I am very confused about this war on all sides.

[ananda]

What I think is happening is that a lot of the information
put out by the news media and the leaders is nothing
but propaganda designed to justify the attacks and the
need to take over the ME on the part of Netanyahu and
Trump.

I just can't get a real handle on exactly where we are in
this debacle.

Things I do know: Isreal is attempting to destry Hezbollah
in Lebanao; and in the process, killing and misplacing lots
of innocent people.

Isreal is attempting to justify the war by saying they have
destroyed a key nuclear bomb buildig site in Iran, but have
no real specifics... I think they did drop bombs there, but
I am very skeptical about the nuclear part.

What I do know, is that Iran's oil production and export
capability is being attacked hard... and this means that
all countries depending on this oil are due to suffer and
possibly collapse as a result.

What I don't know is whether the USA will collapse,
though I can definitely see the possiblity.

What a clusterfuck.

[Raven123]

1. Yes, I believe we are in an information black hole

Just don’t believe much if what hear, see or read,

[ananda]

3. I think I would call it a gray hole.

Some real news is getting through, but
it takes careful reading across several
news sources to verify it.

That's why I get confused and have to really
think about it in a way that makes some sort
of sense.

One example is: who is the leader of Iran?
Are they keeping it moot to protect him and
the government?

Another is: USA and Israel are clearly pretending
that Iran has nuclear building capabiility. That
much is definitely propaganda.

Bibi and Trump want to control the entire ME.

What Putin gets out of it is collateral wealth, but
I don't think he's behind all this. Iran was one of
Putin's key assets.

[Safe as Milk]

26. Putin:

He gives Iran intelligence on US bases and movements, then enjoys Donny's support against UKR. Who's winning?? He's got Diddling Donny coming and going. Putin can now hold a sardine in front of Trump's face and Donny will bark like a seal.

[unblock]

2. One of the few clear winners here is Putin

Russia's economy was not doing well at all between the war with Ukraine and the sustained low oil prices.

The decrease in supply and closure of shipping routes means oil prices jump which helps Russia immensely, arguably saves it entirely.

And America gets the blame. Shocking that Donnie would do something that benefits Putin, I know.

[pat_k]

7. 30-day waiver allowing india to purchase Russian oil is a big boon.

And the felon's regime is reportedly considering waivers to enable purchase of Russian oil more broadly.

[Renew Deal]

9. Not just jumps in prices, but direct sales

India got a "waiver" to order Russian oil.

[usonian]

4. Think hard about it. Look at all the pictures. Read all the articles you can on this war.

Thank you for your attention this neuralyzer!.

[ananda]

5. Well, that part is clear at least.

Sheesh

[Renew Deal]

6. Israel attacking iranian oil helps Iran

Iran's strategy is economic warfare. By driving up prices and making oil more scarce globally, they hurt the US and help Iran. It's short sighted.

[ananda]

8. That is certainly an interesting perspective.

How does it help Iran?

[Renew Deal]

10. Iran is attacking a bunch of countries and the Straight of Hormuz to create economic pressure on the US.

So by driving up the price of oil, it increases economic pressure on the US. It directly helps Iran's current strategy, even if it is painful in other ways.

For a more detailed perspective, check out these two videos in order:

[ananda]

12. You have said how it hurts other countries...

but not exactly how it helps Iran.

OK, I don't see Iran being helped at all
if the entire ME around it collapses. I
see it isolated in a sea of starvation
and death.

Consider: how will people in the ME get
potable water, for example?

[Renew Deal]

13. The ME won't "collapse"

But you ask a good question about water. Iran knows that there is little support in the US for this war, that Trump (and the US) is sensitive to inflation, and that other major countries like India and China get much of their oil from the middle east. If Iran can reduce the amount of oil coming out of the middle east, it drives up prices. This has political consequences for Trump and creates pressure from other countries to end the war. Ending the war without concessions or limited concessions benefits Iran. Iran is left with the damage, but they have friends to help them pick up the pieces. Namely Russia and China.

[ananda]

15. That might happen in a sane world with sane leaders.

But consider.

All of this is a wet dream for Trump and all Republicans
who enjoy killing and inflicting hardship on people.

Bibi and Trump are megalomaniacal criminals trying
to stay in power and out of jail... with Trump raking
billions through mob boss tactics.

IOW, they are not going to quit; and Iran and the ME
are not going to fare well.

The USA might also collapse. Who knows what's going
on with out oil reserve.... Trump is playing games talking
about that too.

[Renew Deal]

18. I don't disagree

It really seems like there's no strategy. They certainly can't articulate one. To get the outcome that they want likely requires ground troops.

[ananda]

21. Good point. It definitely does.

Insanity rules strongly enough here to make that
a distinct possilbility.

[unblock]

16. Yes and no but mostly no

Yes Iran benefits from higher oil prices in this is why they are cutting off supply routes and attacking refineries in nearby countries that are helping us.

But it hurts them more to lose their own oil and oil production capabilities. They could simply refuse to sell their oil to help posh up prices if they wanted, and don't need the money for a while. But they certainly don't benefit from those facilities being destroyed.

[Renew Deal]

20. In the short term they do benefit

How long they are offline and how long the war lasts and what they have to give up to end the war determines whether they benefit long term.

[unblock]

27. Yes -- it's complicated ;)

[JI7]

11. Many of the Arab countries are supporting Israel in this

Saudi Arabia also wants to see the Islamic regime in Iran destroyed.

I think some of these wealthy Arab nations may have convinced Trump by showing how he will be able to benefit personally.

[Renew Deal]

14. I've seen reports that Saudi Arabia was quietly trying to get Trump to do this.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/02/28/trump-iran-decision-saudi-arabia-israel/

[ananda]

19. I'm not surprised.

Suffice it to say... a lot of money is at play privately
for wealthy profiteers.

[ananda]

17. They are allied with America,

and Iran is attacking their infrastructure
and water facilities.

[S/V Loner]

22. Don't forget. The DOD will not allow reporters to report...

Without the DOD’s approval. Even unclassified information.

[ananda]

23. Good reminder.

That's why I use foreign news sources:

BBC, Jerusalem Post, Al Jazeera... like that.

It was the Jerusalem Post that talked around
the Israeli bombing of the nuclear site.. enough
to tell me that it was propaganda. It was very
clever reporting.

[Kid Berwyn]

24. War keeps Bibi and Trump out of jail.

Treason and mass murder as a form of professional courtesy.

[ananda]

25. And if they "win," it will be a Pyrrhic victory.

No country involved will come out of this in
a good way.

[Goonch]

28. ;-{)