Disappointed In You Orange Man

Part Two

Sometimes certain events happen which signify a change in our perception of reality or our understanding of reality. When such events also impact on me emotionally, I feel compelled to write about them rather than waiting until a Friday: such matters could also overburden the Update. The unnecessary attack on the Houthis in Yemen by the Americans and the British is such an event that has affected me emotionally. My perception of reality has not been changed by this event alone but has taken the form of a dialectical development in which an accumulation of evidence leads to a new understanding - just as an accumulation of heat changes water into steam as a kettle boils. I think I see more clearly now that there is little difference between Trump and Biden when it comes to war and the continuation of a foreign policy that amounts to bullying rather than negotiating.

As much as Donald J may see himself as a peacemaker with his homely rhetoric of concern for deaths on the battlefield, or of poor displaced Palestinians, others will judge him by his actions. I think this is a wise approach to judging anyone but especially the Donald. Trump has not stopped providing weapons and support to Ukraine or Israel as both countries continue to commit terrorist acts against innocents. In Ukraine, negotiations are taking place while Americans continue to assist the Ukrainians in their efforts to kill innocent Russian civilians. This is the unpalatable truth of the matter.

In addition, on the 15th March, Trump ordered strikes on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa which killed 31 on that day including women and children. Some Ansar Allah leaders were among the dead. More than 100 were injured. A later report claimed that 53 had been killed.

‘So by their fruits you will know who they are’ (Mathew 7: 16-20).

Trump actually watched the airstrikes, which attacked civilian infrastructure, in real time. I wonder, did he also watched the results of his attack:

Child victim in Sanaa - did you watch this Donald?

You can see more on X.

No one who has ordered such attacks can lay claim to a peace prize. This was an unprovoked attack, as Larry Johnson discusses here (12 mins). It was an act of war started by Trump but probably with Iran in mind. The Iranians were warned to stop using Yemen, which is actually an independent state, as a proxy to attack the West and Israel. This is the United States as the bully it has been since World War 2 ended. Trump is acting like some gunslinging hero in a second rate Randolph Scott Western: maybe he watched too many of these when he was young. But one cannot help but draw the conclusion that the gap between Trump and Biden on war is wafer thin. Sorry to have to say this, especially since more than 30% of my readers are American. The truth is not always popular.

This is a wake up call for anyone who expected something better from Donald J and is especially sickening because it was completely unnecessary. The rhetoric of US officials who claim that the Houthis are disrupting all shipping in the Red Sea is bellicose and dishonest. The Houthis made a principled stand some time ago to support the Palestinians even at the risk of their own peril by attacking Israel related shipping. When the Gaza ceasefire was announced they kept their promise to end the attacks. These are principled people not terrorists. Many Westerners could learn from them. But if Israel conformed to Houthis warnings to stay out of the Red Sea then nothing would happen - so why take such drastic action? It’s all BS - this was the US banging its chest like an ageing alpha male in a Chimpanzee troop it can no longer control.

The Houthis had warned that they would start attacking Israeli shipping because the Israelis are breaking the ceasefire and trying to starve the Palestinians in Gaza. But no attacks have been made as far as I am aware. The Americans should be criticising Israel for not cooperating with the peace process but they have demonstrated their obnoxious and unconditional support for the terrorist state Israel has become.

Marco Rubio advised Sergei Lavrov of the intended action beforehand and the latter condemned the proposal, recommending political dialogue as an alternative. I have no idea whether Trump has any idea of the escalatory nature of these attacks which he will find it difficult to abandon without losing face. It seems that someone in the Trump Administration or even Trump himself wants a war with Iran. If this happens, Trump’s credibility as the President who wanted to stop foreign wars will vanish into thin air and his reputation will be tarnished. I doubt whether he will want that.

I also doubt that Trump’s advisers have any idea how strong Iran is militarily. As I have said before, based on Iran’s previous attacks on Israel and the latter’s failure in their attack on the former, Iran could easily destroy Israel. Indeed, Trump could be in danger of a wider war against Russia, Iran and China who are cementing their alliance with a seventh joint naval exercise as I write. Russian negotiators will be alarmed by the rhetorical threats towards their ally Iran which will undermine trust in the American team whose country has committed an act of war against another state. Personally, I wouldn’t trust any of them. In fact, I would be tempted to stop talks until the US stops killing innocent women and children in Yemen - but that’s my anger talking; rather than my diplomatic reason.

The Houthis retaliated with a drone and ballistic missile attack on US aircraft carrier, Harry S Truman. You can read more at the Palestinian Chronicle. Ansar Allah (the Houthis) have vowed to continue to act against US and Israeli shipping as Israeli forces continue to kill innocents in Jenin and burn their homes. The Israelis, who have never honoured the ceasefire, are still killing innocents in Gaza.

I have no idea where this is going but the world just became a more dangerous place and I had to say that now.

If you wish to understand the mindset of the Houthis, the first 30 minutes of this video from Jacques Baud will be very helpful.

Best Wishes - Rob