XPost: alt.defense, alt.politics, alt.politics.usa
XPost: alt.military
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/04/war-gaza-widen-biden-getting-ready-00133949
Biden administration officials are drawing up plans for
the U.S. to respond to what they’re increasingly concerned
could expand from a war in Gaza to a wider, protracted
regional conflict.
Four officials familiar with the matter, including a
senior administration official, described internal
conversations about scenarios that could potentially
draw the U.S. into another Middle East war. All were
granted anonymity to speak about sensitive, ongoing
national security discussions.
The military is drafting plans to hit back at Iran-backed
Houthi militants
. . .
Iran has been leveraging the Houthi - causing big,
hyper-expensive, disruptions of trade through Suez.
There now seem to be missile/drone attacks on
commercial shipping every day. The other day there
were even boat attacks on a commercial ship -
the boats eventually destroyed by US Navy choppers.
However such risks seriously spook INSURERS ... and
no insurance, no shipping.
Iran seems like it will put a LOT of resources
into its Houthi proxies. It can make war against
Israel and the West this way, while avoiding
"direct" engagement.
However over the weekend an Iranian destroyer did
enter the Red Sea. So far it's done nothing, but ...
The "fix" ... in part it will involve finding and
destroying Houthi launchers and munitions. However
the launchers I've seen look to be mobile ... which
is a BIG complication. Real-time sat surveillance
would be needed ......
Yep, as predicted, this war WILL grow wider. Not
much choice with Iran involved. Alas since Iran
is now closely allied with Russia that rules out
most direct strikes on Iranian facilities. At
this point Iran is also likely a clandestine
nuclear power and does have missiles that qualify
as ICBMs. A lot of NKs nuke development was helped
by Iranian expertise ... and, shit, nukes are 1940s
tech folks.
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