OK. So What Are We Fighting For?
August 4 Lie
Bessent Feuds with the Wall Street Journal
I support this view regardless of what one makes of the argument.
This is degrading to the Treasury Dept and to the Secretary himself. Such tantrums are unbecoming and gratuitous. These remarks are also unjustified. Treasury Secretaries should best avoid publicly opining on Fed-related matters.
But nor do I think much of the argument.
Former WSJ journo Jon Hilsenrath responds on LinkedIn
ATTENTION MR. BESSENT, 2.0: YOU ARE COMING UP SHORT ON YOUR OWN ‘3-3-3’ GOALS
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been attacking financial journalists on Twitter [X] this morning. It’s petty, but let’s judge a man not by what he says. Let’s judge him on what he accomplishes.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Bessent laid out a ‘3-3-3’ economic agenda for his prospective administration. This was a promise to achieve annual economic growth of 3%, reduce the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product, and increase daily output of oil by 3 million barrels per day.
President Trump’s economic co-pilot is failing on every count:
— Growth in economic output as measured by real gross domestic product slowed to a 1.95% annualized rate during President Trump’s first 18 months in office. That’s a slower growth rate than the average 3.2% rate when Biden was in office, though the Biden rate was bolstered by a post-Covid pandemic recovery. The Bessent 1.95% growth rate is a touch slower than the 2.0% growth rate during Obama’s eight year term in office.
— The budget deficit is estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to be 5.8% in the fiscal year that ends in September, nearly double the Treasury Secretary’s promised rate. In order to reach 3% of GDP, the budget deficit would need to be nearly a trillion dollars smaller. Instead, it will rise next year, in part because of the cost of funding the war in the Persian Gulf. I see little evidence that the present administration, or anyone in Washington for that matter, has a credible plan to reduce the red ink that’s spilling forth like a geyser from Washington on a daily basis.
— Domestic oil production averaged 13.71 million barrels daily in May, up 0.57 million from 13.14 million in January 2025. Again, short of the goal. Implicit in the promise on oil production was a promise that energy costs would ease. They have not.
On one count that matters to many Americans, the economy is delivering a number with a “3” in it: The inflation rate was 3.7% higher in June that it was a year earlier, as measured by the Federal Reserve’s preferred personal consumption expenditure price index.
I have no desire to get political, but when a politician attacks honest people who I know and respect, that bugs me. It’s petty, and meant purely as distraction.
Quote of the Day
Reporter: Some have speculated the strait will never go back to the way it was before. What would you say?
Bessent: I think they are saying that in a doomsday sort of way. I would say it in another way. It is never going back to the way it was because the Iranians tried to use it as a choke point. What we are going to see over the course of the next two years, is the strait is going to become irrelevant.
Bessent’s logic is that the strait will become irrelevant when new pipelines are built to avoid its use.
Convoluted Logic
Bessent does not realize how idiotic he sounds.
Either he is lying, or he just admitted how stupid Trump is to keep fighting.
One Two Three, What Are We Fighting For?
To answer the question, in the words of the Treasury Secretary of the United states, we are fighting over something that is irrelevant.
Now how stupid is that?
Gimme an “F”.
He could be telling the truth but they tell so many lies. Fails to identify the permanent macro cause for change in global energy demand.
i think we ought to call this episode in amerikan empire the kosher war. waged by the kutschners the witkoffs and donald epstein. notice how they always take off from friday sundown to saturday sundown, brooklyn time. the funny part is all my hasidic ultra orthodox pals in brooklyn despise zionism. they have half a brain between them, at least. DONALD EPSTEINS KOSHER WAR
You’re right – he started the recent war after sunset on a Saturday.
Very interesting about your pals. I think your name for the war is spot on sir!
i attended a bunch of anti genocide joe and israel protests in brooklyn and nyc…….tons of hasidim joined. israel are useful idiots to amerikan empire….. the ultra orthodox understand that.
The Satmar Hassidim (largest Hassidic court) consider Israel to literally be satanic and they refuse to set foot there.
