US troops forced to act on the ground?

But it does look like there won't be boots on the ground. And that is good. Those troops would be sitting ducks.

I agree absolutely Maremia: such troops would be the twenty first century version of " cannon fodder".

fancythat

^ a step closer to the "Oil Yuan".^

I have never understood the oil paid in US dollars.
Asked someone in rl.
They ended up confusing themself.

It's not actually complicated, being the global oil reserve currency gives the US dollar a big advantage, China wants to challenge that, with its controlled economy the day is getting closer, this is the whole aim of Trumps tariff policy - to make it more difficult

Apparently Trump is now calling himself “Caesar”

Over to you Senate!

His Et tu Brutus moment alert?

David49

fancythat

^ a step closer to the "Oil Yuan".^

I have never understood the oil paid in US dollars.
Asked someone in rl.
They ended up confusing themself.

It's not actually complicated, being the global oil reserve currency gives the US dollar a big advantage, China wants to challenge that, with its controlled economy the day is getting closer, this is the whole aim of Trumps tariff policy - to make it more difficult

I understand thanks.

I just dont understand the reason.

Why cant any Country use any currency it wants, to pay whatever Country it is buying from.

LemonJam

In his Pentagon news conference, Hegseth said the US had successfully secured a path through the waterway and that hundreds of commercial ships were lining up to pass through. “We know the Iranians are embarrassed by this fact. They said they control the strait. They do not,” he said.

Rubio later said the US was working to get ships through the strait as a “favour to the world … because we’re the only ones that can”. As Rubio was addressing reporters, a cargo vessel in the strait reported it had been struck by a unknown projectile.
Rubio expressed hope that during the visit to China by Iranian foreign minister to Beijing would reiterate to Tehran the need to release its chokehold on the strait. “It is in China’s interest that Iran stop closing the strait,” Rubio said. Well after said visit China declared that Iran is its strategic partner...

Meanwhile Trump announces on Truth Social he has decided to pause Project Freedom, seemingly without forewarning Hegseth and Rubio and counter to Hegseth and Rubio’s comments to the media. He says the pause is so a peace plan could be agreed.

The Iranian state media claims Trump has retreated and accuses him of trying to "cover up the failure' of his operation.

Rubio has said the offensive stage of the Iran war is "over"

Iran releases a statement alluding the the strict reopening if there is "an end otherwise aggressor threats"

But 15 minutes ago Donald Trump says the Iran war and US blockade could end with a deal- but strikes would restart is one wasn't reached.

It is increasingly Trump’s US government that is looking embarrassing.

Honestly, is there anyone in Trump’s government who can speak sense or even more vital, tell the truth!

I don’t think there is a truth Cossy, in that there is not much cross briefing going on between the cabinet members, so they all talk off the top of their heads.

Casdon

His Et tu Brutus moment alert?

Doubtful, he’s far too dense to know that!

The latest US debt is 125.3% of GDP. If the US dollar loses it's status as the Petrodollar it will push borrowing interest rates up considerably and could cause a recession. The only reason that the US can carry such a high level of government debt is because of the dollar's status internationally.

Casdon

I don’t think there is a truth Cossy, in that there is not much cross briefing going on between the cabinet members, so they all talk off the top of their heads.

It’s so frustrating and if we can see that most of the nonsense they spout is rubbish, why can’t they?

I still genuinely don’t understand why Trump and some of his senior advisers are not either sectioned or on their way to court!

What an embarrassment Trump is for America!

In a nutshell 😂https://www.facebook.com/reel/1498816921645344

Casdon

I don’t think there is a truth Cossy, in that there is not much cross briefing going on between the cabinet members, so they all talk off the top of their heads.

I think this is the case, but it’s Trump who keeps going off piste and chopping and changing, it must be infuriating for his aides.

Casdon

I don’t think there is a truth Cossy, in that there is not much cross briefing going on between the cabinet members, so they all talk off the top of their heads.

This is my perception.

