[K-Dog]

Reptilian Repetition in Trump's Diplomacy: Make threats, then talk. I don't mean to insult reptiles. But the Trump approach is what lower life forms and bullies do.






President Trump's approach to international relations, particularly with Iran and previously with North Korea, involves a consistent pattern of aggressive rhetoric followed by attempts at diplomatic engagement.

Trump's Playbook: Trump follows a predictable pattern where he uses aggressive language and threats before attempting diplomacy.

SCMP.COM 2025-06-26

How Trump’s Iran strikes doomed his North Korea strategy

Trump, who sold himself as the answer to deadlock on the Korean peninsula, has sabotaged his chances of a breakthrough by attacking Iran.

This approach was seen in his dealings with North Korea, and it appears to be repeating with Iran.

A: Reptilian Repetition: The strategy relies on the repetitive use of similar tactics, banking on others' short attention spans to overlook the pattern. It starts with a threat.

BROOKINGS.EDU 2018-10-05

Commentary Let’s get realistic on North Korea and Iran

There’s a common thread that runs through the Trump administration’s approaches to North Korea and Iran. It’s a lack of realism about what can be achieved with available leverage.

By making repeated threats, Trump aims to create a familiar dynamic that he can manipulate to his advantage.

B: Pivot to making demands. In 2017, after threatening "total destruction" against North Korea, Trump became the first U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader.

AMERICANPROGRESS.ORG 2025-04-24

100 Days of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: Global Chaos, American Weakness, and Human Suffering.

In only 100 days, the Trump administration has wrought chaos around the world and weakened the United States’ place in it, leaving the American people and billions of others worldwide to pay the price

Despite the lack of substantive outcomes, North Korea gained international legitimacy without giving up its nuclear weapons.

C: Get the opponent to concede or repeat from step A. Trump's words are designed to provoke a reaction, and potentially force the other party into backing down due to the threat.

CFR.ORG 2026-01-01

America Revived

The United States faces the most dangerous international circumstances since the end of World War II, and perhaps in its history.

This simple strategy attempts to use the specter of force to achieve diplomatic goals.

Trump is unfamiliar with :

Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances

Trump's recent actions towards Iran follow a well-established pattern that he has used before with North Korea. His aggressive rhetoric and threats are not accidental but rather part of a calculated strategy aimed at forcing his opponents into concessions through the perceived strength of "big talk."

Which from an American President or any other mature adult is childish and stupid. It is what bullies do. It is also too kind to refer to the strategy as calculated since it is only a pattern that repeats with little variation. A pattern that is easily seen by an opponent, violating another maxim from 'The Art Of War."

[K-Dog]

TASNIMNEWS.IR 2026-04-12

Iran Not to Bow to Threats

The language of threats does not work with Iran, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said upon arrival from Islamabad talks.

[RE]

NDTV.COM 2026-04-14

US-Sanctioned Tanker Linked To China Tests Trump Blockade With Hormuz Transit

This exit from the Persian Gulf is a second attempt for the carrier in less than 24 hours. Just as the blockade came into effect, Rich Starry was making its way into the narrow waterway near Iran's Qeshm Island and turned back - only to restart its exit just hours later, broadcasting that it has a Chinese owner and crew. This is a safety mechanism frequently used by vessels, but will test US resolve to challenge vessels tied to the world's largest oil importer.

That answers the question of what Trumpolini would do if the boat was protected by the Chinese.  TACO TIME! 😛  Xi doesn't even need to send a gunboat to escort the tanker.

RE

[K-Dog]

 

What happened to the people living there.  Were they forced to move west to new hunting grounds?  Or is this atrocity even more egregious than the American atrocities of 150 years ago.

If they had to move west I hope they can swim.

[K-Dog]

 


According to the 'war interpretation group' of Tasnim, Iran's serious pressure on the American side to implement a ceasefire in Lebanon was and is no secret to anyone, and this has been confirmed by both regional and Western sources and media outlets.

