Modern day Barbary Pirates…..and with today’s neutered Marine Corps a Marine Lieutenant w a Mameluke is all we have to send in response THANKS TO FORCE DISASTER!
A minor nitnoid in the conversation is to remember that under International Law, nations have rights over their own waters - what is at issue here just as it is elsewhere is the identification of what waters such rights cover and what waters are beyond such jurisdiction under international law and agreement.
It is one of several parties contesting control of the area generally recognized as Yemen - no, it is not a nation state - but the USN would prefer to not debate what even it would recognize as Yemeni territorial waters. The dispute is focused upon Houthi efforts to exert control over what is generally considered open seas under international law. The US will want to maintain its focus on that issue.
International Law - Piracy…1659. Attack to plunder vessel
“Whoever, upon the high seas or other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, by surprise or open force, maliciously attacks or sets upon any vessel belonging to another, with an intent unlawfully to plunder the same, or to despoil any owner thereof of any moneys, goods, or merchandise laden on board thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.”
This is a stretch…The US has a long history of protecting “freedom of the seas”. Let’s declare the Houthi leaders guilt of Piracy and demand that the Yemen government turn the Houthi leaders over to the US for trial by either US Law or International Law. We also do whatever we can to shut off the financing for both the Yemen government and the Houthi’s. Understanding that neither the Yemen government or the Houthi’s are not going to let this happen or comply, we blockade the Yemen ports from exporting oil and we keep that “Blockade” in place until the Houthi’s knock off their horse-pucky.
We now have the US Navy in an endless war shooting very expensive missiles at cheap drones. I feel like we are doing exactly what the Houthi’s, Iran and the CCP wants. When Israel finishes with Hamas, the Houthi’s and Iran are going to declare victory making the US look like a monkey’s butt.
By executing a blockade, we highlight the illegitimacy of the Houthi’s and send a message there are alternatives to shooting down their missiles and drones. We hit Yemen and the Houthi’s in the pocket book and serve notice on the Yemen population. It will also sends a notice to both Iran and the CCP that the US has other tricks in our tool bag. Iran will keep the Houthi’s at this until the US pays them off (I can see a pallet of US dollars arriving in Tehran at the dead of night). I honestly feel if we establish a Blockade it will get the CCP’s attention and IMHO scare the hell out of them. The last thing their “Belt Road Initiative” wants to see is a “Blockade”.
Yep it is a long stretch…but it is a hell of a lot better than the little to nothing we are doing now.
Today's topic fits in with yesterday's subject of crisis response. FONOPS would be considered as deterring war or conflict. If the attacks by the Houthis are not stopped, they will continue to become more brazen. Since the deployment of the first post WWII floating Marine Battalion in 1947, Marines afloat have deterred conflict and have been ready to act in response to conflict. The beauty of having a combined arms naval expeditionary force is that it is ready to respond. It can loiter in the area for long periods of time. To deter conflict from getting worse, you need a credible deterrent.
However, the Navy and Marine Corps cannot presently act to deter this conflict. Former Commandant Berger reduced the required number of amphibious ships to maintain Marines afloat. He even stated as such after an earthquake in Turkey in 2023. He stated: "We didn't have a Marine Expeditionary Unit, a MEU, nearby that could respond...." Marines did help in aiding Turkey, but not with the size of force they should have had. While shipping is a Navy concern, former Commandant Berger scaled back the required number of amphibious ships from 38 to 31. So, this problem by his own admission, is his.
Imagine if the Army Chief of Staff told the President we cannot stop the Russians because we do not have enough tanks! Without a MEU afloat as an expeditionary force this Nation does not have a suitable intervention force. While the 82nd Airborne Division is an alert force, it cannot fly around a crisis area waiting to act. The Marine Corps is the Navy's and America's power projection force. Right now, the expeditionary option for the United States in this FONOP mission is off the table because of a lack of ships and combat power.
Meanwhile, in the South China Sea, Chinese Coast Guard ships attacked Philippine Navy ships which were resupplying and island outpost, with water cannons. Another area with a problem.
Minus all its tanks, assault breaching and bridging capabilities, two-thirds of its cannon artillery, 21 percent of its infantry, nearly 30 percent of its aircraft and one entire regiment from 2nd MarDiv! Surely you joke Phil or you are simply trolling the serious contributors to Compass Points and its rapidly growing audience. Seems to me this site is now performing the duties of what has become a house organ, the Marine Corps Gazette.
Modern day Barbary Pirates…..and with today’s neutered Marine Corps a Marine Lieutenant w a Mameluke is all we have to send in response THANKS TO FORCE DISASTER!
A minor nitnoid in the conversation is to remember that under International Law, nations have rights over their own waters - what is at issue here just as it is elsewhere is the identification of what waters such rights cover and what waters are beyond such jurisdiction under international law and agreement.
