A typical US tactic against a strategic target is to ‘boil the frog’ by slowly increasing the temperature of the water it is sitting it. The conflict in Ukraine is an good example for this. Hits against Russia, directed by the CIA, are escalated bit by bit while Russia is reluctant to more severe deterrence measures. The current war on Iran is another example. The US is insisting on a ceasefire while trying to erode Iran’s leverage with economic strangulation. Iran’s major weapon, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, will need another month or two to fully unfold its intended effect on the US and global economy. Meanwhile the US is trying to tire Iran with fake diplomacy, economic measures (its blockade) and pinpoint strikes. But Iran is well aware of this tactic. It has decided to avoid this ceasefire trap by continuous escalation: The United States and Israel are using this [ceasefire] period to reshape realities on the ground, weaken Iran’s leverage, and arrive at a negotiating table where Tehran’s position has already been quietly eroded. This perception is strengthening those within the Islamic Republic who argue that diplomatic restraint, under current conditions, carries its own strategic costs.…The delay in finalizing the …read more Source:: Ron Paul...
Seemingly, every day brings breathless new claims that an U.S.-Iran “deal” awaits only a signature. As so often happens, the mediators (Pakistanis and Qataris) hope to manage both sides by telling one side that the other party is at the brink of agreement when it is not so, especially in an atmosphere of total mistrust. By these means the mediators hope to push matters towards a final agreement. It is a familiar tactic, but one that quite often results in confusion and distrust – rather than the hoped-for settlement. The “plan” at this stage has only two central pillars: Iran’s “reopening” of the Strait of Hormuz (on Iran’s terms) in return for the lifting of the US naval blockade, and – at a later date – an understanding that the dilution of Iran’s 60 percent enriched uranium would be tackled in return for an end to sanctions. To say the devil is in the detail would be the understatement of the year. Iran understands that Trump’s headliners of an “imminent deal” are firstly, intended to keep the US stock market up and oil futures trading well below that of the delivery price of physical oil. And secondly, to obfuscate that Trump may …read more Source:: Ron Paul...
Ron Paul is back with another edition of his liberty report, joined by his co-host, RPI Director Daniel McAdams. Today, Dr. Paul takes a look at the state of Ukraine one year after the US-sponsored coup — were there no peaceful alternatives? Also, what is the latest political blow up about President Obama’s refusal to say we are at...
