see, but this is what happens when you play political games over things like impeachment, forcing him to go out there and wag the dog.

i agree that this was reckless. but when you have a madman in a hostage situation, you don't egg him on like the democrats are doing. we knew he was reckless, and they should have adjusted to it; when a known lunatic does reckless things, you shouldn't be surprised.

ironically, the iranians can probably be expected to react rationally. retaliation would be stupid, and they know that. but, if there are any lingering questions about the iranians buying anti-aircraft systems from the russians, this provides tehran with a powerful argument. this otherwise does nothing to improve america's position, it merely makes them look rogue and untrustworthy (more so, i guess). it only helps trump with his base. so, as always, american short-sightedeness just ultimately plays into the russians' hands.

....which is the thing i'm actually concerned about regarding the democrats' political gamesmanship. the more they go out there and smear trump as a russian stooge (which is just silly. he's at worst a useful idiot.), the more they push him to react.

unfortunately, there does appear to be a broader strategy unravelling that is seeing trump align more closely with the saudis. the decision to pull back from syria and focus on iran seems to be being carried out in very close consultation with riyadh, who i might hazard a guess was kept more in the loop than the congress was. and, this is very worrying.

but, let us understand that what just happened is that trump tried to change the topic away from the impeachment. and, let us be clear-minded in understanding the consequences of playing political games with an irrational actor.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/03/us-lawmakers-not-told-attack-qassim-soleimani-top-democrats/