One often sees Satmar at pro-Palesinian rallies.
yes. i lived among the lubavitch, short walk to their world hq. i even met the great rebbe, their messiah 35 years ago. i’m a born roman catholic who believes in nothing. but i love philosophy and those fellas love talking history and philosophy. mention hannah arendt and banality of evil to them, on eastern parkway and it’s like catnip……..those old men are my favorite. most amerikans have no clue about the evil empire they inhabit. or the bitch colony called israel. the hasidim do.
So much for Trumps “Dealmaking or Winning”. Negotiations are OVER!
Trump and Israel never keep their word or honor treaties they sign. Why would any rational countries leaders enter into negotiations with them?
Oil just went up another 5% and all costs of manufacturing, mining and transportation go up, right along with it.
stagflation and stupid war. i remember the late 60s to early 80s stagflation and vietnam. another dumbfuck war our boys could never win.
The United States never intended to make any kind of deal.
yup. amerika has been breaking treaties since the founding 250 years ago. only the dumbfucks in flyover country believed Donald
He is projecting.
US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen below 300 million barrels for the first time since 1983.
According to data from the US Department of Energy, reserves fell by 6.1 million barrels last week to 298.7 million barrels.
And it seems we’ve run out of planned strikes on Iran to call off, depriving the markets of their favorite tool for artificial price control.
BREAKING: Iran has flatly ruled out any future negotiations with the Trump administration, declaring it will wait out Trump’s term until January 20, 2029, per an advisor to the Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf and a senior Iranian source.
https://nitter.net/HormuzLetter/status/2086833395754016880#m
Trump did break the previous treaty and attack Iran multiple times. Why on earth would anyone trust trump?
Trump is also threatening many of our allies and neighbors.
What else did people that voted for a convicted Felon and pedophile think he would do? Trump voters nay be the most gullible people on earth!
democracy works old sport. majority of amerikans are cunts.
If you want to know how the US handles treaty obligations, ask a Native American.
aye aye. lived in AZ for many years and attended school with native amerikans for a decade. usa is built on a pack of lies and genocide.
Whocouldathunk a guy who lived by lying, cheating and scamming would be a great guy to make a “deal” with
so about those “on-going negotiations”, the”art of the deal” guy gets off the golf course, wakes up finally, and enters the room….
I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict (started because, THEY WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON), even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings! But it is an interesting idea because now I am likewise demanding compensation from Iran, for all of the people that they have killed and gravely wounded with their roadside bombs and many conflicts, for which they are famous, as led initially by General Soleimani, including the families of those killed on the USS Cole, and thousands of others killed in combat. Additionally, compensation should be paid to the families of the hundreds of thousands of innocent protestors that Iran has killed over the last 50 years, not to mention the 52,000 that have been killed in the last five months. I have instructed my representatives to put this firmly into any, and all, future negotiations. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
Now Iran has stated they won’t negotiate with Trumpstien, and the strait will remain closed until his term ends.
Game Over.
Is that code for “bombs away?” Asking for a friend
What bombs? The bomb cupboard is bare.
Note the lack of threats and enforcement mechanisms – this is just empty drivel
Trump is growing bored with Iran. Perhaps he will turn his attention toward Cuba. Rubio would be a fine viceroy.
We can’t run Cleveland properly. What are we going to do with Cuba?
democray works perfectly. always has. cunts elect cunts to do cunt things. amerika has been an empire of cunts for many decades now. Ike did the coup in persia in 1953. ike was a cunt. geopolitics is very simple.
Freudian typo? Democraycray
Always a battle between AmeriKKKa and AmeriCUNTs, you say?
If they finally admit that, they are no longer talking to Iran…
Meaning there are no planned strikes to “call off” at the last minute, etc.
Then how will they be able to manipulate the price of oil from now on?
With the winter and elections coming up, I cannot think of any ideas for them.
Any guesses?
Brent crude is up about 10% since Thursday.
Trump and Bessent seem to really believe Iran will fold from the economic pressure being exerted on them. They are delusional. I think their plan is to wait until Iran begs them for a deal and then drive a hard bargain.
you really don’t believe Bessent believes anything coming out of his own mouth, do you? please old sport. you are smart, and not that naive.
