Pentagon heated debate forshadowed problems in Iran

[baltimorened]

some of you might have followed this, I admit I didn't. But it's an article from the Washinton Post that's an interesting read,

If accurate, it kind of gives an indication of how Trump deals with military issues and might have some relevance to Iran. Seems as if, at least from this article, Trump might have a limited span of interest and is eager to get out there conflicts before they are fully resolved. In the case of the Houthis during our bombing excursion there, the Houthis told trump what he wanted to hear about an end to the conflict only to use the time to rebuild and continue their activities. It reminded me of the Trump ceasefire in Iran.

Anyway, the article is washington Post, likely behind a paywall, but I googled the topic (same as the thread title) and the story was there.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/10/05/pentagon-dispute-trumps-first-war-foreshadowed-iran-challenges/

 

[baltimorened]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/10/05/pentagon-dispute-trumps-first-war-foreshadowed-iran-challenges/

thanks...but doesn't seem as many are interested..you're the only respondent

 

[FLaw47]

I think the problem is that Trump's short attention span was widely reported on from back in his first administration. So you're left with:

• People for who this isn't novel at all and hand wave it away or think it's quite bad
• People who are too untethered from reality to think this is true
• BaltimoreNed

 

[baltimorened]

I think the problem is that Trump's short attention span was widely reported on from back in his first administration. So you're left with:

• People for who this isn't novel at all and hand wave it away or think it's quite bad
• People who are too untethered from reality to think this is true
• BaltimoreNed

not sure if this is a compliment or insult. But since I started this thread I'tt take it as a compliment, even if that wasn't the intention.

 

[FLaw47]

not sure if this is a compliment or insult. But since I started this thread I'tt take it as a compliment, even if that wasn't the intention.

It's a fair question: I guess I'd call it a soft compliment combined with frustration.

 

[baltimorened]

It's a fair question: I guess I'd call it a soft compliment combined with frustration.

don't be frustrated, life is too short. There are a heck of a lot bigger problems than what I think.

 

[FLaw47]

don't be frustrated, life is too short. There are a heck of a lot bigger problems than what I think.

Unfortunately, frustration is a top 6 experienced emotion for me.

 

[kidmike41]

thanks...but doesn't seem as many are interested..you're the only respondent

I thought it was well known that Trump’s attention span on Iran was over pretty quickly. He absolutely thought it would last a week or two and be over. It is a disaster and not in our best interest at all.

 

[baltimorened]

I thought it was well known that Trump’s attention span on Iran was over pretty quickly. He absolutely thought it would last a week or two and be over. It is a disaster and not in our best interest at all.

here's what's interesting (and unexplainable to me)...everything in the country was moving in the right direction (some might disagree) prior to the "excursion" into Iran. Since then the affordability issue has become more prominent, fuel prices and everyday price increases as a result of these higher fuel prices, greater expenditure of DoD funds and inventory because of deployment, higher inflation leading to higher interest rates, etc. which is leading to expected Democrat control of Congress which leads to an end to the MAGA agenda.....and it's all caused by the excursion which doesn't seem to be the highest priority of the administration.

I would have thought that a good manager would have identified the root cause of our current situation and made fixing that problem the number 1 priority. This administration has not done that. It just seems that the Trump plan might be a little backward....but maybe he's right "the war will be over soon" and all will be well. maybe @fatpiggy is 100% right in his thinking. I guess we;lol see in November

 

[fatpiggy]

here's what's interesting (and unexplainable to me)...everything in the country was moving in the right direction (some might disagree) prior to the "excursion" into Iran. Since then the affordability issue has become more prominent, fuel prices and everyday price increases as a result of these higher fuel prices, greater expenditure of DoD funds and inventory because of deployment, higher inflation leading to higher interest rates, etc. which is leading to expected Democrat control of Congress which leads to an end to the MAGA agenda.....and it's all caused by the excursion which doesn't seem to be the highest priority of the administration.

