Looks like the war with Iran is cooking off

[Ninurta]

AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

I wonder how much could be saved by leaving ALL of the bases in the eastern hemisphere,and curtailing naval patrols to the International Date Line in the west, and the Mid-Atlantic ridge in the east?

After we completely eradicate the current Iranian regime, that is...

Of course, that's not really workable. it would leave, for example, Taiwan in the lurch, and they've done nothing against us that I know of. Maybe just pull out of NATO and Europe entirely, and leave ANZUS intact with reduced patrols... unless they decide to take a slap at us, too....

.

[Bally002]

AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

 and leave ANZUS intact with reduced patrols... unless they decide to take a slap at us, too....

.

Can't talk for NZ but the politics as I see them here is typical of these times.  Wait and see.  The US has several vested military interests here aand have for some time.  Can't see them pulling out of Pine Gap or the North West.  The marine contingent in Darwin, perhaps, but I'm reading now they may set up a base for the B52's in the top end.  Well.  Speculation.   Use of the Sub base in West Aussie is perhaps handy for both nations but it the Pollies here who, if they detect the slightest unfavourable disposition amongst the voters (mostly imported) then it's a 'Yeah, Nah'.

The other reality is that we do pump oil, send it overseas for refining then buy the fuels back.  Hence we pay a hefty price.  The Pollies have also shut 6 platforms down over the years.  Why they think that way I do not know.  Genuine voters, the minority have no problem helping out the yanks.

So the argument against assisting with the straits of Homuz while we now are experiencing the highest fuel prices in history is mute.  Get the straits open.

We're heading into recession because of these think tactics and the gas bagging by the parties does nothing to help.  I called out my local MP the other day.  Wanted my name, address and phone number to get back to me.  So I gave it.  Waiting for his call.  He was an independent but now has a position in another party and was openly writing himself up about that.  I didn't vote for that party.  I say again, what are they thinking.

It's become a sickness in a country that was once tagged "The Lucky Country."  Just running out of that luck.

Kind regards,

Bally

[putnam6]

AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

I wonder how much could be saved by leaving ALL of the bases in the eastern hemisphere,and curtailing naval patrols to the International Date Line in the west, and the Mid-Atlantic ridge in the east?

After we completely eradicate the current Iranian regime, that is...

Of course, that's not really workable. it would leave, for example, Taiwan in the lurch, and they've done nothing against us that I know of. Maybe just pull out of NATO and Europe entirely, and leave ANZUS intact with reduced patrols... unless they decide to take a slap at us, too.....

Uncle Sam won't completely withdraw, There is some historical value; perhaps the new owners will have an estate sale.

 but there needs to be a serious drawdown. Leave it up to each military branch and host country.

I'd put bases in Estonia immediately

Dwight D. Eisenhower.In February 1951, shortly after becoming the first Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) for NATO, Eisenhower wrote in a letter or statement:

"If in 10 years, all American troops stationed in Europe for national defense purposes have not been returned to the United States, then this whole project [NATO] will have failed."

This reflected his view that NATO was intended as a temporary measure to help Western Europe rebuild its own defense capabilities after World War II and stand on its own against the Soviet threat—not a permanent U.S.-led commitment with indefinite American troop presence.

FINALLY SOME BALLS!

Estonia just stepped up like the little country that could - ready to back Trump against Iran!

The Baltic nation with 1.3 million people declared full support: "We will be ready to offer any kind of support to the US or to free world countries."

That's the spirit of real allies stepping into the fight when it counts.

This small powerhouse is showing bigger nations how it's done - no hesitation, no excuses, just willingness to defend freedom and secure global energy flows.

Trump called for help on the Strait of Hormuz, and Estonia answered loud and clear.

The contrast is glaring: while European giants waffle and whine, Estonia punches above its weight with courage.

This is what true partnership looks like - standing firm when tyrants threaten the world.

America First thrives when genuine allies show up.

Estonia's bold move reminds us that size doesn't matter - resolve does. The free world is stronger because of it.

Thoughts? 

[The Crying Bunny]

Just wondering if the gay nepo-tollah is still alive or have they tossed him off a building for being "the gay".

[EndtheMadnessNow]

'This is America’s war': Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi | Talk to Al Jazeera

"He denies targeting civilians, defends Iran’s retaliation, and warns that the US military presence across the Gulf makes escalation unavoidable.

Araghchi also signals possible new rules for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while rejecting a ceasefire in favour of a permanent end to the war."

Araghchi speaks good English but in this Mar 18, 2026 interview he chose his native language. Decent interpreter.




