In order to unblock the Strait of Hormuz one must *checks notes* block the Strait of Hormuz.

[tymwol@hachyderm.io]

@rysiek A group of kids sells lemonade. One of the kids bullies the other lemonade stands, so that only them can sell the lemonade. The current logic was to let the bully sell the lemonade because otherwise we can’t get the lemonade from anyone. That way, the bully benefits.

If US chooses war to solve it, this is rather obvious consequence. I’m not picking sides here, just saying that in this situation this is not an irrational thing to do for them. They did a number of strange decisions, but this is not one of them. For military reasons, there’s simply no reason why US wouldn’t block it if it is already blocked for everyone but Iran. They kept it open probably only because Trump didn’t have balls to havoc economy even worse.

[guillotine_jones@beige.party]

@rysiek
"You can't block the Strait of Hormuz, I'm blocking the Strait of Hormuz," is the new, "You can't fire me, I quit"!

[zaphodb@twitter.resolvt.net]

@Guillotine_Jones @rysiek Now i wonder if there is locking with getting fired. Someone has to gain right of way first, right?

[alpacamale@social.cologne]

@rysiek Why does everybody think this is a terrible move? It seems like a clever idea to take away Iran's ability to control the flow of oil from the gulf region. The idea being "Either ALL ships go through, or NONE of them". It seems like a desperate move, but doesn't that increase the pressure for both sides to come to a resolution?

[rysiek@mstdn.social]

@alpacamale because it even more strongly undermines the very basic idea of freedom of navigation.

What Iran is doing is already illegal, but the USA barging in and saying "hey we are going to also block the Strait of Hormuz" is arguably even worse: now even "the West" ignores a basic rule about freedom of navigation.

Which is going to be super useful for China in Taiwan Strait, Turkey in Bosporus and Dardanelles, or whoever decides to play that game in Gibraltar, Malacca, etc.

[rysiek@mstdn.social]

@alpacamale two wrongs do not make a right. "I will punch kids that gave their lunch money to the bully that threatened to punch them" does nothing to stop the bully, it re-victimizes the victims, and makes one a bully themselves.

[fzer0@nerdculture.de]

@rysiek

They'll have to pay a toll if they paid a toll.

[sea1am@mastodon.social]

@rysiek

Are we still assuming Trump doesn't understand the effect of his actions?

Calling him stupid and acting like he's not getting everything he wants is dangerous.

He's part of a group, and they have a plan. They are well funded, covert, conniving, and patient.

They are allied with other secretive groups around the world, and the epstein files are the tip of the iceberg.

Global chaos, destruction, and death are their current objectives.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt10715148/

[kruku@mastodon.bida.im]

@rysiek
Even if the USA does keep the Straight of Hormuz blocked it doesn't mean that much to Iran since the USA has much more to lose so Iran can out wait the USA indefinitely. Besides...
https://mastodon.bida.im/@Kruku/116392687059501386

[fig@theforkiverse.com]

@rysiek master art of the deal in action

[veronica@mastodon.online]

@Guillotine_Jones @rysiek Yeah, I mean, it's funny because it is all so incredibly childish.

[meuwese@mastodon.social]

@aslakr @ohir @rysiek actually Trump has announced that any ship that pays the toll to Iran (no idea how the US would know?) would be blocked entirely. Which is as close to a direct declaration of war on China as we're probably going to get.

[lbcp@social.linux.pizza]

@rysiek I guess RFK Jr. told Trump about Homoeopathy.

[biglinter@mastodon.social]

@rysiek waylayer, solid

[stf@chaos.social]

@rysiek maybe this https://youtu.be/0nt1CgQsgpI has some merit and is an explanation?

[bontchev@infosec.exchange]

@rysiek Well, it does make a certain kind of sense. The Strait isn't really "blocked" - it has been converted into a toll booth. Traffic hasn't stopped completely but the only ones who are allowed through are Chinese ships (and those of a handful of other countries), and the only one who profits is Iran for collecting $2 mil per ship. Trump can't force Iran to free the Strait for all traffic, so he's doing what he can - cutting off Iran's profits and the oil to a country unfriendly to the USA.

Of course, it is stupid and will backfire in unpredictable ways, plunging the world further into a crisis - but it's certainly a logical plan any 6-year old could come up with.

[grumpydad@infosec.exchange]

@rysiek They're really plan on pissing off the whole world, aren't they?

[kitkat_blue@mastodon.social]

@rysiek

Ask me, he wants to get in on some of that tasty toll cash.

[softwaretheron@mas.to]

@rysiek
no no no. Trump is going to take a leaf from Tehran's book:
He's going to charge for access.
Tariffs by another name.

[the_wub@mastodon.social]

@rysiek I now fully understand the appeal of #caturday and #owlsintowels .