The first casualty

As they say, the first casualty of war is the truth. It is always very difficult to find out what happened or why it happened. Often the truth only emerges afterwards.   There have been further attacks by the US against Iranian targets.

 

 

A fuller account can be found here; Round Two: US Drone Airstrikes Kill Six Pro-Iran Militia Commanders

 

Propaganda

There is a lot of propaganda out there.   In some of the comments sections you get either  Hasbara trolls (directly from Tel Aviv) or their Iranian counterparts or USA yippee-ki-yay pro-war – totally inappropriate responses.

How did all this start?    We are told that it started with the death of a mercenary contractor.    We are told that the CIA Iranians have been stirring up protests. The spontaneous peoples protests that happened in Iran at the end of November last year saw the burning of 731 banks. Anyone else find that unusual? cui bono?. Don’t believe everything anything that they tell you.

 

We will never know who was behind the embassy storming.  Was it Iran?   Interestingly, Trump has said (tweeted) that he will not allow another Benghazi.  In other words, he will not let “terrorists” storm the embassy (like Hillary did when she abandoned the Libyan embassy).    Of course, this goes down well with his supporters and will counter the protests – “but Trump said we should not be fighting in the ME”  – yeah but, “what did you expect?   The US had to respond to aggression.  We can’t have another Benghazi.”    Don’t forget that 2020 is an election year.  If he can look like he is reluctantly dragged into war……

 

This video is very pro-Trump propaganda but it does make some valid points.   John Kerry does have a close relationship, the NYT story is curious, Obama did repay billions to Iran (from their own frozen assets) etc.   However, seeing this all as part of a deep state plot that embraces the impeachment is a bit much.  This is how it is being spun to the “patriots” (the Q Anon followers):

Trump & The Patriots Sent A Message, [DS] Event Countered – Episode 2061b

 

Was it the death of a contractor that started all this or was it something else? Iraq’s PMU forces launch anti-terror operation in Nineveh province, secure 8 villages      We may never know. 

One commentator remarked; “The unknowns in this vague story, like so many, should incite questions not martial polarity. Too many in the public do not know what is really happening but will wish death to innocents. The foundation for the violence is based on the most important historical event of the twenty-first century. Interesting that nearly two decades after the event it is still not taught in high schools or universities. What really happened that day (9/11)?” It was therefore not the death of a “contractor” that started all this.   And the “narrative” that you are being fed is only part of the story.  Moreover, never forget that Israel will fight to the death (of the last American).

 

 

Saudi Oil Repairs

A different story is starting to emerge regarding Saudi Oil repairs. Just yesterday, Aramco’s CEO Amin Nasser reiterated production would be back to its former levels by the end of the month.

 

Normal oil production
Normal oil production

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But now the story has suddenly changed??

Well, According to the Wall Street Journal it has. Aramco’s Repairs Could Take Months Longer Than Company Anticipates, Contractors Say   (Check out the images in this article)  https://www.wsj.com/articles/aramcos-repairs-could-take-months-longer-than-company-anticipates-contractors-say-11569180194 The Saudis are getting the wrong contractors….or perhaps there’s just not enough oil left to justify the speedy repair. The Chinese build a 57-storey skyscraper in just 19 days – time-lapse:

How 1,500 Chinese Workers Built a Railroad in Only 9 Hours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTI4pA21j6I

Official Response

A (fictional) journalist put the following scenario forward “Aramco is unhappy with how quickly oil prices dropped after the “Iranian attack”, and since its objective from the very beginning – especially with its IPO looming – was to get oil prices higher, and with its reputation to prevent “outside shocks” in tatters, it is now creating its own bottlenecks in restoring output”.   The official response was:

Maybe they should call for intergalactic assistance?   https://youtu.be/Xto2J-5MW1A    And perhaps install some star fleet phasers rather than patriot missiles?

U.S. Ships More Air Defense Systems That Do Not Work To Saudi Arabia

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2019/09/us-ships-more-air-defense-systems-that-do-not-work-to-saudi-arabia.html

Fighting Talk

Saudi’s foreign minister (wearing my wife’s tea towel on his head) tells Hadley Gamble from CNBCi that “The attack against Saudi Aramco was an attack against the world” when challenged that he claimed that the Kingdom would be prepared to fight until the last American soldier he said that was “ridiculous” (because Saudi Arabia won’t attack Iran. But it may pay someone else to Nesrine Malik; The US is being fooled that it needs to rescue its ally in the Middle East. The Saudis always get others to fight for them  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/22/saudi-arabia-iran-us-middle-east-saudis#comments

 

 

They are at it again

The Wall Street Journal (again) reports: Yemeni Rebels Warn Iran Plans Another Strike Soon  The information has been passed along to the Saudis and the U.S., according to people briefed on the warnings

BEIRUT—Houthi militants in Yemen have warned foreign diplomats that Iran is preparing a follow-up strike to the missile and drone attack that crippled Saudi Arabia’s oil industry a week ago, people familiar with the matter said.

 

People not familiar with the matter said:

 

Has anyone noticed the amount of refinery fires etc lately?

Sept 2019: PEMEX fire at their most important refinery https://www.rt.com/news/469023-pemex-blast-mexico-oil/

Sept 2019: Italy’s largest oil refinery on fire https://www.rt.com/news/468986-italy-oil-refinery-blast/

Sept 2019: Mumbai oil refinery fire https://www.rt.com/news/467838-india-oil-refinery-fire/

Aug 2019: Baytown Texas oil refinery fire https://www.rt.com/usa/465498-exxon-oil-plan-on-fire/

June 2019: Largest East coast refinery fire (permanently closed) https://www.rt.com/usa/462390-massive-explosions-pennsylvania-oil-refinery/

Nov 2018: Moscow Oil refinery fire:https://www.rt.com/russia/444233-moscow-oil-refinery-fire/

Oct 2018: Bosnia oil refinery fire https://www.rt.com/news/440819-explosion-oil-refinery-bosnia/

Sept 2018: Bavaria oil fire: https://www.rt.com/news/437399-bavaria-refinery-fire-blast/

June 2018: Wisconsin oil refinery fire https://www.rt.com/usa/425241-casualties-wisconsin-oil-explosion/

Jan 2018: Taiwan oil refinery fire https://www.rt.com/news/417333-taiwan-oil-refinery-fire/

 

Extinction rebellion?  (LOL).  Move on Nothing to see here