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To: trumandogz
"Most supertankers are not capable of traveling through the Suez... "

Yes, it's true some supertankers can't make it through the Suez, but I wouldn't say most can't make it. Like the Panama Canal's limitations, which are known as Panamax, the Suez has "Suezmax". The Panamax restrictions are even less forgiving than the Suezmax restrictions, which are depth (draft) restrictions more than anything else. I think it can accommodate a draft approaching 70ft - that's quite a bit, much more than even a US supercarrier needs - I know, I've been through it four times on a carrier.

In any event, the Suez still sees a tremendous amount of oil shipping each each, and it's recognized as a "chokepoint" in the oil supply chain.

I also agree that it would be virtually impossible for Egypt to "hold" the Suez against an allied defense, but reactionary forces could play havoc on the shipping channel guerrilla attacks. There are plenty of places where you're exposed to shore-launched RPGs, to say nothing of mortar or less-mobile artillery & rocket attacks.

47 posted on 01/29/2011 1:57:47 PM PST by OldDeckHand
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To: OldDeckHand

The terrorists could cause problems in the Suez, but it would be a difficult place for them to operate from as there is nothing but sand along the canal. There is hardly a rock to hide behind.

I’m not saying that we do not have a problem, but simply saying that it is not an international disaster.

Furthermore, in 1979 the protesters in Teheran were calling for a theocracy, while the protesters in Cairo and Alex are calling for democracy.


49 posted on 01/29/2011 2:06:01 PM PST by trumandogz
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