I would have thought that a good manager would have identified the root cause of our current situation and made fixing that problem the number 1 priority. This administration has not done that. It just seems that the Trump plan might be a little backward....but maybe he's right "the war will be over soon" and all will be well. maybe @fatpiggy is 100% right in his thinking. I guess we;lol see in November

What makes you think fixing Iran isn’t his #1 priority?

And just because everything didn’t go to his expectations, doesn’t mean the goal isn’t worthy.

If the long term price of oil drops, then this “war” will be viewed very positively.

 

[kidmike41]

here's what's interesting (and unexplainable to me)...everything in the country was moving in the right direction (some might disagree) prior to the "excursion" into Iran. Since then the affordability issue has become more prominent, fuel prices and everyday price increases as a result of these higher fuel prices, greater expenditure of DoD funds and inventory because of deployment, higher inflation leading to higher interest rates, etc. which is leading to expected Democrat control of Congress which leads to an end to the MAGA agenda.....and it's all caused by the excursion which doesn't seem to be the highest priority of the administration.

I would have thought that a good manager would have identified the root cause of our current situation and made fixing that problem the number 1 priority. This administration has not done that. It just seems that the Trump plan might be a little backward....but maybe he's right "the war will be over soon" and all will be well. maybe @fatpiggy is 100% right in his thinking. I guess we;lol see in November

You are correct. Everything was moving in the right direction and this excursion has derailed it. I am so frustrated with it that I may sit at home and not vote or vote 3rd party. The Republican legislature has absolutely done nothing with their time in office.

 

[kidmike41]

What makes you think fixing Iran isn’t his #1 priority?

And just because everything didn’t go to his expectations, doesn’t mean the goal isn’t worthy.

If the long term price of oil drops, then this “war” will be viewed very positively.

If that was his #1 priority he sure didn't tell anybody on the campaign trail about it. It may be a worthy goal, but at what price to the American people? If it is so worthy, why not build an international coalition? Why would this war cause long term oil prices to drop, no more supply is coming online?

 

[fsu1jreed]

What makes you think fixing Iran isn’t his #1 priority?

And just because everything didn’t go to his expectations, doesn’t mean the goal isn’t worthy.

If the long term price of oil drops, then this “war” will be viewed very positively.

Imagine being this dumb

 

[TheValley91]

What makes you think fixing Iran isn’t his #1 priority?

And just because everything didn’t go to his expectations, doesn’t mean the goal isn’t worthy.

If the long term price of oil drops, then this “war” will be viewed very positively.

Just a couple more weeks amirite?

 

[baltimorened]

What makes you think fixing Iran isn’t his #1 priority?

And just because everything didn’t go to his expectations, doesn’t mean the goal isn’t worthy.

If the long term price of oil drops, then this “war” will be viewed very positively.

well, for one thing

What makes you think fixing Iran isn’t his #1 priority?

And just because everything didn’t go to his expectations, doesn’t mean the goal isn’t worthy.

If the long term price of oil drops, then this “war” will be viewed very positively.

trump is dedicating the next 30 days campaigning...that would seem to raise questions about priorities...

Didn't say or imply that the goal isn't worthy. I support the goal 100%.

In the long term the price will drop as the war will be over. The problem is the election is happening in the short term.

 

[FLaw47]

well, for one thing

trump is dedicating the next 30 days campaigning...that would seem to raise questions about priorities...

Didn't say or imply that the goal isn't worthy. I support the goal 100%.

In the long term the price will drop as the war will be over. The problem is the election is happening in the short term.

Prices will drop relative to where they were before the Iran war or relative to where they are now? I'm not sure why we'd see a long term price decrease relative to baseline but I'm happy to learn.

 

[fatpiggy]

Prices will drop relative to where they were before the Iran war or relative to where they are now? I'm not sure why we'd see a long term price decrease relative to baseline but I'm happy to learn.

