The U.S. is like an old lion. We are still the king of the Middle East jungle — more powerful than any single actor, but we have so many scars from so many fights that we just can’t just show up, roar loudly and expect that everyone will do what we want or scamper away. We are one tired lion, and that’s why other predators are no longer afraid to test us.

The animal kingdom consists of 4 animals, parasitic wasps, caterpillars, lions and lemurs

[–] SeventyTwoTrillion@hexbear.net 10 points 2 years ago

We are still the king of the Middle East jungle — more powerful than any single actor

Oh, so that's why we have to constantly beg and plead to Iran that we aren't gonna bomb them, don't worry about it, please don't respond to our moves, we don't want to start a war with you? That's typically what you do if you're the greatest power in the region, sure.

[–] Mardoniush@hexbear.net 17 points 2 years ago

Thomas Friedman has been the ur-caricature of a ridiculous Lanyard type who still thinks it's 1997 and is constantly surprised history keeps happening for decades now

[–] idkmybffjoeysteel@hexbear.net 16 points 2 years ago

It isn't meant sincerely they just feel they have to say SOMETHING before they do what they are going to do anyway