Tag: Iraq

IRAN is JUST GETTING STARTED /Alastair Crooke & Lt Col Daniel Davis

Posted on by Lone Candle

Iran was prepared for the US to dominate with “overwhelming” airpower. Iran saw the US take out Saddam’s centralized command with airpower and decided to focus on missiles, drones, and decentralization. Taking out the snake’s head is less effective when there are many snakes with their own weapons, each able to lash out. Iran knew it couldn’t go toe to toe with the US in the skies, so scattered and hid their weapons. Iran knows that the US would not like a long war, so they planned for a long war where a determined Iran can outlast a US that grows weary with the costs of war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGCjDWZthk0

Four US service members killed in plane crash over Iraq

Posted on by Lone Candle

“A U.S. military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, in an incident the military said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.

The deaths add to the seven U.S. service members who have already been killed as part of U.S. operations against Iran which began on February 28.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/four-us-members-killed-plane-094429672.html

How much is the Iran war costing taxpayers? Here’s what estimates show

Posted on by Lone Candle

“The first six days of war in Iran cost U.S. taxpayers at least $11.3 billion in munitions alone, according to Pentagon estimates reviewed by lawmakers, and experts say the ongoing cost could increase exponentially. That total does not include the cost of operating and maintaining the military force engaged in the war or battle damage sustained from Iran’s attacks.

…

While initial cost estimates of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were around $50 to $60 billion, they ended up costing a combined $8 trillion, according to analysis by Costs of War.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/much-iran-war-costing-taxpayers-212311982.html

JD Vance’s Tour in Iraq Taught Him His Government Lies

Posted on by Lone Candle

“Trump may have been “unfit for our nation’s highest office,” Vance wrote in his first column in April 2016, but at least he was willing to say what other Republicans were not: “That the war was a terrible mistake imposed on the country by an incompetent president.””

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/08/22/jd-vance-marines-iraq-tour-00504879?nid=0000018f-3124-de07-a98f-3be4d1400000&nname=politico-toplines&nrid=37ccbc38-e661-44ca-901f-692f3af1c3bf

Tariffs Failed in the Middle East—America Shouldn’t Make the Same Mistake

Posted on by Lone Candle

“Take Egypt: In 2016, facing fiscal pressure and public dissatisfaction, the government raised tariffs on hundreds of imported goods—everything from electronics to household furniture. The stated goal was to protect domestic industries and reduce reliance on foreign goods. The outcome? Inflation soared, local industries remained stagnant, and Egyptian consumers were left paying more for lower-quality products. The government hoped tariffs would nurture innovation; instead, they strangled competition and punished ordinary people.

In Iraq, where the state has tried to rebuild its shattered economy after years of conflict, officials implemented tariffs to supposedly boost “national production” and replenish government coffers. But in a country where corruption runs deep and borders are porous, the policy only incentivized smuggling and rent seeking. Goods flowed illegally across borders while customs officials took their cut. Meanwhile, consumers bore the cost, and genuine economic growth never came. Tariffs there didn’t protect industries—they protected the corrupt.”

https://reason.com/2025/04/10/tariffs-failed-in-the-middle-east-america-shouldnt-make-the-same-mistake/

BREAKING: Assad Regime Collapses in Syria

Posted on by Lone Candle

Leader of Syrian rebels/jihadists fought against the U.S. in Iraq, joined ISIS, was affiliated with Al Qaeda, then broke with them and now supports a just government in Syria that will supposedly protect minorities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NesV2LfpLNA