[eclipticplane]

> what did the US gain out of this

Market manipulation and the media largely forgetting about a certain set of files that reference many people in powerful positions.

[Spooky23]

Yeah the friends and family made a fortune from this, and we are teed up for the WTI options date which is… two weeks from today.

[koolba]

How much did Iran make? There’s plenty of unregulated futures markets for them to make a massive short bet on oil.

[Krssst]

Less oil on the market meaning higher fuel prices with the US being a net exporter.

Not sure that was the plan but it looks like a benefit.

[rootusrootus]

> looks like a benefit

To who? I don't think the people paying half again as much at the pump feel like it benefited them.

[ecocentrik]

Oil producers that weren't disrupted over the last few weeks.

[georgemcbay]

> I don't think the people paying half again as much at the pump feel like it benefited them.

Since when has the current US government done anything to benefit average citizens?

The war in Iran helps those who actually matter -- the oil companies that spent 445 million dollars getting Trump and other Republicans elected in 2024.

[rootusrootus]

I think you may be agreeing with my sentiment, though it is hard to tell since your point is entirely orthogonal.

[georgemcbay]

I am definitely agreeing.

Just pointing out that oil prices going up definitely looks like a benefit to the people the government is beholden to (which ain't the average citizen).

[gamegod]

Giving the oil companies, some of the richest companies on the planet, MORE money is a benefit? Is that your idea of good governance? You don't think there's better uses of that money that's coming right out of your pocket and everybody elses?

[Krssst]

That's absolutely not my idea of good governance, playing with oil prices is extremely dangerous considering that economy is strongly tied to them. Starting a useless war is crazy in the first place.

But it is more money in America (for the government / oil producers to misuse) which is a benefit from the standpoint of the government. Not sure it exceeds the losses though.

[bigblind]

It is a benefit if you're a stakeholder in those companies, or your friends are stakeholders and will pass on some of the winnings as a "thank you."

[outside1234]

Are you talking about the Epstein files that he is in?