dustin999 said:

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While I agree Carter was a horrible president, there seems to be a lot of smoke around the idea that someone in Reagan's campaign (most likely campaign manager if true) told Iran to hold off on releasing the hostages until Reagan was elected.

There's never been enough to prove it, but if it's true, that definitely changes at least some aspect of Carter's legacy.

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It very well may have been just a personal FU from the OK to Carter. He was big fatwa level mad that they allowed the former Shah into the US for cancer treatments.

Reagan may have become over-confident because of the way the release coincided his inaugaration. Just a few years later the attack on the marines in Beirut would happen. Michael Reagan evidently said (before his death) that his father regretted for the remainder of his life not taking more forceful, decisive action in response to the killing of our Marines.

Pulling a Biden and pulling out just kicked the can (of explosives) down the road.

Trump is finally fixing it.

Iran is a problem that has needed fixing ever since it came to a head in the 1970s. No one has ever had the fortitude to confront it until Trump. It is going to take a very long term commitment that outlasts Trump and will also require commitment from partners in the region, namely the Saudis. It also means the Saudis and Israelis will have to agree on certain things. I just hope we can stay the course.

Trump keeps talking like this will get resolved with a short horizon. I often can't tell if this is Trump bluffing to play the long game or if he really doesn't understand the mindset of these folks in Iran who think in terms of centuries.

dustin999 said:

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While I agree Carter was a horrible president, there seems to be a lot of smoke around the idea that someone in Reagan's campaign (most likely campaign manager if true) told Iran to hold off on releasing the hostages until Reagan was elected.

There's never been enough to prove it, but if it's true, that definitely changes at least some aspect of Carter's legacy.

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I don't buy it. Reagan allowed Carter go great the hostages if I remember correctly.

Burdizzo said:

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Iran is a problem that has needed fixing ever since it came to a head in the 1970s. No one has ever had the fortitude to confront it until Trump. It is going to take a very long term commitment that outlasts Trump and will also require commitment from partners in the region, namely the Saudis. It also means the Saudis and Israelis will have to agree on certain things. I just hope we can stay the course.

Trump keeps talking like this will get resolved with a short horizon. I often can't tell if this is Trump bluffing to play the long game or if he really doesn't understand the mindset of these folks in Iran who think in terms of centuries.

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The Islamic regime may think in terms of Mahdi and centuries, but the vast majority of Iranians would prefer to reduce inflation, not be bombed, not be hanged from a crane for speaking out, and get their Internet and satellite TV back.

It's been only 50 years since Iran was managed by the Brits / US and 80 years since the Brits and Israelis occupied the place and about 200 years before that of ruling factions lasting a couple decades when not controlled, invaded and shrinking it.

But Islamic Republic of Iran only references Persian history when it's politically appealing for them.