We're in deep, deep trouble. It's very unlikely that we win this war

[3_Limes]

Now that we're involved I've started educating myself on what we're up against, and I'm horrified. There's no way that Trump understood the challenge when he decided to go with this. Apparently he learned nothing from Iraq or Afghanistan. Iran is bigger, more populous, and just as geographically challenging as either. Their neighbors are all willing to assist their cause. And the Revolutionary Guard makes the Taliban look like Boy Scouts.

We're tucked

[dalton99a]

1. No worries. The Trump show will move to Cuba shortly.

There are so many other countries to destroy

[Tetrachloride]

2. Regarding "boots on the ground": could be the most laughingstock military catastrophe of all time

( my speculative opinion )

[UpInArms]

6. I guess

the Korean War was nothing that TFG ever studied (like he studied anything)

Korean War, conflict between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in which at least 2.5 million persons lost their lives. The war reached international proportions in June 1950 when North Korea, supplied and advised by the Soviet Union, invaded the South. The United Nations, with the United States as the principal participant, joined the war on the side of the South Koreans, and the People’s Republic of China came to North Korea’s aid. After more than a million combat casualties had been suffered on both sides, the fighting ended in July 1953 with Korea still divided into two hostile states. Negotiations in 1954 produced no further agreement, and the front line has been accepted ever since as the de facto boundary between North and South Korea.

United States
Figures reflect official U.S. tally, which counts 33,739 battlefield killed and missing and 2,835 dead and missing in war zone from other causes. U.S. military deaths outside the war zone were 17,672, bringing the total military dead and missing during the Korean War to 54,246.

[RussBLib]

9. and then we jumped right into Vietnam

https://russblib.blogspot.com

[maddiemom]

57. Do you mean the Korean CONFLICT?

[UpInArms]

67. Of course

It was never called a “war”

Although we lost 36,574 US lives

[dalton99a]

7. Islamic Revolutionary Guard suicide squads vs. Christian Warfighters led by the athletic and highly fit Major Hegseth

[Jerry2144]

49. If only we could limit our troops on the front lines to the christian nationalists and christofascists

And not involve anyone else who isn't white christian-nationalist/Nazi.

[ananda]

12. Like The Charge of the Light Brigade?

...

[Ilsa]

3. "Deadline: White House" was brilliant yesterday

on this and related topics. Tremendous guests on her show. All were extremely experienced and knowledgeable about the major topics regarding our attack on Iran. Seriously, the first hour and 45 minutes were "must see" news and commentary.

[2naSalit]

4. It was never intended...

For us to win. They perps need a forever war so they can use it as a moral cudgel whenever we try to hold them accountable. It worked during the Iraq war, they expect it to do the trick this time too.

[es466]

53. This is exactly what I've been thinking

Any time now, I'm expecting to see the tropes about how any criticism of this administration is 'unpatriotic' and coming from those who 'hate America' and 'sympathize with terrorists', i.e., the same thing that went on during the Iraq war.

[PatSeg]

5. He really knows nothing about most things

He tends to act on impulse or at the bid of his overseers. In this case, he appeared to be totally unprepared and I'm not sure he even gave the order himself. It seems no one knows or is saying who gave the okay to bomb Iran.

Who is running the country?

[artemisia1]

16. Stephen Miller, the tech oligarchs and the "Last Days" Nutrider Christian Evangelicals. /nt

[yardwork]

30. We need to hang this on the Republican Party.

They will try to weasel away from responsibility. We can't let them.

[PatSeg]

33. So many choices

Clearly it doesn't seem to be Trump. Lately, he seems to have no idea what he is supposedly doing.

[JCMach1]

8. Trump is itching to use nukes...

Just from his 'unconditional surrender' language

[3_Limes]

10. He's talked about it over the years, and do think he likes the idea of pushing that button.

It really could happen. I hope the guys in that chain of command are ready to disregard the order.

