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hlthe2b

(102,297 posts)
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 08:05 AM Jan 2020

Reza Marashi: "I've spoken extensively with career U.S. gov officials ... re: Trump ineptitude"

Reza Marashi joined NIAC in 2010 as the organization’s first Research Director. He came to NIAC after serving in the Office of Iranian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Prior to his tenure at the State Department, he was an analyst at the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) covering China-Middle East issues, and a Tehran-based private strategic consultant on Iranian political and economic risk. Marashi is frequently consulted by Western governments on Iran-related matters. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Foreign Policy, The Atlantic, and The National Interest, among other publications. He has been a guest contributor to CNN, NPR, the BBC, TIME Magazine, The Washington Post, and the Financial Times, among other broadcast outlets.




8 hours ago, 16 tweets, 3 min read
THREAD: Over the past few days, I've spoken extensively with career U.S. government officials as they've worked around the clock to try and mitigate the damage from Trump's ineptitude on Iran. With their permission, I'm sharing a small taste from our lengthy conversations. Enjoy.
"We have no functional national security decision-making process in place. We have no plan for what comes next. They are woefully unprepared for what's about to pop off, and they're too stupid to realize it. People here are freaking out, and rightfully so."
"We're still trying to dig out from underneath the last war of choice, and now they're trying to start a new one. I finally cracked open the bottle of scotch you gave me that I've been keeping stashed away in my desk drawer."
"I'm gonna call you later tonight to talk through this so I can go into meetings tomorrow armed with some sane talking points to insert into this clusterfuck."
"When did most of us find out about killing Soleimani? After it already happened. Since then, we've been trying to cobble together contingency planning on the fly, but these charlatans ignore most of it, and then Trump does more stupid shit that puts us back at square one."
"All Trump cares about is shitting on Obama's legacy, sucking up to donors, and distracting from impeachment. None of this is about American interests or security. He's surrounded by ideological lunatic sycophants like Pence and Pompeo. But they're far from the only ones."
"So many of Trump's top advisors on Iran are military vets who served multiple tours of duty in our wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. They believe to their core that Iran is the reason why they lost those wars, and they're dead set on payback - no matter what it takes."
"They've been pushing to kill Soleimani for years, and they finally baited Trump into it. They think war with Iran is long overdue, so for them, this was a means to an end. When Iran responds, they'll tell Trump to hit the Iranians harder. You see where this could go."
"They know the Iraqis are gonna kick them out now, so they're gonna try to kill as many as possible on their way out. Iranians, Iraqis, whoever. Some of them are advising Trump to tell the Iraqi government to fuck off and dare them to make us leave. I shit you not. Insanity."
"When I used your points about Soleimani's murder being a catalyst for Iranians to rally around the flag, they said that was 'Obama apologist bullshit,' and the Soviet Union forced people against their will into public displays of support. So apparently Iran is a superpower now."
"Trump is threatening war crimes against Iran, and none of his top advisors have the courage to publicly oppose it. Instead, they act like cowards and go on background with journalists to express their opposition. They should all resign. They don't deserve to serve this country."
"We have friends that are getting deployed into war zones, but for what? Trump has deployed 14,000 troops over the past 6 months, and it didn't prevent the current crisis. At what point do we start asking whether deploying troops is part of the problem rather than the solution?"
"The scariest part is that they're just making shit up to justify their preferred course of action. When we point out inaccuracies or question logic, we're at best yelled at or at worst cut out of the process. Most of the political appointees are paranoid, unqualified, or both."
"Last year, if you would've asked me whether American institutions are durable enough to prevent a Trump-led war with Iran, I would've said absolutely. Today, I'm not so sure. For as bad as it looks to you all on the outside, it's even worse when you see it from the inside."
"One of Trump's top Iran advisors got suckered into a honey trap, had their laptop/iPhone stolen and hacked before they woke up, and the White House refused to take precautionary measures regarding their security clearance. Ladies and gents, I give you the Trump administration."
In conclusion: Yes, folks. It really is that bad. I am but a humble messenger of truth. The voice of the voiceless. That is all. You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

