The deterrence problem: America took its eye off Iran with Indo-Pacific pivot, ex-CENTCOM chief says
As the US and Israel contend with multiple Iranian proxy groups in the Middle East, Joseph Votel told Breaking Defense the US must “hold [Iran] accountable.”
By Riad Kahwaji“What was different about this attack is where it landed: It did impact… where living quarters are,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, a day after three soldiers were killed in an attack.
By Ashley Roque and Agnes Helou“Seized items include propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense associated components. Initial analysis indicates these same weapons have been employed by the Houthis to threaten and attack innocent mariners on international merchant ships transiting in the Red Sea,” according to a CENTCOM statement.
By Agnes HelouUS Navy warships in the Red Sea have been fending off numerous aerial drones since arriving on station last year.
By Justin Katz“The Ford’s deployment had already been extended once. The Navy does not like to extend deployments too much because of fatigue on the crews,” analyst Mark Cancian told Breaking Defense.
By Agnes HelouUS partners Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are sending a message to US with high-profile Putin meetings, analysts told Breaking Defense.
By Agnes Helou“The Houthi disruptive capability… is not a new phenomenon,” one expert told Breaking Defense.
By Riad KahwajiDisputes over spectrum use by mega-constellations in low Earth orbit, such as SpaceX’s Starlink, also carry heavy political baggage at the 2023 World Radio Conference that starts tomorrow in Dubai.
By Theresa Hitchens“He does not want escalation, and the skirmishes on [Lebanon’s] southern borders are strictly kept in a zone where Israel can bear them,” retired Lebanese armed forces Gen. Wehbe Katicha told Breaking Defense.
By Agnes HelouThe US has made no secret it holds Iran responsible for the actions of its regional proxies, but experts told Breaking Defense Tehran’s level of control can vary from group to group.
By Agnes HelouAnalysts say there are three overarching questions: Whether Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas is realistic, whether another front in the war will explode, and what the long-term regional fallout from the operation could be.
By Riad KahwajiThe move comes as any further Ukraine aid on Capitol Hill is snarled by yesterday’s votes to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House.
By Justin KatzThe Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement promotes deterrence and more military integration, but Bahrain likely wanted more, one analyst said.
By Agnes Helou
In a technical analysis, Ralph Savelsberg suggests the armed Yemeni group is likely firing a variant of an Iranian missile toward far off targets.
By Ralph Savelsberg