“They are not strategically demanding people”
Many agree that President Donald Trump made the right call when he called off the strike against Iran in retaliation for shooting down an unarmed, unmanned US military surveillance drone valued at $ 130 million.
But he’s the one who ordered the strike in the first place, so there is no “credit” there.
On Friday morning, the president went to Twitter to defend his actions. He said he called off the attack 10 minutes before the actual strike.
Why?
“I asked how many will die. 150 people, sir, was a general’s reply. “
… proportional to shooting down an unmanned drone. I’m in no hurry, our military is rebuilt, new and operational, by far the best in the world. The penalties are stinging and more were added last night. Iran can NEVER have nuclear weapons, not against the US and not against the WORLD!
– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2019
(The drone was actually shot down early Thursday morning, not Monday.)
Many wonder how was this not part of the decision-making process before he issued the strike order?
Others just don’t believe it wasn’t.
One, a political analyst for CNN, says there is much speculation that it was Tucker Carlson’s comments from Fox News that prompted Trump to back off – Carlson advised against the strike.
Many officials speculating today literally canceled the Iran strike while watching Tucker Carlson.
– Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) June 21, 2019
Here’s what some others are saying.
Contributor to the nation:
Does anyone think the military didn’t inform them of planned casualties until they asked them 10 minutes before the strike?
If not, why buy some of it? Guy is a serial liar surrounded by equally mendacious sycophants.
– Joshua Holland @ (@JoshuaHol) June 21, 2019
CNN National Security Analyst:
1 / This is a time when the President’s indecision may have saved thousands of lives. However, since they were part of the CONOP military briefings, they always include an assessment of the victims on both sides at the front end.
– Sam Vinograd (@sam_vinograd) June 21, 2019
The NY Times White House correspondent for co-authoring the story of Trump’s co-author of The Airborne Strike:
A source told me 30 minutes ago that Trump was pleased with his own performance last night and loved being in command by ordering the strikes and then ordering the stand-down. And the president just … tweeted it. https://t.co/tUPSym7inn
– Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 21, 2019
Former Special Adviser to the Department of Defense:
This statement doesn’t smell right. «
The evaluation of the victims would have been prepared, known and discussed long in advance (part of the “CONOP”).
Is Trump saying he didn’t ask that question of the general until after he cleared the strike and were en route as US planes? pic.twitter.com/z6DyNSwKVz
– Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) June 21, 2019
CNN Chief National Security Correspondent:
The president announced the number and type of Iranian target the US would hit, as well as the exact US estimate of Iranian casualties. Has he disclosed normally classified information?
– Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) June 21, 2019
Former Postdoctoral Fellow at the Fletcher School of Tufts University and the University of Pennsylvania with an emphasis on international security and foreign policy, as well as emerging technologies and urban warfare:
These are not strategically demanding people. They don’t understand or care how signaling to foreign powers works. If they did, we would see consistency, minimal evenness of messages, determination, and / or directionality. 2 /
– Rita Konaev (@RitaKonaev) June 21, 2019
Once again. Very nice or very unfair to HIM. Not the country, not the people, not its supporters, not its party, not its cabinet. HIM or anything he sees as an extension of himself, like his brand, financial interests, business acumen, ratings, and maybe sometimes his children. 4 /
– Rita Konaev (@RitaKonaev) June 21, 2019
We need to see this government and this president for what they are, not what our theories say they should be. 6/6
– Rita Konaev (@RitaKonaev) June 21, 2019
SIMILAR POSTS:
‘PROJECTION OF THE INCOMPETENCE’: WHITE HOUSE NOT CONTROLLED, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF NO FEES – EXPERTS SPEAK OUT
IN A 12 HOUR SPAN TRUMP THREATENED IRAN, BACKTRACKED, ORDERED A STRIKE OVER DOWNED DRONE, CALLED IT IN MID-AIR
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