53 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Reza Marashi: "I've spoken extensively with career U.S. gov officials ... re: Trump ineptitude" (Original Post) hlthe2b Jan 2020 OP
Who was this? Ilsa Jan 2020 #1
Personally, I would Berlin Expat Jan 2020 #3
Jarod?? Scarsdale Jan 2020 #7
is it Miller? bdamomma Jan 2020 #11
or balls... AZ8theist Jan 2020 #43
My guess, and he doesn't have a legitimate security clearance. pazzyanne Jan 2020 #16
I think, most likely, it was either Jared Kushner or Robert O'Brien Fragment Jan 2020 #32
Maybe Melania set the honey trap as a favor to Vladimir Putin. nt Ilsa Jan 2020 #33
Brian Hook maybe? Pacifist Patriot Jan 2020 #36
Hook and hooker ... n/t Qutzupalotl Jan 2020 #39
It's almost as if electing an ignorant incompetent narcisist to the presidency was a bad idea. eShirl Jan 2020 #2
What? You mean it didn't work out so well for Germany in 1932? Cirque du So-What Jan 2020 #4
Hitler was much more intelligent than Trump Zolorp Jan 2020 #6
Hitler played with his feces but he did not grab female genitalia in public. gordianot Jan 2020 #9
ewww. That is an anecdote I could gladly gone without knowing... hlthe2b Jan 2020 #18
Did he even do it in private? Unlike the wnylib Jan 2020 #47
It was part of an OSS psychiatric evaluation during the war gordianot Jan 2020 #49
Did not know that. I've learned a number of wnylib Jan 2020 #51
Rest assured intelligence agencies world wide have extensive dossiers on Trump. gordianot Jan 2020 #52
Hitler was a moron too Johnny2X2X Jan 2020 #21
Yes, he was a moron. He was still more intelligent than Trump. Zolorp Jan 2020 #26
Yep. Hitler fired his generals because he thought Ilsa Jan 2020 #34
Serial! 2naSalit Jan 2020 #13
But an ignorant incompetent narcissist is the only kind of person who would Farmer-Rick Jan 2020 #15
Saw a bumper sticker yesterday "Elect a clown for President get a circus for government grantcart Jan 2020 #41
Iran was concerned that the Iraq invasion was bluedye33139 Jan 2020 #5
Here's a little history. atreides1 Jan 2020 #17
Know all that, thanks bluedye33139 Jan 2020 #35
Crazy, right? Iraq was a quagmire and we didn't win there. Iran is... brush Jan 2020 #50
Exactly what I've thought. He replaced knowledge and eperience sinkingfeeling Jan 2020 #8
DISORGANIZATION AND INCOMPETENCE!!! blakstoneranger Jan 2020 #10
HITLER WAS A TRUE PATRIOT!! blakstoneranger Jan 2020 #12
K&R, "They should all resign. They don't deserve to serve this country." uponit7771 Jan 2020 #14
The "honey trap" story needs to be investigated by the media! Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 #19
It sure does. Who comes to mind for you? hlthe2b Jan 2020 #20
Just about anyone from WaPo - Carol Leonnig? Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 #22
Jared or Don jr quarbis Jan 2020 #25
Stephen Miller - incels have to pay for it. Dennis Donovan Jan 2020 #27
He just got married recently. (nt) scarletwoman Jan 2020 #40
Ineptitude is one of Trump's vital organs NCProgressive Jan 2020 #23
Ineptitude is his middle name. calimary Jan 2020 #53
We are truly quarbis Jan 2020 #24
Clearly we are beyond any point of no return. BSdetect Jan 2020 #28
"They believe to their core that Iran is the reason why they lost those wars," Yavin4 Jan 2020 #29
Mission accomplished! We're winning again, right? nt Cognitive_Resonance Jan 2020 #31
I question that particular tweet. Pacifist Patriot Jan 2020 #37
The shit show will continue until the Republicans have had enough, don't hold your breath. nt Cognitive_Resonance Jan 2020 #30
"...appointees are paranoid, unqualified, or both..." superpatriotman Jan 2020 #38
Not surprising, but extremely disturbing Martin Eden Jan 2020 #42
The WORLD'S fate is in the hands of a sociopath and his sycophants. FIFY OMGWTF Jan 2020 #44
Saw same post on DU yesterday... BigmanPigman Jan 2020 #45
So? hlthe2b Jan 2020 #46
Civilian Oversight Puppyjive Jan 2020 #48

Ilsa

(61,695 posts)
1. Who was this?
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 08:10 AM
Jan 2020
"One of Trump's top Iran advisors got suckered into a honey trap, had their laptop/iPhone stolen and hacked before they woke up, and the White House refused to take precautionary measures regarding their security clearance. Ladies and gents, I give you the Trump administration." 


