Posted on 08/31/2007 8:36:42 AM PDT by nypokerface
Our military sources report that aboard the Kearsarge group’s vessels are members of the 22nds Marine special operations-capable Expeditionary Unit, ready to execute landings on Lebanese beaches.
Wednesday, Aug. 29, Adm. William Fallon, chief of US Central Command and the war on terror paid an unannounced visit to Beirut, although for years US generals have given the Lebanese capital a wide berth. He left after three hours, the longest time considered safe for him to stay. Our sources reveal he reviewed with Lebanese leaders US preparations for military intervention should the September presidential election descend into civil violence or elicit an attempt by Iran, Syria or Hizballah to seize power by force. Such an attempt could leave Lebanon dangerously stranded between two rival administrations.
The posting of the Kearsage and a marine force within reach of Lebanese shores is intended as a deterrent and indicator of Washington’s willingness to send the military over to prevent Lebanon’s takeover by Iran or Syria.
Adm. Fallon also inspected the measures for protecting the lives of the anti-Syrian leaders prime minister Fouad Siniora, majority party head Saad Hariri and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, and the safety of US ambassador Jeffrey Felton, a key mover in charting US strategy for Lebanon, and the embassy staff.
Portents of coming unrest were seen last week in the hasty departure from Beirut of the Saudi and UAE ambassadors under threats to their lives. Most Arab and European missions have cut down staff in the Lebanese capital.
Lebanese police are investigating the re-appearance of a sick videogame in Beirut whose goal is the murder of the prime minister, cabinet members, Jumblatt and Maronite leader Samir Geagea, who are designated “thieves and traitors.” Its name, “The Battle of the Seraya,” refers to the government building. The game, which has been removed from stores in Beirut, depicts underground tunnels leading from the government building to the US embassy, echoing Hizballah’s reference to the Siniora government as “the Feltman Cabinet.”
The government building has been guarded by tanks and three army and police battalions since the Hizballah-led opposition occupied downtown Beirut earlier this year with the declared aim of toppling the government.
Source?
As well we should.
This move sends a double message.
Not only to Hizbullah/Hamas and Syria but to Iran as well.
It does not take much to reach Iran by air from the Eastern Med.
So, Unless I am mistaken, we now have 4 CSG’s in striking distance of Iran.
That’s something to think about. Eh Mr. Almadidawhatzis...
U.S. pledges to support Lebanon army
U.S. forces' top commander in Mideast meets Lebanese officials
It's Debka. They don't need sources.
I get the feeling that chess pieces are being put in place.
Still need another 6 to 8 Active Army combat brigades and another 3 to 4 Active Marine combat brigades just to ease the rotation in Iraq. If we are seriously looking to build up for another front or to take on Iran ... we need about another 12 Active Army combat brigades and 6 to 8 Active Marine Brigades.
Not to mention staffing and fully provisioning the existing Reserve and NG Units as well.
Now that Rove has left the White House, GW will not let Syria/Iran replace the government in Lebannon.
We have had a large Navy/Marine buildup in the waters of the middle east since the first of the year.
They don’t need sources! = best line of the day!
I'm curious as to why you think Rove leaving had anything to do with Bush's decision to support Lebanon?
Bush has supported Lebannon all along.
Now without the political advisor/guru Rove warning about political consequences, there will probably be more swift and sure action in these situations and with Iran.
Rove did a good job as a political advisor and analyst. However, with him in the White House, every White House action or non action was evaluated and measured for political fallout or gain. That is probably gone now.
It's also something for Bashar Assad to think about.
Syria's offensive and defensive posture is oriented toward Israel - if we threaten them through Lebanon, they have a much longer and more difficult border to defend...and they can't ignore Israel.
Bashar was counting on Hezbollah in Lebanon to protect his flank....with the US now in the picture, he can no longer count on friends along that long border.
The Kearsarge is a Marine Expeditionary Force support ship; carries helicopters and landing craft - no fixed wing jets...its not a full carrier strike group...but damned potent in its own right.
‘no fixed wing jets’
It has Harriers.
Ok, its Debka, but still something to think about . . .
If they got 'em, they are well hidden! Didn't see any on deck in their web site photos. But they are mentioned in the weapons compliment.
And I missed the new guys....they got V-22 Ospreys.
http://www.kearsarge.navy.mil/default.aspx
“And I missed the new guys....they got V-22 Ospreys.”
Kinda like an El-Camino...
Not much of a car, not much of a truck.
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Russian naval base in Syria, we're visiting Lebanon. I think I saw this flick before.
It sure looks that way. It needs to be done < before > Bush leaves office because the next prez might be a RAT, and you know they will never do it.
Still need another 6 to 8 Active Army combat brigades and another 3 to 4 Active Marine combat brigades just to ease the rotation in Iraq. If we are seriously looking to build up for another front or to take on Iran ... we need about another 12 Active Army combat brigades and 6 to 8 Active Marine Brigades.
Not to mention staffing and fully provisioning the existing Reserve and NG Units as well.
Do we need them to fight a war without boots on the ground? I think we can deliver whatever we need from the air, but I'm no military man so I don't really know.
There is an old Infantry saying. The only ground you “control” is the ground you are standing on.
There are several rules of thumb used to calculate the number of forces required. Typically, in an attack mode, you want to have 3 to 4 times the number of forces as the defender has but with modern combined assault ... perhaps that is more like 2.5 to 3.
To PATROL an area, you need about 5 times the number of opposing forces. Understand that increasing lethality does not help this number.
To OCCUPY an area, you need about 8 to 10 times the number of opposing forces.
To PACIFY an area, you need to have between 10 and 15 times the number of opposing forces.
Granted, for these numbers you can count any friendly police forces as well, but it is still a large personnel operation.
Boots on the ground are no longer the primary attack force but they still remain the number one post combat force requires .... and there is no substitution.
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