Let's talk about Trump's war undermining US sanction power all over the world.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Trump's war undermining US sanction power all over the world.

As Trump tries to balance the desire to project strength and stability to his base at home while dealing with the consequences and second order effects of his elective war with Iran, he's having to undermine and back down on US positions all over the world. The biggest announcement is that the Trump administration is considering waving sanctions on Iranian oil that's currently at sea. That's about 140 million barrels worth. The hope is to slow the rising prices of the pump by increasing global supply. The oil could theoretically end up in places like Indonesia, Japan, or India.

Treasury Secretary and former soybean man Scott Bessent said, “In the coming days, we may unsanction the Iranian oil that's on the water. It's about 140 million barrels. That's about 10 days to two weeks of supply that the Iranians had been pushing out that would have all gone to China. In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against the Iranians to keep the price down for the next 10 to 14 days as we continue this campaign.”

If you think that sounds absolutely insane and wonder if the money from the sales would then flow to Iran's government, which would then use it to fund its attacks on US troops, you're not the only one. The apparent willingness of the administration to pump money into Iran's war effort so Trump can pretend for another 10 days that his war isn't an absolute disaster for the economy is astounding.

Blackstone Compliance Services David Tannenbaum said, “To put it mildly, this is bananas. Essentially, we're allowing Iran to sell oil, which could then be used to fund the war effort."

Alex Zerden of Capital Peak Strategies said, "Iran will likely profit from these sales, thereby providing more money to fund its regime, the war and its proxies. I don't think this stop gap measure will provide the market with assurance.

Trump has already had to cave on sanctions of Russian oil and Belarussian fertilizer as well. Long-standing US positions are having to be surrendered for the sake of Trump's ego and war of choice. He's trying to frame the decisions as anything other than the obvious. His inability to maintain a cohesive position.

It's worth noting that the easing of sanctions on Iran was something they wanted during the negotiations that Trump was unwilling to give. If we go by the old axiom that war is a continuation of politics by other means and Iran is the one having their political goals met. What does that say about the direction of the war?

If he does this, the world will wonder as missiles and drones leave Iran. If they were paid for with the projected billions extra Trump's eased sanctions will give Iran.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.