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Over the last 24 hours #Trump has sacked the entire Pentagon civilian leadership
Mark Esper was fired by tweet on Monday & replaced with Miller
Over the last 72 hours, Trump has also sacked the heads of the agencies that oversee nuclear weapons & electricity/natural gas supply. https://twitter.com/rabrowne75/status/1326284851268489217
Mark Esper was fired by tweet on Monday & replaced with Miller
Over the last 72 hours, Trump has also sacked the heads of the agencies that oversee nuclear weapons & electricity/natural gas supply. https://twitter.com/rabrowne75/status/1326284851268489217
In addition, Ezra Cohen-Watnick ex aide to #Trump’s 1st national security adviser, Michael Flynn HAS JUST BEEN APPOINTED undersecretary for intelligence
Cohen-Watnick is a Trump loyalist & was backed by Bannon & Kushner when McMaster tried to push him out https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/534615/
Cohen-Watnick is a Trump loyalist & was backed by Bannon & Kushner when McMaster tried to push him out https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/534615/
Ystdy, Devin Nunes' aide Michael Ellis got a key position NSA general counsel. He’s faced accusations of politicizing intelligence
Today, Nunes aide Kash Patel involved in Ukraine scandal & in discrediting the Russian investigation, went to the Pentagon. https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-national-security-council-aide-is-named-to-top-pentagon-post-11605037916
Today, Nunes aide Kash Patel involved in Ukraine scandal & in discrediting the Russian investigation, went to the Pentagon. https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-national-security-council-aide-is-named-to-top-pentagon-post-11605037916
General Anthony Tata, has moved into the Pentagon's top policy role, taking over the duties of James Anderson, who resigned on Tuesday
Tata’s nomination for secretary of defense for policy over the summer was withdrawn because of bipartisan opposition. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/10/politics/pentagon-policy-official-resigns/index.html
Tata’s nomination for secretary of defense for policy over the summer was withdrawn because of bipartisan opposition. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/10/politics/pentagon-policy-official-resigns/index.html
As well as John Anderson, #Trump has also fired Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, Joseph Kernan & Pentagon Chief of Staff, Jen Stewart
There is speculation Deputy Secretary of Defense, David Norquist, could be next on #DonaldTrump target list. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/10/crisis-top-pentagon-is-just-beginning/
There is speculation Deputy Secretary of Defense, David Norquist, could be next on #DonaldTrump target list. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/11/10/crisis-top-pentagon-is-just-beginning/
Mark Milley, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has repeatedly said the military will have no role in the elections, had a meeting with joint chiefs & combatant commanders around the world in the wake of Esper being fired
Will Miller be fired next? https://www.axios.com/milley-tv-anchors-call-military-no-election-role-1570714a-3532-4102-8f24-69fbd2d375e2.html?utm_campaign=organic&utm_medium=socialshare&utm_source=twitter
Will Miller be fired next? https://www.axios.com/milley-tv-anchors-call-military-no-election-role-1570714a-3532-4102-8f24-69fbd2d375e2.html?utm_campaign=organic&utm_medium=socialshare&utm_source=twitter
Mark Milley isn’t in the chain-of-command & is duty bound to follow orders from his civilian superiors
As Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff he only has an advisory not an operational role
If Trump refuses to leave office the military's loyalty to the US Constitution may be tested.
As Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff he only has an advisory not an operational role
If Trump refuses to leave office the military's loyalty to the US Constitution may be tested.
In theory, Trump will be forced to leave office on Jan 20 whatever Christopher Miller says.
But Presidents transmit military orders through the secretary of defense. If Trump wanted to launch an invasion in his final days, would Miller slow that process? https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/11/esper-trump-secretary-defense.html
But Presidents transmit military orders through the secretary of defense. If Trump wanted to launch an invasion in his final days, would Miller slow that process? https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/11/esper-trump-secretary-defense.html
Whilst, the removal of US military leadership 71 days before #Trump is due to leave office may look like the start of a coup, it could also be preparation for a military strike against Iran
It’s been on the back-burner for a long time
These ‘Rapture’ SOBs came close on January. https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1213415294468808704
It’s been on the back-burner for a long time
These ‘Rapture’ SOBs came close on January. https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1213415294468808704
On 3 January 2020, Trump almost sparked conflict with #Iran with the assassination of Gen Soleimani
Any ‘clash’ with Iran, say in the Strait of Hormuz, could quickly escalate
In the dying days of his presidency in 2008 Bush was keen air strikes on Iran. But our protest was loud https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1326313788983963649
Any ‘clash’ with Iran, say in the Strait of Hormuz, could quickly escalate
In the dying days of his presidency in 2008 Bush was keen air strikes on Iran. But our protest was loud https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1326313788983963649
"When Jim Anderson was fired yesterday as Acting Under Secretary for Policy, he was given a 'clap-out' as he left the building. The WH called to request names of any political appointees who joined in so they could be fired."