I’m gonna keep my good ideas secret until Trump pulls the Hegseth move and asks the public for ideas on how to defeat Iran….
Bake sale followed by a 5k for peace.
Showing weakness or dependency (or acknowledging the expertise of anyone else), are the lasts things Trump will ever do (like showing his Depends undergarments).
We are the trapped animal contemplating gnawing it’s own paw off to escape while being tormented by 24/7 cartoon characters telling us it’s the best of times
Goal posts moved over the horizon, in retreat.
The new Goebbels is being shoved in front of the cameras.
At least the situation has demonstrated some awareness of a public to be dealt with, though with insulting sales pitches as usual.
‘Everything is fine’ — that tack didn’t work for Biden.
There is growing concern within the Trump administration about the potential for a global economic crisis if the Persian Gulf remains shuttered, especially if this continues as is into September. And this is likely the main factor pushing Trump to do a repeat of the end of Operation Rough Rider… i.e., Declare victory and leave.
Joe Gruters chair of the Republican National Committee’s (RNC), on Sunday predicted that Republicans will maintain their control over both chambers of Congress after the midterm elections this fall.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6019233-rnc-predicts-congress-majorities/
The GOP has very effectively exploited narrowly focused, cartoon fear targets for decades. The socialist wing of the Dems will be lit up by the GOP/FOX etc. in red letters. Of course the usual voters will fall right into line. This time I think Trump has definitively alienated most independents. and lost ground among some groups that swung toward him in 2024.
Trump still has the full support of the Evangelicals.
Trump has lost many farmers and construction workers. Except the evangelical ones. Evangelicals want war regardless of the cost in lives, credibility or debt.
Looking forward to removing those huge subsidies paid to corporate farmers!
Congratulations to the GOP
This will all soon be over with. A pickup with a 50 gallon drum of “injectable testosterone” was spotted this morning at a White House gate. In an act of pure savagery, Trump is going to turn 50 square miles of human-free dessert into glass. That otta do it.
TRT does wonders for prostate cancer…and not in a good way
Potemkin airstrikes — what a concept. Wasn’t it Caligula who had his legions fight the British waves?
Welcome to “Hotel Iran ( California )”
“Welcome to the Hotel Iran (Caliornia)
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a lovely place
Plenty of room at the Hotel Iran
Any time of year (any time of year)
You can find it here”
–
–
–
Last thing I remember, I was running for the door
Had to find the passage back to the place I was before
“relax,” said the night man. “We are programmed to receive
You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”
Sorry, you can check out at any time but you can’t leave.
Enjoy your excursion!
Mr President.
@mish I appreciate the “hide” button, keeps me from engaging with the trolls.
Also the entire Trump Regime are nothing but bull shitters
It is more likely that Bessent will be irrelevant in two years. As far as I have seen Bessent is a transparent liar and ineffective. Trump will turn on him just as he has so many others.
Everyone is a potential scapegoat in his world, right down to Kushner and I reckon even Don Jr.
He can at least bed Ivanka, Don Jr not so much
Perhaps that, in two years, when the Orangutan is ousted, the Epstein files will be released and nobody will care that the Strait will be tolled by Iran, because no way the Usonian leopard will lose its spots and do the right thing paying reparations to Iran.
Bessent is not stupid. I think he’s just trying to keep a lid on oil prices via supply positive messaging
I don’t know your definition of stupid but I just googled it and a picture of bessent was presented.
Welcome to Ameri-Kakistocracy
Israel ‘rejects’ Trump’s 15-point peace plan for Gaza, Netanyahu says
BWHAHAHA….the boss phoning one in from Tel Aviv
Israel has never wanted peace.
israel was setup by the brits as useful idiots. they play the part well. israel is a bitch colony of usa. useful idiots to usa, the real nasty cunts.
I see it the other way with the USA spending to support Israels wars of aggression. Israel never does anything for the USA… It’s OK to disagree.
While Israel calls US their useful idiots. Two can play at that game!
