In light of my previous comment, sent prematurely, I would suggest the US military return the concept of the Punitive Expedition. There is simply no way to separate the enemy from the swamp they dwell in. The scope is aways larger and the pin prick precision is wasted. Destroy their ports, the firing locations, their refineries, roads, electrical infrastructure, ships and boats, freeze their assets, sink ships at sea regardless of flag if proof exists they are targeting. Do not fear the media reaction. They are not on your side anyway and restraint is equated with weakness. Set the conditions for the population to turn on those who bring the misery to their door step.
We need not fear a “full blown war” with Iran. They have been at war with us since 1979 and will continue to use proxies. Make being an Iranian proxy a suicidal proposition. We have no obligation to fix what we break. Leave it broken.
Final thought. If we cannot deal with pirates and brigands while supplying Ukraine and Israel we need new leadership. Those who let our defense industrial base wither through neglect should be held accountable.
I concur in the remarks of Robert Mosher, but offer a thought - indeed, a frustration - expressed by Admiral J.O. Richardson in his "Treadmill to Pearl Harbor", as it relates to the U.S. public attitude toward the current Iranian matter: Self Indulgence. I see no effort being made by the current administration to enlighten & educate the public re this growing threat, and our relative weakness to face it on a global basis. I would think such public awakening a first step in us - particularly the USMC - getting well. Let our judgment be tempered by history! Offered as Food For Thought. Semper Fi!
The US is currently supporting significant military efforts in Ukraine and in Israel - and that is straining the logistics and production systems. The US is also trying to help Taiwan beef up its defenses against the repeated threats by Xi of an invasion. We don't need and possibly couldn't support a conflict with Iran - and why should we make life easier for the Iranian regime which is facing consistent domestic grumbling and resistance by giving them both an excuse for the regime's economic failures as well as an external enemy to whip up everyone against?
Phil why do you think amphibious forces/landings are passe?
Hopefully we will never see a Normandy or Iwo Jima style amphibious landing again. But a ready combined arms amphibious force off the coast of a hostile nation can be a deterrent to conflict. And if not, it can be off the coast ready to act. An ARG can also aid in disaster relief. That is why there is such a need for additional amphibious ships. To be ready, we have to have the ships to be there.
Gary Anderson is always insightful and complements his experience. Sadly, our senior military leadership and elected officials watched too many western movies where the Lone Ranger or Roy Rogers shoot the pistols out of the hands of the bad guys or dispatch them with a good right hook. That fantasy and a law enforcement mind set combine with misplaced compassion to develop and employ military forces. The lack of results is predictible.
In light of my previous comment, sent prematurely, I would suggest the US military return the concept of the Punitive Expedition. There is simply no way to separate the enemy from the swamp they dwell in. The scope is aways larger and the pin prick precision is wasted. Destroy their ports, the firing locations, their refineries, roads, electrical infrastructure, ships and boats, freeze their assets, sink ships at sea regardless of flag if proof exists they are targeting. Do not fear the media reaction. They are not on your side anyway and restraint is equated with weakness. Set the conditions for the population to turn on those who bring the misery to their door step.
We need not fear a “full blown war” with Iran. They have been at war with us since 1979 and will continue to use proxies. Make being an Iranian proxy a suicidal proposition. We have no obligation to fix what we break. Leave it broken.
Final thought. If we cannot deal with pirates and brigands while supplying Ukraine and Israel we need new leadership. Those who let our defense industrial base wither through neglect should be held accountable.
I concur in the remarks of Robert Mosher, but offer a thought - indeed, a frustration - expressed by Admiral J.O. Richardson in his "Treadmill to Pearl Harbor", as it relates to the U.S. public attitude toward the current Iranian matter: Self Indulgence. I see no effort being made by the current administration to enlighten & educate the public re this growing threat, and our relative weakness to face it on a global basis. I would think such public awakening a first step in us - particularly the USMC - getting well. Let our judgment be tempered by history! Offered as Food For Thought. Semper Fi!
The US is currently supporting significant military efforts in Ukraine and in Israel - and that is straining the logistics and production systems. The US is also trying to help Taiwan beef up its defenses against the repeated threats by Xi of an invasion. We don't need and possibly couldn't support a conflict with Iran - and why should we make life easier for the Iranian regime which is facing consistent domestic grumbling and resistance by giving them both an excuse for the regime's economic failures as well as an external enemy to whip up everyone against?
Amphibious landings are so 20th century, and in the 21st century, not a necessary capability.
USMC is on the right vector.
Phil why do you think amphibious forces/landings are passe?
Hopefully we will never see a Normandy or Iwo Jima style amphibious landing again. But a ready combined arms amphibious force off the coast of a hostile nation can be a deterrent to conflict. And if not, it can be off the coast ready to act. An ARG can also aid in disaster relief. That is why there is such a need for additional amphibious ships. To be ready, we have to have the ships to be there.
Gary Anderson is always insightful and complements his experience. Sadly, our senior military leadership and elected officials watched too many western movies where the Lone Ranger or Roy Rogers shoot the pistols out of the hands of the bad guys or dispatch them with a good right hook. That fantasy and a law enforcement mind set combine with misplaced compassion to develop and employ military forces. The lack of results is predictible.