Here the answer(s) I got from AI in asking:

If US government exited all US military bases in the Middle East and Europe how much would that save American taxpayers?

According to the Quincy Institute think tank:

Exiting all U.S. military bases in Europe and the Middle East would likely save American taxpayers roughly $30–60 billion per year in direct costs, though exact figures are estimates because the Pentagon does not publish a precise regional breakdown of overseas basing expenses. This range comes from independent analyses of global overseas basing costs (primarily the Quincy Institute and similar studies), adjusted for the fact that Europe and the Middle East host a large share of U.S. overseas infrastructure and personnel. Quincy Institute

Key Data on U.S. Presence (as of 2025–2026) Europe (EUCOM): Roughly 80,000–100,000 U.S. servicemembers (permanent + rotational), with the largest concentrations in Germany (~34,500–46,000), Italy, the UK, and Poland. Total permanent active-duty around 65,000–84,000. CFR

Middle East (CENTCOM): Peacetime baseline ~40,000–50,000 troops across major hubs like Qatar (Al Udeid Air Base), Bahrain, Kuwait, and smaller sites in Jordan, UAE, etc. (Numbers fluctuate with operations; recent buildups tied to regional tensions have pushed higher temporarily.) NewsNation

Cost Breakdown and Savings Estimates

The most cited independent estimate (Quincy Institute, updated from FY2021 data and still widely referenced) puts the annual cost of building, operating, and maintaining all U.S. overseas bases worldwide at ~$55 billion (FY2021 dollars; higher today with inflation and larger budgets). Adding the extra costs of stationing personnel abroad (housing, schools for dependents, transport, allowances, etc.) brings the global total to ~$80 billion or more.

Other analyses align closely: ~$65 billion/year just for building/maintaining bases, or $94+ billion including personnel extras (updated to recent years). Overseasbases.net

Official DoD figures for “overseas operations activities” are narrower (~$28–32 billion in FY2023), but these exclude some construction and full personnel overhead. US Congress report

Total direct annual savings to taxpayers: ~$30–50 billion (conservative, basing-only) to $40–60 billion (including full personnel overhead). These are recurring savings once bases are closed and forces withdrawn—no ongoing rent, utilities, security, or overseas logistics for those sites.

Important Caveats on Net Savings

If troops are simply brought home without reducing overall U.S. force size, some costs shift to domestic bases (housing, etc.), reducing net savings to mainly the overseas-specific extras and base operations. Historical RAND and other analyses suggest the incremental overseas premium can be smaller in some cases (~$2–12 billion globally for certain posture changes), but Quincy-style full-attribution accounting (which attributes base ops directly) yields the higher figure above. RAND Corp

If presence in these regions is deemed unnecessary and force structure is downsized (as advocated by groups like Quincy or Cato in drawdown proposals), savings grow further because you avoid proportional personnel/end-strength costs.

Host-nation support (e.g., some European or Gulf payments) offsets a portion of U.S. costs today, so exiting would capture those avoided U.S. expenditures.

One-time costs (base closure, equipment relocation, environmental cleanup) would occur upfront but are dwarfed by long-term annual savings.

These figures exclude war/operational spending in the Middle East (e.g., recent Yemen/Iran-related operations costing billions extra), which would also end with full exit. Costs of United States Military Activities in the Wider Middle East Since October 7, 2023 (16 pg PDF)

In short, the direct taxpayer savings from exiting these specific bases would be in the tens of billions annually—a meaningful fraction of the overall ~$900 billion U.S. defense budget—but not hundreds of billions, as personnel salaries and core force costs would persist unless the military is scaled back. Strategic trade-offs (e.g., alliance commitments, deterrence) are debated separately and outside the pure fiscal question here. For the most current official context, DoD posture reports and congressional budget justifications provide the raw data, but independent groups like Quincy offer the clearest public tallies of overseas-specific burdens.

Basically, tens of billions could be spent within USA... healthcare, homelessness, infrastructure, etc.



Iran War Cost Tracker

[The Crying Bunny]

Aragchi is probably hiding in a tent, making potty in a bowl and wishing his goats were with him.

[EndtheMadnessNow]

Just wondering if the gay nepo-tollah is still alive or have they tossed him off a building for being "the gay".

So you want to go down that hole, eh. 

[F2d5thCav]

"Strait of Homos" LOL.