We’ll never be able to solve America’s big problems until we excise that tumor from the body politic.
“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, if I hadn’t bombed the hell out of them Israel wouldn’t exist” — TRUMP
Yes, yes, we know, you are the best Goyim
Also @mish if Jojo is going to literally spam links can you please do everyone a favor and flush him? I don’t think he’ll be missed.
What spam links are you referring to? Methinks you just don’t wan’t to see real information that you don’t agree with!
You do know that you can just click on the “hide” button….or are you too fcuking stupid to figure that out?
Are you too fucking stupid to spell “fuck”? The answer looks like yes!
ha ha ha. i find that comical, too. grown men afraid to type the letters fuck or cunt…………no wonder amerika hasn’t won a war since 1945. fucking pussies and cunts.
It doesn’t always work I have to rehide Jojo every few weeks
Also… chill!
Sour grapes here, sour grapes over the polls, seems to me like sour grapes are a running theme in this shambolic admin.
The US can keep the economic squeeze on the Iranian Regime as long as necessary. So gas prices are a bit higher. It’s a worthwhile price to pay to cut off the knees of the Iranian Regime:
Iran’s Economy Is In Shambles As War Takes Its Toll
Saturday, Aug 08, 2026 – 09:15 AM
Despite the bluster from Iranian officials on social media, it should come as no surprise that the country is not doing well economically. From the beginning of the conflict to current day, Iran has been dealt an estimated $270 billion to $300 billion in total damage due to a steady barrage of strikes, including numerous infrastructure targets from bridges, highways, railways, airports, etc.
The three-month-long US blockade on Iran’s oil exports have also taken a toll, with national oil output dropping from 2.2 million bpd to less than 300,000 bpd. It is likely that there has been some long term damage to the regime’s oil wells and they have lost approximately $6 billion in oil revenues so far.
With a general information blackout in place, getting a proper estimation of the damages can be difficult. However, in recent months many Iranian leaders and media sources have indicated a dangerous shift in the stability of the country. The situation has become so volatile that citizens are reportedly turning to theft in order to get their hands on basic necessities including food.
…
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/irans-economy-shambles-war-takes-its-toll
Economic squeeze? Hasn’t the US had sanctions on Iran for like the past 50 years? How has that worked out? The only thing this mess is causing is massive inflation to every American and F*** You for saying it’s worth it. It’s not. The only threat Iran poses is to Israel and every day that passes, less and less people here in the US care about that and it will accelerate as boomers die off.
1 – Iran is defeated.
2 – The US is locked and loaded, ready to rain down fire and steel at levels not seen since world war 2 if they don’t open the strait.
3 – We will keep the economic squeeze….
The MAGA rhetorical journey of powerlessness and copium is a pathetic one to watch.
What’s pathetic is your posts, which so many laugh at.
People like yourself are worms who care nothing about the world around them. All they are interested in is finding food living their simple lives.
You ar ein another country now. Why are you worried about US inflation?
We do care about the world around us! And we are sick and tired of Israels constant lies and warmongering. Israel threatens every nation and person on earth by attacking its neighbors and provoking constant war (risking nuclear war). Why do you think you are so superior to others? The nuclear option is abject failure at every level!
Israel is the only nation in this conflict with illicitly obtained nuclear weapons and has not signed the nuclear non-proliferation agreement.
At this point I think the US should remove all support for Israel and let them fight their own wars.
Exactly right Frosty!
You have no idea what you are saying. Israel and the US are strong allies. That is never going to change no matter how much you and those who align with you stomp and hold your breath.
As I regularly remind you, you would do better to focus on your farm business. Your clear haltered of Israel and Jews is blocking any rational understanding of why Israel is the strongest ally Israel has in the Middle East.
Suggested reading:
I thought the goyim were cattle. Now it’s worms? Guess I’m not up to speed on my talmud.
Jojo is like a compost bin, breaking things down into dirt faster than you can breathe. He’s a wizard I tellz ya
Thank you MP
As for eternal, unbreakable “special relationships” of nations with the USA, see Britain. Britain and Israel combined to provoke a fight in 1956 to hold the Suez Canal against Egypt’s Nasser. President Eisenhower pulled the plug on that. Britain lost face and global reach.
