[robowombat]

Noble purpose, really. This one actually makes sense from a national interest perspective. A shooting war between the KSA and Iran would have some very unpleasant economic impacts. The US is simply showing the flag here. A n action with a long pedigree. US armed forces exist to defend national interests. In this case that is being done at minimal risk, I might add. The Iranian clerics know what consequences would follow any direct attack on US forces. The armed forces are raised, equipped, trained and paid to go in harm's way, that is their job. The national leadership ought and I say ought, therefore carefully examine any foreign operation as to whose benefit is it in. In this case deterring conflict in the Gulf is very much in the national interest. This is the difference between having US forces interpose themselves between Turks, Kurds, and various Syrians for no rational national interest or objective.

[allendale]

America should not be there. If some junior, demented Iranian “revolutionary guard” officer, decides to attack an American ship and causes death shooting will start and another needless war would ensue. No doubt Israel will use the opportunity to take out Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, kill their scientists and nuclear personnel and inflict huge casualties on their “revolutionary guards. The Israelis with stealth fighters, drones and on the ground Mossad have the capability and national interest to do so. What real national interest does the US have defending the well equipped but inept 9/11 corrupt Saudis?. There should be no more American deaths or sacrifice in this quagmire. Let that sun baked locals achieve their own consensus.