Friday, January 03, 2020

Iran "Doesn't Seem to Fear Trump" Who "Is Eager to Resume Talks" with Tehran: Top New York Times Story Published During Baghdad Strike Is Unwittingly Hilarious


I just realized something: I have been waiting for the American military's air strike ever since I was a teen-ager during the Carter administration. (Thanks for the birthday gift, Donald Trump…)

But this post is about the New York Times. Of course, the main story on the Friday's front page is U.S. Strike in Iraq Kills Commander of Iranian Forces, which, naturally enough, gets the prized position of top right corner.

The problem for the Times is that their international edition had already gone to the printer hours earlier, by the time the drone attack on Qassim Suleimani had taken place, and there is no mention of that story anywhere (see pictures of the two editions' January 3 front pages below).

That is the risk of printed media and cannot be remedied, but what is amusing — shall we call it hilarious? — is David Sanger's article that the European edition chose to put in its right corner instead: Trump's talk fails to quell threats from adversaries. (Update: shookhran for the Instapundit link, Glenn Reynolds…)

In the American edition, the title is different: Trump Bet He Could Isolate Iran and Charm North Korea. It's Not That Easy. What we learn from the article that I read about six hours after Qassim Suleimani had been blown to smithereens is that "Trump is eager to resume talks" with Tehran and that
Both the Iranians and the North Koreans seem to sense the vulnerability of a president under impeachment and facing re-election … Many foreign policy experts say he fundamentally misjudged the reactions of two major American adversaries. Neither seems to fear him, precisely the critique he leveled at Barack Obama back in the days when Mr. Trump declared America’s toughest national security challenges would be solved as soon as a president the world respected was in office …
Oh yeah: Obama — if the MSM can introduce a defense of the Apologizer-in-Chief, by all means, let it do so.
 … [Donald Trump] dismissed the depth of Iran’s determination to re-establish itself as the most powerful force in the region.… Mr. Trump … simply repeats his mantra that Iran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons … The attack on the outer walls of the American Embassy in Baghdad, even if short-lived, was clearly intended to send a shiver down the spine of Mr. Trump’s political aides, who remember … There are signs Mr. Trump is eager to resume talks, including his effort to lure President Hassan Rouhani to the phone when the Iranian leader was in New York in September for United Nations meetings. … That diplomatic initiative will doubtless continue in secret.
Friday's NYT, which appeared after the air strike
The NYT's international edition appeared hours earlier

That is the gist of this post. For those interested in more details, take a look at a more detailed excerpt of the article by David Sanger (whom I met in Paris years ago, incidentally, when he came to present the French translation of his book on Obama):
President Trump entered the new year facing flare-ups of long-burning crises with two old adversaries — Iran and North Korea — that are directly challenging his claim to have reasserted American power around the world.

While the Iranian-backed attack on the United States Embassy in Baghdad seemed to be under control, it played to Mr. Trump’s longtime worry that American diplomats and troops in the Middle East are easy targets and his longtime position that the United States must pull back from the region.

In North Korea, Kim Jong-un’s declaration on Wednesday that the world would “witness a new strategic weapon” seemed to be the end of an 18-month experiment in which Mr. Trump believed his force of personality — and vague promises of economic development — would wipe away a problem that plagued the last 12 of his predecessors.

The timing of these new challenges is critical: Both the Iranians and the North Koreans seem to sense the vulnerability of a president under impeachment and facing re-election, even if they are often clumsy as they try to play those events to their advantage

… The protests in Iraq calmed on Wednesday … But events of recent days have underscored how much bluster was behind Mr. Trump’s boast a year ago that Iran was “a very different nation” since he had broken its economy by choking off its oil revenues.

 … Today the most generous thing one could say about those statements is that they were wildly premature. Many foreign policy experts say he fundamentally misjudged the reactions of two major American adversaries. Neither seems to fear him, precisely the critique he leveled at Barack Obama back in the days when Mr. Trump declared America’s toughest national security challenges would be solved as soon as a president the world respected was in office.

