"No More Wars" Trump Requesting a Record Defense Budget: $1.5 TRILLION in FY2026

mark46 · Jun 16, 2026

Vylo said:
those countries had been normalizing relations with Israel way before Trump even sat in the oval office. If you don't know, they are all Sunni run. Iran and Hezbollah are Shia. They are trying to capitalize on Trump's idiocy to dismantle the last remaining Shia dominated government, but it backfired badly.

Yes, the Sunnis have been fighting the Shia for a thousand years. ROFL. You well know that the Sunnis celebrated having a US ally against the Shia threat. The Sunnis don't think it idiocy to oppose Iran. That idea is one of US Democrats. The Sunni have been fighting Israel since 1948. Even risking being deposed by their people didn't stop the sheiks from supporting Israel against attack from Iran, the Houtis and Hamas.

mark46 · Jun 16, 2026

Vylo said:
He slowed them. If someone offers you a massive financial windfall to slow/stop nuclear development, that's a lot more effective than threats, because again, they have seen what happens to nations who give up on their nuclear ambitions.

There's basically no peace agreement happening, ever. Iran has learned negotiating with the US is worthless, and will play lip service as they develop their nukes and continue to harass Israel.

Why would they stop?

point well taken

However, I believe that the reason the Iran took the money was in order to fight its wars against the Sunnis and in order to develop missile and drone technology, factories and numbers.

Vylo · Jun 16, 2026

mark46 said:
Yes, the Sunnis have been fighting the Shia for a thousand years. ROFL. You well know that the Sunnis celebrated having a US ally against the Shia threat. The Sunnis don't think it idiocy to oppose Iran. That idea is one of US Democrats. The Sunni have been fighting Israel since 1948. Even risking being deposed by their people didn't stop the sheiks from supporting Israel against attack from Iran, the Houtis and Hamas.

the Sunnis are using us, you don't seem to understand that. Trump did this at the behest of Israel and the Saudis. Democrats don't think its idiocy to oppose Iran, they KNOW it's idiocy to try and half-ass a war with them. most of the GOP used to know that too, that's why they didn't do it.

mark46 · Jun 16, 2026

Lebanon is one key to this memorandum lasting more than a few days.

OPEN QUESTION
Will Iran be able to get Hezbollah to stand down and retreat while Irael withdraws and is replaced by Lebanese soldiers.

Lebanon and Israel have an agreement. It can be made permanent. The open question is Hezbollah.
===========
Trump is likely to be able to convince Israel. After all, Trump can agree to look at the issue of more military options in a year.

Bradskii · Jun 16, 2026

mark46 said:
And in what Bizzaro world is it better for the world for the US and Israel not to have destroyed the nuclear facilities in the June 2025 military.
actions?

This has to be the most deranged argument people are using in this forum that I've read in months (and there a lot of idiotic arguments trying to support whatever Trump is trying to do).

You are praising Trump for trying to prevent something that he allowed to happen in the first place.

mark46 · Jun 16, 2026

Vylo said:
the Sunnis are using us, you don't seem to understand that. Trump did this at the behest of Israel and the Saudis. Democrats don't think its idiocy to oppose Iran, they KNOW it's idiocy to try and half-ass a war with them. most of the GOP used to know that too, that's why they didn't do it.

So, we disagree.

Yes, Trump has strong allies in Israel and in the Sunni Sheiks. Trump and family have made billions through their relationships with the Sunnis. And yes, I do see that Israel and the Saudis certaintly see that they have a much better chance of an alliance with Trump compared to Biden.

As far as Reoublicans being the party that previously avoided half-ass wars in the Middle East, I think that we might pass on that one. Or did you mean that Republicans knew enough to not fight against Iran? And when was that.

We do seem to focus on this 2nd phase of the war, rather than the first phase in 2025.

wing2000 · Jun 16, 2026

mark46 said:
Believe as you will. Iran's nuclear program is NOT in place, certainly not to the degree that it was when Trump took office.

A significant portion certainly is. The nuclear material remains in place.

mark46 said:
Last June, Trump and Israel crippled the nuclear program for a decade. He did much to finish the job in the last three months.

Says who?

mark46 said:
Wanting this to be part of legacy, he wants to make sure that future presidents couldn't undo what he is doing. Of course, this is ironic. It is Obama who didn't go to Congress and get his actions approved.

While Trump didn't eliminate their missiles and drones, he certainly greatly degraded the programs, destroying factories and killing scientists. Since Trump has been in office, the proxies (other than the Houti) have also been greatly weakened.

Sure, but the knowledge and nuclear material remain. Iran plays the long game. Trump? whatever he feels in the moment...

mark46 said:
Trump is the worst president in the history of the US with regard to democracy, corruption and domestic issues. There really is no contest.

HOWEVER, the world is better off for many things he has done with regard to military actions, including helping some conflicts (e.g. India-Pakistan) and the Abraham Accords.

Believe what you want....

essentialsaltes · Jun 17, 2026

mark46 said:
Lebanon is one key to this memorandum lasting more than a few days.

OPEN QUESTION
Will Iran be able to get Hezbollah to stand down and retreat while Irael withdraws and is replaced by Lebanese soldiers.

Will the US be able to get Israel to stand down and withdraw?

Nithavela · Jun 17, 2026

essentialsaltes said:
Will the US be able to get Israel to stand down and withdraw?

Will the USA be able to not attack when Israel next tells them to?

