Radio War Nerd EP #584 - World of Wars: US/UK Grotesque, Looming Iran War

Croatian nationalists take credit for the entire California wine industry because (allegedly) Zinfandel was brought to Napa valley by one Miljenko “Mike” Grgić in the 50s. Would you be surprised to know that his company still puts the Ustashe coat of arms on every bottle?

What was the book on Iran that shortchanged Manicheans?

And...the US & Israel have lost control of the situation almost instantly.

Very timely . And you predicted it right that Trump would attack Iran. Wapo mentioned today that MBS had urged Trump in multiple phone conversations to attack Iran. His brother did the same in January. MBS lobbied with Biden to let Israel kill Nasrallah.

Talk about timing huh boys

I think the co hosts would agree but let’s say they did kill Khamenei. Seems like a good case scenario for Iran. He’s older, he’s a spiritual leader for a culture that promotes martyrdom in defense of the nation. He’s far from some irreplaceable guy. To me this just consolidates internal power for the regime. (“You oppose the Islamic republic? Okay, look, they just assassinated our leader!”).

Khamenei apparently killed in the initial wave of strikes, RWN episode soon plz

Lol a day early! the war nerd curse lives!

The outbreak of war pre-empts this, but after Mark’s Red Balloon reference, I gotta link to the Critic scene: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A5K_oUjyyrQ&pp=ygUWdGhlIGNyaXRpYyByZWQgYmFsbG9vbg%3D%3D

Uhh… on a brighter note, John, what old science fiction novels have you been enjoying? (I remember I liked Brian Aldiss’s “Graybeard”)

I don’t think there’s any way the war goes on for long- the US has no stomach for casualties, be it planes, or ships. Iran has shown the ability to attrit missile defenses and cause damage without even resorting to their best weapons; it sounds like they just want Iran to capitulate so where’s the resolve for a long campaign?

Somewhere in Fresno, the original Gary Brecher is cracking open a Diet Coke and salivating at the thought of carriers sliding to the floor of the Persian Gulf right now.

Platner is not anti-war. He very carefully says he’s anti- bad/pointless wars. But he’s for rearming for war with China

Honestly, what has changed since the twelve day war

*sigh* I look forward to the episode detailing exactly what the fuck is going on right now.

52 minutes of talking about trump and still waiting to hear about iran

Welp, here we go...

Nice timing. I looks like you'll have to do an emergency follow up episode.

One Iran counter measure not mentioned today, that you guys always use to mention: turning the Saudi oil fields and water desalination plants into glass. Since Iran and Saudi had their “peace deal”, do we think this is no longer on the table? If push comes to shove I feel like even some of irans old missiles could wipe out the Saudi economy overnight. Might be a smart follow up to closing the strait. Would our economy survive the Saudi’s collapsing (genuinely asking, I’m not sure how important their “oil” is)

maine is crazy i was constantly being lectured about the patriot act by guys who were about to join the marines

In Puglia, the grape Americans call Zinfandel is known as Primitivo. It originally comes from the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia where it is known as Tribidrag. California grows it by the tons. Some of the oldest vines are in Lodi and Amador County CA dating back to the 19th century. It can be pretty heavy and tannic, but lighter versions as well.

I think you guys would enjoy Tim Heidecker‘s interview with Graham Platner. He’s pretty good at explaining this past in general, he talks like a genuine lefty

This might end up being War Nerd’s quickest “there might be a war” episode to emergency “there is now a war” episode turnover

I barely drink wine. I drink scotch or rye.