Houthi is not a Nation State.
It is one of several parties contesting control of the area generally recognized as Yemen - no, it is not a nation state - but the USN would prefer to not debate what even it would recognize as Yemeni territorial waters. The dispute is focused upon Houthi efforts to exert control over what is generally considered open seas under international law. The US will want to maintain its focus on that issue.
International Law - Piracy…1659. Attack to plunder vessel
“Whoever, upon the high seas or other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, by surprise or open force, maliciously attacks or sets upon any vessel belonging to another, with an intent unlawfully to plunder the same, or to despoil any owner thereof of any moneys, goods, or merchandise laden on board thereof, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.”
This is a stretch…The US has a long history of protecting “freedom of the seas”. Let’s declare the Houthi leaders guilt of Piracy and demand that the Yemen government turn the Houthi leaders over to the US for trial by either US Law or International Law. We also do whatever we can to shut off the financing for both the Yemen government and the Houthi’s. Understanding that neither the Yemen government or the Houthi’s are not going to let this happen or comply, we blockade the Yemen ports from exporting oil and we keep that “Blockade” in place until the Houthi’s knock off their horse-pucky.
We now have the US Navy in an endless war shooting very expensive missiles at cheap drones. I feel like we are doing exactly what the Houthi’s, Iran and the CCP wants. When Israel finishes with Hamas, the Houthi’s and Iran are going to declare victory making the US look like a monkey’s butt.
By executing a blockade, we highlight the illegitimacy of the Houthi’s and send a message there are alternatives to shooting down their missiles and drones. We hit Yemen and the Houthi’s in the pocket book and serve notice on the Yemen population. It will also sends a notice to both Iran and the CCP that the US has other tricks in our tool bag. Iran will keep the Houthi’s at this until the US pays them off (I can see a pallet of US dollars arriving in Tehran at the dead of night). I honestly feel if we establish a Blockade it will get the CCP’s attention and IMHO scare the hell out of them. The last thing their “Belt Road Initiative” wants to see is a “Blockade”.
Yep it is a long stretch…but it is a hell of a lot better than the little to nothing we are doing now.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/02/12/all-the-houthi-us-navy-incidents-in-the-middle-east-that-we-know-of/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mil-ebb&SToverlay=342f5a58-c37b-4142-b049-1f737335b507
https://maritime-executive.com/article/two-u-s-navy-amphibs-leave-red-sea-despite-houthi-attacks-on-shipping
Today's topic fits in with yesterday's subject of crisis response. FONOPS would be considered as deterring war or conflict. If the attacks by the Houthis are not stopped, they will continue to become more brazen. Since the deployment of the first post WWII floating Marine Battalion in 1947, Marines afloat have deterred conflict and have been ready to act in response to conflict. The beauty of having a combined arms naval expeditionary force is that it is ready to respond. It can loiter in the area for long periods of time. To deter conflict from getting worse, you need a credible deterrent.
However, the Navy and Marine Corps cannot presently act to deter this conflict. Former Commandant Berger reduced the required number of amphibious ships to maintain Marines afloat. He even stated as such after an earthquake in Turkey in 2023. He stated: "We didn't have a Marine Expeditionary Unit, a MEU, nearby that could respond...." Marines did help in aiding Turkey, but not with the size of force they should have had. While shipping is a Navy concern, former Commandant Berger scaled back the required number of amphibious ships from 38 to 31. So, this problem by his own admission, is his.
Imagine if the Army Chief of Staff told the President we cannot stop the Russians because we do not have enough tanks! Without a MEU afloat as an expeditionary force this Nation does not have a suitable intervention force. While the 82nd Airborne Division is an alert force, it cannot fly around a crisis area waiting to act. The Marine Corps is the Navy's and America's power projection force. Right now, the expeditionary option for the United States in this FONOP mission is off the table because of a lack of ships and combat power.
Meanwhile, in the South China Sea, Chinese Coast Guard ships attacked Philippine Navy ships which were resupplying and island outpost, with water cannons. Another area with a problem.
Along with our friends we should pound these rebels back to the stoneage.
USMC is not neutered, What BS.
Minus all its tanks, assault breaching and bridging capabilities, two-thirds of its cannon artillery, 21 percent of its infantry, nearly 30 percent of its aircraft and one entire regiment from 2nd MarDiv! Surely you joke Phil or you are simply trolling the serious contributors to Compass Points and its rapidly growing audience. Seems to me this site is now performing the duties of what has become a house organ, the Marine Corps Gazette.
This is not a USMC problem.
Then why has the ARG/MEU been kept on station in that part of the world for some eight months? Phil, do you read, listen to, or watch any news?
Pirates, Rogues, Terrorist..this is war. Blow these Islamic Fascist to hell.