IRANIAN CITIES BURN AMID REBELLION

[Dr Strangelove]

[Dr Strangelove]

The US is considering providing military protection to oil and gas tankers traveling in the Strait of Hormuz in an effort to contain energy prices, per Politico.

Details include:

1. Trump Administration is considering having the US government back insurance needed for tankers

2. US looking for ways to mitigate insurers canceling war-risk policies

3. Natural gas and oil supplies from Qatar and Saudi Arabia are a key focus

4. Restoring access to Strait of Hormuz is being viewed as "vital"

President Trump is clearly focused on surging energy prices.

[Dr Strangelove]

The MAGA Civil War Over Iran Is a Made-Up Media Fantasy

“MAGA Republicans are 30 points more likely than non-MAGA Republicans to say they strongly approve of the decision to take military action, 34 points likelier to say it will reduce the threat Iran poses to the US and nearly 50 points more likely to say they have a great deal of trust in Trump to make the right decisions about US use of force in Iran,” noted CNN’s write-up about its findings.

[Dr Strangelove]

[Dr Strangelove]

Putin's Visceral Reaction: Vexler suggests that Putin will be personally shocked and outraged by the attack on Iran, seeing it as an external intervention against a leader, similar to the fates of Saddam or Gaddafi. However, Putin also views Russia as being in a "different league" due to its nuclear power and global standing, which acts as a filter, preventing genuine fear for his own safety.
Trump as a "Friendmy": The video highlights that Putin does not perceive Trump as an enemy, but rather a "friendmy" – an ally and enemy in different respects. This perception is more important to Putin than his relationship with Iran. Russia is unlikely to provide direct military support to Iran against the US to avoid antagonizing Trump.
Limited Russia-Iran Alliance: The relationship between Russia and Iran is described as cooperative but not a substantive alliance. While Russia assists Iran with internal repression and runs a nuclear plant, there are no commitments that would obligate Russia to come to Iran's rescue if attacked. There's also a "frenemy" dynamic, with Russia potentially preferring a weaker Iran due to competing regional interests.
Strategic Advantage for the Kremlin: Vexler argues that the Iran War is strategically advantageous for Russia. It helps normalize Russia's invasion of Ukraine and weakens the credibility of European leaders who condemn Russia's actions while not condemning the US's actions. This "delegitimation" of pro-Ukrainian arguments benefits the Kremlin politically in the long term, though it won't immediately impact the military situation in Ukraine.
Russia's Perceived Weakness: The video dismisses the idea that Russia appears weak due to its limited support for Iran. It states that Russia has no major obligations to Iran, and its focus remains on the conflict in Ukraine.

[Dr Strangelove]

[Dr Strangelove]

[Dr Strangelove]

[Dr Strangelove]

[Dr Strangelove]