Posted on 07/29/2019 8:51:25 AM PDT by Mariner
Divisions have emerged over plans for a European naval mission in the Persian Gulf, with Britain suggesting the operation would need US support while France and Germany insist it stay independent of America.
In a first sign that the UK may move closer to the US position on Iran under Boris Johnson, the new foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said a European mission was probably not “viable” without American help.
“I think we do want to see a European-led approach, but that doesn’t seem to me to be viable without American support as well,” Mr Raab told The Times.
That marks a shift from Jeremy Hunt, Mr Raab’s predecessor, who proposed a European naval mission separate from America’s Operation Sentinel.
Both missions are intended to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian threats but the US-led operation is widely seen in Europe as part of Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure campaign” to force Iranian capitulation on nuclear and regional issues.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
They cannot without American help/logistics. And back-up.
However, France and Germany would rather pretend they can and show the world they are fools, than partner with the US.
The US needs to exit NATO asap and sign bilateral treaties with individual countries.
Like today.
Why should I spend my money on protecting oil some Frenchman and German bought?
The US fleet is protecting ONLY US owned and/or flagged commercial vessels.
And those are rare in the Gulf now days.
“I think we do want to see a European-led approach, but that doesn’t seem to me to be viable without American support as well,”
Hey Raab! Take a long walk off a short pier.
So the UK wants us to defend them?! Isn’t this getting a bit old? What do we get for it? Maybe Britsh West Indies? Maybe all of their territories since they obviously cannot defend them.
Amen! The Europeans making a credible threat of military force was obviously a complete joke from the start.....which is why I wholeheartedly support stepping back and watching them make fools of themselves before hemming and hawing and finally admitting they’re too weak to do it.
And yes on the getting out of NATO part. The Yurps are just useless leeches who don’t enhance our security in any way.
““I think we do want to see a European-led approach, but that doesn’t seem to me to be viable without American support as well,” Mr Raab told The Times.”
Arrogant little Europeans trash!
How about you cut some funds from your damn welfare state, and from your “welcomed” refugees and pay for what you need!
We are all manner of uncouth yanks until your butts can’t deal with countries with more balls, then you “need” us!
To hell with all of them. Go buy your oil from Russia for all I care.
The Commander in Chief should say no.
What he is saying is true, but I would like to watch them try to protect the tankers and have us in the background just in case.
Britain finally has a pro US government, maybe they can get their military built back up after years of neglect.
It’s long past time that we pull all of our forces out of Germany. The whole country has been totally pussified to the point where we never have to fear another aggressive Germany making war on the rest of Europe.
The EU are useless backstabbers. We seized that tanker in order to enforce EU sanctions and they won’t back us up in enforcing them with their own militaries. Screw them. They can enforce their sanctions by themselves once we leave the EU. I’d rather we worked with the US.
“France and Germany insist it stay independent of America.”
Reminds me of the old ad for French WWII army rifles: “Never fired. Only dropped once”.
They’re going to use some of that “soft power” to accomplish the mission. Not.
Aren’t the Euros dealing with Iran under the table? Flouting the US-led sactions? F*** ’em
NOT OUR PROBLEM
Keep in mind that the new British Conservative government, led by Boris Johnson, is pro-Trump.
I don’t think Raab, appointed by Boris, is a Euroweenie at all.
The new government is very pro Brexit, and means to enforce it.
I think what Mr. Raab is saying is, the Europeans, minus the UK, are a weak sister who do not have power to project at all. I much prefer a separate UK/USA/Canada alliance (especially when Justin Trudeau loses) to a NATO alliance.
Does that make sense to you?
I think we have to factor in just what a victory Boris Johnson’s ascendency in the UK is for Pres. Trump, and I don’t think the Brits are going to do anything to hurt that.
NOT OUR PROBLEM
WE ARE ENERGY INDEPENDENT.
AND these folks don’t even pay their damn NATO fees... and they work with Iran under the table - and anyone else who might give them short term advantage. YOU reap what you sow Europe.
We’re NOT going to save your bacon again...
Having spent two years in Italy and 4 in Germany, I agree.
However, one thing: Having our bases there let’s us keep our boot on their neck, too.
The proud German Army has once again proved the truth of the saying, “The Hun is always either at your throat or your feet….”
—W. Churchill
-——while France and Germany insist it stay independent of America.-—
In failing to support the UK against Iran while including America, Germany has abbrogated NATO obligation.
Is France in NATO? My brain says DeGaulle took france out but that was very long ago. If France is in NATO, then there is effectively no NATO
Should never have allowed France into NATO.
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