening Iran. If Iran would leave everyone else alone, they could enjoy their own Shiism to their heart’s content. But submission of all mankind to Allah (which is what “islam” means) is the program for every serious Muslim of either variety, so they won’t leave us alone.
More generally, Islam — both Shiism and Sunnism — is a medieval horror. People in the West used to know this, and for a few Westerners, memories remain fresh: In a phone call with me some years ago, Serbian-born historian Serge Trifkovic [author of The Sword of the Prophet] recounted to me growing up in a society with a vivid collective recall of the centuries of Muslim rule in the Balkans, summarizing that Islam is “a totalitarian ideology incompatible with the fundamental values of the West — and all other civilized societies, India, China, and Japan included.”
See the brief video you’ll find here: https://twitter.com/i/status/2069149304971743669 That’s “my” junior senator, Tim Sheehy [R-MT]. I wish a lot more senators — and regular citizens — had his clarity.
The chattering fools of the pundit class have constructed a straw man Trump who promises peace in the mideast. The exact opposite is true: unlike previous administrations, this government is very clear-eyed about the temporary nature of alliances as long as Islam does not reform itself. We note that one of the historical milestones that were singled out in the 250th celebration was “The US Navy’s first engagement” – which was with Muslim pirates and slave traders. So someone in Washington understands the vibe.
I have heard Trump talk not of a “New Middle East” (like our Israeli Oslo pipe-dreamers) but of deals – with clear, unapologetic quid pro quos and no woke pandering. There is a practical goal of drawing close Muslim nations that are willing to moderate and behave as good citizens as a price of participating in the world economy – a quid pro quo that was ignored, and is now being re-established across the region.
Contrast this with the abandonment of these moderates (and our own soldiers!) and the funding of radicals by Obama and Biden.
Some of these Muslim actors are certainly biding their time, I am doubtful that any finally understand that reform is necessary in their culture. Not our problem, we can’t impose reform: the near-term strategy is the same.
The stick has been administered. Now come carrots.
I am very happy to see a US administration that knows how to give taqqiya and da’aween and good as they get it. The journalists and pundits are frustrated by the lack of reliable info? Good!
“I am very happy to see a US administration that knows how to give taqqiya and da’aween and good as they get it.” Exactly. Thanks for stating that so clearly.
So another ship was attacked by Iran and a response was made by the US. Not surprising. Maybe evidence of the schism in Iran between those trying to negotiate and those trying to undermine such. When will the response far exceed “proportionality”?
And of course my lefty friends say again that Trump is a war monger ignoring the fact that any US response only comes after an Iranian attack.
And of course my lefty friends say again that Trump is a war monger ignoring the fact that any US response only comes after an Iranian attack.
Seriously – after calling him TACO and a surrender monkey? Lord have mercy these people have lost their tiny minds.
And thank you Ben for the Israeli perspective. It does my heart good to see this too – for once, we seem to have realists in charge.
So I haven’t put much stake in what any side says about all this, but rather, as a famous Jewish carpenter said “By their fruits you will know them”.