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Weakness Breeds Aggression

Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2024
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by Outside Contributor
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the flag of iran

This week, three American soldiers died at the hands of an Iranian proxy group that used a drone to strike an American base in Jordan. The Biden administration immediately leapt into action by issuing a strongly worded statement, while simultaneously proclaiming that they wanted to avoid escalation. Which, of course, is precisely the wrong thing to do when faced with aggression from a smaller, hostile adversary.

The right thing to do? Punch them in the mouth hard enough to deter further aggression.

That is something President Donald Trump knew innately. On Dec. 31, 2019, Iranian-backed proxy groups stormed the U.S. embassy compound in Iraq, killing a U.S. contractor. “Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq,” Trump tweeted. “They will be held fully responsible.” On Jan. 2, 2020, the Defense Secretary said there were “indications” that Iran was planning “additional attacks” on American targets.

On Jan. 3, 2020, the U.S. military killed Iran’s top terrorist commander, Qassem Soleimani.

This led to teeth-gnashing from the American left, which declared such an activity a major escalation. Iran blustered that the assassination was “tantamount to opening a war against Iran.” Trump then threatened, “Let this serve as a WARNING that if Iran strikes any Americans, or American assets, we have targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD.”

Iran fired some missiles at some empty sites.

That was the end of that particular exchange.

It turns out that if there is one party in the Middle East that wants a U.S.-Iran war less than the United States, it is Iran.

Which is how deterrence works.

That’s what makes it so absurd that the Biden White House’s first Middle Eastern goal upon taking office was to destroy deterrence against Iran. The White House first declared itself in opposition to the Saudi regime, chiding Mohammed Bin Salman over human rights violations; the White House removed the Iranian-backed Houthis from the terror list; the White House tried to reopen Iranian nuclear talks.

Despite the White House’s idiocy, Sunni-Israeli peace seemed to be in the offing. In fact, as a result of the White House’s idiocy, Saudi Arabia had drawn closer to Israel than ever before as a defensive measure against a resurgent Iran.

So Iran acted. Iran acted knowing that the Biden administration is cowardly in its approach to foreign affairs — that they’re willing to slow-walk aid to American allies under pressure but unwilling to countenance the credible threats of military force by which deterrence is established. And now the Biden administration continues to vacillate. After spending the months since Oct. 7 repeating ad nauseam an admonition to Iran not to escalate its violence — “Don’t!” every Biden official, including Biden himself, has repeated — Iran has indeed escalated its violence. It turns out that saying “Don’t” to aggressive foreign powers isn’t nearly as effective as saying “Don’t, or you may not be breathing tomorrow.”

Napoleon Bonaparte once supposedly stated that his military policy was an “iron hand in a velvet glove.” When the iron hand disappears, replaced with fluff, there isn’t much for Iran to fear. And in an election year in which the president deeply fears a further conflict with Iran, Iran isn’t the party being deterred. America is, at the cost of American lives.

Ben Shapiro, 39, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author; his latest book is “The Authoritarian Moment: How The Left Weaponized America’s Institutions Against Dissent.” To find out more about Ben Shapiro and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

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Max
Max
7 months ago

Here we go again at saber rattling and have no teeth to back it. This administration continues to be a laughing stock around the world. Who gave all those $$$$$ back to Iran and look what happens.

David Millikan
David Millikan
7 months ago

Dictator Beijing biden is too busy bowing down to Communist China and Iran, hiding and taking vacations while attacking President Trump and Legal American citizens instead of Securing the Borders and Protecting the United States of America.

Luke
Luke
7 months ago

Pelosi, clintons & obama’s created this with their delusional hatred of Donald Trump. They and their minions are worthy of execution for their treasonous behavior. No rule of law. Plan accordingly.

GTPatriot
GTPatriot
7 months ago

Bimbo has already announced that he will turn the other cheek as if Iran is a civilization.It is not. The US needs a missle enema in downtown Tehran. This attack should kill hundreds. But Bimbo will wimp out and subject our troops to more deaths. I’m tired of”death to America”. I want death to Iran and the world will be a better place. If Iranian men were honorable they would have eliminated their oppressor years ago. Dictators exist only where there are cowardly men ie Afganistan, Gaza as opposed to Syria and Ukraine

GTPatriot
GTPatriot
7 months ago

The World Trade Fund and the International Monetary Fund are just other US taxpayer giveaway programs. Neither of these 2 organizations have done anything for the US but take our money. Its a curiosity why we never hear anything about what these money-movers have actually accomplished. Surely, much of this money goes for corruption, graft, and under the table payoffs to the “officials” of this fraud. Until I get facts, thats what I will believe. From: Been around too long to trust government and its proxies.

