What is the proper response to the Houthi missiles?
by krudler (2023-12-28 14:35:04)

In reply to: Why I'm worried about 2024  posted by ndsapper

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We seem to be mostly content right now with just shooting down their missiles and drones and hoping we don't have any deaths (we've had multiple critical injuries already), but that approach only seems to be encouraging them. Obviously they're doing this with Iran's approval, just like Hamas attacked Israel with Iran's approval, and same for Hezbollah over the last 24 hours. At the same time we have the same people who told us we needed to get into broader wars in Iraq and Afghanistan telling us we need to target Iran now. Because they got it wrong before doesn't mean they're wrong now, but they don't have much credibility with me at least. But if things continue this way I have to imagine it's only a matter of time before one of those missiles lands and kills our soldiers.

I think timing is important
by ndsapper  (2023-12-28 18:58:40)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Cannot reply

Right now growing support for Operation Prosperity Garden is important. Only a few have committed real resources to it and I’m not sure how long they can sustain their support. We are holding our own defensively, but I’m also not sure we know what Iran has given the Houthis. So they could potentially ramp up the attacks significantly, or add a small boat Navy element. You can’t play defense forever without being able to endure loss of people and treasure.

If the goal is to draw us into a land war I think that will be very very difficult. But they could challenge the West’s willingness to defend free trade. That would be something.

Obviously, I clearly don’t know the right move. I’ll guess increased defensive measures with limited missile attacks because that’s the way we typically handle these things. We should add crushing international sanctions on Iran but that’s not likely.