Posted on 12/23/2023 2:35:56 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
America’s recent troubles in the Red Sea have ramifications that go beyond backtracked cargo and skirmishes with Islamic militias. At stake is global dominance of maritime trade — and the consequent dominance of global politics.
As The New American has documented, U.S. naval forces are embroiled in conflict with Iran-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea in order to prevent this Yemeni militia from targeting Western commercial vessels. Attacks from the Houthi have set back supply chains and prompted big firms such as CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and BP to avoid the Suez Canal over safety concerns.
But while the United States and its allies reel from the complications caused by the situation in the Red Sea, Russia — a close ally of Iran — is benefiting from it.
As Russia Today (RT) reports:
The Red Sea, a pivotal conduit for international commerce, is now a contested arena as Houthi rebels from Yemen escalate their attacks. Houthi leaders have said they are pursuing all Israel-bound vessels due to hostilities in Gaza, and they appear to be targeting Western ships. At the same time, an increasing number of Russian oil tankers continue to navigate the waters to deliver oil shipments to Asia, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. If substantiated, this selective targeting highlights the geopolitical intricacies in play, positioning maritime trade as a pawn in broader geopolitical maneuvers.
In short, the U.S. is gradually losing its influence in the Red Sea, a historically important trade route, while Russia’s grip on those waters tightens.
This is good news for Russia given the country’s increased dependence on trade with Asia to sustain its oil industry. Due to the Russian war with Ukraine, Europe has actively been looking for alternatives to Russian petroleum, causing Moscow to market its oil to Asia instead...
(Excerpt) Read more at thenewamerican.com ...
“In short, the U.S. is gradually losing...[You Name It here]”
The US has been stepping back from its historic role as the global ocean policeman, because it really has no vital interests at stake.
The European naval powers and Japan have been stepping up to protect their own shipping.
Russia, OTOH, has done absolutely nothing to protect its own shipping, because it has no ability to do so.
We have tens of billions in naval assets in the area and that bunch of pirates have been able to shut down the Suez Canal shipping lanes.
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But...but...our 'punishing sanctions' are going to cripple Russia. Our leaders said so. /sarc
I wonder what the cost ratio is for how much we spend to take down one of their relatively cheap drones?
Well we have California as the biggest trade ‘partner with China’ in the US.....California’s going global International if or not the rest of the states do or not.
Looking like all roads are leading to China...Eu certainly is floating their boats that way.
The pirates (supported by Iran) view Russia as an ally and will not target their ships. A win for Putin’s political savvy, Hey, he got Russian hostages out from Hamas too. Putin is a better card player that the Biden Cartel, that’s all.
“Russia Dominating the Seas...”
With how many aircraft carriers? Are the Russians building submarines that kill fewer Russians? How’s that dominance of the Black Sea working out for you? Do you like the new name for the Baltic Sea.. Lake NATO?
LOL.
Russia’s navy is collectively older than all but the navies of Ukraine, Iran, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea. In that order.
https://www.wdmmw.org/hull-age.php
I’m sure we’d be flabbergasted. I doubt we can easily replace the ordinance the Navy will be blowing through either.
“I doubt we can easily replace the ordinance the Navy will be blowing through either.”
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If this goes on much long its going to threaten the Navy’s DEI budget.
Earlier today:
Pentagon 'alarmed' over price tag of countering cheap Yemeni dronesTo top it off, the US cannot reload these systems while at sea.
The Cradle, 12/22/2023Concerns about the high cost of countering the threat posed by the Yemeni armed forces in the Red Sea are growing in the Pentagon, according to US defense officials who spoke with Politico.
Sanaa has reportedly fired at least 100 drones toward Israeli-linked commercial vessels for the past month in support of the Palestinian people. US estimates place the cost of the domestic-made drones at $2,000 each.
In comparison, each munition used by US warships in the Red Sea cost between $1 million and $4.3 million.
Bad guys...
Good guys...
For the cost of 100 drones at $2,000 each, they can shut down the shipping lanes, and our multi billion $ ships can’t do much.
What happens when they build and launch thousands?
Drivel
Drivel
Welcome to the multipolar new world order.
We used to know how to deal with pirates. All it takes is the will to do so. That will is obviously lacking at the moment.
Swarms of small boats from pirate havens? We know where every boat comes from. Missiles launched at civilian shipping or U.S. navel vessels? We know exactly from where the missiles were fired.
A few smoking holes in the ground would do the trick. But an administration that doesn’t have the will to control our own borders and police our own streets is not about to effectively police the Red Sea.
“Russia Dominating the Seas...”
With how many aircraft carriers?
The real payoff for this mess is when the Russians use THEIR proxies to take revenge for the Moskva.
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