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

[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 .

[felis_catus_domesticus@mstdn.party]

@rysiek

The USN will probably make some attempt to de-mine the straight, then declare it "safe", then "open". Let's be realistic here. The USAF will probably have it's hands full patrolling the Iranian coast from the air hunting for drones with A-10's & predators. Kharg island might get seized or heavily bombed, along with Iran's coastal bases near the straight. There aren't a whole lot of realistic scenarios here, regarardless of how one feels about any of them individually.

[felis_catus_domesticus@mstdn.party]

@bontchev @rysiek

Trump can't force Iran to free the Strait for all traffic

By destroying Iran's navy + drones he can, but this will take time. I think they are praying regime change happens in Iran before that, because destroying all of it is going to be expensive.. for the US taxpayer, not for Trump personally. Maybe that is the crux of the problem right there..

[felis_catus_domesticus@mstdn.party]

@bontchev @rysiek

Of course, it is stupid and will backfire in unpredictable ways, plunging the world further into a crisis

That is the sad truth. Not a lot of reliable allies in that region either. Lots of hyenas and jackals. But who can blame these groups.. they have been taught to be this way by the Ottomans, then the Brits, then the USA.. across several centuries and empires.

[marcink@stolat.town]

@rysiek Maybe other countries could join in, it could turn out to be the infinite money glitch. (the Oprah meme: “you get $2M! And you get $2M! And…”) @ohir

[aerofreak@hessen.social]

@rysiek

The great pumpkin, also known as agent #krasnov does the best he can for his beloved ruzzia.

#convictedFelonTrump

[rysiek@mstdn.social]

@stf I seriously doubt that there is actually a "strategy" of any sort. Occam's Kazoo applies.

[whvholst@eupolicy.social]

@rysiek @stf Why is it not Occam's Vuvuzela?

[harkank@chaos.social]

@whvholst @rysiek @stf
ROTFL!

[rysiek@mstdn.social]

@bontchev "I hate that some kids are giving their lunch money to the bully who threatened them, so I will bully them myself."

It is craven, is what it is.