I say if the Japanese want to buy US oil ,we will guarantee their tankers safety. If they want to buy middle eastern oil, well ,good luck.

I like your way of thinking, Jeff. Japan is more than capable of defending their property, let them do it.

Are they though? I thought as part of making them subservient to us they couldn't have an effective military and we would have to provide security for them.

Yup... and I'm kind of surprised that this incident is not even being discussed at the plant I work at, but on the other had the silence also implies that dreadful "here we go again..." type scenario, and it makes me really wonder if even the military is starting to see this as a bad chess game played by the politicans with no end in sight and a true no/win situation for our men and women in uniform.

I still vividly remember the look on poor ole' Colin Powell's face back in early 2003 when he was using satalite images of God knows what to sell us on invading Iraq, while the real bad guys get to escape once again, thanks to the Saudi's telling us to cease activity on Tora Bora or whatever that dreadful place Bin Laden was holed up in was called.... and didn't we make that complex if my memory is somewhat functioning today ??

Indeed, the defense contractors - and probably construction contractors - are loving every minute of it..

The service men and women who come home maimed, physologically scared, or in a box.... those are the real victims.....

I for one am getting tired of this crap.

The next president I vote for is not going to be someone who kisses up to the Saudi's.

I applaud that voting decision, Big George.

However, what happens if that person is Beto Orourke, Kamala Harris, or Pete Buttgieg ( sp?) ?

There will be a big holocaust starting in that area sooner or later.

The irony is , Saudi is saying “decisive action “ must be taken. Well, I’m thinking they’re right there . Get after it , big dawg.

Same here. I also don't think Trump or Iran want it either. That's why Iran is doing what they are doing. It costs them nothing to plug up the strait of Hormuz with disabled shipping. As long as they don't directly attack a US vessel they will get away with it . They, of course want to see the price of oil increase. That's good for them and bad for everyone else.

Well yes, in their homeland we would. But if they want to send ships into a bad neighborhood, its their choice.

Why would they hit a Japanese ship? They know the U.S is bound to protect Japan, it doesnt make any sense.

After the debacles of Iraq,Libya and Syria I no longer trust the U.S govt or U.S news sources to get us the correct unbiased information. I dont know what is going on but the games we have been playing in the middle east are immoral, not only from the death and destabilization factors but also from the debt we are laying on the future generations. I dont know what Trump wants and honestly I dont think Trump knows what Trump wants.

I don't know.

I'm at a point in my life now where I'm just giving up on everything.
It just seems easier that way, instead of constantly fighting............

I'm sick of fighting.

It makes perfect sense. The Japanese PM was in Iran representing US in an attempt to get Iran to talks about the sanctions.

So rather than hit a U.S flagged ship they hit the Japanese ship.

First, In my opinion Fox News is the only reliable news channel. Second, I don't want to see the U.S. in another war, but I don't want to see us pushed around either.
Remember Obama's line in the sand? Worse was his monetary bribe to Iran? Did he have Congressional approval for that? Why then, will they not approve money for a southern border
wall?.Nothing but politics, patriotism is forgotten.
As for Iran, I think we should stay out of it unless they directly attack an American ship, base, or similar, or that of an ally..I hope they have some nuke subs sitting there that
could lob camel dung all over Teheran.

I bet the Iranians would be willing to take back Iran. Just as in the American Revolution the patriots need an ally in France to defeat Great Britain, Iranian patriots also need an ally for their cause. Only problem is no one is willing to help. Given the history of "helping" middle eastern countries it's easy to see why.

I have no doubt that are CIA has many operatives already in close contact with Iranians, who are supportive of the US and a secular government for Iran.

Keith

I'm sure your right Keith, but I figure they want/need arms and a military force to back them. That's where the conundrum is. Supplying weapons/armies hasn't went so well when tried.

I remember hearing the exact same thing about Iraq, Libya and Syria.

That's my point, when we try it doesn't work to well. However that doesn't mean there are not patriot Iranians who are sincere in wanting a return to the pre-ayatollah Iran that once was.

I have heard many want a return of the Monarchy, if the U.S intervenes they will demand democracy which is a proven failure for middle east political systems.

The conservative Ayatollah form of government came in 1979-80. I am guessing that 2/3rds of the 80 plus million Iranians were born after that date and if they were under 10 during the 70s they would have little to no idea what pre-Ayatollah life was like in Iran.

Bryce