Red Sea Too Dangerous For Naval Ships

[Kathianne]

Beyond problematic:

https://instapundit.com/681723/

November 2, 2024

MISTER WE COULD USE A MAN LIKE MOSES AGAIN: The Red Sea Is Now So Dangerous Even NATO Warships Are Avoiding It.

The Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest and most strategically vital waterways, has become so hazardous that even the German Navy is steering clear. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’s decision to redirect the frigate Baden-Württemberg and support vessel Frankfurt am Main around the Cape of Good Hope on their return from an Indo-Pacific deployment speaks volumes. The Red Sea is now deemed too perilous, underscoring just how ineffective current U.S. and EU naval protections are in this region.

For months, the U.S. and EU have stationed forces to secure the Red Sea’s shipping lanes. Yet, Houthi rebels, equipped and backed by Iran, continue to harass and attack vessels under the guise of “solidarity” with Palestinian forces in Gaza. Reports reveal Houthi attacks extending into the Indian Ocean and even the Mediterranean, a spread that demonstrates their increased capability and adaptability. The EU’s mission Aspides commander warned of escalating danger but lacked the ships and resources needed to respond adequately. The United States Navy continues to send warships through the Red Sea, but its mission to protect merchant ships—Operation Prosperity Guardian—is considered a failure by several naval experts we interviewed and has significantly diminished in scope and size. As a result, even many US-flagged commercial vessels – which the US Navy is obligated by law to protect – are opting to divert their routes around Africa.

Exit question: “If the 3rd-tier HOUTHIS, who have NO NAVY, can prevent a NATO naval vessel from transiting the Red Sea, what does it say about NATO’s naval survivability in a sea war vs. Iran, Russia, China, or all three?”

[NightTrain]

Another example of having zero international respect or fear of our president. It would be a simple matter for the US Navy to completely wipe out these pockets of terrorists - and Israel would happily help out, along with a majority of Arab states in the region. All it would take is a strong leader and this would be quickly ended.

[Kathianne]

Another example of having zero international respect or fear of our president. It would be a simple matter for the US Navy to completely wipe out these pockets of terrorists - and Israel would happily help out, along with a majority of Arab states in the region. All it would take is a strong leader and this would be quickly ended.

Exactly what I was thinking, type of thing that can lead to many more problems quicker than one can blink. Remember Sarajevo!

[Kathianne]

and here we go:

https://hotair.com/headlines/2024/11...-east-n3796616

US Sending Destroyers, B-52 Bombers to the Middle EastNicholas Slayton from Task & Purpose 10:20 AM | November 03, 2024

The U.S. is deploying multiple ballistic missile destroyers and B-52 long-range strike bombers to the Middle East in the latest adjustment of forces in the region.


Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the new deployments, the Pentagon announced on Friday, Nov. 1. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that multiple U.S. Navy destroyers, as well as U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers, fighter jets and refueling planes will head to the Middle East over the coming months. The move is designed to prevent a gap in naval and air power as the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group prepares to leave the region.


“These movements demonstrate the flexible nature of U.S. global defense posture and U.S. capability to deploy world-wide on short notice to meet evolving national security threats,” Ryder said in a statement.

[Gunny]

Beyond problematic:

https://instapundit.com/681723/

The usual problems. The idea of an international coalition taking out the Houthis is unthinkable They are an international pain in the ass far exceeding their worth.

In the meantime, the odds are with the Houthis firing blindly into the Red Sea at any and everything that moves it's going to hit a warship sooner or later, a loss few are willing to risk. It costs 10s of thousands of dollars every time one of the Houthis missiles are shot down. Probably cheaper to waste the fuel going around.

Just one more flashpoint. They can play hostage to it or do something about it. Only difference between Houthis and Hezbollah/Hamas is the names.

[Kathianne]

The usual problems. The idea of an international coalition taking out the Houthis is unthinkable They are an international pain in the ass far exceeding their worth.

In the meantime, the odds are with the Houthis firing blindly into the Red Sea at any and everything that moves it's going to hit a warship sooner or later, a loss few are willing to risk. It costs 10s of thousands of dollars every time one of the Houthis missiles are shot down. Probably cheaper to waste the fuel going around.

Just one more flashpoint. They can play hostage to it or do something about it. Only difference between Houthis and Hezbollah/Hamas is the names.

Yep, my reason for focusing on Iran, not the proxies. Deal with Iran, the rest can be mopped up.

[Gunny]

Another example of having zero international respect or fear of our president. It would be a simple matter for the US Navy to completely wipe out these pockets of terrorists - and Israel would happily help out, along with a majority of Arab states in the region. All it would take is a strong leader and this would be quickly ended.

Exactly what I was thinking, type of thing that can lead to many more problems quicker than one can blink. Remember Sarajevo!

It can be done. It would however not be any simpler than Afghanistan, or Israel wiping out Hamas and Hezbollah. Fireants don't kill easy and there're always more. It's hard to appeal to mentalities that think being martyrs for the cause will get them 72 virgins

Seems the only one willing to tackle the situation is Israel, and look where it stands currently in the international mindset with all the antisemites coming out of the closet.

