Trump: "At this time, we will punt."

[MineralMan]

"Although we certainly could have gotten a first down, we have decided to punt the ball, out of an abundance of caution."

[dalton99a]

1. He knows damn well last night wasn't retaliation

And Iran is not interested in helping Trump get reelected

[Pachamama]

2. It was a warning and showing them their capabilities

Yeah - he punted

[MineralMan]

3. Yes, and apparently Iran informed Iraq of the attack in advance.

"Do not worry. We will aim our missiles at open ground, avoiding buildings. This attack is merely a show of force."

(My words.)

[dalton99a]

5. Also, they know they can't compete with the U.S. in shock and awe

but they excel in slow-brewed retaliation against soft targets by proxies or covert forces. With plausible deniability.

They will avenge Soleimani's death.

[Coventina]

6. Many, many times over.

And on the bodies of people who probably don't deserve it.



Thanks a bunch, Trump you gigantic moron.

[NoMoreRepugs]

4. Wow. I am in awe of the sheer brilliance and awesome oratorical

prowess of the Orange Anus.

[Aristus]

7. Is Putin telling him to cool it a little?

Is it possible Vlad is an ally in this?

[MineralMan]

8. Probably. Putin just wants the US

out of the region. He doesn't want everything blown up. The entire sequence of events could be Putin's idea. Knock off a powerful General from Iran and then have a little bluster from Iran before returning to normal. Get Iraq to kick the US troops out and Putin gets to move in as the conquering hero, bearing lots of military gear people can buy from Russia.

It all sounds like a plan to me.

[Aristus]

9. It's scary just how plausible that is.

n/t

[MineralMan]

10. The logic tracks just fine, I think.

Putin was, by all reports, in the region yesterday, in fact. He appears to be the puppet master in all of this, going back quite a long way.