Fortunately, we can take comfort in knowing we have a fine military mind in control of our navy!
Posted on 04/18/2015 12:47:07 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
The last time the Persians sent out a fleet, it didn’t end so well for them.
why should we care...this is a civil war in countries 5000 miles distant.....none of our business...
yawn, more coffee please
Apparently these officials are not paying attention to the already existing situation.
The Iranians have submarines, estimated to be 30 or so. Only two are Kilo-class diesel-powered subs, with no missile launch capability. Only torpedoes. The rest are considered to be “midget subs”, perhaps a bit more capable, but still no missile launch capabilities.
Since Iran “wants everyone to know” they have squandered plausible deniability if a Saudi or Egyptian, or other ship goes down.
Which tells me they’re not going to do a darned thing.
It’s possibly just a message to their proxies within Yemen to keep up the fight.
Concurring bump...
why should we care...this is a civil war in countries 5000 miles distant.....none of our business...
On one hand I agree with you. But on the other hand I have to point out that there is a critical entrance to the Red Sea (leading to the Suez Canal) that is very narrow. Iran could easily hamper international shipping through this area. Iran has Chinese made Silkworm anti-ship missiles and mine laying capabilities.
7 to 9 ships? They are sending ships and all the multi-billion dollar sensors we have paid for can’t figure out how many SHIPS there are?
WTH?
“It’s possibly just a message to their proxies within Yemen to keep up the fight.”
Quite possible. Also, if an opening develops, the resupply will be prepared and positioned close by for quicker delivery.
As this goes on, initial plans will increasingly be overtaken by events, and both sides will become more reactive to the changing circumstances. No plan survives initial contact with the enemy. We may well be there already, and the Iranians may be desperate to bail out their buddies in Yemen.
Arabs are an emotional people. The big Saudi response may have been more than the Persians were anticipating. The new King suddenly changed the calculations. It is definitely getting hairy.
Both sides might be looking to ramp up the pressure, to negotiate a more favorable settlement. No doubt the traditional wheeling and dealing are underway to buy off enemies.
If the Saudis can buy off former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, perhaps by installing his son as President, or just with money, a lot of the Houthi coalition goes away. Without Saleh’s support, it would fall almost entirely on the shoulders of Iran to carry on the fight, and that would require a naval line of communication for resupply and insertion of more Revolutionary Guards. So this naval engagement is strategic.
I am sure that the Saudis would dearly love to draw the US into direct war with Iran if they could.
Fortunately, we can take comfort in knowing we have a fine military mind in control of our navy!
Yes, it is a big mistake. I’m just wondering if its a pretense or a trap in some other game.
Target rich environment, right Capt. Dunsel?
5.56mm
And the Russians are sending ships into the English Channel.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/15/uk-scrambles-jets-after-russian-ships-enter-englis/
Just like the beginning of the previous world wars. The mileage may be a bit different... but the pieces on the chessboard are moving just like before.
Is that you, Napoleon?!
Incroyable! comme se dit en français..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.