However, Trump and Israeli sources, along with some regional sources, are trying to link the ceasefire in Lebanon solely to Trump's negotiations with the Lebanese government and the Zionist regime, downplaying the role of the resistance and Iran.  To embarrassing to say the Israel continues to murder after the king of the world told him not to.



Follow the money on that guy, he serves $atan for a reason.

Notably there is no news abut 'the war' today by the ass kissing mainstream media.  I was confused, and then I figured it out.



Bibi, will he stop?  Too embarrassing to say he might not!  So no news today from the ass kissers.



 

[K-Dog]

Hezbollah emerged during the Lebanese civil war with the goal of opposing Israeli occupation. Its primary focus has been to expel Israel from southern Lebanon, which it sees as essential for national liberation. This perspective is rooted in historical conflicts and regional politics.

Trump's blockade of Iran through the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had significant negative impacts on global oil markets and energy infrastructure. Trump's blockade has driven up oil prices and fractured the stability of global trade. Trump's new disruption, has a substantial effect on oil markets on top of the problems caused by the attack on Iran.

It is unfortunate that the US government does not represent the interests of the American people or humanity.  This ceasefire is a tactical deep breath, nothing more.

[RE]

 

Open for propaganda purposes, closed in the real world.

Crunch time for physical, as the last of the prewar tankers have made port.

RE

[K-Dog]

I have a go-to Republican who answers these questions.  I checked in with his channel when I got home from work today.  I like him, and he is smart not to take the politics too far.

But he is about saying the Iranians have no right to close the straight.  He uses the excuse that he is a 'shipping guy,' and the sea must be free.  Which at this point I find weak.  Now that the US is doing the same thing that Iran is doing, I did not hear any protest from him.  He does sort of admit though, that all bets are off in war.  My humble opinion is Iran can do anything they fucking want to do if it stops bombs from falling on them.



Trump blockading Iran is beyond stupid.  The whole world suffers you orange dumfuck!  Iran can't export, but that is not going to do them in and by denying the world oil, Trump executes Iran's extract strategy.  Trump has been totally Sun Tzued.  Not being a reader Trump would not know what I mean. 

Iran knows Trump can't loose.  All Iran has to do is survive long enough for Trump to do himself in.  Iran knows Trump can't let go. 

All Fascists eventually do themselves in.  It is the nature of the fascist to not let go.  Iran should be up to the task, being as they have a few thousand years on Cuba. Which has managed to survive blockade for fifty years.

[RE]

Trump blockading Iran is beyond stupid.  The whole world suffers you orange dumfuck!  Iran can't export, but that is not going to do them in and by denying the world oil
 

Actually, it doesn't deny the world oil, because the Iranians will let the Chinese ships pass through, and the FSoA ships blockading aren't in the straight, they are in International Waters in the Gulf of Oman.  The only way to stop those ships is to interdict them at sea and board them.  The Chinese have already said they won't allow that, and I seriously doubt Trumpolini would have the cojones to do that and risk a war with the Chinese.  He's a bully who likes to push around the weak, not a real tough guy who will go into a fair fight.

The actual number of ships which will go thru will remain tiny until the insurance companies can assess the risk with confidence and set a price for the insurance.  That won't happen with a cease fire, only with an actual Peace Treaty.

RE

[K-Dog]

According to Professor Marandi, the most significant obstacle to reaching a lasting agreement between Iran and the United States is that America cannot unilaterally impose and dictate its conditions for an agreement. Both sides need to agree on terms, not just those imposed by the U.S.

• EXCLUSIVE: Professor Muhammad Marandi on Lebanon Ceasefire, Iran-US Negotiations, and Regional War Risks
  Reporter: Demetri Lceris | Outlet: Reason to Resist
  Date of Recording: April 17, 2026 | Location: Kamata, Greece (interview); references Tehran, Islamabad, Beirut
  
  1. INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT
  The reporter interviews Professor Muhammad Marandi, an Iranian-American academic and political analyst. Marandi was born and raised in the US, returned to Iran to volunteer in the Iran-Iraq war (1980s), survived two chemical weapons attacks, and was wounded twice. He is now a professor of English literature and orientalism at the University of Tehran.
  