[Lonestarblue]

64. Do you really think Hegseth wouldn't jump at that chance to show what a real man he is?

I'm sure Netanyahu would be thrilled to have the US nuke Iran since Israel is far enough away that they would not suffer fallout. Countries along the Persian Gulf, though, might get some radiation depending on the location bombed. I hope Middle Eastern leaders like MBS are communicating to Trump that he needs to keep nukes off the table or his many real estate deals will be cancelled. That's the only thing that would get through to him.

[dalton99a]

11. +1. This is what the idiot had in mind:

Japan surrenders aboard USS Missouri, Sept. 2, 1945

[3_Limes]

18. No way!! Not nearly humiliating enough for his taste.

It'll be at Mar-a-Lago, proceeded by Iraq's leader grovelling at Trumps feet for a few hours. Televised, of course.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

40. I was just there on that spot in January.

I took the light rail from my son's place back to the Arizona Memorial Park to tour once again, alone, the USS Missouri. The significance of that tour plays heavy on my mind regarding the "unconditional surrender" of the Japanese in September of 1945. General Douglas MacArthur did his utmost to maintain decorum and save face of the Japanese representatives.

I recommend touring the USS Missouri and the Aviation Museum when visiting Pearl Harbor. As well as the USS Arizona Memorial as well.

[Evolve Dammit]

45. Thank you for this post.

[artemisia1]

13. Iran is also backed by TWO superpowers, both with significant industrial capacity and a much larger ability to

make arms quickly and in numbers.

[WarGamer]

17. They're backed with words and limited intel ability...

They're not sending soldiers of major weapons systems.

[artemisia1]

20. And you know this how? Please explain Iran's dramatically improved performance over the 12 Day War. It's

drones alone are significantly upgraded in their electronics and 5 F-15's have gone down. If you believe one Kuwaiti pilot fracked up and caused 3 of these, I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I'll give you a good price on. If it was "friendly fire", it was likely caused by electronic jamming and interference of IFOF signals -- an indication of "help" from big brothers with world class tech -- not to mention the very expensive US surveillance drones that have gone missing over Iran. They did this once or twice before with Predator or Reaper type drones, but only under near perfect conditions. They are doing it regularly.

The "limited help" meme is being pushed by war propagandists who want the American public to think Iran will be on its last legs soon so just give the Pentagon time to win this. Don't buy it.

[3_Limes]

25. I think both Russia and China have strong motivations to aid Iran.

Last edited Sat Mar 7, 2026, 05:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Just for one example - a weakened US brings Taiwan much closer.

[Tetrachloride]

42. .... :)

Last edited Sat Mar 7, 2026, 07:45 PM - Edit history (1)

…
….

[3_Limes]

47. Tx.

[NickB79]

27. Why would they need more soldiers?

It's a nation of 90 million, a large percentage being part of a religion that encourages martyrdom.

[Strelnikov_]

23. And motivated to bog the US down in a Vietnam like quagmire (just like the US did to the Soviet Union in Afghanistan

Except, Vietnam did not have the overlay of 40% of the worlds Petroleum and 20% of LNG exports as hostage.

Oh Vey.

[artemisia1]

24. Exactly. Add to that the strategic location, resources and transit routes for the "Belt and Road" initiative and you

now have even better reasons for them to back Iran. They also want the BRIC's coalition to prevail over the Western powers, particularly the U.S. and U.K. and its Israeli aircraft carrier.

[WarGamer]

14. Just not reality... Iran has pissed off all it's neighbors and is left only with Russia and China

And Russia and China don't want to get involved.

There is a lot of pro-Russian/Iranian propaganda spreading around social media this week

[3_Limes]

31. I disagree

Russia and China both have pretty good motivation to aid Iran. China wants Taiwan, Russia wants Ukraine (and lots more) and helping Iraq diminish us is definitely in their interests

[Vinca]

15. When it comes to Iran, they could do enormous damage to us with cyberattacks and we know they're capable of it.

Although, with the level of incompetence in our government right now, you couldn't go wrong with a sacrificial lamb carrying a deadly virus. Brainworm boy would tell us to eat broccoli to keep from dying.

