Donald Trump the Megathread part II - Mod Warning updated in OP 12/2/26

Good article from Axios

Behind the Curtain: Trump's escalation trap

For five years in office, President Trump has operated with intuition, impulse and improvisation.

The Iran war, now entering Week 3, is the first time Trump's style has made it impossible for him to easily talk or improvise his way out.

Why it matters: Trump could wind up trapped between his caprice and the realities of war. He expects a quick, clear victory. But unlike tariffs that can be swiftly imposed and rescinded, the war's outcome is beyond unilateral control and quick fixes. And Iran gets a say.

https://www.axios.com/2026/03/16/trump-iran-war-escalation

I have my doubts re the Expeditionary force will be on its way to KHARG. See map screen shot below and where KHARG ( Marked with Red Pin ) is vs Strait of Hormuz ( Circled in red ) and Iran. Ùnless they go via kuwait. And even then they will 24/7 be pumelled from the Iran side

The area between Kharg and Strait of hormuz is hugely mountainous ( the Zagros and Dena mountains ) along the coast and apparently has been fortified with deep bunkers for a long time

Never waste a crisis here for Trump.

He can use the excuse of his stupid Iran war first as cover to help Putin with 1 key ask he probably had (remove US sanctions on Russian energy exports) and now to pursue another longstanding desire (further distance the US from NATO, when other members won't play their part in his play of obedient "vassals" of the "king" when called on to support this war).

I think any European countries he asks for support should ignore him as much as possible without raising the temperature (e.g. polite fob offs that they'll consider it…) and concentrate on Ukraine for the moment.

In case ye were wondering about Kharg island or have been hearing alot about it lately - then check this recent vid out from Sky News - detailing the issues for the US if they try take this island:

( Circled in RED is Strait of Hormuz, the red marker indicates Kharg Island )

More Freedom of Speech being curtailed by Pentagon Pete!

The Pentagon will curtail coverage of war zones — and March Madness

The Defense Department's new memo will likely also stifle much of Stars and Stripes' daily newsgathering operations — including its ability to cover the new war in Iran or other combat zones where its military readers may be deployed.

That's because the memo prohibits Stars and Stripes from publishing most stories from wire services, like the Associated Press or Reuters. Many news organizations publish stories from such wire services to inform readers about important news they do not have the resources to cover themselves. In the case of Stars and Stripes, that means its readers will not see stories or photos from Iran or other war zones where it does not currently have journalists working.

Stars and Stripes also will not be able to utilize wire services to cover lighter but popular news, like the upcoming March Madness college basketball tournament and other major sporting events. The memo even explicitly bans Stars and Stripes from publishing comic strips.

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/14/nx-s1-5748020/pentagon-tightens-controls-over-stars-and-stripes-after-calling-it-woke

This is the work schedule of me with a hangover not the president of the United States

when a dog pisses on the floor of the house, they say rub his nose in it and eventually he’ll get the idea not to do it again. Trumps nose needs to be rubbed in this. Not that he’ll learn.

Also promises made, something something.

I don't think he'll go with a ground invasion; even he knows how that will go down domestically. In fact, I think it might cause some issues within the military after the mess of the past couple of weeks, and this may be why they haven't got near escorting tankers themselves. There may be some limited ground incursions such as Kharg Island.

I agree his main reason for launching this was to deflect from Epstein. Otherwise the main item of news over the past fortnight would have been the DOJ document outlining the allegations made by the 13-year-old, however unverified.

I still think he'll declare victory and end operations unilaterally, perhaps not as soon as originally intended. I think this is why he's so desperate to get the Europeans etc involved, in the hope that they'll absorb the bulk of the regime's vengeance while trying to get the Straits reopened.