[angelchemuel]

Has Israel gone rogue?
Trump/US say they were not informed that Israel was going to strike the South Pars gas (LNG) field.
He was not impressed with Israel but cautioned Iran not to retaliate...... which of course they did by striking Qatar's LNG site Ras Laffan, which is an extension of Iran's South Pars LNG field, which also happens to be (Ras Laffan) the worlds biggest LNG site.

With Iran striking the Ras Laffan, Trump has now said.... if you do that again to Qatar.... he'll completely destroy the South Pars LNG site.

FFS, two wrongs do not make a right.
Israel should have told US of their intentions at the very least...... they didn't..... a wrong.
Iran should not have attacked Qattar....... wrong response.
Trump says he'll obliterate South Pars if Iran attack Qattar again...... another wrong.

As a result, LNG cost has jumped 25% overnight. 
BBC 

Rainbows
Jane

[727Sky]

With the flow of oil being greatly restricted out of Iran who along with Venezuela which was China's best buddy for cheap oil there are now mile long gas lines happening in China even though a large percentage of their vehicles are electric . 

America and at least the smart governments of the world recognize China and the CCP/PLA are the real bad guys when it comes to world conquest/domination. 

There are so many possible outcomes to the present world events that we are definitely living in interesting times. Riots in Cuba as the lights are out because of the sugar daddy called Venezuela being taken off the board. 

As far as NATO and our true allies I posted this at D.I. in response to the one who will always be Beezer to me. 

DBCowboy Wrote: [url=https://denyignorance.com/Thread-Trump-says-he-bombed-Iran?pid=140749#pid140749][/url]Yeah, so?

He's got support from real Americans who want America to be great again.

Goodbye, Venezuela, goodbye Iran, goodbye Cuba.

 

Yay!

Long Term we might be able to add China on that list. We also might even be able to pluck the American tit from the toothless gums of the European leeches who we have rebuilt and supported since WW2.

---

China says it wants peace—but is that just part of the strategy? As China expands its influence through cyber, economic, and information warfare, anti-war narratives are spreading in the U.S. and beyond. From tensions over Taiwan to global propaganda campaigns, is Beijing shaping public opinion to gain the upper hand before a real conflict begins?

I agree with most of this video

[kwaka]

Joe Kent has an interview with Tucker Carlson around the Iran issue.

Israel does not have a plan for regime change in Iran and are happy with a dysfunctional state under civil war. Makes sense for why the goal state is a national security secret. America was usually more concerned about regional security and trade issues. Trump got surrounded by Zionists with their own agenda and information that was not verified by the American Intelligence community.





A good heads up on the situation.

[kwaka]

Iran has responded to the recent attack on its gas fields and energy production by hitting oil fields in Saudi Arabia and others.  

[YesItsMe]

Joe Kent has an interview with Tucker Carlson around the Iran issue.

No offense but Tucker Carlson is a total nutbag.
Formerly loved by Trump.  Complete anti-semite.   Massive Russia hugger.
Carlson isn't a journalist. He's a dude with many agendas.

[sahgwa]

AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

That's all well and good, but unfortunately the planned crashing of the economy, towards a new bleep bloop digital crap seems to be well underway , with us going into 3 trillion more in debt per year.  8 million is only .2 of a percent of that. 

'The Peterson Foundation says that on or about March 18, the national debt will reach $39 trillion. This was less than five months after it reached $38 trillion. At our current pace of profligacy — it probably will accelerate — three trillion-dollar milestones can be passed during one fiscal year.'

[F2d5thCav]

Interesting comments here.

https://gcaptain.com/the-hormuz-hypothes...he-strait/

[gortex]

'It takes money to kill bad guys': Hegseth confirms new Pentagon funding request

The Pentagon could receive as much as $200bn to help fund the war and America's wider military security, Pete Hegseth has confirmed.

"I think that number could move," the US defence secretary said. "It takes money to kill bad guys."

"We're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure we're properly funded," he added, naming replenishing the military's stock among the purposes of the additional funds.

Shortly after this question, the briefing ended.

https://news.sky.com/story/iran-war-late...s-13509565

3 weeks in. 


Iraq taught us when the regime falls that's when the trouble starts , America will have to deploy troops to Nuclear capable Iran or face the risk of that technology and fissile material falling into the hands of Isis and other organizations yet to be formed.

[putnam6]

AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

That's all well and good, but unfortunately the planned crashing of the economy, towards a new bleep bloop digital crap seems to be well underway , with us going into 3 trillion more in debt per year.  8 million is only .2 of a percent of that. 

'The Peterson Foundation says that on or about March 18, the national debt will reach $39 trillion. This was less than five months after it reached $38 trillion. At our current pace of profligacy — it probably will accelerate — three trillion-dollar milestones can be passed during one fiscal year.'

