Iran

[malumbu]

I followed both the six party talks (North Korea) and the nuclear deal/P5 +1 for Iran with some interest. Hillary Clinton was particularly active in the latter and something she may be best (most favourably) remembered for.

Things are very different now. Is Trump leading on Brinkmanship, seeing through the veneer of the regime? or are his moves in Iraq/Iran and the region as a whole leading to a worsening of the situation?? I was struck by his comments on the assassination of Suleimani that the Iran general was responsible for millions of deaths (really?) and that his death would save numerous American lives (the rest of us don't matter).

I've got a mate from Iran, got stuck at university in the UK after the revolution, and I understand that it is a wonderful country to visit, with generally lovely people. But I wont be visiting quite yet (and direct flights were discontinued since Trump got in)

[Lynne]

I know nothing about General Suleimani. Perhaps he is a monster. But isn't just killing people usually called murder?

[malumbu]

He (Trump) seems to have taken a leaf out of Putin's book by ramping up military aggression to increase his popularity. And an election year too.

[Blah Blah]

Well Iran have put an $80 million bounty on Trump's head, so that's worked out well for him.

[nxjen]

malumbu Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> He (Trump) seems to have taken a leaf out of

> Putin's book by ramping up military aggression to

> increase his popularity. And an election year

> too.

Also a typical Trump sleight of hand distraction from the little matter of impeachment.

[JohnL]

Trump threatening to attack Cultural sites - what does that mean - does he mean historic sites, Mosques what ?

[JohnL]

Trump has notified Congress of his intention to retaliate, required by law, through Twitter.

That is not what twitter is for surely.

[DulwichFox]

JohnL Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Trump threatening to attack Cultural sites - what

> does that mean - does he mean historic sites,

> Mosques what ?

I imagine Major Military targets, Nuclear facilities, Power Stations. ??

[JohnL]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> JohnL Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Trump threatening to attack Cultural sites -

> what

> > does that mean - does he mean historic sites,

> > Mosques what ?

>

> I imagine Major Military targets, Nuclear

> facilities, Power Stations. ??

That's the sort of targets I'd expect - and not breaking any international law.

Attacking the Iranian equivilent of Stonehenge would be it seems.

[Seabag]

Blah Blah Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Well Iran have put an $80 million bounty on

> Trump's head, so that's worked out well for him.

That much?

I?m sure there?s plotters planning it for free, not that I agree with assignation as a way forward, but it happens.

[JohnL]

Raab meeting with EU partners in Brussels before travelling to US.

"The so-called ?E3? - Britain, France and Germany - will then meet to discuss the tensions between the US and Iran, with all three pushing for de-escalation, a Foreign Office spokesman said."

I'd never heard of E3 before.

[Captain Marvel]

EU2

[alice]

Thought it was Italy Germany and france

[malumbu]

There's a debate on Jermemy Vine at around 13.30 today, but difficult to listen as both the 'experts' are talking over each other - one does appear more obnoxious than the other. Who are they by the way https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000d1ht

[Siduhe]

JohnL Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Raab meeting with EU partners in Brussels before

> travelling to US.

>

> "The so-called ?E3? - Britain, France and Germany

> - will then meet to discuss the tensions between

> the US and Iran, with all three pushing for

> de-escalation, a Foreign Office spokesman said."

>

> I'd never heard of E3 before.

It's all to do with the way that the JCPOA (the original deal with Iran back in 2014) was negotiated and signed. The UK, France and Germany all signed in their individual country capacities and then the EU also signed on behalf of the European Union along with China, Russia and the US. So E3 is just a shorthand for the three European countries that signed individually and who have issued joint statements from time to time on the Iran deal issues, and then E28 gets used whenever the EU makes a statement on behalf of all EU members like the one here - https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/nuclear-safety/34008/eu-28-committed-full-and-effective-implementation-iran-deal_en

It's something very specific to the Iran deal not a general EU thing.