[Whip-poor-will]

19. We will win

IF the "we" you are talking about is the trump/Putin axis they could decimate our defenses before they are done their dance.

The rape retribution Tiger chasing his rapist ass might change things.

[3_Limes]

22. IMHO, the geurilla campain following regulat military actions will go for years and be

Very, VERY costly. Far exceeding what the public will endure. Like Afghanistan, we'll wind up cutting and running, saying some bs about how 'important objectives were acheived' rather that admitting what really happened

[pfitz59]

21. Trump already said Iran 'surrendered'

Don't you read his posts?

[artemisia1]

26. Our only hope is for Trump to find a face-saving offramp -- if his handlers allow it. /nt

[LuvLoogie]

28. 500,000 troops just to get started.

trump is thinking 50,000.

[3_Limes]

32. That's why J think we lose. The US public is not gonna go for send 500k soldiers overseas for any reason.

Definitely not for this.

[Dan]

34. I shared that thought with another poster on a different thread in DU

I said it would take armies with each army of approximately 200,000 men/women. This is based on our we deployed in Vietnam - for every ten soldiers, nine were support and the tenth was an actual fighter.

I hope that we’re wrong, but I would also add another thought. We, the US, unilaterally does not get to decide when the war is over, Iran has a say.

[RandomNumbers]

29. TSF doesn't even comprehend the VALUE of learning from other experiences

(unless of course it involves how to con and grift ever more effectively ... apparently that kind of learning attracts him)

... let alone have the fundamental knowledge base to grasp the issues involved in going to war in a place like Afghanistan or Iran.

[Renew Deal]

35. The US is challenged, but not necessarily for all of the reasons you mentioned

Iran doesn’t have anyone giving them material support beyond intelligence and drones. Manpower and missiles would be a significant help.

As long as it remains an air campaign, the revolutionary guard and geography are non-factors. Jam up shipping, drive up prices, and punish their US loving neighbors. .that is hard for the US to deal with without public support.

What challenges the US is lack of clear objectives, poor and corrupt leadership, and a lack of public and regional buy in for the war. That’s why the Iran strategy of waging economic warfare is a good one for them.

[3_Limes]

39. Good perspective, but -

I just don't see this going any place but a ground war. Maybe I don't know enough about modern conflicts but I don't see how we avoid putting troops in, and them facing an old-time guerilla war, which the American public will turn against very quickly once the bodies start coming back.

[Renew Deal]

41. I agree

It seems like we’re just going to bomb a bunch of stuff, declare victory, thump our chests, and nothing will have really changed. The presiding government will be stronger. Views of the US will be worse. And maybe even lead to long term terrorism.

[The Madcap]

58. The longer it lasts,

the worse it will be from that perspective.

[Deuxcents]

59. This make more sense to me. Views of US are already hostile and history should have been enough of a warning

We could do as you say..do our victory chant but it’s not anywhere close because another generation of Iranians and other people in the area will be radicalized against US. They will maybe tolerate some things but never will they forget the horrors of war we’ve done to them. We will, if not already, be seen as mortal enemies like they see Israel as their enemy. History plays a big part but it looks like it was never considered

[Attilatheblond]

66. Bombing stuff means more $ for MIC donors to Trump & GOP, so yeah lots of bombing stuff

Plus, Trump LOVES violence. Since it's unlikely Viagra is of much use to him and there are too many people around for him to engage with little girls now, big boom booms might be the closest thing he has to....

Got to thinking about a discussion on NPR back in the late 90s. It was about US reliance on Chinese tech and parts for guidance for our missile systems, including those on our jets. Seemed like a bad idea as it was reported there could easily be 'backdoor' programing that would allow systems to be hijacked.

Do we still have Chinese parts in guidance systems? Are the systems secure now?

While I try not to be paranoid, the ol brain sometimes brings up old news items when they might be pertinent to new events. Are our missile systems safer now, or still hack-able?