 … He dismissed the depth of Iran’s determination to re-establish itself as the most powerful force in the region.… Mr. Trump … simply repeats his mantra that Iran will never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons 
The attack on the outer walls of the American Embassy in Baghdad, even if short-lived, was clearly intended to send a shiver down the spine of Mr. Trump’s political aides, who remember well that a hostage crisis helped lead to President Jimmy Carter’s re-election defeat 40 years ago.

In recent months, Iran has repeatedly mounted a strike and pulled back, including its attacks on oil tankers, an American drone and Saudi oil facilities.

The Iranians have made clear what Mr. Trump needs to do to reopen negotiations: Essentially return to the deal struck with Mr. Obama, largely by lifting sanctions Mr. Trump imposed starting in May 2018. There are signs Mr. Trump is eager to resume talks, including his effort to lure President Hassan Rouhani to the phone when the Iranian leader was in New York in September for United Nations meetings.
That diplomatic initiative will doubtless continue in secret. …
Back to the latest development and update — U.S. Strike in Iraq Kills Qassim Suleimani, Commander of Iranian Forces:
Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani … was the architect of nearly every significant operation by Iranian intelligence and military forces over the past two decades, and his death was a staggering blow for Iran at a time of sweeping geopolitical conflict.
Again: I have been waiting for news like this from the best military on the planet ever since I was a teen-ager during the Carter administration.
In Paris, a No Pasarán webmaster and a NYT journalist

61 comments:

Harrison said...

Maybe the Iranian Junta will draw an important lesson. You attack unmanned drones, costing us a few million, and all we do is crack down on your economy, costing you a few hundred million (for which Trump was roundly criticized, I concluded by people who did not understand the difference between property damage and killing someone). Granted, that really does not affect the Junta much, they just pass the suffering on to the Iranian people, any evidence they care about them?

However, you actually kill an American in a foreign country (Iraq) while you are conducting an illegal war there, and the consequences are a little more personal. So when your Big Man shows up in that foreign country (who came up with THAT idea??) to assist in the illegal war, he becomes a legitimate target of war, and suffers the consequences. Now there are initial reports of premature death “visiting” other Iranian assets who are conducting the illegal war in Iraq.

Can you hear Mr. Trump now, Junta-heads?

Also, many on the left are claiming Trump is starting a war. No, he is conducting a war in Iraq, per the (stupid, in my opinion) authorization to use force Congress granted W. So how does that give Iran a basis for declaring war (beyond what they have done regularly since 1979)? When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, it was an attack on a foreign country. When the Germans invaded Poland, same thing. When did the U.S. attack Iran? Not yet.

This makes me think Trump will not attack Iranian territory unless Iran attacks American territory (which would include ships in international waters, as well as any future attacks on our embassies). If I am correct, do you think the Iranians can figure that out too? Because if they do not, they could be in for a world of hurt.

Kit Carson said...

Trump is trying to win via signals and memes. it's a 21st century strategy for a time with low-cost, instantaneous globe-girding communications systems.

remember how he gave the dog a medal - attempting to shame a shame culture that despises dogs. and how he assiduously described the cowardice of bagdadhi.

he is using twitter to communicate public threats to be taken privately and seriously in councils of state. and economic sanctions rather than military pressure.

he is a billionaire who is stingy, always looking to cut costs and save money. he is stingy with american soldiers lives, very much NOT wanting to waste them for small gains.

maybe it will work. much better to try these sorts of things before going in with guns blazing.

Iman said...

The lesson is there for Iran to learn. Let's hope they understand it.

Unknown said...

Anyone remember [self-proclaimed Iraqi 'Information Minister'] "Baghdad Bob" during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq? It seems he now works for the New York Times . . .

