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Monitoring the situation in Iran

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Then it's time for this thread to be permanently locked and not reopened
Or people who can't follow instructions can be thread banned, so the rest of us can discuss the actual ongoing situation. I like seeing serious current events being discussed on GAF.

Your own post a bit ago after the thread was reopened (posted below) is a solid example of a perspective I might not have seen if it wasn't for GAF, and that's more the thing I don't want to lose here.



Long read about the Strait of Malacca
 
Just got back from my planned vacation in Maldives. Lucky my flight was not grounded but it was surreal seeing SO many flights getting canceled left and right. Mind you, this was peak Sunday afternoon. It got so bad that only my flight was schedule for docking for the next 5 hours.
The airport was a ghost town. Very apocolyptic.
 
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Your own post a bit ago after the thread was reopened (posted below) is a solid example of a perspective I might not have seen if it wasn't for GAF, and that's more the thing I don't want to lose here.

Very interesting piece.

What's really struck me about the commentary surrounding the situation with Iran is that the criticisms seem based in comfort versus security. Specifically, global economic pain caused by the Trump Admin's actions being seen as somehow worse than the security threat posed by an unchecked, nuclear armed Iran.

Which is an interesting fundamental question. To me, security seems like it should be the paramount concern, especially in the long-term. I mean, were hostilities with Iran to have broken out at any time, with anyone, they'd have retained their leverage to close Hormuz at any point of their choosing. So its not like the threat has been created by US action - just triggered by at this time.
 
Threads already degrading into orange man bad... eurogaf cant help themselves.

As for OT; what ever happened to the so called British minesweepers that were gonna help, was that just BS or is it still happening


Criticism on Trump's strategies should be fair game as long as it pertains to the situation with Iran since that's the topic. Like I don't understand how we can discuss this thing without bringing up the guy who's spearheading the whole campaign and making erratic decisions left and right.
 
Criticism on Trump's strategies should be fair game as long as it pertains to the situation with Iran since that's the topic. Like I don't understand how we can discuss this thing without bringing up the guy who's spearheading the whole campaign and making erratic decisions left and right.
Funny that its all criticisms and bad... meanwhile the blockade has been a good decision so far.

But hey im not gonna get involved with the thinly veiled "its just nuance and criticism". I think we all know the game now.

Im just gonna stick to the OT and we'll see if the thread gets locked or if people can control themselves.
 
What's really struck me about the commentary surrounding the situation with Iran is that the criticisms seem based in comfort versus security. Specifically, global economic pain caused by the Trump Admin's actions being seen as somehow worse than the security threat posed by an unchecked, nuclear armed Iran.
It is correct that the rest of the world is valuing other things over the threat of a nuclear armed Iran but it is an oversimplification to say they don't value security. If you think you can win the world over simply by hammering home the message of how much Americans are showing they care about global security with their actions then you are not listening just talking.
 
It is correct that the rest of the world is valuing other things over the threat of a nuclear armed Iran but it is an oversimplification to say they don't value security. If you think you can win the world over simply by hammering home the message of how much Americans are showing they care about global security with their actions then you are not listening just talking.

I dunno man, it seems to me economic disruption is a side-effect of any sort of military action. So allowing a potential belligerent -which let's face it, the IRGC has been for many years- to get too powerful while retaining a chokehold that they can fall back on at any time, seems foolish and short-sighted to me.

In my opinion its symbolic of how deep the rot has set into the foundations of Western democracy. Too much dependence on unreliable foreign powers, too much managerial politics and a striking lack of vision for dealing with unexpected "black swan" global events.
 
I dunno man, it seems to me economic disruption is a side-effect of any sort of military action. So allowing a potential belligerent -which let's face it, the IRGC has been for many years- to get too powerful while retaining a chokehold that they can fall back on at any time, seems foolish and short-sighted to me.

In my opinion its symbolic of how deep the rot has set into the foundations of Western democracy. Too much dependence on unreliable foreign powers, too much managerial politics and a striking lack of vision for dealing with unexpected "black swan" global events.
I guess. I believe there should have been a more intense effort in Europe to move away from fossil fuels and decisions like Germany scrapping nuclear were stupid from the outside. But worse was Brexit, which is another competitor a shocking lack of vision, useless managerial politics, and drifting away from reliable partners to unreliable ones. As for being unprepared for "black swan" events like the pandemic or financial crisis, or this current crisis? There was some pandemic preparation by government but that response is always going to be controversial. The global financial crisis was caused by the USA and they should have prevented it, globally many countries, like the UK, have never really recovered from it and are significantly weaker today than they could have been because they had no good response to it, only tragically bad ones. So yes, vision is important, and we should be prepared for which partners are unreliable. But the definition of these "black swan" type events is that you can't predict where they will come form and when, and "visions" can always be bad or controversial even if well meaning, rather than essentially corrupt or cynical, which many people assume them to be.
 