Thinking
Thinking
7 months ago

Ole Joe has never met an enemy, like a Hitler or a Stalin or a Mao. He thinks by playing nice Iran will play nice. He is more conciliatory to Iran than to his own people. I am thinking the MAGA people he always is calling out as the most dangerous group of terrorists in America. We haven’t shot at anyone or anything we haven’t killed anyone. That is all done by the left. Migrants being killed at the border, Americans being killed by the migrants. Drug overdoses by the drugs coming into our country as easily and in large volumes, just like the migrants. The people that have been locked up for being in DC on Jan 6 in 2021. While murderers go free. All on ole Joe’s watch. Ukraine gets all the money and weapons. We have to send engineers to the base in Jordan who was attacked by a drone. Why are engineers in a combat zone. Were they put there as a target? Why didn’t ole Joe go on tv to inform the country what had happened at the same time to tell Iran what to expect. Reagan acted, Trump acted but where is ole Joe. Oh he has made up his mind what he is going to do but he doesn’t want a war with Iran. Well iran is laughing themselves silly. Why is it that ole Joe has so much hatred toward Trump and his supporters but ooh no war with Iran. Are you afraid Joe?

Donna
Donna
7 months ago

Trump 2024.

Robert Zuccaro
Robert Zuccaro
7 months ago

When an American soldier stationed in Germany was killed by a Libyan bomb, Reagan launched air attacks on Gaddafi. When Hussein invaded Kuwait, Bush, Sr. launched Gulf War 1, September 11th, Bush Jr. invaded Afghanistan. Apparently, the Biden ROE is to shoot down Houthi missiles aimed at ships transitioning the Red Sea/Straits of Hormutz but not target the bases they are launched from and tell Iran “DON’T”… Well guess what? THEY DID! So what will Brandon do now?

anna hubert
anna hubert
7 months ago

Aggressor only knows one language this WH is conditioned not to speak it There is no one in this admin that would dare even to whisper it

Nick
Nick
7 months ago

The Democrat Party epitomizes Neville Chamberlain. Their theory is a shaky old Joe says don’t you do it, it’ll scare the Iranians. He and the Democrat Party are the laughing stock of the world. It wouldn’t dare cross Donald Trump cuz he would probably do exactly what he said

2Patriot
2Patriot
7 months ago

Sorry, but perhaps it’s glass-making time in Iran? Evil must be eliminated!

Gabe Hanzeli kent wa
Gabe Hanzeli kent wa
7 months ago

biden and the democrats are weak and that is why there are wars everywhere.

David
David
7 months ago

If you don’t stop bullies from attacking you they will continue their behavior.

Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell
7 months ago

See Cold War 1: Peace Through Strength. 1945-1991

Barbara
Barbara
7 months ago

The current ‘faux’ adminstration headed by a weak pathetic puppet controlled by those who are out to destroy America, has put the U.S. into a precarious position.. The world has observed and many are aware how this has come about. Perhaps, many more Americans will have opened their mind to the truth… observing the goings-on in the last four years…and will take action to ensure this will not happen again. If Americans want an honest election BAN ballot-counting machines. In addition, NO voting by mail, No drop off boxes and proper ID. Apathy has put America into this very weak place. The only way America will survive is by many more Americans getting involved… and learning about the people on the ballot, before they vote. It should not be about party…it should be what will they do for the benefit of all Americans. What have they done previously. “Nothing, but the facts!”

B. J. McCann
B. J. McCann
7 months ago

Biden and company are too cowardly to act against foreign nations that want to do us (US) but readily declare war against us (US CITIZENS) believing they are immune from any corrective action from the American Citizens. Having invited people from around the world to cross or boarder’s with their blessings. They wanted to attack only red states which they have done from day one of this administration. Now the blue states are feeling the pressure ton their own states. The sanctuary cities and states are now crying for assistance. I for one applaud governors from Texas and Florida who sent these illegal s to those other states that laughed at the situation from the border states.
biden and company want to spend more money not to secure the border but to have more baby sitters to process these illegals and let them go into the interior of our once great country.
Now Biden a company are throwing the towel in because the the house will not give him more money after bad.
This administration has caused more harm to our country than any other twenty past administrations. Bidenomics, inflation, unfettered spending and the fed doing its utmost to help destroy our economy. by raising the points to curtail inflation. A pretty bad action but goes along with bidens action.
overall the democrats have shown us that they don’t care about anything but themselves and are hellbent on destroying us like the socialist nations in central and South America. This type of behavior has never worked as promised but sure as hell did the exact opposite.

