This is funny… Trump admin spent the last year calling nato chumps and losers, saying he’ll take Greenland and they can’t stop him, and now begging for their help

https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/trump-calls-uk-to-send-ships-strait-hormuz-5HjdWL4_2/

I think game theory wise they would be best to work with nato-ex-Trump and UN to negotiate with Iran for a cessation, and pin any military conflict on Trump, while bolstering institutions. Show the world that diplomacy and cooperations can beat military conflict.

3/14/2026 6:18:16 PM

And they're likely going to have to help because of the downstream effects of having the Strait closed

3/14/2026 6:34:59 PM

F1 cancels their Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

I’m sure the Saudis aren’t happy about this

3/14/2026 8:29:40 PM

They haven't been

https://www.npr.org/2022/03/26/1088975885/saudi-arabia-formula-one-f1-race-houthi-attack

3/14/2026 9:13:09 PM

French say no

Quote :

" “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat,” he continued, in what appeared to be a veiled plea for help from America’s allies. French Response, the official X account of the French government’s foreign office, was quick to clarify that they would not be sending Trump’s requested ships. “No. The [French] aircraft carrier strike group remains in the Eastern Mediterranean. France’s posture is unchanged: Defensive. Protective,” the diplomatic outlet wrote. “Stop the scaremongering.” The official French Foreign Office account has denied that the country will be sending military support. The official French Foreign Office account has denied that the country will be sending military support. X The account repeated the message to multiple posts on X that had claimed France would be deploying warships to the Middle East."

^ that’s from 2022?

[Edited on March 14, 2026 at 10:45 PM. Reason : ]

3/14/2026 10:44:32 PM

2022 is the point. Iran has been an active threat to KSA and everybody else for decades.

3/15/2026 12:07:08 AM

Oh I thought you were saying the races aren’t cancelled

3/15/2026 1:19:11 AM

Good for France and Italy who seem to be reluctant to join in this shitshow

Just futher evidence of the collapse of US soft power.

3/15/2026 8:07:00 AM

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/14/trump-iran-war-fcc-chair-carr-broadcasters.html

This along with the total dumpster fire that is the Pentagon press corps seems totally normal and fine.

3/15/2026 11:43:56 AM

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5782562-hegeseth-criticizes-cnn-iran/amp/

Quote :

"“Fake news from CNN reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz. Patently ridiculous, of course. For decades, Iran has threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This is always what they do, hold the strait hostage,” Hegseth said during the press briefing at the Pentagon. “CNN doesn’t think we thought of that. It’s a fundamentally unserious report. The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better,” Hegseth, a former Fox News host, told reporters. "

Translation: Soon CBS, Fox News, and CNN will be state sponsored propaganda

3/15/2026 11:54:56 AM

Nyt has a long comprehensive article now of the current state. Giving the impression of a stalemate and that trump is a lapdog of MBS. Jared Kushner is traipsing around both representing the USA and seeking investment from the Saudis for his personal business. Easily the most corrupt thing I’ve ever seen in politics in my lifetime.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/us/politics/trump-stark-choices-iran-war.html

Seems all very bad, and barely any impact on China beyond a nuisance disruption in their oil imports

3/16/2026 12:26:40 AM

Correct!

In the region, Israel and KSA probably have the most to gain from this and both with continue to exploit/bribe this administration to get what they want.

Outside of that, Russia and China are clearly benefiting from the US losing soft power, destabilizing NATO, and the US just expending a ton of munitions. Hell, we already removed our THAAD batteries from Korea for this.

3/16/2026 8:31:49 AM

Bloomberg being pointed

Quote :

" Trump pivoted sharply over the weekend to calling for other countries to join the fray to reopen the strait - a possibility seen in those capitals as ranging from questionable to fanciful. From his Florida golf course, Trump sent a string of mixed messages on social media, calling for support in a war he's said repeatedly he's won, and for help in a strait his administration has insisted remains open. He claimed Saturday that Iran wanted a deal, which Iran dismissed. "

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-15/trump-leaves-allies-and-foes-guessing-on-his-endgame-for-iran

3/16/2026 10:05:51 AM

This whole endeavor has seemed like simply throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks

3/16/2026 10:09:22 AM