Criticism on Trump's strategies should be fair game as long as it pertains to the situation with Iran since that's the topic. Like I don't understand how we can discuss this thing without bringing up the guy who's spearheading the whole campaign and making erratic decisions left and right.

I mean, yeah. How can you talk about Iran and the current situation and not discuss the guy who made the decision to make the move on Iran which caused the situation. Kind of impossible, surely?
 
Yeah... It's not looking good.

Let's hope Iran situation gets resolved quickly, without WW3 potential (China entering the war).
China's entering whether the US does anything with Iran or not.

They've been openly saying they want Taiwan. Its an inevitability
 
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I mean, yeah. How can you talk about Iran and the current situation and not discuss the guy who made the decision to make the move on Iran which caused the situation. Kind of impossible, surely?
The problem we always run into is that he operates with a 'maximum bullshit" strategy. It is a constant stream of outrage every time escalating in order to either get a rise out of people or distract from the primary topic of the day.

It is hard to even come to terms that we are at a point where the leader of the free world shared an image of themselves as the Jesus Christ the same day they pick a fight with Pope. How that previous sentence is real is beyond me.

End of the day, its all meant to create new divisions and keep maximum distrust and chaos between people. Throw out shit and let people fight over what it means that way they can't unify against you.
 
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The problem we always run into is that he operates with a 'maximum bullshit" strategy. It is a constant stream of outrage every time escalating in order to either get a rise out of people or distract from the primary topic of the day.

It is hard to even come to terms that we are at a point where the leader of the free world shared an image of themselves as the Jesus Christ the same day they pick a fight with Pope. How that previous sentence real is beyond me.

End of the day, its all meant to create new divisions and keep maximum distrust and chaos between people. Throw out shit and let people fight over what it means that way they can't unify against you.
Social media is the problem... for both pro and and against.

Reminds me of that thread of that Spanish girl who just went through the most horrid things, I imagine being her and I quickly realise a silly tweet is absolutely meaningless. And those who are angry at a Tweet are also just meaningless.

There's too many real world atrocities to actually care about than people saying dumb shit on the internet, whether they are a president or a news organization or a journalist etc... its literally a fake world online and the more people can remove themselves the clearer things will get.
 
Not taking a side / inaction. I expect nothing less.

I hope you're doing well in these times. This is my only view into the situation. I can't take any news station as it's all crazy! Fox, CNN, News Nation, ABC... Even the YouTube channels I unsubscribed to because it's just too much. At least here I can laugh AND get informed.
 
China's entering whether the US does anything with Iran or not.

They've been openly saying they want Taiwan. Its an inevitability

China plans to attack Taiwan since end of the civil war, it may happen tomorrow or not at all in any near future...

I guess they could involve themselves in this war if they don't get their oil...

Looks like the blockade is allowing Chinese ships to pass: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cp9vm5ezxz4t?page=3

...or maybe not.
 
To be fair trump never said it was to block china but to stop iran picking favorites.

Im sure a deal has been struck here though
Sanctioned ships are passing, Iran-linked and China linked ships. I doubt anything has been struck, it's more of a case of how are they going to enforce it? Are they going to start shooting at ships like Iran?
 
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Sanctioned ships are passing, Iran-linked and China linked ships. I doubt anything has been struck, it's more of a case of how are they going to enforce it? Are they going to start shooting at ships like Iran?

That is the only way to enforce a blockade in Iran.
Its something along the lines of. (going by what I know from the Cuban blockade during the 60s)
Visual Contact/Warning
Verbal warning
Blank/Starburst/Flare shot across the bow
Warning Shot(live munition)
Boarding or attack
 
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Sanctioned ships are passing, Iran-linked and China linked ships. I doubt anything has been struck, it's more of a case of how are they going to enforce it? Are they going to start shooting at ships like Iran?
Again the narrative has been to stop iran from gatekeeping, not to stop sanctioned ships.

They arent just letting any ship by, there was footage of 2 ships turning back already.

The idea is just to stop iran from only letting their buds through
 
China plans to attack Taiwan since end of the civil war, it may happen tomorrow or not at all in any near future...

I guess they could involve themselves in this war if they don't get their oil...



...or maybe not.
That china war is coming, you dont beef up your navy to all time records, just for war games
 
That china war is coming, you dont beef up your navy to all time records, just for war games

They can also do that as deterrent vs. USA. But to be honest I have no idea what China is planning, invasion of Taiwan would end modern GPUs and consoles production for several years (not to mention mobile chips).
 
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They can also do that as deterrent vs. USA. But to be honest I have no idea what China is planning, invasion of Taiwan would end modern GPUs and consoles production for several years (not to mention mobile chips).
Deterrent from?

This is off topic so im not gonna continue after this post. but communist china, arent the peacekeeping type.