The only weird irony is Trump trying and to some extent succeeding to play not the part of USA from that story, but of conspiratorial Britain with this war pretext and fiasco. In a few months he jumped us down to scrabbling with countless other countries and paying every new toll for the future. .
The straight of Vermouth will never be opened by drunks. It just isn’t possible.
<<Iran’s Economy Is In Shambles As War Takes Its Toll>>
Well, they have high inflation, the currency is kaput, and certain mechanisms to fund Hamas and Hezbollah do not work anymore, from what I hear. But such regimes have remarkable endurance/staying power (like in N. Korea), because the population is used to suppression. Fatalism and misery are characteristics of these societies, almost inherent in the cultures and embedded in the lifestyle. Let alone their masochistic religion. I think Trump is probably betting on a revolution in Iran that most likely will never happen.
“So gas prices are a bit higher. It’s a worthwhile price to pay to cut off the knees of the Iranian Regime”
No its not. The Iranian regime has done nothing to the American people.
Wrong. They have killed or been responsible for the death of hundreds of Americans over the years! Are you really that stoopid? If yes, please get a vasectomy before you make kids
Name one, and the circumstances.
Isn’t zerohedge a has been?
I thought he went a bit loopy during COVID and never got over it
Zerohedge is great, if you are into unvetted conspiracy theories and you take trumpy crackpottery straight.
Same as it ever was.
Yes, you guy should continue watching/reading MSNOW.
Shows how little you know and how uninformed you are.
“gas prices are a bit higher” tell us you don’t understand basic economics without directly admitting it. Have you ever factored diesel, and what gets to market via diesel, and the effect of vastly higher diesel price increases relative to gasoline? Why are you glomming on to gas when it’s just one part of the whole?
Bessent is correct. Gulf states are not going to kowtow to attempted power grabs by the Iranian Regime. They will find bypasses to get their products to market. This may cost more but everything gets more expensive, doesn’t it?
One example:
Yes, but the Iranians bombed the port they were using outside the Strait, now it is shut down. The Houthi’s have bombed Saudi ports on the Red Sea. Pipeline fed exports from the Gulf are now effectively shut down. It was surprisingly easy.
Telling people what to do isn’t courageous, it’s cowardice
Blood flavored Kool-Aid…
Classic pro-israeli propaganda fron Faux.
Fox: owned and controlled by Zionists happy to spill Christian blood.
This has to be one of the dumbest posts you have ever made. Suggest not introducing religion as it will not lead to anything good.
How so?
i was visiting family for weekend. the dumbfucks had Fox on. it’s hysterical. i know all your farmer pals love it. those morons thought “the apprentice” was a documentary. just like my dumbfuck pals in south brooklyn and long island. it’s comical how fucking stupid amerikans are. democracy works perfectly well old sport. assholes elect assholes to do asshole things. amerikans have been assholes for many decades.
Some Americans are assholes – especially the two faced politicians. Most societies simply want to live in peace, work meaningful jobs and raise successful families.
The average Iranian, Russian, Italian or American has no interest in war.
In America, Fox is the largest promotor of theocratic hatered and war.
You think you have all the answers. Why don’t you run for office?
Put your hands over your ears and eyes if you don’t want see/hear reality.
Just admit you dragged into a war by Israel and declare victory at any turn. The real quagmire seems to be Israel got what it wanted and has trapped the US.
Your observation skills suck. Why not take them back to the NYT forums?
We are conducting a scientific experiment to determine how long Jojo sticks around here before admitting his arguments were wrong. We’ve got all the time in the world, apparently just like Trump does to wait for Iran to “change their minds”
I’ve been here for 20 years, longer than you likely. I have no plans to bail out.
It seems easy to connect the Iran failure to the Trump administration. As if loss is OK and good if Trump fails. But what this war marks goes way beyond that, and it is far more serious than the midterms. Misguided war: yes. In the cards anyway: yes.
Why in the cards anyway? The JCPOA insured Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.
