Israel launches attack on Iran | US bombs Iran nuke sites

[CFordUNC]

There are valid arguments for a strategic strike against Iran's nuclear capabilities. The concern is that our current administration isn't very strategic and this could very well pull the USA into a broader conflict.

Agreed. My concern is that it’s very easy to start a war, very difficult to end one, as we found out the hard way in Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s unlikely that this is the end and very likely this is only the beginning, as Iran is almost certain to most likely through their proxies. I’m glad that, presumably, their nuclear weapons capabilities have been destroyed or crippled. What I’m not glad about is the very real possibility that this escalates into a wide scale war.

 

[BlueSmoke]

No question that eliminating Iran’s ability to make nukes is of utmost, paramount importance. It’s definitely an issue that both republican and democratic administrations have tried to solve. I’m not opposed to the use of force to do so- I’m just not sure I understand why it was the United States using the force to do so, and not Israel, since it’s not our fight currently.

President's are hired (elected) to do a job. Job number 1 is to handle wayward countries like Iran so we don't have to do the dirty work. So he failed.

 

[CFordUNC]

Pussy.

Hey buddy, look. I don’t know you and I don’t know what’s going on in your life. It looks like you are having a really rough time. All I can say is I hope it gets better and that I hope you find the help you need. This will be my last time responding to you, as I’d like to discuss this important topic with the big boys and girls. Hope you have a great evening!

 

[Bobfripp]

Pussy.

You -> Adult with the emotional maturity of a 12-year old.

 

[whatntarnation]

now if only Trump had the sack to confront the evil regime in russia.

 

[CFordUNC]

As to why the USA? It's the fact that B-2's and 30,000 lbs bunker bombs were needed, and that only the US possesses, is my understanding.

Yeah, you’re probably right, and I figured that might be the case, but I also figured that perhaps we’d give Israel the MOAB and the ability to deliver it. Of course, perhaps it’s not that simple. That’s why I’m asking all these questions, just trying to learn and understand!

 

[nycfan]

 

[BlueSmoke]

A few hours ago there was a story on Politico that Israel was telling Trump that they (he) couldn't wait two weeks. The window of time was NOW. Don't see the story now.

 

[heelslegup]

Be happy if you already owned the XLE etf. Netanyahu finally had his wet dream of 30 years filled

 

[JCTarheel82]

Agreed. My concern is that it’s very easy to start a war, very difficult to end one, as we found out the hard way in Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s unlikely that this is the end and very likely this is only the beginning, as Iran is almost certain to most likely through their proxies. I’m glad that, presumably, their nuclear weapons capabilities have been destroyed or crippled. What I’m not glad about is the very real possibility that this escalates into a wide scale war.

Iran also has robust cyber capabilities. I suspect conflict will escalate on that front as well.

 

[CFordUNC]

Iran also has robust cyber capabilities. I suspect conflict will escalate on that front as well.

Ugh. Yeah, great point. I had been reading recently about their cyber capabilities and it’s not pleasant to think about.

 

[CFordUNC]

Alright, forgive what is likely a dumb question but it’s been a little while since I took Civics. Does the president have Constitutional authority to unilaterally launch military strikes against other countries without Congressional approval?

 

[EyeballKid]

There are valid arguments for a strategic strike against Iran's nuclear capabilities. The concern is that our current administration isn't very strategic and this could very well pull the USA into a broader conflict.

Well, that and the fact that we have zero confirmation from anyone other than Bibi/Israel that Iran has any major nuclear capabilities.

 

[CFordUNC]

I obviously do not like Donald Trump but in trying to remove my partisanship from the equation for a moment, and trying to look at this objectively, perhaps the calculus was that Iran is currently as weak as it has been in sometime and therefore now was a great time to exploit their weakness and deal their nuclear capabilities a crippling blow.

 

[nycfan]

Alright, forgive what is likely a dumb question but it’s been a little while since I took Civics. Does the president have Constitutional authority to unilaterally launch military strikes against other countries without Congressional approval?

Short version - No, not offensively

The Congress won’t old anything about it, so as a practical matter, bomb away.

 

[nycfan]

 

[TarSpiel]

Well, that and the fact that we have zero confirmation from anyone other than Bibi/Israel that Iran has any major nuclear capabilities.

This is something I've been wondering about...everyone is just acting like it's self-evident. And maybe it is. But I'd like to see some credible confirmation of it. And I don't trust Bibi at all, and Israeli hardliners can all go jump off a cliff as far as I'm concerned.

 

[EyeballKid]

I obviously do not like Donald Trump but in trying to remove my partisanship from the equation for a moment, and trying to look at this objectively, perhaps the calculus was that Iran is currently as weak as it has been in sometime and therefore now was a great time to exploit their weakness and deal their nuclear capabilities a crippling blow.

2 things:

1. As I just posted above, we have zero confirmation from anyone other than Bibi/Israel that Iran has anything close to nuclear capabilities. In fact, our own intelligence (though I use that word lightly, given Tulsi Gabbard is the lead of that intelligence) suggests that Iran is likely years away from any significant nuclear capabilities. And the international community charged with keeping tabs on Iran seems to agree with our assessment.

2. Bibi/Israel used us as a pawn to facilitate regime change in a nation that posed no imminent threat. That’s not a good look, and will likely cause more strife in the region.

 

[Carolina Fever]

Everything in this world has gone to hell since 2016.

 

[dukeman92]

. Does the president have Constitutional authority to unilaterally launch military strikes against other countries without Congressional approval

The Constitution divides war powers, giving Congress the power to declare war (Article I, Section 8) and designating the President as Commander-in-Chief (Article II). While the President can respond to attacks and imminent threats, the extent of presidential authority to unilaterally launch military strikes without Congressional approval is a subject to debate and legal interpretation.