  Key Facts:
  
  • Interviewee: Professor Muhammad Marandi
    
  • Date of Recording: April 17, 2026
    
  • Location: Kamata, Greece (reporter)
    
  • Lebanon Ceasefire: Announced by Trump, effective April 16-17, 2026
    
  • Iran-US Ceasefire Expiry: April 22, 2026
    
  2. LEBANON CEASEFIRE
  Marandi says the ceasefire resulted from Iranian pressure, not the Lebanese puppet government. Netanyahu resisted for an extra day until Iran threatened to strike Israel. Trump backed down.
  
  
  • Iran limited ship passage through Strait of Hormuz to friendly countries
  • Marandi ignores Trump's statements: "Nothing he says means anything"
  
  3. STRAIT OF HORMUZ
  Iran announced the strait is "completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire" (only a few days).
  
  
  • Iran controls the pace and route of ships
  • Military vessels need special permission
  • If US continues blockade, Iran will escalate in the Red Sea
  • Marandi calls this a "masterful chess move"
  
  4. ISLAMABAD NEGOTIATIONS & 10-POINT PLAN
  Trump called Iran's 10-point peace plan a "workable basis of negotiation."
  
  The 10-Point Plan:
  
  • Non-aggression
  • Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz
  • Acceptance of enrichment
  • Lifting all primary and secondary sanctions
  • Termination of UN and IAEA resolutions
  • Compensation to Iran
  • US withdrawal from region
  • Cessation of war on all fronts
  
  What happened:
  
  • Marandi was in Islamabad but not in negotiating room
  • JD Vance had no real authority, constantly called Netanyahu
  • Vance walked away; negotiations collapsed
  • Washington Post suggested assassinating Iranian negotiators
  • Return plane diverted to Mashhad; Marandi took train to Tehran
  
  5. MOSSAD & US MILITARY BUILDUP
  Mossad chief David Barnea said Iran mission is "incomplete until regime change."
  
  
  • Marandi: "That's been the objective for 47 years"
  • Russia warned of massive US military buildup in West Asia
  • Iran negotiates to show who is reasonable, not because it is fooled
  
  6. PREPARING FOR A FOURTH WAR
  Three wars have been imposed on Iran. Iran is preparing for a fourth.
  
  
  • Iran has emptied bases and installed decoys
  • If US invades, Iran will fight "like a chess master"
  • Iran will retaliate against Gulf states (Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain)
  • Destruction of Gulf infrastructure would collapse those regimes
  • Global depression worse than 1929 would be "inevitable"
  
  7. WESTERN MEDIA COVERAGE
  Marandi accuses Western journalists in Beirut of lying about Israeli targets.
  
  
  • Israel bombed civilians, medics, hospitals, schools, not just Hezbollah
  • "Western journalists are complicit in genocide"
  
  8. FINAL ASSESSMENT
  
  
  • "Chances of another war against Iran are high"
  • Trump is a "psychopath"; Netanyahu is "worse than Hitler"
  • World has woken up; people see Iran as protagonist
  • Recommends book: "Going to Tehran" by Hillary Mann Leverett
  
  KEY DATA SUMMARY
  
  
  • Date: April 17, 2026
    
  • Interviewee: Professor Muhammad Marandi, University of Tehran
    
  • Background: Iranian-American, fought in Iran-Iraq war, survived chemical attacks
    
  • Lebanon Ceasefire: April 16-17, 2026
    
  • Iran-US Ceasefire Expiry: April 22, 2026
    
  • Iran's 10-Point Plan: Posted April 8, 2026; Trump called it "workable basis"
    
  • Strait of Hormuz: Open for remaining ceasefire period but with Iranian control
    
  • Mossad Goal: Regime change in Iran
    
  • Russian Warning: US military buildup in West Asia
    
  • Marandi's Prediction: High chance of another war
    
  • Economic Consequence: Global depression worse than 1929
    
  
  End of Extraction
  

[RE]