Wayne Peterkin
Wayne Peterkin
7 months ago

When was the last time you saw a bully pick on the biggest, toughest, meanest guy around? Never. Point proved. We need to be the baddest guy in the world and Biden is giving up that status. Peace can only come through strength. Re. Iran. We should covertly be working with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and every other player who has the common goal of eliminating Iranian aggression through proxy terrorism. Regime change in Iran is the only hope of relative peace in that region. Planning that change to cut off the head of the snake should be in progress. Note I said “should”. I doubt that it is but hope I’m wrong.

Barrett T Smith
Barrett T Smith
7 months ago

Biden’s weakness in Afghanistan emboldened Putin and, as a result, are in a world-wide recession. Furthermore, his continued limp wristed handling of Iran has enabled the terrorists free reign to attack Israel and American soldiers. Joe is a feckless, reckless leader.

Bill Smith
Bill Smith
7 months ago

Weakness, irresolute civilian “masters” lost the Vietnam war. Perhaps they should be subject to the UCMJ when they meddle in military matters.

Myrna
Myrna
7 months ago

USA is about to find out if it is too late.

marty
marty
7 months ago

In the late ’70’s Carter showed weakness, Iran invaded our Embassy, taking 52 hostages and holding them for 444 days releasing them on Reagan’s inauguration day ! These Zealots were terrified of the “Cowboy Reagan”, and what he would do to them. O’Bama bowed to the Saudis, and sent 2 plane loads of $ cash to Iran sending Kerry to delay their Nuke program (with no inspections) burning lots of jet fuel and no results. Trump put the fear of America back in them by taking out Solemani and friends with a drone strike.!! Now O’Biden (O’Bumbler’s 3rd term) sends Iran $ 6 Billion and funds Hamas, Houti, Hezzbola, etc empties the SPR (for midterm votes) and buys oil from Iran and Venezuela. .Notice a pattern here ?? Break this pattern of STUPIDITY…….Vote TRUMP, early and often, just like they do !! .

Sean Rickman
Sean Rickman
7 months ago

Unfortunately there is a weak entity supposedly in charge of AMERICA,but he is not.There are infirm entities controlling what happens to AMERICA.We have to elect a President that cares about our country and doesn’t kiss up to the criminals like soros,nobamba,schumer,peelosi,nadler and the rest of the power and”moneygrubbers”.

Morbious
Morbious
7 months ago

Bitemes policies are the policies of the treason party. Every one of them has as its goal the weakening of the usa. Looked at from that point of view he is succeeding just as the last dem POTUS did.

GTPatriot
GTPatriot
7 months ago

The more I hear, the more its evident that Biden will take a slap on the wrist approach to the murder of three of our troops in Jordan. Most of the nation expects this instead to the missle enema that downtown Tehran should get. Iran has proxies yes and its biggest proxy is Joe Biden.