Vital #THREAD by @BillKristol https://twitter.com/BillKristol/status/1326526284625743872
Vital #THREAD by @BillKristol https://twitter.com/BillKristol/status/1326526284625743872
This appears to be the first part of a well-organised "Plan B", to be rolled out if #Trump lost #Election2020 
:
1) Replace military chiefs
2) Clash in the Strait of Hormuz / Provocative or retaliatory missile strikes (e.g. Soleimani)
3) Military strike on #Iran
4) Biden handover
: 1) Replace military chiefs
2) Clash in the Strait of Hormuz / Provocative or retaliatory missile strikes (e.g. Soleimani)
3) Military strike on #Iran
4) Biden handover
We know now just how close the US came to attacking Iran in 2007/8
During the dying days of George W Bush's presidency, the fear was the hawks would push him into war
I even wrote this spoof "Dubya Diary" (with a help from the late, great Terry Jones). https://newint.org/columns/essays/2008/09/01/george-bush-retirement-diary
During the dying days of George W Bush's presidency, the fear was the hawks would push him into war
I even wrote this spoof "Dubya Diary" (with a help from the late, great Terry Jones). https://newint.org/columns/essays/2008/09/01/george-bush-retirement-diary
"If he Donald Trump thinks he is going down, he is going to try to take all of us down with him." @MaryLTrump
"Another big concern regarding Trump's new military obsession is what @leahmcelrath calls 'annihilatory rage'". @sarahkendzior
"I'm not a good loser" @realDonaldTrump
"Another big concern regarding Trump's new military obsession is what @leahmcelrath calls 'annihilatory rage'". @sarahkendzior
"I'm not a good loser" @realDonaldTrump
The Trump administration, in coordination with Israel & other Gulf States, will impose a new set of sanctions on Iran every week until 20 Jan
Enforcing harsher sanctions requires US & UK navy to be more active in the Strait of Hormuz, checking cargo etc. https://www.axios.com/trump-administration-iran-sanctions-january-3951f776-09c9-4e55-b0f5-4a9c80e9e974.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic&utm_content=1100
Enforcing harsher sanctions requires US & UK navy to be more active in the Strait of Hormuz, checking cargo etc. https://www.axios.com/trump-administration-iran-sanctions-january-3951f776-09c9-4e55-b0f5-4a9c80e9e974.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic&utm_content=1100
Enforcing sanctions through high-seas inspections of ships entering or leaving #Iran is where the dangers arise, particularly if Iran decides they will not allow inspections of Iranian boats
Skirmishes with the Iranian navy in the Gulf of Hormuz have a tendency to escalate.
Skirmishes with the Iranian navy in the Gulf of Hormuz have a tendency to escalate.
“The plan is apparently to replace Haspel, Wray, Nakasone & do a dump of classified intel that causes chaos & damages US interests” @davetroy
This “purge is deeply dangerous to our national security - promoting a known racist Islamophobe” @SenBlumenthal https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/10/pentagon-top-policy-official-resigns-435693
This “purge is deeply dangerous to our national security - promoting a known racist Islamophobe” @SenBlumenthal https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/10/pentagon-top-policy-official-resigns-435693
The “threat posed by Iran” narrative may be bolstered by news stories about Iran as an imminent nuclear threat
A story today reveals #Iran is breaching IAEA rules with its stockpile of low-enriched uranium
But it it’s important to remember LEU is only used to produce fuel.
A story today reveals #Iran is breaching IAEA rules with its stockpile of low-enriched uranium
But it it’s important to remember LEU is only used to produce fuel.
These stories appear menacing but, under the nuclear deal, Iran is allowed to enrich uranium up to 3.67%
The IAEA says in some cases it was enriched to 4.5%
This is LOW-ENRICHED URANIUM used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants
Weapons-grade uranium is 90% enriched or more https://twitter.com/BBCWorld/status/1326747227004481536
The IAEA says in some cases it was enriched to 4.5%
This is LOW-ENRICHED URANIUM used to produce fuel for nuclear power plants
Weapons-grade uranium is 90% enriched or more https://twitter.com/BBCWorld/status/1326747227004481536
Ystdy, @nytimes reported Al Qaeda’s No.2, Abu Muhammad al-Masri, was assassinated in #Iran by Israeli agents at the behest of the US in August
The timing of this is significant
Why release this info now?
Will it be used by the hawks to claim Al Qaeda’s leadership is in Tehran?
The timing of this is significant
Why release this info now?
Will it be used by the hawks to claim Al Qaeda’s leadership is in Tehran?
Could the refusal of the Trump administration to allow @JoeBiden to see Intelligence briefings be to do with an Iran strategy?
Last week, @SenatorLankford said if Biden didn’t get briefings he’d personally get involved
Today, he says he’s not in a hurry. https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/latest-updates-biden-trump-election-2020/card/b7mDkTj2gloNPRrtn2ww
Last week, @SenatorLankford said if Biden didn’t get briefings he’d personally get involved
Today, he says he’s not in a hurry. https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/latest-updates-biden-trump-election-2020/card/b7mDkTj2gloNPRrtn2ww
“Trump asked senior advisers in a meeting on Thursday whether he had options to take action against #Iran’s main nuclear site in the coming weeks.”
Rapture-believing Pompeo apparently dissuaded him
I flagged this at the time
The danger has not passed. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/16/us/politics/trump-iran-nuclear.html
Rapture-believing Pompeo apparently dissuaded him
I flagged this at the time
The danger has not passed. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/16/us/politics/trump-iran-nuclear.html
This @nytimes article’s opening paragraph says “intn’l inspectors reported a significant increase in #Iran’s stockpile of nuclear material” but it FAILS to mention that the uranium flagged in the IAEA report was low enriched uranium (4% enriched) NOT weapons grade (90% enriched). https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1213895652377288710