Trump pissed in that cereal as quickly as possible in Trump 1.0, so no, it didn’t after that.
Bessent is trying to minimize another failed goal of Trump’s war on Iran.
They have given up on their original goals:
Recently they have switched to:
Now they are apparently abandoning that goal.
I wonder what the new goal will be that will signify “victory” for Trump; perhaps it’s this: Hey, Trump didn’t shit his diaper today! Smells like victory!
Unless the Iranian government collapses or there are too many US causalities I don’t see this ending anytime soon. Trading words and bombs keeps Epstein out of the spotlight and “saves the world for democracy” or was it from democracy??? Hey you don’t think the Iranian’s are also trying to hide their involvement in Epstein??? I mean one woman said she was abused by a certain prime minister. She apparently told the police hoping someone from that country would investigate.
Thank you PaPa
The war against Iran is getting so embarrassing that the Orangutan might release the Epstein files to distract the populace from his defeat by Iran.
Jojo would be here to tell you you are wrong, but he can’t since you’re right. Poor Jojo!
LOL! Wow, what a whopper. And here I was thinking that Trump’s lies were overblown. No comparison, with this one.
Don’t be so sure. In a MSM interview Taco said the people are mad at Republicans, not him!
The news next to nobody wants to hear is that we will have to get used to living much more frugally in the years ahead. Yes, this applies to our kleptocratic upper class too―the supposed net worth of the wealthy these days is mostly a matter of financial hallucinations propped up by a baroque system of absurd overvaluations of notional assets that will not stand even the feeblest price discovery.
It’s a long road down for all of us, and those who think they are perched in the catbird’s seat just now face the unwelcome realization that they have further to fall than most.
The hypocrisy of this administration is just blowing up. Their finger must be close to the button by now.
That was the topic of discussion in the office this week. One opinion was nukes will be used only on Iran’s nuclear production sites. Trump doesn’t want to destroy Iranian citizens who are the IRGC’s human shields. It’s viewed as a warning shot to the Chinese as well.
Israel may launch a nuclear attack, and the US will support by claiming responsibility for the strike.
That would be one hell of an escalation. Bibi better be ready for the “fallout” if he thinks he can get away with that. He’s already in enough trouble at home which is probably why he doesn’t want this war to end.
What if firing a nuclear weapon doesn’t cause Iran to open the Strait, and Iran just broadcasts videos of dying babies caused by the nuclear attack and loss of electricity, water, refrigeration, etc…
What will anyone do about it?
The United States and Israel conduct a daylight genocide in Gaza and nobody other than Iran and the Houthis dare do boo.
It will permanently drive US independents into the Democratic camp, destroying GOP power for decades.
Team D is equally in the tank for Israel.
It’ll be irrelevant because the global economy, including the American economy, will have long since been destroyed by this Epstein class.
Well, as my Irish father would say: Total shite.. My mother: Ganz Dreck. Myself: Utter bullshit.
Here in Korea, it would be: 똥 냄새.
Ah, for the days before Trump 1.0 when we had relatively noble measured Treasury Secretaries. With some modicum of integrity even if you disagreed about some issue.
The list from when there used to be some integrity with the role:
Jacob Lew (2013–2017) – Served under President Barack Obama.
Timothy Geithner (2009–2013) – Served under President Barack Obama.
Henry Paulson (2006–2009) – Served under President George W. Bush.
John Snow (2003–2006) – Served under President George W. Bush.
Paul O’Neill (2001–2002) – Served under President George W. Bush.
Lawrence Summers (1999–2001) – Served under President Bill Clinton.
Robert Rubin (1995–1999) – Served under President Bill Clinton.
Lloyd Bentsen (1993–1994) – Served under President Bill
Trump 2.0 is such an out of control 24/7/365 LIAR he makes Nixon look like a Sunday School Teacher!
Not to defend Bessent, but that is a pretty corrupt bunch of people if you look at them in detail. One thing about the Swamp, any cream that manages to exist there doesn’t rise to the top.
As corrupt as they may have been, i would pick any of them over Bessent. I believe those in the list above would not go this far in their lies and corruption. So yes, Trump would never appoint them.
