President Donald Trump failed to get any of America's close allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Canada, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Poland and Japan. "I am not surprised by their action, however, because I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday.
"Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance — WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea," Trump said.
China, also no, and read this from Quora:
CHINA SENDS TYPE-055 DESTROYER TO IRANIAN WATERS..
At least one or more type-055 destroyers of China have set off for Iranian waters, and one already entered the Iranian waters— international news outlets indicate.
This is a serious development amid the ongoing tensions involving Iran, USA and the wider region. Iranian news outlet said the deployment of Chinese advanced type-055 destroyer is a testament to the trilateral strategic partnership of Russia, China and Iran. The trio is preparing for a joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman as reported by Setrosea in the previous post.
What is Type-055 Destroyer?
It is not just a typical destroyer, but one of the multidimensional naval warships China is building. It displaces water around 12000-13000 tons, making it far heavier than most traditional destroyers and akin to cruisers.
It has a whipping 112 Vertical Launch System (VLS), missiles ranging from Surface to Surface, Anti-ships, Surface to Air, Hypersonic missiles. The versatility exceeds most destroyers even USA has!
It has a powerful AESA radar capable of detecting stealth warplanes from 500-800km. Has a strong anti-electronic warfare system.
The jamming system is so powerful that it can jam low orbital satellites, crippling the enemy's GPS system.
China built it in such a way so it can take on blue water missions to the middle east, indian ocean and far away from home. The destroyer is also equipped with antisubmarine warfare systems, including a torpedo launching helicopter.
Type-055 poses strong threats to any modern destroyer the USA has, it is basically a hybrid of Destroyer-Cruiser capable of both protecting allies and strong offensive.
Russian warships are also expected to arrive in Iranian waters soon..
The actual goal could be to protect straits of Hormuz under the pretext of joint naval exercise!
Did the above scare you? NOTE, THOUGH, THAT THE DATE OF THIS POSTING IS JANUARY 31. I asked Google AI about this exercise:
- Purpose: The exercises, aimed at bolstering maritime security, combating piracy, and practicing search and rescue operations, began in mid-to-late February 2026.
- Participants: Iran's navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy participated alongside Russian and Chinese naval units, with Russia sending its Baltic Fleet corvette Stoikiy to Bandar Abbas.
Note that the presence of Chinese and Russian naval forces occurred in mid-to-late February. Israel and the U.S. first bombed Iran on February 28.
Amidst all the above dangers, oil prices seem to be settling at $96/barrel for WTI Crude Oil and $103/barrel for Brent.
- Here is a good reference for gasoline prices.
- However, the timing is two days late. For example (all in gallons)
- National average gas prices:
- Current Regular $3.79 Premium $4.66 Diesel $5.04
- Month ago Regular $2.92 Premium $3.79 Diesel $3.65
- By state:
- California $5.54
- Washington $5.00
- Hawaii $4.98
- Alaska $4.23
- Kansas $3.21
- Arkansas $3.28
- Texas $3.48
- New York $3.69
- Florida $3.86
- I've shown this graphic numerous times, and while it looks complicated, here is the source that aids you in understating the details. I urge you to do this if you haven't yet.
- Timeout Worldwide has the 21 best Irish songs for this day.
- #12 Danny Boy by Celtic Woman (to the right)
- #5 Molly Malone, the Dubliners
- #4 Orinoco Flow, Enya
- #1 Dirty Old Town, The Pogues. I don't know this song. Here is a modern-day reunion performance by The Dubliners. Again, first time for me.
There are all kinds of lists, but here are the top 5 vintage St. Patrick's Day songs:- #5 My Wild Irish Rose, written for the stage in 1899, here sung by Chauncy Olcott in 1913. He also co-wrote When Irish Eyes Are Smiling. Dennis Morgan played Olcott in the 1942 My Wild Irish Rose. Rotten Tomatoes rating of only 33. Also, John McCormack's 1914 version is popular.
#4 Danny Boy comes from the Irish tune Londonderry Air of the 1800s. First recording was in 1915 by Ernestine Schumann-Heink.- #3 It's a Long Way to Tipperary was written in 1912. Most popular is John McCormack's version. And of course you don't know this, but Tipperary is an inland county in south-central Ireland.
- #2 When Irish Eyes are Smiling was published in 1912, and again, McMormack's in 1917 is the most memorable. He was the greatest tenor of his time.
#1 The Wearing of Green was written in 1798 lamenting the repression of the Irish Rebellion.- Some say that the best version of the many lyrics is by Dion Boucicault for his 1864 play.
- Is sung by Walter Long in a a 1937 Hopalong Cassidy film, North of the Rio Grande. But to hear it, you need to watch the entire hour-long movie.
Gerald O'Hara sings this tune in Gone with the Wind.- The writer of this article likes Judy Garland's 1940 version best.
- Frankly, I never heard this song until today.
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