Just dont be shocked when it happens in the future. Most military analysts expected it this year but this iran and Venezuela situation mightve delayed it
 
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Deterrent from?

This is off topic so im not gonna continue after this post. but communist china, arent the peacekeeping type.

Just dont be shocked when it happens in the future. Most military analysts expected it this year but this iran and Venezuela situation mightve delayed it

USA attack on China? With guys like Trump, anything is possible.

Taiwan war will fuck us up (worldwide economy) more than this Iran war... Let's hope it doesn't happen.
 
Then it's time for this thread to be permanently locked and not reopened

If that's what you think then sure. But like Senua Senua said, it's practically impossible to have this thread and not have comments and criticisms posted about one of the its leading players, since he's very actively talking about it and setting policy over social media.
 
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Long read about the Strait of Malacca

The Chinese:

jyWdLs3BOx8EEdhF.gif
 

Saudi Arabia is Pressing The U.S. to Drop Its Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz


Saudi Arabia is pressing the U.S. to drop its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and return to the negotiating table, fearing President Trump's move to close it off could lead Iran to escalate and disrupt other important shipping routes, Arab officials said.
The blockade is aimed at raising the pressure on Iran's already crippled economy. But the officials said Saudi Arabia has warned Iran might retaliate by closing the Bab al-Mandeb—a Red Sea chokepoint crucial for the kingdom's remaining oil exports.

https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-us-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-25fbd430?st=eucANX
 
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I guess. I believe there should have been a more intense effort in Europe to move away from fossil fuels and decisions like Germany scrapping nuclear were stupid from the outside. But worse was Brexit, which is another competitor a shocking lack of vision, useless managerial politics, and drifting away from reliable partners to unreliable ones. As for being unprepared for "black swan" events like the pandemic or financial crisis, or this current crisis? There was some pandemic preparation by government but that response is always going to be controversial. The global financial crisis was caused by the USA and they should have prevented it, globally many countries, like the UK, have never really recovered from it and are significantly weaker today than they could have been because they had no good response to it, only tragically bad ones. So yes, vision is important, and we should be prepared for which partners are unreliable. But the definition of these "black swan" type events is that you can't predict where they will come form and when, and "visions" can always be bad or controversial even if well meaning, rather than essentially corrupt or cynical, which many people assume them to be.

Mate, at least stick tangentially to the topic. The current UK government being a lot of talk and no action over the situation in the Straight, the role of the RAF in Kuwait, HMS Dragon breaking down (again), or the like. Not this unrelated political diatribe.
 
contrary to popular thought, there was plenty of anti Biden sentiment and for his predecessors as well. The deep offense taken when Trump is called out is what's odd...get off your knees for him. Trump doesn't like you nor cares about you. And also UK/brits are irrelevant, not important doesn't matter if they enter war or not. getting old by constantly bringing up a 2nd world country that has no sway on the world moving forward.

On the war - it was good move by U.S. to blockade the blockade imo.
 
Mate, at least stick tangentially to the topic. The current UK government being a lot of talk and no action over the situation in the Straight, the role of the RAF in Kuwait, HMS Dragon breaking down (again), or the like. Not this unrelated political diatribe.
The question was is the US "standing alone" right now on this issue because other governments in the west are full of "rot and decay". I admit they are but the situation is more complicated. A crisis like this you call a "black swan", like others, because they blind side you from where they come from. All you can do is before time build a country that is more resilient to shocks and for 20 years the UK has not really been doing that due to not reducing dependency on oil and building up its own economy so it wouldn't be classed as the western economy likely to be hit most hard by this crisis due to its underlying fragility. So yes, it is relevant, that the UK cannot be much help in this because it is full of "rot" due to the post financial crisis world where governments have failed to prepare for the future and left an economy and military which is very weak and fragile.
 
They can also do that as deterrent vs. USA. But to be honest I have no idea what China is planning, invasion of Taiwan would end modern GPUs and consoles production for several years (not to mention mobile chips).
If it wasn't for all the buffoonery it seems like the strategy to defend Taiwan is to make it vastly more economically painful to China than the US. I.e. win the war without firing a shot. This is super smart because the US is not going to keep up with Chinese manufacturing and soon enough China will be able to easily swat away any US response to Taiwan. But due to the aforementioned buffoonery I don't know if this is intentional or not lol.
 
I don't think letting ships out that were inside the blockade before it began is that meaningful (and not doing so would be akin to holding the crews hostage). If they are letting Chinese ships in (to dock at Iranian ports) after the blockade began then there is effectively no blockade.
 
That is the only way to enforce a blockade in Iran.
It is for Iran. The US Navy can board and seize any blockade runners, assuming we are talking about unescorted civilian ships. Hard to believe there would be many blockade runners if the US actually demonstrates a willingness to enforce it.
 
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