'Iran "Doesn't Seem to Fear Trump" Who "Is Eager to Resume Talks" with Tehran: Top New York Times Story Published During Baghdad Strike Is Unwittingly Hilarious'

Anonymous said...

David said:

Technically we have been at war with Iran ... it is more like the Islamic Republic has been at war with us...we have just stood by like a punching bag. (IMHO)

Austin Mike said...

Hello everyone. I was heartbroken because i had very small penis, not nice to satisfy a woman, i had so many relationship called off because of my situation, i have used so many product which i found online but none could offer me the help i searched for. i saw some few comments about this specialist called Dr OLU and decided to email him on drolusolutionhome@gmail.com
so I decided to give his herbal product a try. i emailed him and he got back to me, he gave me some comforting words with his herbal pills for Penis t, Enlargement Within 5 day of it, i began to feel the enlargement of my penis, ” and now it just 2 weeks of using his products my penis is about 10 inches longer and am so happy..feel free to contact DR OLU on(drolusolutionhome@gmail.com)or whatsapp him on this number +2348140654426

OFFER said...

Invest with 200$ and get a returns of 5,000$ within seven business working days.
Why wasting your precious time online looking for a loan? When there is an opportunity for you to invest with 200$ and get a returns of 5,000$ within seven business working days. Contact us now for more information if interested on how you can earn big with just little amount. This is all about investing into Crude Oil and Gas Business.

Email: investmoneyoilgasfast@gmail.com
whatsap : +918931919635

BLANK ATM CARD said...

GET RICH WITH BLANK ATM CARD ... Whatsapp: +18033921735

I want to testify about Dark Web blank atm cards which can withdraw money from any atm machines around the world. I was very poor before and have no job. I saw so many testimony about how Dark Web hackers send them the atm blank card and use it to collect money in any atm machine and become rich. I email them also and they sent me the blank atm card. I have use it to get 90,000 dollars. withdraw the maximum of 5,000 USD daily. Dark Web is giving out the card just to help the poor. Hack and take money directly from any atm machine vault with the use of atm programmed card which runs in automatic mode.

Email: darkwebblankatmcard@gmail.com
Text & Call or WhatsApp: +18033921735

Unknown said...

Easy "water hack" burns 2 lbs OVERNIGHT

More than 160 000 women and men are using a easy and secret "liquid hack" to burn 2lbs each and every night while they sleep.

It's scientific and it works with anybody.

Here's how to do it yourself:

1) Go grab a clear glass and fill it up with water half full

2) Proceed to follow this weight loss HACK

so you'll be 2lbs thinner the next day!

McAfee Pro said...

The McAfee Total Protection can help you block most zero-day attacks and widespread malware present on the internet. If you are living in the United States, then you can purchase a plan for 10 devices Household plan, which is also called the Family plan. Trust me, The McAfee antivirus at this price is a great value for the price.

Monica said...

I have been waiting for the American military's air strike ever since I was a teen-ager during the Carter administration.ij.start.cannon
Cannon India Pvt Ltd, a 100% auxiliary of Canon Singapore Pte. Set up in 1997, Canon gives an extensive exhibit of more than 200 refined contemporary advanced imaging items and arrangements in India. Driven by development and in a state of harmony with its Corporate slogan - ' Delight You Always'. Cannon is one of the most mind-blowing computerized item on the planet and it is utilized in workplaces, homes and Cybercafé

Bijouxjewel said...

Can The Sender Cancel A Cash App Payment If Getting Spammed?
Getting spammed on your Cash App account may lose your money without even knowing what happened. In such a case, you should try canceling the payment and receive money to your Cash App account wallet. Moreover, you can also find out the right information about how Can The Sender Cancel A Cash App Payment.
https://www.cashappcustomersupport.com/blog/can-the-sender-cancel-a-cash-app-payment/

메이저사이트추천 said...

When did you start writing articles related to ? To write a post by reinterpreting the 메이저사이트추천 I used to know is amazing. I want to talk more closely about , can you give me a message?
gj

lottery power said...

