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Sunday, June 15, 2025

15: Iran

Putin's messages to Iran and Israel as conflict boils over

Senate Republicans move to prevent Trump's kingly ambitions: report The provision in question "would restrict the ability of any court, including the Supreme Court, to enforce compliance with its orders by holding people in contempt." ......... According to HuffPost, "Contempt citations are an essential tool for the courts" because "they allow judges to threaten fines, sanctions or even jail if people disobey their orders." ........ Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told HuffPost that the contempt provision Republicans slipped into the massive spending bill was "a naked attempt to shield members of the Trump administration from court orders," essentially allowing them to operate with impunity, much like royalty. ......... "Not only does this provision appear to violate the constitutional separation of powers, it also violates Senate rules," wrote reporter Jennifer Bendery. "Republicans are relying on a fast-track legislative process known as budget reconciliation to move the bill, which means everything in it must be related to budget matters. Restricting judges’ abilities to hand down contempt orders has nothing to do with budgets."

Marelli goes bankrupt; Blame Trump's tariffs

Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

Israel threatens to make Tehran 'burn' after Iranian retaliatory strikes
Israel Gets the War It Wanted After living in fear of Hezbollah for 20 years, Israel decimated it in the space of a month. Then turned to Iran........... “We can’t leave these threats for the next generation,” Netanyahu said. “If we don’t act now, there won’t be a next generation.” ......... Israel released footage of what it said were its own commandos on the ground in Iran, with a drone base prepositioned. It said it killed most of the leadership of Iran’s air force, after luring them to a meeting. ........ Like the cascading campaign against Hezbollah, it was the war Israel has been preparing for. ............ The elimination of Israel is their common ground, and Hamas’ attack of Oct. 7 was intended to ignite. After overwhelming Israel with its strike out of Gaza in the south, its planners’ hope was that Hezbollah would unleash the assault Israelis had long feared from the north, and the “Zionist entity” would collapse. ............. Instead, Iran instructed Hezbollah to hold back. For the next year, as tens of thousands of Israelis fled their homes near the border, Tehran played the military equivalent of chess, sending a few missiles a day over the border in tit-for-tat exchanges that signaled no change, status quo. As if this could go on forever.

Trump's tariffs and tax bill look like a 'Greek tragedy' that could tank the economy and stocks, former IMF official warns
Trump's Military Crackdown Is Starting To Dent His Poll Numbers
Trump's in trouble: Even republicans are jumping ship
Maddow Blog | Trump’s effort to reclaim international respect is failing spectacularly in his second term This has been a rhetorical staple for the Republican for quite a while. In fact, on the campaign trail last year, he told a Pennsylvania audience, referring to his White House tenure: “We were the most respected country in the world. We were the most respected that we were ever respected. We were never more respected than we were four years ago.” ........ This was, by any objective measure, utterly bonkers. But now that the president has returned to power, it’s suddenly even worse. The Pew Research Center this week released the results of international surveys measuring Trump’s support in 24 nations across the globe. As the Pew report made clear, the results were awful: ....... Not only does much of the world hold Trump in low regard, but his unpopularity is tarnishing the stature of the United States, too, with favorable ratings of the U.S. dropping by double digits in several countries. .......... George W. Bush unpopular abroad, while Barack Obama’s support soared. After the Democrat left the White House, Trump’s numbers in his first term were awful, and the data bounced back under Joe Biden. ......... The United States was an international laughingstock for decades, Trump has long argued, but thanks to how awesome his awesomeness is, he singlehandedly restored the nation’s global stature. It was a ridiculous idea he brought up constantly, seeing it as one of his most important accomplishments. ........... Even in his strange farewell address, delivered on the final full day of his first term, Trump found it necessary, one last time, to tell Americans, “The world respects us again.” The Republican added, in an apparent message for his Democratic successor, “Please don’t lose that respect.” ............ None of this made any sense. A Pew Research Center analysis from September 2020 noted, “In several countries, the share of the public with a favorable view of the U.S. is as low as it has been at any point since the Center began polling on this topic nearly two decades ago.” ........... Trump wrote: “Our Nation is staging one if the greatest and fastest comebacks in history. In just 4 short months, we are respected again, respected like never before.” He similarly added in February, just a couple of weeks after his second inaugural, “We are respected all over the world, like never before.”

New report reveals Tesla turmoil over Musk's handling of crucial project: 'Made no sense' The internal tension comes as Tesla faces mounting sales challenges. The company posted its first annual vehicle sales decline in 2024, with a small 1.1% drop from 2023, but sales dropped 13% in the first quarter of 2025 year over year. Meanwhile, competitors like BYD are gaining ground with more affordable EVs — BYD's entry-level Seagull hatchback starts under $10,000 in China.

Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

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What the U.S. Can Learn from Gulf Countries on Labor Mobility and Migration

Rot The Crop: The Devastating Consequences of America’s Broken Immigration Strategy
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ICE: Los Angeles, New York City


What the U.S. Can Learn from Gulf Countries on Labor Mobility and Migration

In the global conversation around migration, few contrasts are as striking as the way the Gulf countries manage labor from South Asia versus how the United States handles labor from Mexico and Latin America. While both regions rely heavily on migrant labor for economic vitality, the systems in place could not be more different—offering critical lessons for U.S. policymakers seeking practical, humane, and economically sound solutions.

Gulf-South Asia: A Functional Labor Relationship

In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—millions of South Asian workers are legally employed in construction, domestic work, transportation, retail, and beyond. These workers often come through structured bilateral agreements between governments. While the kafala (sponsorship) system has its flaws and human rights concerns, the broader framework is functional in one key way: labor migration is acknowledged, formalized, and planned for.

There are no illusions. The Gulf countries understand they need labor to grow their economies. South Asian countries, in turn, understand the remittances from these workers are lifelines for millions of families and critical to national GDPs. The result is a relatively predictable, large-scale system that matches labor supply with demand.

U.S.-Latin America: Dysfunction and Denial

Contrast that with the United States. Despite relying deeply on undocumented immigrants to fill essential roles—in agriculture, elder care, food service, construction, and beyond—the U.S. has failed to create a coherent labor migration system that meets economic needs. Instead, the current system is a patchwork of outdated visa caps, long waiting times, harsh border enforcement, and political paralysis.

Worse, there’s a disconnect between rhetoric and reality. Political grandstanding calls for mass deportations of undocumented workers—as if the economy could survive such a move. The truth is clear: a full-scale deportation of undocumented workers would not solve economic issues; it would create a crisis. Crops would rot in the fields. Restaurants and care homes would shut down. Prices would surge, and vital sectors would slow to a crawl.

The Smarter Path: Document the Undocumented, Build Agreements

The United States should adopt a labor strategy that acknowledges its economic interdependence with Latin America. Like the Gulf countries, the U.S. could:

  • Create generous, flexible work visa programs for labor-intensive sectors that genuinely need workers.

  • Negotiate bilateral labor agreements with Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and other countries to allow circular migration—so workers can come, work, return, and repeat without falling into illegality.

  • Legalize and document the existing undocumented workforce, creating stability for families, certainty for employers, and new tax revenue for the state.

This is not amnesty. It’s smart economics, and it’s moral governance.

Conclusion: Fix the System, Don’t Destroy It

The U.S. doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel—it just needs to look abroad. The Gulf countries aren’t perfect, but they’ve recognized a simple truth: labor migration, when structured well, benefits everyone involved. It's time for the U.S. to stop pretending undocumented workers don't exist—or worse, scapegoating them—and instead build a 21st-century migration system that matches economic needs with human dignity.

Mass deportation isn’t just cruel—it’s suicidal for the economy. The smarter move is to bring order, openness, and realism into the system. Document the undocumented. Strengthen ties with the South. Let labor mobility be a driver of shared prosperity.

Deported (novel)
Empty Country (novel)
Trump’s Default: The Mist Of Empire (novel)
The 20% Growth Revolution: Nepal’s Path to Prosperity Through Kalkiism
Rethinking Trade: A Blueprint for a Just and Thriving Global Economy
The $500 Billion Pivot: How the India-US Alliance Can Reshape Global Trade
Trump’s Trade War
Peace For Taiwan Is Possible
Formula For Peace In Ukraine
The Last Age of War, The First Age of Peace: Lord Kalki, Prophecies, and the Path to Global Redemption
AOC 2028: : The Future of American Progressivism

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Israel-Iran War: 6/15/25: 12:30 PM CST

Iran Threatens to Attack US Bases as Trump Officials Flee Middle East "If a conflict is imposed on us," he continued, "all U.S. bases are within our reach, and we will boldly target them in host countries."

 

The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated significantly as of June 15, 2025, with both nations engaging in direct military strikes for the third consecutive day. Here's a summary of the latest developments based on available information:

