Why are we in the area to begin with, inserting ourselves into these volatile conflict zones? We keep doing that and then acting surprised when we get caught in the crossfire =/
How much are you personally paying for transportation (powered by petroleum), energy (whether home heating oil, or inexpensive electricity made possible by an energy market whose rock-bottom price depends on petrochemicals being pumped out of the ground), plastic tchotchkes (which depend on petrochemicals being inexpensive)?
If prices become higher in China/Europe it’ll lead to prices being higher by us. It’s a global economy where large impact in China/Europe will impact the states to some extent.
They've already shot down multiple ballistic missiles / drones targeting Israel and is a counter balance so Hezbollah and Syrian militias don't get involved which will create a situation where a much bigger US response will be needed. Deterrence usually reduces conflict more than instigates it.
They are also protecting commercial civilian ships being targeted. China has warships there too and they didn't bother.
Houthi are going after Israeli stuff anyway and only targeting the US because they completely neuter their capabilities. If the US isn't there missiles will still be flying over the Red Sea and civilian ships being hijacked.
Our warships were apparently (escorting? defending? wink wink? wasn't super clear to me) the Israeli merchant vessels. They weren't exactly neutral bystanders, especially not to Israel's enemies.
They were there 'cause the US knew they'd be needed. I don't think they've been anything besides shooting down drones attacking shipping... but they don't really exist to be neutral bystanders.
Yeah, but we don't get to play both sides of that narrative. Either we stay out of it and mind our own business, or if we jump into the fray to defend Israel, we're just combatants and valid targets. We don't get to be some sort of faux peacekeeper that only protects one side.
Merchant ships aren't just innocent bystanders though, they're part of the supply chain, economy, and war effort. How is this different than U-boats sinking our merchant marines, or our blockades stopping supplies to other countries?
Another comment said that shipping lane is used by other nations' vessels too, but the Houthi are specifically targeting Israeli ships (and by extension their American defenders, but only because we choose to be involved).
Ships from all sorts of countries sail the world, but it's not an innocent coincidence that ours are routinely targeted by Israel's enemies...
It's silly for us to play the victim when we put ourselves in harm's way specifically to defend Israel against these threats. It's like sailing through the Taiwan Strait with a carrier group and acting surprised when it annoys China.
We use our force projection to play global police, but then turn around and pretend like we're innocent... we're far from it. These are self-inflicted casualties because we're picking sides.
> Merchant ships aren't just innocent bystanders though, they're part of the supply chain, economy, and war effort.
Sure, I agree with you there—although Israel isn't at war with the Houthi rebels. Again, the Houthi are fighting the Yemeni government and the Saudis. Although "Death to Israel" is part of their charter, so there is that.
> It's silly for us to play the victim when we put ourselves in harm's way specifically to defend Israel against these threats.
I don't know that we're playing the victim here; our ships are clearly there to do exactly what it is that they're doing. Overall it's probably a net win for us—we get practice in anti-drone warfare.
