To structure this optimally we’ll cover Iran, and relevant information…like their history with us, then I’ll move into the Cohen calls. Also, the video will focus on US relations with Iran, not Iran’s relations…that’s another article. That said, let’s get to it!
In order to properly understand the situation in Iran as it is today, it’s necessary to look at it’s history, especially in regard to Iran’s Oil. In 1908 The Anglo-Persian Oil Company was founded after discovering a large oil field in Masjed Soleyman. The company was renamed to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in 1935, and again in 1954 to British Petroleum Company…You may have heard of them.
Now let’s rewind a couple of years. In 1951 Iran attempted to nationalize the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company with Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. After various back and forths between Mossadegh and Britain, eventually Britain came to realize they couldn’t convince Mossadegh to give them control over the oil. However, Britain appealed to the United States, and exaggerated Iran’s likelihood of becoming communist. The anti-communist rhetoric worked and the CIA launched Operation Ajax, and voila, the Shah of Iran is now Dictator. The United States was also against nationalization of resources in general, because that could effect them in other countries.
Shortly after the coup, the Pro Western Shah had the oil flowing again. Public Opinion was still Against BP, so BP had to settle being part of a consortium of companies, but they got 40% of the access. An ok deal or them, 40% is better than 0%.
Fast forward to 1979, the revolution happens and the Shah is no longer in power. Iran undergoes a cultural revolution, returning to more fundamental Islamic values. Now what’s interesting is the MEK, an Iranian organization…was taken off of the designated terrorist watchlist by Hillary Clinton when she was Secretary of State.
Today, reports of unrest in Iran are being gleefully shared that the people don’t agree with the leadership. Of course many of the pictures used are of the MEK group Hillary took off the terrorist watchlist. Which leads to the question…are the MEK working with the CIA to attempt regime change in Iran?
I would say there’s a decent chance the CIA is active in regime change in Iran. If you look at the history the CIA has intervened multiple times before. Also, the MEK got taken off the terror list, and they’re seen working against the interests of the Iranian government. Remember the oil? In the speech that Hasan Rouhani made, he said he wouldn’t let the United states prevent Iran from exporting oil. This was the same speech Rouhani said “peace with Iran would be the mother of all peace and war with Iran would be the mother of all wars.”. Like Iran or not, Rouhani is probably right war with Iran would be the mother of all wars, just look at the disaster the Iraq war was.
It’s worth noting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bragged about convincing Donald Trump to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. I don’t think this would mean Trump will go to war with Iran (it’s a possibility, but I consider war to be less likely for reasons I’ll explain soon), but I think something like this is worth remembering. Netanyahu and Trump met before the 2016 election.
However, despite Trump’s angry tweet and rhetoric in response to Hasan Rouhani…should we really expect war with Iran? We’ve seen this kind’ve rhetoric before, like when President Trump was dealing with North Korea. Before getting Pyongyang to comply with denuclearization…Trump and Kim Jong Un didn’t exactly have the best exchanges. Remember Trump talking about how his nuclear button was bigger, and “fire and fury”. Yeah, things weren’t too nice between them, but it looks like North Korea is complying. 38 North, as US group which monitors North Korea, says North Korea has begun to dismantle key rocket-launching sites.
Not to mention, this general negotiating style fits Trump. In Trump’s own book The Art of the Deal he talks about the elements of the deal. In it, he lists “Use your leverage” and “fight back” as important parts of the process. It’s worth remembering Trump may be outspoken and aggressive, but it’s often a tool used in negotiating. After North Korea, Trump has now set his sights on Iran. We can probably expect him to use the sanctions and the threat of war over Iran being able to export oil as leverage. In many ways, his business methods applied to foreign policy is a modern iteration of brinkmanship. Which is the practice of trying to achieve an advantageous outcome by pushing dangerous events to the brink of active conflict.
Time for the Juicy segment, the Trump Tapes. Remember when the FBI raided Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen’s offices? Well, they didn’t get just one tape, but a dozen. And of course CNN, gets their hands on the audio of one of the tapes almost instantly. You know, that’s one of the reasons I don’t think it’s likely Trump colluded with Russia. If he did, CNN would’ve probably leaked it by now. But I digress…The tape CNN leaked is about discussing payments to buy the rights for Karen McDougal’s story. The story is Karen McDougal, a former Playmate alleges that she had a 10 month romantic affair with Trump in 2006 and the leaked tape was a conversation about buying the rights to the story.. Here’s the kicker, Trump’s lawyer says no payment was ever made (I’m sure we’ll hear more about this). But even setting that aside, the strangest part of the story is the least discussed.
Trump’s legal team waived their right to attorney client privilege for the 12 audio recordings. Trump WANTS these tapes to be examined. We know what was on one…so the question is…what’s on the other 11 recordings? Will CNN leak those? Why or Why not?