Why stop there in regard to wars being irrelevant? Taiwan and South Korea may have the lowest birth rates on earth – which means they don’t care to generate new citizens, taxpayers or soldiers – or are OK with the end of their nations. In Ukraine, demographics are a state secret but they had a low birthrate before the war and are now eliminating their future fathers with the actual slogan, “to the last Ukrainian”. This is foolishness beyond comprehension.
Smart players understand that AI/robots are going to be doing all the work in the next 5 years or so. More babies/people not needed!
Interestingly, it’s a global phenomenon. Birth rates are even crashing in Africa compared to historical norms.
Because the rulers of Ukraine themselves do not suffer, they do not care.
You think a farmer mourns the deaths of his livestock?
this is a great article which underscores our failing empire. https://asiatimes.com/2026/08/with-america-deranged-president-xi-summons-overseas-chinese/
Chinese college graduates face similar obstacles as US citizen grads, namely unemployment or taking on gig work, etc..
1 in 6 are unemployed in the PRC. Non college are at approximately 15%. These stats are per the Chinese government so most likely way higher similar to the US youth and college grad unemployment.
The operative question to ask the Chinese diaspora : Why did you leave? If it was strictly for economic reasons, given the youth unemployment I wouldn’t move back.
Per Michael Pettis, the Chinese higher ed system lacks innovation skills because their entrance exams emphasize rote learning and their colleges follow the same paradigm. Manufacturing, technology, engineering is over emphasized. Service sector and consumer driven products suffer as a result regarding innovation as well.
pettis is alright. but asia times has a much better grip on the ground. we shall see. of course china is going through booms and busts like usa did in 1800s and early 1900s due to their development status.
Can’t pipelines be bombed, power stations blown up that pump the oil through the pipes, and/or cyber attacked, blown up by commandos, etc?
Bessent is probably right that some of the GCC will try pipelines but that is two or more years away. In the meantime the US and its “ allies” are running out of diesel, jet fuel and heating oil not to mention natural gas for W. Europe this coming winter?
What is the plan, Mr. Secretary to get more blended crude out of the Middle East since Iran has said this weekend no oil for the US or it’s allie’s? What about other commodities that are transited on barges? What about components for fertilizer? What about packaged food?
Why weren’t those questions asked by large swaths of the brain dead MSM?
The only plan is to wait for Iran to give up and cut a deal favorable to the US.
Seriously.
Agreed and that maybe their plan at this juncture but that is what is called a debacle, fiasco, etc.
More likely Trump will give up due to the western financial system about to turn into smoking ruins
And all you leftist socialists continuing nipping at his ankles as you pray that the USA fails.
Fails at what? Shutting down unnecessary wars, reducing our budget deficit and debt, and rebuilding our own country?
bessent and trump and company are just carrying the water for operation epstein which the zionists are running. nothing more. bessent is a pillow biter who probably fantasizes about having daddy potus donald, put him over his lap and spank his bare ass.
What’s the plan? Pay the price to reign in the Islamic Regime or get a bike.
Live up to the signed MOU, declare victory and go home.
Deft move by Europe maybe to not back Trump here. That may get it oil.
Bessent, Trump, and their gang will become irrelevant in a few months.
Last one down the toilet bowl wins?
Well this is one way to get our troops out of the middle east.
Looks like just just taking your ball and going home is a win these days. Spinspin spin
1 – Iran and their proxies can still close the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
2 – Fertilizers and aluminum cannot be send via pipeline. They must sail via ships through Hormuz.
3 – The entire Gulf oil infrastructure, including pipelines to the Red Sea, remain vulnerable to Iranian missiles and drones. The only reason why they are still intact is the fact that Iran has Hormuz as leverage. If Hormuz ever stops being relevant, Iran will shift to attacking the infrastructure.
These guys are REALLLLLLLL specimens! Each one outdoing the other, day after day after day.
This response should not be a surprise to anyone paying attention. Lip service and threats might make good headlines but failure in these efforts is the end result most of the time with this group.