Because Iran got isolated from the global community. New pipelines are being built, new trade deals are being made, and it’s possible OPEC gets shaken up. All good for long term cost of oil

 

[FLaw47]

Because Iran got isolated from the global community. New pipelines are being built, new trade deals are being made, and it’s possible OPEC gets shaken up. All good for long term cost of oil

Color me extremely skeptical.

 

[fatpiggy]

Color me extremely skeptical.

I agree. Not saying that is what IS going to happen, only one of the possible outcomes. How likely? Idk. I'd say 80-20 that it works out nicely in say the 2-3 year range. And by that i mean oil back down sub $65 a barrel (tied to inflation of course).

If you want to say 20-80 i wont argue, but time will tell the tale.

 

[baltimorened]

Prices will drop relative to where they were before the Iran war or relative to where they are now? I'm not sure why we'd see a long term price decrease relative to baseline but I'm happy to learn.

not sure what you're using as a baseline. But IMO as more oil starts to flow through refineries, prices will drom to at least where they were before the Excursion. Remember oil is a global market. We control a segment of it but mideast countries can, and have, shut down production in order to keep prices high.

Now on the one hand we blame trump for high prices because of the war...right? Isn't there at least a scintilla of possibility that when the wr is over we go back to pre war prices? I would imagine after this is over they'll be in a mood to sell theirs just to get some currency

 

[FLaw47]

not sure what you're using as a baseline. But IMO as more oil starts to flow through refineries, prices will drom to at least where they were before the Excursion. Remember oil is a global market. We control a segment of it but mideast countries can, and have, shut down production in order to keep prices high.

Now on the one hand we blame trump for high prices because of the war...right? Isn't there at least a scintilla of possibility that when the wr is over we go back to pre war prices? I would imagine after this is over they'll be in a mood to sell theirs just to get some currency

I think there's a chance we go back to pre-war prices, yes. Why is that a win? We had a war, spent a ton of money, lots of people died, and what we got out of it was....the same oil prices we had before?

 

[baltimorened]

I think there's a chance we go back to pre-war prices, yes. Why is that a win? We had a war, spent a ton of money, lots of people died, and what we got out of it was....the same oil prices we had before?

oil prices were not the stated objectives of this "excursion. Trump and others have listed 2 objectives...no nuclear weapons for Iran, and limited or inability to manufacture missiles that threaten iran's neighbors.

It's only a win if we accomplish what we said we set out to achieve.

 

[FLaw47]

oil prices were not the stated objectives of this "excursion. Trump and others have listed 2 objectives...no nuclear weapons for Iran, and limited or inability to manufacture missiles that threaten iran's neighbors.

It's only a win if we accomplish what we said we set out to achieve.

Out of curiosity, do you feel like we're going to permanently "win" on those points?

 

[baltimorened]

Out of curiosity, do you feel like we're going to permanently "win" on those points?

NO I don't ..I personally think trump has bungled this operation from the day he agreed to a ceasefire. And he continues to do so. Which leader engaged in military conflicts, tells the enemy he's not going to bomb them until after an election? I don't think trump has the stomach to do what's necessary to win this thing outright.

I have suggested, the way out for him, is to bomb the bejesus out of every site where these is even the slightest indication of work on nuclear enrichment. Claim success and come home. I honestly don't know what he's trying to accomplish right now.

 

[FLaw47]

NO I don't ..I personally think trump has bungled this operation from the day he agreed to a ceasefire. And he continues to do so. Which leader engaged in military conflicts, tells the enemy he's not going to bomb them until after an election? I don't think trump has the stomach to do what's necessary to win this thing outright.

I have suggested, the way out for him, is to bomb the bejesus out of every site where these is even the slightest indication of work on nuclear enrichment. Claim success and come home. I honestly don't know what he's trying to accomplish right now.

Okay well we agree on the realities of where we're at at least.

 

[baltimorened]

Okay well we agree on the realities of where we're at at least.

we've agreed on other topics in the past...you and I should be running the government. We'd have solved affordability, inflation, housing and healthcare by now and would be moving on to immigration