Wow, that's what I was searching for, what a information! present here at this website, thanks admin of this website.

gostopsite com said...

This is an awesome motivating article.

sportstotomen com said...

You put truly extremely accommodating data. Keep it up.

19guide03 com said...

"Impressive Thanks for the post! Carry on, don’t stop!

casinosite zone said...

The place else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect means of writing?

카지노사이트위키 said...

Absolutely a wonderful stories you made here. Cheers for this blog

온라인카지노 said...

I will be sure to read more of this useful magnificent information

카지노사이트탑 said...

Very useful information you shared in this article, nicely written

카지노사이트킹 said...

Hey there! Great information here on this post. Continue writing like this

casinosite777top.JDS said...

I got know your article’s content and your article skill both are always good.

casinositeone.JDS said...

Thanks for sharing this article this content is very significant for me I really appreciate you

메이저토토사이트 said...

This is a very impressive subject. Thank you for always.

스포츠토토 said...

I have been reading your article interestingly. Have a nice day!

카지노사이트 said...

Quality posts are important to attract the visitors to visit the web site.

사설토토 said...

I am really pleased to read this blog posts which includes tons of valuable information.

firebolt said...

I've been reading some of your blog postings, and I find this place to be really educational. Continue posting.

tholl said...

Daebak! that’s what I was looking for, what a information! Present here at this post. Thank you admin!!

Logan said...


Wow, awesome blog layout!

Lee said...

Pretty good post

Tashinga said...


I have seen good contents.
The content on your site is great. I am impressed

Archer said...



wow just what I was looking for

Rowan said...


Wow that’s very perfect! It’s interesting and everything are amazing

sportstotozonecom said...


Howdy! This post could not be written any better!

casinositekingcom said...


This post is very beautiful

casinositezone said...


Sensational

casinositezone said...


You have a lot of knowledge that you easily share

Samuel said...



First You got a great blog

Samuel said...



First You got a great blog

Jace said...



Great article. I’m dealing with a few of these issues as well

Elijah said...



𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔦𝔰 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔥𝔢𝔩𝔭𝔣𝔲𝔩 𝔭𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶 𝔦𝔫𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔪𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔰 𝔫𝔬 𝔡𝔬𝔲𝔟𝔱 𝔞𝔟𝔬𝔲𝔱 𝔦𝔱.

Ryder said...


I read your article very impressively. I want to write something like this

Hannah said...


You put certainly very useful information.. Extraordinary effort to make this blog more super and attractive

Aarya said...



There is perceptibly a lot to identify about this.

madisonarthur said...


excellent page

Addisyn said...


Wow, awesome blog layout!

Audrey said...



Great blog site. Keep up the good work!

CV Writing Services said...

Searching for a job in Ireland? Your CV is your first impression. Let our CV writing services Ireland create a customized, attention-grabbing resume that aligns with your career goals. We focus on key industry trends and employer preferences to give you the edge you need in the competitive Irish job market.

KhelRaja said...

Indian players seeking the best online slot sites should look for platforms that cater to the Indian gaming market. Consider sites that offer a wide selection of slot games, provide convenient payment options, and adhere to regulatory standards. A user-friendly interface and responsive customer support are also essential aspects of the best online slot sites in India.

safetotosite said...

This blog is very informative the stuff you provide I really enjoyed reading

casinositenet said...

thank you for sharing this amazing piece of information

casinositekim said...

best information there, thanks for sharing

mttotosite said...

Thanks for sharing this marvelous post.

casinositeguide said...

I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post.

안전 토토사이트 said...

The post was really very good. Thanks for sharing.

토토사이트 추천 said...

Thanks and Best of luck to your next Blog in future.

카지노사이트 추천 said...

I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.

안전한 파워볼사이트 said...

Just the website I was looking for. It’s really awesome.

바카라사이트 추천 said...

Excellent website you have here, so much cool information!