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 ...
“WE ARE ENERGY INDEPENDENT.”
No we are NOT.
We produce 11 million bbl per day and consume 19 million bbl per day of oil.
Anyone who thinks or says that is energy independence is deluded.
American europhiles are keen to be Europeans’ loyal servants.
Yeah, we'll probably step in AFTER we've seen some of ‘our friends’ pick up their share of responsibly (without us begging for their help) and getting current with what they owe NATO... ‘cause they'll go down long before we will...
“American europhiles”
I don’t see any on this board.
Do you?
but that doesn’t seem to me to be viable without American support
LOL, I wonder why, NOT!!!
The evil EU scum have never been England’s friend. Get out now.
It’s not just that France and Germany want to pretend they can without American help, they desperately want to break the trade embargoes.
And not because they need the trade but simply to undermine the US goals. Even when the goals of the US best serve central and western Europe.
The Eurotrash will cut off their own noses to spite their own faces if, first, they get to thumb their noses at the US.
They are that stupid and predictable.
Right...very pro Trump.
Unfortunately, the US still imports over 10,000 barrels a day that moves through the Persian gulf. We export and import but we are still net importers.
The closing of the Straights of Hormuz would cause a worldwide spike in the price of oil and create economic havoc. I remember the the price increases - 1000% from 1969 to 1979. I remember the gas lines, the recession and people literally killing each other while waiting in line for gas.
We are less dependent on imported oil now then we were then but until we are TRULY energy independent, we can’t ignore the threat that is posed by closure of the straights.
This can be a wakeup call to EU nations that stubbornly resist defense spending, or it can be an exercise in the EU paying Iran off and pretending it's a diplomatic victory. They're not ready and they're fine with it. Si vis pacem, para bellum.
The Iranians are hurting under the sanctions with which the EU refuses to cooperate. If the EU won't do that and they can't shoot, then they're left with paying up. Not our problem. For the Brits it's just one more, and a major one, reason for leaving.
All the more reason for Europeans to step up to the plane and DO something... AND pay their damn NATO fees. Yeah, we'll pay a price, but it'll be NOTHING compared to the rest of the world. I'm sick of our country running into every fire while our 'friends' grill hot dogs over the flames. NO BLOOD NO TREASURE.
No thanks. Leave us out of your mess. Every time we are invited in to save Europe's ass, they end up biting our hand. And then they sit back and expect us to pay the lion's share of blood and treasure to defend their worthless asses while they badmouth us and call us bullies.
They can go and fornicate with themselves.
This is easy. Just ignore calls for help from German and French ships and work with those who want our help. Announce to the world that those two countries are on their own and see how fast Iran grabs their ships. Let France and Germany know we are happy to oblige their wants.
Sitting in port in Bahrain does not get the job done.
Why does the EU, which created INSTEX, need protection from Iran....?
Inquiring minds want to know.
US warns Europe not to develop barter system to evade Iran sanctions
Amen!
The first time the bad guys look funny at France or Germany, who they gonna call?
This morning, Britain was all big and bad and saying they’re protecting their own. This afternoon, they want our help. Same old, same old.
Germany almost certainly does not have the spare parts on hand to sustain naval operations for all that long. Recall all their subs were laid up last year due to parts shortage.
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