And Petty Kash canning the FBI guys who know the most about Iranian cyber abilities does not give comfort. Trump can blow shit up but Iran can turn our lights out if estimations are of any value. How do we stop them? Does Kash Patel have any idea how much our security is at risk after he fired the guys with the most understanding?

Meanwhile, Trump and the Drunk love them some

[tanyev]

36. Doesn't understand, doesn't want to understand, doesn't care that he doesn't understand.

[ColoringFool]

50. AKA, DEMENTED. We Are "Governed" By The Cuckoo's Nest.

[City Lights]

37. Trump never learns anything. He governs by whim.

He is a menace to the world. We need someone to demand regime change here in the US.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

38. I posted something similar on my FB timeline.

This is a post that needs to be spread for all to see.

It is far too important to ignore.

[Hope22]

43. First thing to remember...

This administration is not on our side! We have little representation and none at the table.

[Aristus]

44. We're not supposed to win it.

We're just supposed to keep our attention on it, and off the Epstein Files.

[dalton99a]

65. +1

[ChicagoTeamster]

46. If US troops are expected to go in, then Israeli troops should also be on the ground in Iran.

If they're worried that having Israeli troops involved in attacking a muslim country will cause all the arab countries to rise up against Israel and the US, then the US shouldn't send troops into combat inside of Iran either.

[ColoringFool]

51. Just A Picked Nit: Israel Has A Stellar "W-L" War Record.....

Against Arab nations, including en masse.

[ChicagoTeamster]

60. I know. I'm very familiar with the wars from 48 through the 73 Yom Kippur war. But destabilizing the entire region is

against the US long term interest. Since Iran is now going to experience death and destruction either way, part of their tactic will probably be to make the conflict more costly for the US and Israel.

This of course depends upon what reaction they see from the other countries in the region. If they come out in support of the US and Israel ceasing conflict, then it may be against Iran's interest to attack the other Arab nations water systems.

[ColoringFool]

48. We're "Involved" Like Hitler Was "Involved." WE ARE THE AGGRESSOR, AND DESERVE ....

EVERY BIT OF RETALIATION IRAN CAN MUSTER.

[surfered]

52. General Paul Eaton said the US does not have sufficient ground troops for a land war in Iran.

[Xolodno]

54. Iranians hate their government.

But they hate the US government even more. That's what no one seems to understand. Obama actually made some inroads and then the orange pile of shit came into office.

Repubs and some old style Dems keep following the old Cold War playbook when it doesn't apply anymore. Our actions keep the totalitarian regime in power. But why should today be different? We gave our blessing for Yeltsin to make this non-descript and mediocre former KGB agent who was a cab driver after the fall who became a mayor as his heir. It was a guarantee to keep the nation weak and unable to rise any time soon....oh wait.

[Deuxcents]

62. Our credibility is shot because there's no consistency to our approach or actions with them. There's no trust

And this, whatever it’s called, will never be forgotten.

[RockRaven]

55. Well, it doesn't help that "win" has no fixed definition for The Dotard or his minions.

Kind of hard to accomplish a goal which is both undefined and constantly shifting.

[questionseverything]

56. Some of you are forgetting, *rump is not trying to do good.

He does the worst possible thing over and over because ruining the USA was the assignment putin gave him

[BBbats]

61. A Guy In The Bar The Other Night Quipped.........

"Trump's gonna drop a nuke but before he does he's gonna pull all the gold outta Fort Knox & flee to Dubai or somewhere!"
Yeah! Drunk talk but anymore that actually close to reality!

[paleotn]

63. Add it to the list.

Iranian formations are well trained and well motivated. And possess defense in depth, i.e., it's a long way to Tehran from any invasion point. With geography that's difficult to say the least. I still think Donnie will tire of all this, declare "victory" and leave. That's his usual MO.

While reading your post, I couldn't help thinking of Bill Murray in Stripes. We're 10 and 1!! Well, 9 and 4 today. It's a real stretch to call Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom wins. And the War of 1812 was our first foray into "stupid war."