President Trump

[flook]

If Hamas wanted the hostages released they would release them... why they were taken and for what reason who knows?

You really don't know why they were taken?

How about trying to prevent themselves being blasted off the planet as a reason to consider giving up their only "leverage". I doubt very much would be "hunky dory", but the consequences of the alternative, we can only imagine?

So just capitulate then? On the off chance Israel will release the thousands they are holding. Or maybe hold onto their leverage on the off chance the rest of the world can convince Israel not to "blast them off the planet". Neither are likely scenarios are they, which just about sums up Palestines position. They're royally fucked. They have been since the UN created the two state system in 1947.

As for the USAID see below. In summary It was said earlier in the thread by @cityonthup that keeping hostages was a tactic to negotiate so I am suggesting that by threatening to remove USAID is as an acceptable tactic to counter. ie give up the hostages and we may not cut financial support to the area.

If USAID only provided support to Palestine, or if a stop was put on USAID to Gaza until the hostages were returned, you might have an argument. But to suggest that disbanding the whole structure of US foreign aid as a negotiating tactic on Gaza is franky ridiculous

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

It certainly isn't going to help their cause if they don't release them.

I don't think anything is. The election of Trump has seen to that.

 

[Mr Fraser]

They've stopped releasing the hostages because Israel has blocked aid and medical supplies getting through.

 

[Postman Pep]

 

[lloydie]

 

[bluethrunthru]

 

[flook]

keep saying it, 'merica is Gilead

 

[Mr Fraser]

keep saying it, 'merica is Gilead

Margaret Atwood appears to have written a documentary

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Margaret Atwood appears to have written a documentary

Or an instruction manual?

 

[bluethrunthru]

Paper straws explode is his latest one - I think he has been using a batch sent by Mossad

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Yeah, sure, why would we listen to noted pauper and idiot Ken Griffin? What does he know about business and people? He's never built anything or managed anyone in the real world.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/11/ken-griffin-says-trumps-bombastic-trade-rhetoric-is-a-mistake-thats-eroding-trust-in-the-us.html

By the way, Griffin voted for Trump but hates him, so I find his moaning ridiculous. What did he expect?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Okay, so October 7th never happened?

In response to my post stating, as the first sentence:

Oct 7th was a crime.

Can you read?

 

[Mr Fraser]

Or an instruction manual?

I get your point but I dont think that was her intention. Visionary writer

 

[Elbow beards]

If that is true, it is truly disgusting and scary.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Given that the behaviour of Trump is not far off the demands of the Danegeld (pay us or we'll crush you), can we conclude that he is in fact a Cnut?

 

[Ducado]

Given that the behaviour of Trump is not far off the demands of the Danegeld (pay us or we'll crush you), can we conclude that he is in fact a Cnut?

They don’t have a good track record, I bet the state department is in panic mode, in theory they could lose lots of client states to China especially Egypt and Jordan

 

[Blue Maverick]

I think the trouble we really have is that most Americans don’t give a fuck about the rest of the world, so Trump will do what he likes and they will lap it up, by the time they realise it will be to late for them and us.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Anybody???

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

They don’t have a good track record, I bet the state department is in panic mode, in theory they could lose lots of client states to China especially Egypt and Jordan

Little Marco is now in charge of the State Department. A guy who is 100% subservient to the Dear Leader.

 

[Vic]

Last night I was out with retired workmates from 20 years ago, and we talked about the "Gulf Of Mexico/America".

Not sure if this is true and I will be corrected by more knowlegable folk on here.

But apparently to start drilling for oil at the moment it takes 3 years to get the neccesary approval. Change the name to the Gulf of America and drilling can start straight away. So maybe there is method in his madness.

Like I say I don't know if what I was told last night is true, and I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong.

The rights to the seabed in the Gulf have been settled in international courts and changing the name won't change that.

It may help persuade his base that the seabed was stolen for when he ignores the law.