Oh noes, what will we do? 

Who is gonna come and break Uncle Sammy's thumbs if he doesn't pay?

Tired of hearing about the national debt when states like Minnesota, California, and others are grifting the system. End the fraud and corruption, and the national bottom line would look a lot better.

Instead, how many years did Congress approve USAID bullshit? 

Send immigration funds without oversight.

We have an old skeevy shopping center in our neighborhood from back in the 80s, it's still skeevy AF, 
It has 73 different addresses that are accepting health care applications in that still skeevy little shopping center. 

They get federal funds for every application sent in, many of which are fraudulent claims, obviously

None of the holders of U.S. debt "come to collect" in the sense of showing up to demand immediate full repayment or forcing a showdown. The U.S. national debt doesn't work like a personal loan where a creditor can suddenly call the entire amount due or seize assets if you miss a payment.
Here's why, and how it actually functions:
U.S. debt is primarily issued as Treasury securities (bills, notes, bonds, etc.), which are formal contracts with fixed terms:

• They have specific maturity dates (e.g., 3 months for a T-bill, 10 years for a note, 30 years for a bond).
  
• Holders receive regular interest payments (coupons for notes/bonds) as agreed.
  
• At maturity, the government pays back the full face value (principal) automatically — no negotiation or "collection" needed.
  
• If a holder wants cash earlier, they sell the security on the secondary market to someone else (it's highly liquid and traded globally).
  

Holders can't arbitrarily "call in" the debt early or demand immediate full repayment unless it's a very rare callable bond (most aren't). Foreign governments like Japan or China, or domestic investors like pension funds, can't force early redemption — they get paid on the scheduled dates.
The U.S. government manages this by:

• Paying maturing debt with tax revenues, other income, or — most commonly — by issuing new Treasury securities to "roll over" the debt (borrowing new money to pay off the old).
  
• This rollover has been routine for decades because U.S. Treasuries are seen as the world's safest investment (backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. government).
  

Even if a holder (foreign or domestic) wanted to "collect" aggressively, they have no real leverage to force anything beyond the contract terms. Dumping large holdings would hurt the seller more (by driving down prices and their own returns) than the U.S., as other buyers (including the Fed or domestic investors) would likely step in.
The only real risk of non-payment would be a U.S. default (e.g., due to debt ceiling brinkmanship preventing new borrowing to cover maturing debt or interest). That would be catastrophic — spiking interest rates, crashing markets, damaging the dollar's global status, and triggering a potential recession — but it's a self-inflicted political issue, not something creditors can impose.
In short: Holders don't "come knocking" because the system is designed for automatic, predictable repayment and rollover. The U.S. has never defaulted on its debt obligations in modern history, and the structure ensures payments continue as long as Congress allows borrowing to cover them.

[sahgwa]

AI suggests it could save 800 million a year just by leaving NATO, and more, depending on which bases they leave.

That's all well and good, but unfortunately the planned crashing of the economy, towards a new bleep bloop digital crap seems to be well underway , with us going into 3 trillion more in debt per year.  8 million is only .2 of a percent of that. 

'The Peterson Foundation says that on or about March 18, the national debt will reach $39 trillion. This was less than five months after it reached $38 trillion. At our current pace of profligacy — it probably will accelerate — three trillion-dollar milestones can be passed during one fiscal year.'

Oh noes, what will we do? 

Who is gonna come and break Uncle Sammy's thumbs if he doesn't pay?

Tired of hearing about the national debt when states like Minnesota, California, and others are grifting the system. End the fraud and corruption, and the national bottom line would look a lot better.

Instead, how many years did Congress approve USAID bullshit? 

Send immigration funds without oversight.

We have an old skeevy shopping center in our neighborhood from back in the 80s, it's still skeevy AF, 
It has 73 different addresses that are accepting health care applications in that still skeevy little shopping center. 

They get federal funds for every application sent in, many of which are fraudulent claims, obviously

None of the holders of U.S. debt "come to collect" in the sense of showing up to demand immediate full repayment or forcing a showdown. The U.S. national debt doesn't work like a personal loan where a creditor can suddenly call the entire amount due or seize assets if you miss a payment.
Here's why, and how it actually functions:
U.S. debt is primarily issued as Treasury securities (bills, notes, bonds, etc.), which are formal contracts with fixed terms:

• They have specific maturity dates (e.g., 3 months for a T-bill, 10 years for a note, 30 years for a bond).
  
