35 Comments
User's avatar
Ken Klippenstein's avatar

Please become a paying subscriber so I can afford to keep doing this, thank you!

Expand full comment
Jazzme's avatar

Sound like double speak to me. :WE AREN'T AT WAR". Is there anyplace in the midde east we don't have boots on the ground, missiles on the ground, drones on the ground and may I add in the oceans and seas that surround this area. Wr are suppying armaments and tech to Ukraine and to the Israills. The USA is at war with the world and out Congress persons put money in their pockets from the payback from the defense industry and the isreal lobby IAPAC which I may add has more influence in our congress then Russia ever dreamed of. Biden/Trump (the duopoly) makes no difference folks: we are at war with the world cause it puts money in politicians pockets, puts jobs in their states and feeds our war economy . We need housing, universal health care, day care, free education, infrastructure, green energy, high speed trains, better paying jobs, higher taxation on the billionaires, but Congrress won't go their.....ever. We are surfs to the system that serves only the oligarchs. They are the kings we are their surfs. And you know why. $$$$$$$$$

Expand full comment
Ken Klippenstein's avatar

The word "Orwellian" is so cliche I hate using it but genuinely could not think of a better way to describe the Pentagon's rhetoric here.

Expand full comment
Diana van Eyk's avatar

Insanity! Even just for their party's self-interest, if Democrats don't want a Trump win, they should get out of the Middle East with their military.

People are disgusted with the violence Joe Biden is supporting, and they're leaving the Democrats.

Expand full comment
Jeremy Dangerhouse's avatar

Genocide Joe, the Donkey in the room.

Expand full comment
Joe Wrote's avatar

My "We're not at war in the Middle East is raising a lot of questions already answered by my shirt."

Expand full comment
Ken Klippenstein's avatar

lol

Expand full comment
Jeffrey Parker's avatar

How hugely ironic that the aircraft carrier supporting all of these "non-war" and purely "defensive" war activities is named after Dwight David Eisenhower, who should be remembered above all else as the president who warned America about the potential for the rise of unchecked, undemocratic influence of the "military industrial complex." I quote:

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

Expand full comment
Ken Klippenstein's avatar

General Dwight D. Eisenhower!

Expand full comment
Pxx's avatar

If there's a silver lining, this list is liable to get a little bit shorter.

The security of all those US bases has relied firstly on the local inhabitants being too scared to push them out. That has changed. With the fear factor melting away, base defenses thus far seem to be overwhelmed by anything bigger than a salvo of a single Grad launcher . . .

Expand full comment
Patrick Pagan's avatar

Well, if they say so.

Expand full comment
𝓙𝓪𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓸𝓵𝓯𝓮's avatar

🤬

Expand full comment
Thea's avatar

What’s your point here, Ken?

Your piece sounds like anti-US propaganda. Are you shilling for Putin/Russia? Are you supporting the Ayatollah of Iran & all its proxy terrorist groups? Do you support shutting down international shipping? Do you think the growth of ISIS is a good thing, that should receive no push-back? Do you support the Palestinian genocide of all Israelis that is the founding principle of Hamas? I get that you’re complaining about something. I just don’t see what corrective action you’d like to see, and how the people of the US would benefit from it.

You seem upset that the DoD says we are Not at War. Words have legal meaning. We are Not “at war,” neither legally, nor actually. We are “taking defensive measures.” If we were at war, we would be taking offensive actions. We are not. There’s actually a big difference.

So again, please explain what is upsetting you? How would you like it changed? And how would this change make the world a better and safer place?

Expand full comment
Sam.'s avatar

Literally no one is falling for this lmao

Expand full comment
Jeremy Dangerhouse's avatar

Perhaps he feels we need to highlight these cases to show that when the ‘States get involved in someone’s sovereign affairs, no one wins.

;)

Expand full comment
Thea's avatar

There’s the rub, Jeremy. No one has the “sovereign” right to fire missiles at, launch suicide drones at, drive speed attack boats to shoot at, board, and take over commercial ships in International waters, steering them to a foreign port, holding the ship & crew hostage. 👈Houthi are doing all that.