While current admin is incompetent, the isolationist mindset on the other side functionally and factually for all practical purposes is no better an option.

[NightTrain]

and here we go:

https://hotair.com/headlines/2024/11...-east-n3796616

This has been asked plenty already - but who ordered deployments of our Heavy Bombers and Naval assets to the ME? It certainly wasn't Biden, of that we can be sure.

None of the other clowns have the aptitude to think through the ramifications of this forward posture, let alone have a coherent plan. Blinken? Jake Kelly? It has to be one of those two and that's scary - they were behind Afghanistan and the Pentagon merrily went along with it with allegedly no objections.

[Kathianne]

This has been asked plenty already - but who ordered deployments of our Heavy Bombers and Naval assets to the ME? It certainly wasn't Biden, of that we can be certain.

None of the other clowns have the aptitude to think through the ramifications of this forward posture, let alone have a coherent plan. Blinken? Jake Kelly? It has to be one of those two and that's scary - they were behind Afghanistan and the Pentagon merrily went along with it with allegedly no objections.

The story said, Austin. I wondered too, having read the same as you. It looks like they are saying it's just an 'expansion' of other deployments of naval vessels, due to continuing threats.

[Gunny]

Yep, my reason for focusing on Iran, not the proxies. Deal with Iran, the rest can be mopped up.

Nobody wants to deal with Iran. Except Israel. Nobody wants to get out of Israel's way. It's also looking more and more like dealing with Iran means dealing with Russia. Don't misunderstand. I'm as sick of Iran and its proxies as I am this election here, if not more so. I've been wanting to take the place out since 79. Had that happened then, most of the shit going on now wouldn't be. There'd be no proxies.

But, flip your point. If the collective we can't deal with the proxies, how are we going to deal with Iran? The West doesn't believe in fighting wars by doing what it takes to win them. They're too busy studying their rulebooks and tearing down their own people and can't decide on what right and wrong is. Kind of like the Republican House

[Kathianne]

Nobody wants to deal with Iran. Except Israel. Nobody wants to get out of Israel's way. It's also looking more and more like dealing with Iran means dealing with Russia. Don't misunderstand. I'm as sick of Iran and its proxies as I am this election here, if not more so. I've been wanting to take the place out since 79. Had that happened then, most of the shit going on now wouldn't be. There'd be no proxies.

But, flip your point. If the collective we can't deal with the proxies, how are we going to deal with Iran? The West doesn't believe in fighting wars by doing what it takes to win them. They're too busy studying their rulebooks and tearing down their own people and can't decide on what right and wrong is. Kind of like the Republican House

I don't know that the 'collective' should deal with it. I would hope that Israel, if Iran is foolish enough to go for one more attack, is ready to respond. Hopefully they could take care of it and get Trump off hook for being involved. We'll see.

To answer the flip: A body can do without a limb or two; but the limbs cannot survive without the body.

[NightTrain]

It can be done. It would however not be any simpler than Afghanistan, or Israel wiping out Hamas and Hezbollah. Fireants don't kill easy and there're always more. It's hard to appeal to mentalities that think being martyrs for the cause will get them 72 virgins

Seems the only one willing to tackle the situation is Israel, and look where it stands currently in the international mindset with all the antisemites coming out of the closet.

While current admin is incompetent, the isolationist mindset on the other side functionally and factually for all practical purposes is no better an option.

Iran is the source. Allow and assist Israel to knock the hell out of Iran and this all stops, IMO. ISIS was defeated, so too can the Houthis.

But that all requires strong, reliable leadership and we won't have that for another 2.5 months. I believe most of this will die down after a demonstration that the USN and USAF can easily provide, something along the lines of : 1 missile launched will earn 1 day of air strikes of every known terrorist launch site, weapons depot and equipment storage, with any supporting state actors in the field, and this includes Iranian sites & infrastructure.

They need a taste of the Big Stick that Teddy was fond of talking about.

[NightTrain]

Nobody wants to deal with Iran. Except Israel. Nobody wants to get out of Israel's way. It's also looking more and more like dealing with Iran means dealing with Russia.

Do you really think Russia is a factor here? They're recruiting North Koreans to fight in Ukraine, which was unthinkable just 2 years ago - as far as I know, they're 100% committed to that effort and don't have the resources to focus on anything else right now.

[Kathianne]

Do you really think Russia is a factor here? They're recruiting North Koreans to fight in Ukraine, which was unthinkable just 2 years ago - as far as I know, they're 100% committed to that effort and don't have the resources to focus on anything else right now.

Yea, last I heard it was Iran supporting Russia in Ukraine with additional weapons including drones. Russia has nuclear know how, but not sure Iran needs that.

[Black Diamond]

It can be done. It would however not be any simpler than Afghanistan, or Israel wiping out Hamas and Hezbollah. Fireants don't kill easy and there're always more. It's hard to appeal to mentalities that think being martyrs for the cause will get them 72 virgins

Seems the only one willing to tackle the situation is Israel, and look where it stands currently in the international mindset with all the antisemites coming out of the closet.

While current admin is incompetent, the isolationist mindset on the other side functionally and factually for all practical purposes is no better an option.

I hate those bastards.