7 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
HistProf's avatar

It occurred to me that most of my adult life has involved waves of US wars in the Middle East. I remember when H. W. Bush initiated the bombing of Iraq in 1991 and Operation Desert Storm. More than a decade later, George W. Bush invaded Iraq which led to the 8 year 8 month long Iraq War. We also had the Afghaniaram War layered on top from 2001-2021. And now we may be going to war with Iran in 2025.

Are we trapped in another Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos situation?

Like Sarah, I have zero trust in Trump, Rubio, and Hegseth's ability to manage a war, let alone keep us safe at home and abroad. I may have been opposed to the previous Middle Eastern wars, particularly W's morally questionable disaster, but at least I knew that professional military leaders were involved. Trump has kicked out many career admirals and generals since he took office. We are so screwed if this escalates.

Expand full comment
Marcus's avatar

In answer to your question, the Middle East wars for the US don't feel similar to the Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam/Thai wars for the US. We had a massive multi-disciplinary military presence in SE Asia, as well as a quasi-military (Air America) presence in Laos and the hairy border areas. We don't have as much ground presence in the ME, but unlike SE Asia, where we boogied out of there when the mission ended, we don't ever seem to want to end the mission in the Middle East. It's time to review that strategy.

Expand full comment
Marcus's avatar

I'm just that much older than you, my friend, that I recall the 6-Day Middle East War in '67 and the Yom Kippur War of '73 in the Middle East as I was in the Army on the Thai/Laotian border in '73. Also, I have some bad news on that escalation thing- it already happened when we dropped bombs on a foreign country with whom we had not declared war!

Expand full comment
HistProf's avatar

Yes, I'm Gen X but I know the Middle East has long been a simmering problem before my own political consciousness. And for sure the bomb has escalated the situation but when (if) troops are sent in to support Bibi, then we are really off to the races. I don't have high hopes Trump will consult Congress on that front either.

Expand full comment
Parrhizzia's avatar

It's remarkable just how casually we violate the Geneva Convention and other international humanitarian laws.

Laws which WE most wrote. And most of those laws were written by Jewish Americans.

All torn down for the benefit of Israel.

Expand full comment
Myrna Greenfield's avatar

JEW, JEW, JEW, JEW. Automatic pilot.

Expand full comment
Parrhizzia's avatar

Don't worry, neither Trump, Rubio or Hegseth will manage the war.

US President Netanyahu will.

Expand full comment