Posted on 11/23/2019 8:54:58 AM PST by Mariner
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — France’s defense minister criticized the U.S. on Saturday over what she described as “unanswered” attacks in recent months threatening the Persian Gulf, warning that the decades-long American deterrence in the oil-rich region appeared to be losing its power.
Florence Parly separately said France “deplored” both U.S. President Donald Trump’s unilateral withdrawal of America from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that led to the re-imposition of crushing sanctions, as well as Tehran recently breaking the deal’s enrichment, stockpile and centrifuge limits.
While saying France would continue to talk to Iran, her speech before the annual Manama Dialogue in Bahrain struck a muscular tone for Paris, which maintains a naval base in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. She said France would push for a European-organized maritime security force in the region that would cooperate with but be separate from an American-organized force.
“We’ve seen deliberate, gradual U.S. disengagement,” she said at the summit organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “It had been in the cards for a while but it became clear when fighter jets remained on the tarmac in 2013 after the Syrian chemical attacks or later, after the downing of a U.S. UAV and the bombing Saudi oil facilities.”
“With the cornerstone moving, the edifice has started shaking,” she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Granted, we have an interest in keeping the oil flowing to ensure healthy worldwide commerce.
But it is not an existential interest like it is for Europe and most of Asia.
I want to see the vaunted Chinese Navy sustain operations in the Gulf and Arabian Sea for months and years on end. And since South Korea doesn't want our protection anymore they can send their p!ss poor excuse for a Navy to help.
I'd mention the EU, but it's too early to spit up your coffee.
If I were the Premier of France, I'd be using the HELL out of the French Foreign Legion. Those guys thrive on fighting, so what's holding THEM back?
let me paraphrase what i think the minister is trying to say:
France hates you, President Trump, we hate everything you do, but we especially hate that you aren’t protecting our Mideast oil supply for us, something we refuse to do for ourselves, and we also hate that you’re not going to war with Iran even though you withdrew from the phony nuclear deal that we still have with Iran, but also refuse to do anything about when they violate it”
France is closer.
Yes. France should fire up their Navy to guard their oil shipments.
“””let me paraphrase what i think the minister is trying to say:
France hates you, President Trump, we hate everything you do, but we especially hate that you aren’t protecting our Mideast oil supply for us, something we refuse to do for ourselves, and we also hate that you’re not going to war with Iran even though you withdrew from the phony nuclear deal that we still have with Iran, but also refuse to do anything about when they violate it””” THIS!
France has an operational Aircraft Carrier.
They can project Power of they choose to do so.
Yeah!
Like Obama did!
Lol
Maybe we can do Lend-Lease again :-)
I would romp with the two in the middle.
Pick up a 12-pack first
Hey France.
Hows that tax increase working out for ya?
STFU.
Rofl
Some folks here must have had a healthy breakfast because the comments are pretty good on this one :)
“France demands that the US do, uh, something, while France stands around doing nothing except lecturing others”
Oh??????????????????
There are legit parts of metropolitan France that are in the Indian Ocean. The nearest U.S. territory is THOUSANDS of miles away.
They have a greater interest there than we do. The French can go to war if they like it so much.
France is pissed about Fordow.
Does France have enough sailors to man both ships?
Sorry, France.
We started pumping our own oil now and have enough for ourselves.
Wish you luck in all your future Gulf endeavours.
Military advice from France! LOL.
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