If there ever was a strategy behind Donald Trump’s decision to blow up the Middle East, it is lying in tatters as the second week of the Iran war draws to a close.

Archived version: https://archive.is/20260314053257/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-14/united-states-iran-war-donald-trump-middle-east-strategy/106436200


Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

    • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      “Micheal! Did you eat the chicken I had in the freezer?”

      “No, I ate MY chicken in the freezer!”

      “Micheal, I specifically bought that for me! I even put a note on it”

      note says “please don’t touch”

      “I saw that note, but the chicken had my name on it. It said Tyson Chicken. When you get chicken with your name on it, that’s yours, but this chicken said my name!”

      “That’s just the brand! It was made by Tyson Foods corporation”

      “Yeah, and it was made for me. That’s why they devoted their whole business in my name. So I’d always have chicken. Plus, I pay all the bills around here, so maybe a freeloading ghost like you should shut the fuck up, or start paying bills.”

  • FiniteBanjo@feddit.online
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    Counterpoint: Israel has the strategic upper hand. They don’t want the US-Iran war to end because they’re planning to expand their borders, and will likely oppose any successful Iranian revolution. The USA has taken no steps to empower a threat to the Iranian state from within, the Orange Asshole probably sold american soldiers to fight purely for Israel’s interests.

    • Grandwolf319@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      I’ve tried explaining this to people but it doesn’t get traction.

      Israel wants to be the major power in the Middle East, the only way that’s possible is to keep Iran as low powered as possible.

      Sure, in theory they would want the Iranian people to thrive, but that would require the Iranian economy to thrive and Israel would see that as a competition.

  • TheTechnician27@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    OP, I know you’re the sole moderator here, but you should know that ABC News works differently from most outlets: their opinion articles are tagged “analysis”, which you can see by looking at their category “Analysis & Opinion” (that’s just a name for them; they’re all marked “analysis”). Thus, the post needs an ‘[Opinion]’ prefix per the guidelines, as ABC dressing it up under a different name doesn’t change its nature.

      • TheTechnician27@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Understandable to take them at their word, and I wouldn’t begrudge you for keeping the title as-is given that page, but the page is complete BS – at least for their website.

        If you again look at “Analysis & Opinion”, you’ll see there’s not a single article labeled “Opinion”, articles marked “Analysis” like “Are we outsourcing our souls to artificial intelligence?” are blatantly opinions, the sidebar on ABC’s website lacks any “Opinion” section, and even within this article, “X has the upper hand in this conflict” is an opinionated stance.

        Saying “they differentiate between analysis and opinion” is untrue because they literally don’t have material marked as “Opinion”.

        • BrikoX@lemmy.zip
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          I haven’t checked all their content but at least going through the latest articles all of them are either by ABC editors or paid freelancers. From what I can see they don’t do guest op-eds where they shirk any responsibility for the content.

          Saying “they differentiate between analysis and opinion” is untrue because they literally don’t have material marked as “Opinion”.

          It’s possible they used to do them, but no longer does.

          The motivation behind [Opinion] prefix is to avoid accrediting content to publications that they don’t explicitly endorse. In this case it looks like they do.

          That said, I don’t disagree that the whole approach is confusing.

          • TheTechnician27@lemmy.world
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            2 days ago

            The motivation behind [Opinion] prefix is to avoid accrediting content to publications that they don’t explicitly endorse. In this case it looks like they do.

            That makes a lot of sense, and I appreciate the rationale. Thanks!

          • podian@piefed.social
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            2 days ago

            As a regular ass reader, I agree. The best news is hardly distinct from avowed and evidence based journalism and research. In short, good faith and competence.

  • A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip
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    2 days ago

    Re “single perspective”: make that at least two.

    According to a big German news podcast on Friday:

    • the USA have neither a plan nor the upper hand
    • Israel are scared shitless the USA could pull out - or even lose - before Iran is properly fucked

    The Don definitely has no clue, but he’s gloating about killing mullahs etc. Btw, it costs the USA about $1billion per day. And they’re buying oil from Russia again. Let that sink in, LOL (<-sarcasm)

  • Heikki2@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    I have an idea that may help exponent involved. We tell Trump a new McDonalds in Bam wants him and his administration to be there for thier grand opening.

    US wins by getting rid of this corrupt administration, Iran wins by reciveing the US war criminals, and Mc Donald’s win for its help of ending a war and keeping its goal of killing people who consume its food regularly.