"The Biden administration, and Joe Biden’s
presidency, was supposed to be the return of the “adults” in charge" (1)
60 Minutes did a polished bit of DOD propaganda last week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRRJmOTCqqQ
Good to see an obviously competent Naval Surface Warfare Officer get his 15 minutes of fame.
But, let's talk context. Big picture, shall we?
This is not the largest effort since WWII. Dual carrier battlegroups, US warships striking mines, were all part of the 'Reflagged Tanker' operation in the '80s. While this was, in part, an effort by deep state to get enough dead US sailors for a 'casus belli' for a war with Iran (2), a handful of responsible military commanders in theatre, such as Captains Frank Lugo and Dave Yonkers, saw this did not happen. Instead, the US muted it's activity after killing some 290 Iranian civilian airline passengers.
Iranians haven't forgotten
Instead of a photogenic "Remember the Maine" event unanticipated consequences ARE what happens when you pack a volatile area with men, ships, and explosives.
This current effort in the Red Sea appears much the same as the reflagged tanker "Earnest Will" operation then, an effort by deep state and the Israeli lobby to get the US into a war with Iran. And this current brinksmanship is being carried out by folks with far less talent and experience than we had in the Reagan administration.
Otherwise - why are US Navy warships and personnel there?
To defend the seaways? For who?
In May 2023 the worlds merchant fleet was comprised of some 40,000 ships. Of those 5,500 were PRC's, 177 were American. Less than one half of one percent. "US interests" are claimed to own 1,785 ships (3) - but avoid US flag status to skirt taxes, requirements to hire US citizens as crew, safety considerations, etc. Good business, but not in the best interest of the US of A.
Cargo going to/from US and Europe crosses the Atlantic. Cargo going to/from US and Asia crossed the Pacific. The Suez, like middle eastern oil - when the US is taking advantage of it's resources - is not as consequential to America as it may be to European and Asian nations - or, perhaps, Blackrock.
Are we being paid to defend China's ability to ship sneakers on non-US flag merchants at the best rates? Did the sailors in our 'all volunteer' military sign up to put their lives at risk for such a cause?
Go back to the 11:10 mark of the 60 Minutes segment. Replace the word Houthi with Ukraine, Iran with United States. US provided harpoon missiles, launched no doubt with US assistance, sank a Russian warship in the Black Sea. Vlad did not respond by striking the US.
Similarly then, if a cargo container with SS-N-23 supersonic, sea skimming anti-ship missiles finds it's way into Yemen, and that results in major damage to an aircraft carrier, or the sinking of one of our destroyers - what then?
Because of the stupid game OBiden is playing in the Ukraine 'he' has no just cause to retaliate on anyone other than the hapless Houthis proximate to the smoking launcher.
As Ambassador Molari would say - "yeahsss, good job".
UPDATE: 2/22/24 - one thing for sure, ole' sniffin' Joe ain't running the place ... https://twitter.com/i/status/1756551610308702692
1. https://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2021/09/poll-20-of-biden-voters-regret-their-vote/
2. Ace Lyons was not 'rogue', just the most visible of the deep state cabal intent on starting a war with Iran while the US military was at apogee. https://warisboring.com/in-1987-a-rogue-u-s-navy-admiral-schemed-for-war-with-iran/
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2023/04/18/struggling-us-merchant-fleet-critical-to-national-security-needs-more-federal-support/?sh=6e19875a3829
