These are entirely predictable reactions. The idea has become almost universally accepted that we must avoid confronting our enemies because doing so will only provoke them. The fact that they were already at war with us doesn’t seem to register.
“Iran’s top general Soleimani killed in US drone strike,” by Tara John, Julia Hollingsworth and Rob Picheta, CNN, January 3, 2020:
The Russian Defense Ministry called the US strike that killed Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad “a short-sighted” act that will bring “serious negative consequences” to the entire region, according to Russian state-news agency TASS.
“The short-sighted acts of the US, the assassination of General Soleimani, lead to a sharp escalation of the military-political situation in the Middle East region and serious negative consequences for the entire international security system.”
The Russian Defense Ministry continued to say that Soleimani’s role in the fight against ISIS was “undeniable.”
“Under the direct leadership of Soleimani, long before the formation of the so-called US-led international coalition, an armed resistance was organized [to counter] the international terrorist groups ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Syria and Iraq. His personal contributions to the fight against ISIS in Syria are undeniable,” the Russian military added….
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo disputed France’s statement that the killing of Qasem Soleimani has made the world less safe. He said Iranians and Iraqis should view the US action as “giving them their freedom.”
“Yeah well, the French are just wrong about that,” Pompeo said on CNN’s New Day Friday. “The world is a much safer place today. And I can ensure you that Americans in the region are much safer today after the demise of Qasem Soleimani.”
“We have every expectation that people not only in Iraq but in Iran will view the American action last night as giving them freedom,” Pompeo added. “Freedom to have the opportunity for success and prosperity for their nations and while the political leadership may not want that, the people in these nations will demand it.”
Pompeo also downplayed protests against the US in Iran.
“As for the protests you described, there’s no doubt the last vestiges of theocracy, the kleptocracy in Iran will continue to try to put down these uprisings from the people,” he said. “They’ve jailed thousands. They’ve killed hundreds. It won’t surprise me if they try to continue to do that.”
Pompeo went on to say: “But know this: The Iranian people understand that America is a force for good in the region. And I’m convinced that the support we have provided to people in Iran and the support we will continue to provide for the people of Iraq will work to protect American interests and make lives better for those people as well.”…
Tens of thousands of people are out on the streets in anti-US protests today, after Qasem Soleimani — a popular figure in the country — was killed by a US strike….
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Trump for the killing of IRGC General Qasem Soleimani, saying that Israel “stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defense.”
Speaking before he boarded his flight from Greece back to Israel, Netanyahu said:
“Just as Israel has the right of self-defense, the United States has exactly the same right. Qasem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks. President Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively.”Netanyahu appeared not to answer when asked if he was briefed on the strike beforehand….
Pompeo says attack saved US lives: Soleimani had been involved in planning an “imminent attack” in the region that put American lives at risk, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN on Friday. He said the US made an intelligence-based assessment that killing Soleimani would save Americans.
Iran vows ‘harsh revenge’: Three days of national mourning have been declared in Iran, where Soleimani was revered as a national hero, and thousands of demonstrators were seen marching in Tehran. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called for “harsh revenge,” according to a statement published to his official website.
Trump: Iran ‘never won a war’: Donald Trump tweeted combative remarks on Friday morning, writing: “Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!”…