  • Ongoing Strikes: Israel has conducted airstrikes targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, defense ministry, nuclear facilities, and military leadership. Notable targets include Tehran's main gas depot, the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant, and military bases. Iran has retaliated with waves of ballistic missiles and drones aimed at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Explosions and air defense activities have been reported in both countries.
  • Casualties and Damage: In Israel, the death toll has risen to 13, with 10 fatalities occurring overnight, including six in a residential building in Bat Yam near Tel Aviv and four in Tamra. Iranian missiles have hit a refinery and an apartment block south of Tel Aviv. In Iran, Israel has killed several high-ranking military officials, including General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Ali Shamkhani, a key figure in nuclear talks. Additionally, five nuclear scientists were killed.
  • Nuclear Tensions: Israel's strikes, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," aim to disrupt Iran's nuclear program, which Israel claims poses an immediate threat. However, some sources argue there’s no evidence Iran was on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Iran’s non-compliance with nuclear commitments, fueling Israel’s justification. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed a “harsh punishment” and rejected U.S.-led nuclear talks.
  • International Reactions: U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of a “chance of massive conflict” but prefers diplomacy, urging Iran to halt its nuclear program to stop Israeli attacks. The U.S. has implicitly supported Israel’s operations but is unlikely to intervene directly soon. European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, have called for de-escalation, while Russia has condemned Israel’s actions and pledged support for Iran.
  • Regional and Economic Impact: The conflict has disrupted air travel, with airlines like Etihad and Emirates suspending flights to the region. Oil prices have spiked due to fears of disrupted Iranian production, potentially raising global gasoline prices. Greece has convened its security council to address Middle East developments.
  • Sentiment on X: Posts on X reflect heightened tensions, with reports of Iran launching hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation. Earlier posts from 2024 suggested Iran sought de-escalation, but recent events indicate a shift to hardline stances. These posts are not conclusive but highlight the rapid escalation.
Both sides appear entrenched, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to continue strikes “as long as it takes” to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat, while Iran’s leadership promises intensified retaliation. International calls for restraint have so far been ignored, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Note: Information is based on recent reports and may evolve rapidly. Some claims, especially regarding nuclear intentions or casualty figures, remain unverified or contested. For real-time updates, reputable news sources or official statements should be monitored.

Israel’s Attack in Iran Echoes Its Strategy Against Hezbollah Israel decimated the group’s leadership last fall and degraded its military capabilities. Can the same strategy work against a far more powerful foe? .......... The head of the elite special forces, the head of the drone unit, the head of the missile unit. All of them killed. The same for the intelligence chief and the head of the southern front — more than 15 senior Hezbollah military commanders eliminated in total. ......... In assassinating numerous top Iranian officers, the Israeli attacks on Iran, which continued Sunday, seemed to be following the script from last fall, when Israel decimated the Lebanese militia and degraded its military arsenal. .......... Over the past 20 months of fighting, Israel has killed one leader of the Hamas organization after another ......... All three organizations were long established as Iranian proxy forces, Iran’s first line of defense against Israel if a war erupted. All three are now much diminished, and none of them have responded to the Israeli attack on Iran with anything more than strong verbal condemnations. Nor have the Iran-allied militias in Iraq. ......... The Islamic Republic of Iran, with more than 90 million people, is a different story, experts said. It has among the largest 20 armies in the world, with almost one million men under arms. The fact that it was able to lob heavy ballistic missiles into downtown Tel Aviv and elsewhere, even if many were deflected by air defenses, was proof of a far more potent enemy. ........... Both the operations against Iran and Hezbollah were preceded by years of intense intelligence operations, including placing agents on the ground. ........... Critics of Israel suggested that decimating Hamas and Hezbollah had made it reckless. If Israel tries to apply the same playbook to a far more powerful enemy, they say, the risks of setting off a regional conflagration are even greater. ......... Last September, Israel used bunker-busting explosives to assassinate Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, who was both overall military commander and spiritual guide to the Shiite Muslim faithful who form the bedrock of Hezbollah’s followers. ............ the Assad regime in Syria, a key ally of both Iran and Hezbollah. ......... In Iran, there is no indication that Israel has sought to kill the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has a similar dual role of commander in chief and religious guide. He was reportedly moved this past week to a secret, safe location where he could remain in contact with the military. ............ Iran, for its part, quickly appointed new commanders to replace some of those killed, among them the commander in chief of the military, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the head of its air force. One top Iranian general tried to play down the losses, telling state television that it was a mistake to believe that the deaths would “create weakness.”

Israel and Iran trade more deadly strikes in third day of escalating conflict In response, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones into Israel, causing multiple casualties and causing significant damage to an oil refinery and prominent science institute......... On social media, President Trump said the U.S. had "nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight," but warned that if the U.S. was attacked by Iran in any way, that "the full strength of U.S. Armed forces will come down on [Iran] at levels never seen before." ....... Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, said it had targeted Israel's fuel structure in response to Israel's strikes on its oil facilities in the south......... "When I heard the news I lost my control and was shouting, thanking [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu for killing these criminals," said Zahra, a 50-year-old woman living near Tehran who asked not to give her last name for fear of retribution by the Iranian government. ........ "We have not heard any good national news for many years. For once one news made us slightly happy," she said of Israel's strikes on the Iranian generals....... Others expressed hope that this could lead to the collapse of the regime's 46 years in power. ........ Netanyahu warned that once the region's "Iranian axis" was broken, Iran would accelerate its nuclear program.

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