Expand full comment
Thea's avatar

Yes, I’m telling you that they are attacking & hijacking for ransom ships in INTERNATIONAL WATERS. That piracy, btw.

Expand full comment
Jeremy Dangerhouse's avatar

Are you telling me the Houthis are not taking steps in Yemeni territorial waters against the shipping operations which they perceive as supporting Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza; steps consistent with the UN Convention on Genocide which *requires* active prevention?

Expand full comment
Thea's avatar

And, the UN does Not support, they’ve actually condemned these specific attacks on international shipping in international waters. You really don’t have to take my word. Reputable news sources & websites like the UN’s have this info. It sounds like you have been reading propaganda.

Expand full comment
Thea's avatar

Yes, I am telling you that the Houthi are attacking & hijacking for ransom ships in INTERNATIONAL WATERS. That’s piracy, btw.

Expand full comment
Nadine's avatar

What upsets me is that none of this is authorized by Congress. I have nephews in the Army and the Navy. Before my family's life is put on the line, I want the White House to explain how the US is being directly threatened by these entities. In fact, one step further, I want their loved ones to be actively serving. If it was some elites granddaughter or son serving, maybe they'd tread a little softer.

Expand full comment
Thea's avatar

Actually, everything the military does to directed by laws set forth by Congress. They have a whole branch of lawyers in all branches of the military who take the letter of the law quite seriously. They can quote you chapter & verse as to authorizing powers.

I also have 5 generations of family who have served in all branches of the military. I have a son & dil currently stationed in Japan. I have a cousin buried in Arlington. Another cousin just retired, she was a lifer, officer in the Coast Guard. Very proud of her service. And my son’s.

We are being directly threatened by the Houthi’s attacks on International commercial shipping. One of the commercial ships that took damage from intermediate range Missiles & suicide drones was carrying US jet fuel. Also, when shipping is delayed, takes longer to take a longer route, that creates shortages, “supply-chain” problems, increases costs therefore increase prices & creates inflation For US. All of US.

Also, we have soldiers with traumatic brain damage from the Houthi shelling our air base in northern Syria. I’ve not seen a report of death, yet, but one soldier had a piece of shrapnel from his eye to behind his ear. He’s in a coma.

I can’t do anything about our deadbeat politicians, but you can. Vote the bums out. Vote for veterans, there are many running for office. Btw, Biden is the most pro-service president we’ve had in a Long time. He’s gotten increased wages, & benefits, especially medical benefits for servicemen & veterans. God bless & protect them.

Expand full comment
Kevin Schwartz's avatar

Can you provide some sourcing/links for follow up re recent US air strikes and/or operations out of Jordan, both regarding Hamas war or otherwise?

Expand full comment
SocraticGadfly's avatar

Again, Bin Laden was right after the Gulf War.

Expand full comment
SocraticGadfly's avatar

From Bin Laden's point of view, not the US point of view, Ken, when he essentially warned the Saudis not to get in bed with the US military. And, now, not just them but every Arab Gulf state has.

Expand full comment
Claire Phillips's avatar

people are disbanding from Substack because Substack allows Nazi groups to monetize and thrive. from replies here, it seems you are being trolled. maybe time to consider another site?

Expand full comment
Andrew Thomas's avatar

Uh, no.

Expand full comment
SocraticGadfly's avatar

I'm a non-duopoly leftist, not a Nazi.

Expand full comment
Andrew Thomas's avatar

Pentagon spokesman:

@

The above symbol is not an ampersand.

With apologies to

Rene Magritte

Expand full comment
Ken Klippenstein's avatar

I'm sorry, I don't follow?

Expand full comment
Andrew Thomas's avatar

Sorry, Ken. My sense of humor is a tad Zippyesque at times. This was one of those times. The intent was to agree wholeheartedly with your essay.

Expand full comment
Ken Klippenstein's avatar

Oh got it!

Expand full comment
Jeremy Dangerhouse's avatar

Perhaps he meant to say:

&

THIS ^ is not an ampersand

Expand full comment