 

US-Iran talks: President Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran are ongoing but hinted at frustration, saying "they got a little cute," and that the US won't let Iran "blackmail us" over the strait. A second set of peace talks is set to take place Monday, Iranian sources said, though the US hasn't confirmed plans. The sides will need to resolve several key sticking points.  • In Lebanon: Israel said it will impose a "yellow line" barring displaced residents from returning to occupied villages. And a French soldier from a UN peacekeeping force was killed in an attack that President Emmanuel Macron said was likely carried out by Hezbollah, which denied responsibility.

That lasted long. lol

RE

[K-Dog]

 




The video, featuring British Wildcat helicopters and military jets set to Dire Straits' 'Money for Nothing', was widely mocked by social media users and MPs.

Rock On

[RE]

 

Which can have important consequences for the world economy, the position of America as a world power, and world relations in general.  We are now in the seventh week of the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran. The US has been unable to achieve any of its aims, and, in fact, it has become clear that it is not in a position to achieve them.

Everybody Knows.


RE

[RE]

 

When Marxist.com & the CS Monitor are in agreement, you can say for certain that EVERYBODY KNOWS.

RE

[K-Dog]

A summary of what is happening in the Mid East.  Demetri explains that he thinks war is inevitable.  It is not what he wants, it is what the circumstances show.  The US is using the cease-fire to move troops.  Trump has seriously lost his shit.  Trumps grandiosity is now full-blown psychosis.

Trump has learned that he likes bombing people.

• EXCLUSIVE: Strait of Hormuz Closure - War Escalation in West Asia
  Reporter: Demetri Lceras | Outlet: Reason to Resist
  Date: April 18th, 2026 | Location: Kamata, Greece
  
  1. INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT
  
  • Iran's foreign minister announced the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open for a remaining period of ceasefire on April 17th.
  • However, less than 24 hours later, Iran's military closed the Strait of Hormuz citing US naval blockade.
  • Key players: Abbas Adanchi (Iranian Foreign Minister), Donald Trump (US President), Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister).
  
  2. TIMELINE OF EVENTS
  
  • April 17th, 2026 - Iran's foreign minister declared Strait of Hormuz open for commercial vessels.
  • April 18th, 2026 - US President Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
  • April 18th, 2026 - Iran's military closed the Strait of Hormuz, stating it was in response to US naval blockade.
  
  3. KEY STATEMENTS & DIRECT QUOTES
  
  • "The passage for all commercial vessels through the straight of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire on the coordinated route as already announced." - Abbas Adanchi, Iranian Foreign Minister.
  • "Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer. They are prohibited from doing so by the USA." - Donald Trump, US President.
  • "The president of the US made seven claims within one hour, every single one of them is false." - Muhammad Bagger Galibah, Speaker of Iran's Parliament.
  
  4. SPECIFIC DATA & FIGURES
  
  • 350 civilians killed in one day by Israeli bombing in Lebanon (April 18th, 2026).
  • 500 US Air Force aircraft on airfields in the Middle East.
  • Over 220 US Navy ships deployed near Iran.
  • $98 to $88 drop in Brent crude oil price after reopening of Strait of Hormuz announcement (April 18th, 2026).
  • Pakistan's oil imports account for 40% through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • 350 ships left Iran but only three returned due to US warnings (April 18th, 2026).
  
  5. ANALYSIS & PREDICTIONS
  
  • The reopening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz indicate a volatile situation.
  • Trump's record suggests he is committed to war rather than peace.
  • Israel continues ceasefire violations despite agreement.
  • US military buildup in West Asia indicates potential for renewed conflict.
  • Pakistan, highly dependent on oil imports through Hormuz, is actively mediating the conflict.
  
  End of Extraction
  

Planet Earth is fucked.  Trump fucks everyone over and continues to do so.  It is what he wants to do.  Troops are being moved into position.