John Shipway
John Shipway
7 months ago

This author is either flat out r*** or is a mouthpiece for the military industrial complex.
First, the base hit was NOT in Jordan according to the leader of Jordan but was instead in Syria where the United States had established TWO illegal bases in disregard of the UN and international law.
Secondly, some tribe of Muslims based in Iraq took proud (to them), claim for the drone attack. The drone may or may not have been built in Iran and provided to this tribe but when looking at what the US has been doing regarding supplying weapons to the Nazi infested regime in Ukaine…….how can we, with any honor take action against Iran?
I was at the end of my collegiate endeavors at the time of the Iranian revolutioy naries taking of the American embassy in Tehran well over 40 years ago. Since then, the military industrial complex along with the politicians they have purchased fealty from have been aching for a conflict with Iran. I can still recall seeing people my age and older harrassing anyone looking “A Rab” back at the time of the embassy incident and that kept up until the nation tired of killing Muslims after two Iraqi wars and one…….whatever that was in Afghanistan. We wont mention Syria or Libya or any of the other “sand nigger” killing sprees our great corporatist government went on. But finally the anti-middle easterner phobia waned. Well, the war whores and the military industrial complex cannot stand for…..humanity so here we are watching the government and the compliant media gin up another conflict in the middle east but this time they are all literally turgid in their excitement as this time…….we get to go after “those evil Iranians”
Iran today is not Iran of the late 70s, early 80s. Last week they proved they have EXTREMELY accurate long range missiles so if/when we “bomb Iran”, this time we can sa goodbye to the crews of one, perhaps two aircraft carriers and God only knows how many destroyers and cruisers both American and from the laughable buffoons in the UK. This little anti Muslim conflict will NOT be pretty nor successful unless .one judges success by the gallons of blood or of the sea food provided by dead sailors.
What the hell are we doing over there? “We” woujldnt have been attacked by anyone if we weren’t there………ILLEGALLY. The 50 some odd years of American hegemony are OVER. America can no longer dictate the actions of one heck of a lot of nation states now without suffering severe consequences. Has anyone given any thought to the huge numbers of Muslims that have streamed across the OPEN borders the last 3 years. Think of what they can do armed with black marketed weaponry from the corrupt government of Ukraine. Images of Mexican cartel members armed with American anti tank weapons serial numbered to those GIVEN to Ukraine have been seen for months now. Plan on taking a plane somewhere? Ever hear of a little missile called the “Stinger”? Lots of those have been bought and sold by members of the always corrupt Ukraine government. Maybe think twice before buying that daughter going to college a ticket for a flight home for some special occasion. It may be the last thing you ever give her.
FINALLY war will come to our shores and at least a modicum of reasoning can be provided for the existence of a way too close to a one trillion dollar annual defense But of course evil demons like Victoria Nuland, Lindsay Graham and way too many others will never allow for common sense and decency to be any part of our governments foreign policy so……..let the blood spilling begin.

John Shipway
John Shipway
7 months ago

My goodness widdle Ben. Did some mean Iranian make fun of you being laughably short or did he merely ask “what” after hearing you “speed talk” as is your annoying habit?
First, the west doesn’t yet know if the damage was done by a drone, Could have been a rocket or even a planted explosive device. If the Pentagon doesn’t know I don’t see how an undersized amateur violin playing speed talker could know. Maybe you beat the info out of your diversity hire as you probably see her, Candace Owens.
Secondly, it appears as if the affected base wasn’t in Jordan, if one can believe the leaders of…Jordan. Most likely it was one of two illegal bases the US has taken upon itself to maintain Syria very much against international law and most certainly against Syrian wishes as well as its laws.
Thirdly, quit the whining about your love of the Saudi Arabians and how close a cooperative agreement was to being implemented between that Arabian nation and the British established scorpion farm the UN called Israel. You along with the rest of “Gods Chosen People”, wouldn’t urinate on a Saudi Arabian if you set him on fire…….which you have on numerous occasions just for giggles. You just want the money and oil to keep your scorpion farm lit and cooled.
Why the hell anyone listens to a thing the widdle violin playing grifter has to say is beyond me. Think his story is one of “rags to riches”? Hahahahahah……look into who made widdle Ben…….who bankrolled his entire family. The man was hammered out of whole board room with hard work having NOTHING to do with widdle Bens success.
What the hell were American troops doing in that God forsaken part of the world thousands of miles from home? Building peace and democracy in an illegally established base in a country you have been complicit in attacking for over a decade because they don;t like the brand of terrorist you tried to overthrow their government with?
We need to use our defense budget for…..DEFENSE and quit with the nation building BS we have been failing at for over 60 years now. I can suggest one way of better spending that way too close to a trillion dollars a year the defense department currently recieves. How about redirecting those funds to help older people pay for both food AND medication? There are tens of thousands of the elderly that daily have to choose between medication and food. An elderly couple that attend my church were found to be eating NOT Alpo……..that cost too much, but store brand pet food. This singular couple have for now been rescued by our church but……….why were they in that situation to begin with? Because our “betters” decided to spend a ton of money to satisfy their real masters, lobbyists of the type that make up AIPAC……….widdle Bens favorite lobbying group I’m sure.
Grow up widdle Ben………oh crap you are almost 40……..ok then…….stand on a box or something and for Gods sake………..speak a little slower. You afraid you are going to forget what you are talking about or something?

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