• Holders receive regular interest payments (coupons for notes/bonds) as agreed.
  
• At maturity, the government pays back the full face value (principal) automatically — no negotiation or "collection" needed.
  
• If a holder wants cash earlier, they sell the security on the secondary market to someone else (it's highly liquid and traded globally).
  

Holders can't arbitrarily "call in" the debt early or demand immediate full repayment unless it's a very rare callable bond (most aren't). Foreign governments like Japan or China, or domestic investors like pension funds, can't force early redemption — they get paid on the scheduled dates.
The U.S. government manages this by:

• Paying maturing debt with tax revenues, other income, or — most commonly — by issuing new Treasury securities to "roll over" the debt (borrowing new money to pay off the old).
  
• This rollover has been routine for decades because U.S. Treasuries are seen as the world's safest investment (backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. government).
  

Even if a holder (foreign or domestic) wanted to "collect" aggressively, they have no real leverage to force anything beyond the contract terms. Dumping large holdings would hurt the seller more (by driving down prices and their own returns) than the U.S., as other buyers (including the Fed or domestic investors) would likely step in.
The only real risk of non-payment would be a U.S. default (e.g., due to debt ceiling brinkmanship preventing new borrowing to cover maturing debt or interest). That would be catastrophic — spiking interest rates, crashing markets, damaging the dollar's global status, and triggering a potential recession — but it's a self-inflicted political issue, not something creditors can impose.
In short: Holders don't "come knocking" because the system is designed for automatic, predictable repayment and rollover. The U.S. has never defaulted on its debt obligations in modern history, and the structure ensures payments continue as long as Congress allows borrowing to cover them.

The only thing propping up the dollar though , with all that debt, is our military and our logistics and cultural reach.
It's like the mafia.  That's partly why we are in Iran, it is largely about oil and markets.  
If we can't militarily enforce our economic choices then it's all over.
So that's also what makes it interseting.
Also when other countries decide to stop 'buying our debt' , like China dumping bonds etc. 
Very interesting times. 
When they can't make the corrupt system work anymore, then they change the rules . 
I dont think I will like the new game very much, if they are able to get it started. (digital shits)

[putnam6]

'It takes money to kill bad guys': Hegseth confirms new Pentagon funding request

The Pentagon could receive as much as $200bn to help fund the war and America's wider military security, Pete Hegseth has confirmed.

"I think that number could move," the US defence secretary said. "It takes money to kill bad guys."

"We're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure we're properly funded," he added, naming replenishing the military's stock among the purposes of the additional funds.

Shortly after this question, the briefing ended.

https://news.sky.com/story/iran-war-late...s-13509565

3 weeks in. 


Iraq taught us when the regime falls that's when the trouble starts , America will have to deploy troops to Nuclear capable Iran or face the risk of that technology and fissile material falling into the hands of Isis and other organizations yet to be formed.

200 Billion? Well, it looks like we will have our MIC fully engaged for sure; it's completely under control, as any military incursion in the Middle East the US has had.

If the MIC wants it, they are going to make the politicians legislate for it.


Can't give the MIC billions for Ukraine, supply them to the hilt, and expect to go light when Uncle Sammy is in the fight in Iran. 

One can be upset at that reality, but it is the reality nonetheless

[Ninurta]

The only thing propping up the dollar though , with all that debt, is our military and our logistics and cultural reach.
It's like the mafia.  That's partly why we are in Iran, it is largely about oil and markets.  
If we can't militarily enforce our economic choices then it's all over.
So that's also what makes it interseting.
Also when other countries decide to stop 'buying our debt' , like China dumping bonds etc. 
Very interesting times. 
When they can't make the corrupt system work anymore, then they change the rules . 
I dont think I will like the new game very much, if they are able to get it started. (digital shits)

My personal plan for the "digital economy" is to immediately upon receiving any form of digital hoodoo, to take the digital hoodoo and convert it into hard assets that can be held in MY hand, used for trade, and/or buried and/or hidden in various caves here... before the bastards can "revoke" it with their "programmable money" bullshit.

I've already got my own "renewable" means for hunting should they try to truncate my ability to, for example, buy meat with their digital hoodoo, and woe betide any dumbass that thinks it might be a good idea to come into the woods after me for hunting. I'll leave 'em where they lay for the critters to eat, cause critters gotta eat, too.

As time goes by, and as circumstances warrant, I'll find or develop other workarounds for their digital bullshit, too. A stagnant mind sinks, and only sheep follow where their Master leads them.

.