Has anyone seen the huge bill board adverts on display in Iran city photos- with a huge face of Trump, from below eyes to neck, with a large blue scarf type/ gag in his mouth across the middle? The scarf is blue and the shape of the Hormuz Strait - the impression created the strait is blocked and nothing of any sense is coming out of Trump's mouth?

fancythat

^ a step closer to the "Oil Yuan".^

I have never understood the oil paid in US dollars.
Asked someone in rl.
They ended up confusing themself.

This article may explain it.

It has been suggested that a number of wars have been started by the US to discourage countries taking payment for oil in other currencies. This article says it's unlikely but I did read quite a convincing piece about it, which I thought I had saved, but I can't find it at the moment.

www.independent.org/article/2026/02/27/petrodollar-war-theory/

It reads "At Breaking Point".

LemonJam

Casdon

I don’t think there is a truth Cossy, in that there is not much cross briefing going on between the cabinet members, so they all talk off the top of their heads.

This is my perception.

Has anyone seen the huge bill board adverts on display in Iran city photos- with a huge face of Trump, from below eyes to neck, with a large blue scarf type/ gag in his mouth across the middle? The scarf is blue and the shape of the Hormuz Strait - the impression created the strait is blocked and nothing of any sense is coming out of Trump's mouth?

Blocking the Strait and trying to charge ships for access was simple piracy by Iran.They don’t like it up ‘em as Corporal Jones liked to say, regarding the US denying ships access to Iranian ports.It has to be biting and may bring them to the negotiating table soon.

MaizieD

fancythat

^ a step closer to the "Oil Yuan".^

I have never understood the oil paid in US dollars.
Asked someone in rl.
They ended up confusing themself.

This article may explain it.

It has been suggested that a number of wars have been started by the US to discourage countries taking payment for oil in other currencies. This article says it's unlikely but I did read quite a convincing piece about it, which I thought I had saved, but I can't find it at the moment.

www.independent.org/article/2026/02/27/petrodollar-war-theory/

Thank you. An excellent link.

foxie48

The latest US debt is 125.3% of GDP. If the US dollar loses it's status as the Petrodollar it will push borrowing interest rates up considerably and could cause a recession. The only reason that the US can carry such a high level of government debt is because of the dollar's status internationally.

The US uses its reserve status and high borrowing to keep taxes low and win votes, both Republicans and Democrats do it for different reasons, both will suffer badly if the reserve currency is lost.
An example is oil, fuel at the pumps there is 70p a liter, yes seventy pence and they are complaining, their standard of living is higher than ours they should be paying our price or more, maybe they would take climate change seriously.

Hmm. It depends what you mean. They have more domestic goods and transport is cheaper in the USA, but overall the cost of living is 15.5% lower in the U.K. than it is in the U.S. I doubt many Brits would trade.

David the whole of the US will suffer, it's not party dependent. That's the point of my post ie Trump is risking doing long term damage to the US economy. No other country has had a debt to GDP ratio that high and been able to keep borrowing costs as low as the US and it's all depends on the petrodollar.

foxie48

David the whole of the US will suffer, it's not party dependent. That's the point of my post ie Trump is risking doing long term damage to the US economy. No other country has had a debt to GDP ratio that high and been able to keep borrowing costs as low as the US and it's all depends on the petrodollar.

The cost of living is higher but a great many would go to the US if they could because the opportunities are greater, I don't see many US citizens leaving because the cost of living is too high. Certainly not coming to the UK because our system is so much better

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-migration-citizens-moving-abroad-b2928252.html
Quality of life is important to many people David49, and they are leaving the US to achieve it. Not everybody values money and material possessions more than time and happiness.

The US only gives 2 weeks holiday?
And less Bank Holidays?
As does Canada?
Havent time[ha ha] to look that up today.
That puts several off living and working in those Countries. Unless they are part of say a multinational which makes it's own rules as regards number of holiday days.

AI

There is no federal legal entitlement to paid annual leave in the United States;1 in 4 Americans receive no paid vacation, making it the only high-income country without mandated paid time off. Paid vacation is at the discretion of employers, with the average employee receiving around 10 days (two weeks) annually, often after accruing time over the year.