Posted on 12/23/2023 2:35:56 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
America’s recent troubles in the Red Sea have ramifications that go beyond backtracked cargo and skirmishes with Islamic militias. At stake is global dominance of maritime trade — and the consequent dominance of global politics.
As The New American has documented, U.S. naval forces are embroiled in conflict with Iran-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea in order to prevent this Yemeni militia from targeting Western commercial vessels. Attacks from the Houthi have set back supply chains and prompted big firms such as CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and BP to avoid the Suez Canal over safety concerns.
But while the United States and its allies reel from the complications caused by the situation in the Red Sea, Russia — a close ally of Iran — is benefiting from it.
As Russia Today (RT) reports:
The Red Sea, a pivotal conduit for international commerce, is now a contested arena as Houthi rebels from Yemen escalate their attacks. Houthi leaders have said they are pursuing all Israel-bound vessels due to hostilities in Gaza, and they appear to be targeting Western ships. At the same time, an increasing number of Russian oil tankers continue to navigate the waters to deliver oil shipments to Asia, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. If substantiated, this selective targeting highlights the geopolitical intricacies in play, positioning maritime trade as a pawn in broader geopolitical maneuvers.
In short, the U.S. is gradually losing its influence in the Red Sea, a historically important trade route, while Russia’s grip on those waters tightens.
This is good news for Russia given the country’s increased dependence on trade with Asia to sustain its oil industry. Due to the Russian war with Ukraine, Europe has actively been looking for alternatives to Russian petroleum, causing Moscow to market its oil to Asia instead...
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewamerican.com ...
“A military other than Ukraine did that, and did it with state-of-the-art technology, not a version of a MANPAD.
...just like the team that blew up the Russian-German pipeline.”
Just like when a US carrier goes up in flames, it will be from an “RPG” launched by the “Houthis”.
Overseas trade is a lower percentage of GDP than any other industrial nation, and more than half of that is within NAFTA.
The US is a net exporter of food and energy, and there’s very little that we actually need from overseas.
The modern system of global trade was created by the US as a weapon to defeat the Soviets. It has always placed an inordinate burden on US industry and US workers. And the justification for it ended 30 years ago.
Every US administration since George Herbert Walker Bush has progressively been backing away from it, and has been more protectionist and less interested in continuing to act as the global policeman than the administration before.
US disinvolvement isn’t something that is going to happen, it’s something that’s been happening for 20+ years.
“ With how many aircraft carriers? ”
You mean, “targets”.
“Literal state sponsored propaganda...posted as news here.”
Does this refer to a New York Times story ?
Russian dominance of the Black Sea works better than the US dominance of the Red Sea for now.
Mr. Wright, What are you doing on a patriotic American forum when all you do is vomit hatred at America?
“Russian dominance of the Black Sea works better than the US dominance of the Red Sea for now.”
The Black Sea borders Russia. The Red Sea is half a planet away from the USA and in the next few days that won’t stop us from dominating it and the Iranian sponsored Houthi terrorists.
“A military other than Ukraine did that”
So what? John’s still right that the Ruzzian navy is a joke.
“Mr. Wright, What are you doing on a patriotic American forum when all you do is vomit hatred at America? “
Stating my objection to NeoCons dragging all NATO countries into another futile overseas war.
Once Scarface is in jail—the Mafia is gone! So they thought in 1931—its still here. If Putin is gone he will be replaced. No democratic people here—just Mobsters.
Y’all are getting the drift of my posting— The New American is a fantasyland of pseudo-conservatives, who know actually nothing about US naval capabilities, unlike many FReepers who have been here quite a while. Some with family who have had every male from every generation.. in the US Navy, dating from John Paul Jones and the American Revolution. So- yeah, the Russians are still crude bastards and definitely Oriental in their crudity (ie. millions of stupid cannon fodder with vodka soaked brains). Hint: the US blew up the pipeline- and y’all do know why? Correct?
I don’t know much about the military organization of the navy, or operation of vessels.
What I do know something about is industrial capacity and capability. And that is where the US Navy is really lacking.
200:1 Navy Shipbuilding capacity for China vs the USA
And the civilian shipyards can’t seem to build a second icebreaker, while Russia has 40 +.
https://gcaptain.com/top-navy-admiral-says-no-icebreakers/
The distance is advantage in your case. If Houthis are really backed by Iran, they’d sink the US fleet right away.
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