Aldebaran · Jun 17, 2026

Say it aint so said:
This is literally like Trump jumping on a forklift to move crates of eggs, and everyone warning him what he's about to do will make a huge mess. Yet he he ignores them, does it anyway, claiming that no one knew it would happen. After days of rot he finally cleans up the mess he created, and yet he and I guess you see cleaning up that as some kind of success.

If the eggs were enriching uranium to build a bomb that would kill millions of people, and now they weren't, then it would be a big success.

Seriously, we could have even just stayed out of World War 2 rather than get vengeance for Pearl Harbor. And Hitler could have just been seen as a European problem. But no, we got involved in an expensive war. It turned out to be worth it though.

Aldebaran · Jun 17, 2026

wing2000 said:
Obama was referring to the retrofitting of Coal fired power plants that would increase operating cost. Trump's war led to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz - an event that has been far more impactful on the global economy (not just higher energy prices for a limited group of U.S. consumers). Once more, Trump is now subsidizing a dying coal industry to the tune of 625 Million (our tax dollars.)..but I digress.

Energy Department Announces $625 Million Investment to Reinvigorate and Expand America’s Coal Industry

The U.S. Department of Energy today announced a $625 million investment to expand and reinvigorate America’s coal industry, aiming to boost energy production and support coal communities nationwide.

www.energy.gov

Back to my main question:

What counts as as success?
1) The Iranian Regime is still in place.
2) Iran's nuclear program remains in place.

1. Most of them are dead. They aren't in place. They have to be re-placed.
2. Sure, but it's hard for it to operate under all that rubble.

Say it aint so · Jun 17, 2026

Aldebaran said:
If the eggs were enriching uranium to build a bomb that would kill millions of people, and now they weren't, then it would be a big success.

They weren't.
Until Trump's tearing up an agreement that gave cause to those levels of enrichment.
So you can take as Trump's first phase of making a mess.

Seriously, we could have even just stayed out of World War 2 rather than get vengeance for Pearl Harbor. And Hitler could have just been seen as a European problem. But no, we got involved in an expensive war. It turned out to be worth it though.

Not even close to the same.

Hans Blaster · Jun 17, 2026

Hans Blaster said:
My note was not on how much oil is stored in the Gulf, but how much oil is not getting *out* of the Gulf. The rest of the world has depleting oil reserves.

[something about "it" (oil?) being "liquid" and "fun"] "also we run out of reserves in about four weeks. you know there are reserves all over the world and we would really run out and there'll [?] be a time you wouldn't be able to get it and you want to see bedlam so for all of the so-called geniuses that want to show me how smart they are ask them why didn't they blow up Gen Solimeni [sp]" [then some more stuff about the generals and the wrongness of the smart people that seem to be a shift in to a new thought mid-sentence.]

Quoted from Pres. Donald Trump at 6:47 PM in France (12:47 PM EST) on June 17, 2026 CE from the press conference at the G7 summit in France.

wing2000 · Jun 17, 2026

Aldebaran said:
1. Most of them are dead. They aren't in place. They have to be re-placed.

Huh? Iran's leadership has been replaced - mostly by leaders of the IRGC. That was obvious in the days following the airstrikes on Tehran.

Aldebaran said:
2. Sure, but it's hard for it to operate under all that rubble.

Reportedly, the Iranians are already digging out of the rubble.

Trump and Netanyahu's objectives remain unmet.

Aldebaran · Jun 17, 2026

Say it aint so said:
They weren't.
Until Trump's tearing up an agreement that gave cause to those levels of enrichment.
So you can take as Trump's first phase of making a mess.

Yes, they were.

Say it aint so said:
Not even close to the same.

Both are wars, both cost a lot, and wars are messy but serve a purpose.

Aldebaran · Jun 17, 2026

wing2000 said:
Huh? Iran's leadership has been replaced - mostly by leaders of the IRGC. That was obvious in the days following the airstrikes on Tehran.

Reportedly, the Iranians are already digging out of the rubble.

Trump and Netanyahu's objectives remain unmet.

Deny that they've been met if that serves some purpose.

mark46 · Jun 17, 2026

wing2000 said:
A significant portion certainly is. The nuclear material remains in place.

I do agree that there is a pile of nuclear material left. This will be THE major issue going forward.

Hans Blaster · Jun 17, 2026

mark46 said:
I do agree that there is a pile of nuclear material left. This will be THE major issue going forward.

A nuclear pile, trapped under rubble. Doesn't sound good.

mark46 · Jun 17, 2026

Nithavela said:
Will the USA be able to not attack when Israel next tells them to?

The US will be able to pressure Israel over Lebanon. We have signed a treaty with the Lebanes government. Trump will certainly try to support that treaty and make billions in future deals for his family.

And, yes, Israel will have to continue to deal the threats from Iran and its proxies. If Iran is still attacking in a couple of years, I expect Israel to again attack Iran. There would be support from Israel's allies in the US, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The situation is an interesting one. The sheiks are lending hundreds of billions to Iran to help rebuild. My guess is that the Arabs will look the other way as the leaders all take many billions in corruption. My guess is that the money will keep coming as long as Iran doesn't attck Israel or the gulf states. I expect Arab companies to invest lots in the Iranian economy.

mark46 · Jun 17, 2026

Hans Blaster said:
A nuclear pile, trapped under rubble. Doesn't sound good.

It is better than Iran being able to use the material.

If the parties are willing, this material can be dealt with on-site or sent to another country. My suggestion is Pakistan.

"No More Wars" Trump Requesting a Record Defense Budget: $1.5 TRILLION in FY2026

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