Another Useless Weapon (like Nukes) – the Bunker Buster. Will the U.S. Use It Against Iran? Will It “Work?”.

In 2017 the United States (it was during Trump’s first term) detonated what is referred to as “a bunker buster bomb,” GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), in Afghanistan. It is with this monster bomb that Washington is threatening to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities. Although the Defense Department stated that a number of people were killed in that Afghan blast, it was more of “a demonstration bomb” … ie, if “You” don’t agree with “us” we’ll drop this killer bomb on you. What I do remember is that its fire power was close to the bombs dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki as mentioned in the clip below.

Something to think about.

My own sense is that the more the U.S.-Israeli position deteriorates, the rhetoric of both countries becomes increasingly shrill and that while I take the threats to bomb Iran seriously, this saber rattling from the Mongolian Twins of International Reaction is more a sign of weakness – nay, desperation – than strength.

Trump, in particular, is in “a pickle” as a dear friend calls it. If he gives the greenlight to bomb Iran the attack might not be successful and even if it is, it could unleash a level of military conflict in the region of literally frightening proportions. On the other hand, if he doesn’t agree to the bombing, his domestic base (AIPAC, Christian Zionists, Neo-cons of the John Bolton lunatic variety) could collapse, threatening the success of his “big beautiful tax break bill” that is plenty big with tax cuts for the super rich, but for “the 99%” pretty meanspirited and downright ugly.

There are credible (to my way of thinking) reports that Trump did not have previous knowledge of Israel’s attack on Iran which failed in its objective (regime change) and that he is furious with the Israelis for so doing.

If this is the case, his formal announcement that he will delay using the bunker buster for at least two weeks is a direct slap in the face to Netanyahu and Co. reminding the Israeli leadership who is the boss in this situation. This delay in dropping the monster bomb is causing anxiety in Israel. The NY Times (as well as the Israeli press)  is suggesting that Israel is becoming increasingly nervous because it does not think it can hold out against Iran’s punishing bombing campaign for two weeks – or even one week. It wants the U.S. to “engage” (drop the monster bomb) asap.

One other point – should the Trump Administration decide to use it I am convinced that it will result in global outrage that will have consequences for U.S. foreign policy in general, itself already damaged because of our support for Israel’s genocide (that is the proper word) in Gaza.