Who was stupid enough to fall into a honey trap, and is this person still there?

Berlin Expat

(950 posts)
3. Personally, I would
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 08:43 AM
Jan 2020

very much like to know exactly who that "top Iran advisor" was. I want a name, dammit.

AZ8theist

(5,477 posts)
43. or balls...
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 08:59 PM
Jan 2020

Rumor has it he's a hermaphrodite.

Sure looks like it to me. Many, many, many people have said......

Pacifist Patriot

(24,653 posts)
36. Brian Hook maybe?
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 03:45 PM
Jan 2020
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Hook


From: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/01/iran-hawks-inside-trumps-administration-mike-pompeo-bolton-robert-obrien-brian-hook/

"No other Trump administration official was willing to state the quiet part in such loud, blunt terms, but Bolton was far from alone in cheering for this particular outcome. With Bolton out of the picture, three senior officials—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, and diplomat Brian Hook (who is responsible for coordinating the US government’s approach to Iran)—have picked up where he left off, ushering in the most tense period of Iran-US relations since the 1979 revolution."

eShirl

(18,494 posts)
2. It's almost as if electing an ignorant incompetent narcisist to the presidency was a bad idea.
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 08:21 AM
Jan 2020

Who knew?

wnylib

(21,497 posts)
47. Did he even do it in private? Unlike the
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 10:34 PM
Jan 2020

American fascist, the German fascist was a bit of a prude.

gordianot

(15,242 posts)
49. It was part of an OSS psychiatric evaluation during the war
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:20 PM
Jan 2020

Hitler had Coprophilia a sex fetish involving feces.

wnylib

(21,497 posts)
51. Did not know that. I've learned a number of
Tue Jan 7, 2020, 03:53 AM
Jan 2020

things about Adolf, but not that particular fact. It would explain his niece's abhorrence of his obsession with her, beyond the incest factor. Also why his sex life appeared to be so limited as to seem prudish.

Interesting contrast, though, beteeen him and Trump. Trump is more openly aggressive about owning, controlling, and humiliating women through sexual aggression, whether physical or verbal. But he fears contamination, germs, and being 'dirtied' by sex.

Sounds like Hitler was obsessed with the idea of the 'dirtiness' of sex, or making it "unclean.' Or perhaps it was the idea of 'dirtying' a woman that turned him on.

gordianot

(15,242 posts)
52. Rest assured intelligence agencies world wide have extensive dossiers on Trump.
Tue Jan 7, 2020, 08:46 AM
Jan 2020

Anyone close to him is compromised including his deranged followers. All I need to know to form judgement on fellow citizens are you or were you ever a supporter of Donald Trump? I put Trumpers in the same category of Nazi’s former or current. Proceed with caution control your disdain.

Johnny2X2X

(19,069 posts)
21. Hitler was a moron too
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:04 AM
Jan 2020

There's a tendency to give to Hitler an intelligence that he didn't have. What he did have was an aptitude, an aptitude for whipping up and exploiting fear.

The German government under the Nazis was a total mess and ran terribly. But they had mastered propaganda so whatever failure they had they told the public it was a success.

The WWII Germans had superior technology for fighting wars, but they ran the war terribly and made massive mistake after massive mistake. They truly couldn't get out of their own way.

Ilsa

(61,695 posts)
34. Yep. Hitler fired his generals because he thought
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 12:56 PM
Jan 2020

He knew more, and it was downhill all the way after that.

2naSalit

(86,650 posts)
13. Serial!
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 09:55 AM
Jan 2020

All the rumpeteers I know haven't made it to that page yet, guess it would help if they could read, they still think he's doing a good job.

Some are thinking about what's going on and have become vewy kwiet.


Farmer-Rick

(10,190 posts)
15. But an ignorant incompetent narcissist is the only kind of person who would
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 10:24 AM
Jan 2020

Funnel the remains of our dying economy to the American filthy rich.

Dismantling a democracy for the profit of only the filthy rich requires exactly those traits.

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
41. Saw a bumper sticker yesterday "Elect a clown for President get a circus for government
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 07:29 PM
Jan 2020

Other one said

"Its my party and I will cry if I want to" with a picture of Abe Lincoln.

bluedye33139

(1,474 posts)
5. Iran was concerned that the Iraq invasion was
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 08:49 AM
Jan 2020

a preparation for an invasion of Iran, and they worked very hard to scuttle American operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere over the past two decades.

There are a lot of American military personnel who do hold a grudge against Iran for this. Iran succeeded in making Iraq a nightmare for America.

atreides1

(16,079 posts)
17. Here's a little history.
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 10:39 AM
Jan 2020

Iran has the right to be concerned with anything that the US does in the region...because of the US participation in a coup that put the Shah in power for 26 years!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat

bluedye33139

(1,474 posts)
35. Know all that, thanks
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 02:20 PM
Jan 2020

My subject was how veterans of recent conflicts have surrounded Trump and persuaded him to enact their vendetta against Iran, though.

I'm not going to follow your link and I'm not going to read a Wikipedia article.

brush

(53,792 posts)
50. Crazy, right? Iraq was a quagmire and we didn't win there. Iran is...
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:29 PM
Jan 2020

almost four times as big geographically with nearly three times as many people. It's terrain is much more than desert and much of it is mountainous like Afghanistan which has never been conquered.

It's farther away geographically requiring longer, more easily disrupted supply lines and it's technologically more advanced with a better military. Invading and fighting there would make the Iraq war look like a cakewalk.

trump needs to drop the Adderol snorting and push back from the table.

 

blakstoneranger

(333 posts)
10. DISORGANIZATION AND INCOMPETENCE!!!
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 09:36 AM
Jan 2020

This is what really bothers me about these wars is that they are always run by a bunch of disorganized, incompetent nincompoops. Let's how many of these MAGA nutjobs will join the service to fight the big brown monster.

 

blakstoneranger

(333 posts)
12. HITLER WAS A TRUE PATRIOT!!
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 09:49 AM
Jan 2020

Say what you want about that version of satan, he was a true patriot. He joined the military for one reason---to fight!! He was a decorated wounded veteran who suffered from mustard gas infection. What we have, on the other hand, is a Manchurian candidate: a person, especially a politician, being used as a puppet by an enemy power. The term is commonly used to indicate disloyalty or corruption, whether intentional or unintentional.

Dennis Donovan

(18,770 posts)
22. Just about anyone from WaPo - Carol Leonnig?
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:04 AM
Jan 2020

She's a great reporter.

Of course, if they hadn't heard about it before, House Oversight and House Intel committees need to be on this ASAP.

 

NCProgressive

(1,315 posts)
23. Ineptitude is one of Trump's vital organs
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:05 AM
Jan 2020

It is inseparably attached to him just like his combover and penis.

quarbis

(314 posts)
24. We are truly
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:08 AM
Jan 2020

Fucked. Dickhead has no idea what he’s done. If he bombs cultural sites and kills civilians he’s committing war crimes.

BSdetect

(8,998 posts)
28. Clearly we are beyond any point of no return.
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:55 AM
Jan 2020

There is no effective way to prevent a mega clusterfuck.

Yavin4

(35,443 posts)
29. "They believe to their core that Iran is the reason why they lost those wars,"
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 11:57 AM
Jan 2020

I though we won in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

Pacifist Patriot

(24,653 posts)
37. I question that particular tweet.
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 03:47 PM
Jan 2020

I'm in defense contracting and know a ton of ranking military personnel in the Air Force and Army. This is a sentiment I have never heard before. If anything, they blame political ineptitude at home for these losses.

Martin Eden

(12,871 posts)
42. Not surprising, but extremely disturbing
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 08:09 PM
Jan 2020

Our nation's fate is in the hands of a sociopath and his sycophants.

Puppyjive

(503 posts)
48. Civilian Oversight
Mon Jan 6, 2020, 10:57 PM
Jan 2020

A couple of things that I learned from my military career. Civilian oversight is critical. Although there are many intelligent troops, you can't let them take control of the government. This is what we call a coup or Marshall law. I specifically remember the part of the Geneva conventions that said we will not target foreign nationals. We now have that in our playbook. Many of my military buddies are pro Trump. They think they have it figured out. They are retired and making big bucks working for defense contractors. Many of these so called educated retired military members are educated from The University of Phoenix . No comment there. These are the people who are lobbying our lawmakers, creating a need for their services and making ridiculous amounts of money doing it, all in the name of security. We do not need these people surrounding our President and calling the shots. Scary times. I really wanted my son the join the military, but I am discouraging it right now. There is no mission anymore. There is no means to an end. All of these military people get their facts from FOX news. We are in a very dark place right now.

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