Hawaiian

6 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Not sure why you cited this article. It's thesis is that a proposed truce between the Saudis and the Houthis the terms of which were supported by the United States seem based on the assumption that the Saudis had the upper hand. Which was the opposite of the truth.

Because it pointed out the Saudi's mistake of thinking there would be an easy victory over a bunch of ragtime group of rebels. This was explicitly mentioned in my post.

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I have only ever been asked for a boarding pass upon arrival once...  (out of every country I travel to for over two decades of frequent travel)...  

Since that time, I always ensure I keep my boarding pass just in case.

 

So,.. I should know better, for what exactly ???

Besides immigration, there are other reasons for keeping boarding passes. 

44 minutes ago, Morch said:

Because Saudi Arabia's military competence and might are just the same as the USA/UK's.

 

Also, stopping a civil war vs. stopping act of terrorism vs. maritime traffic are different level goals and issues.

 

And, regardless - what alternative solutions are on offer?

Not sure about the Saudi's level of military competence.  Or are you being facetious?

1 hour ago, placeholder said:

Given that the Houthis persisted in their civil war despite massive bombardments from the Saudis (and massive support for those bombardments from the USA), how can anyone seriously believe that these attacks will deter the Houthis? 

Just because you have billions of dollars worth of military hardware does not mean you will win.  The determination to win combined with good strategy plays an important part in any conflict.  Notice the mention of an easy victory over a ragtime group of rebels.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/06/03/houthis-saudi-arabia-yemen-policy-backward.      Scroll down to "Washington Has Yemen Policy Backward"

14 hours ago, Morch said:

 

I think easier said than done.

Some of these they can surely produce on their own, by now.

You are correct about the Houthis producing their own UAVs, however, from Iranian components.  Supposedly they are being smuggled in through Oman and then shuttled in small boats along the coastline.  There is some information about this in thedefensepost.com website.  Unable to provide a link that works.

11 hours ago, scottiejohn said:

Not necessarily. It depends on the size of drone/radar cross section/age/capability of the ship's radar and combat system and type of guns and ammo!

 

The best way of destroying drones is not by missiles/ammunition but by electronic jamming and Chaff etc if they can be detected in time to be countered!

 

Agree.  Chances of knocking out a mass attack are better.  Whatever drones that are not disabled can then be taken out by shooting them down.

20 hours ago, CharlieH said:

 

 

 

SUMMARY

1. US and UK forces have carried out air strikes against Houthi rebel targets in Yemen
2. President Biden says the strikes are in response to attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis on ships in the Red Sea since November
3. Royal Air Force warplanes helped carry out the "targeted strikes" against military facilities, says PM Rishi Sunak
4. The UK PM adds that the strikes are "limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence"
5. The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided support as part of the mission, says Biden
6. Houthi deputy foreign minister warns US and UK will "pay a heavy price" for this "blatant aggression"
7. Strikes are reported in the capital Sanaa, the Houthi Red Sea port of Hudaydah, Dhamar and north-western Houthi stronghold of Saada
8. The Houthis control much of Yemen and say they are supporting ally Hamas by targeting shipping headed to Israel

 

 

Pentagon details air strike targets

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has just released a statement saying that the joint military "action is intended to disrupt and degrade the Houthis’ capabilities".

The attacks "targeted the Houthis’ unmanned aerial vehicle, uncrewed surface vessel, land-attack cruise missile, and costal radar and air surveillance capabilities".

A US defense official said the Pentagon chief had monitored the operation in real time from hospital, where he has had surgery for prostate cancer.

This official said Austin was "actively involved" and has spoken to the president twice in the past 72 hours leading up to the operation.

Austin has been under political fire this week after he failed to let the White House know about his hospital admission, including time in intensive care.

 

FULL STORY

 

The U.S. and the U.K. have been more than patient dealing with these continual attacks on international shipping.  The Houthis have played this game long enough and now it is time for hardball.  The big question now is how will Iran  react. Since they are the major sponsors of terrorism in the Middle East, they could put a halt to this if they wanted to.  Or perhaps Iran wants this to erupt into a direct confrontation with the U.S.

19 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

They might be able to stop the delivery of Ballistic missiles, especially from Iran but drones are so easy to come by!

Easy to come by if no blockade is in force.  These drones are most likely being furnished by Iran so a naval blockade could work.  Saudi Arabia to the north and Oman to the east could also block any shipments.

8 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

https://news.sky.com/story/middle-east-crisis-explosions-heard-in-sanaa-as-strikes-launched-against-houthis-linked-targets-13045848

It will be interesting to see what the response by the Houthis will be.  Once they run out of drones and missiles the huffing and puffing will be just that.  The coalition forces will block any attempt at replenishment of these weapon systems.

22 hours ago, peter zwart said:

This situation could become untenable. The complexity is enormous because we do not know, in the case of a confrontation with Iran, what the role of Russia and China will be. But if these latter two get involved in a possible conflict, all bets are off. I remain hopeful that at least China realizes they have nothing to gain from a global conflict.

Russia has their hands more than full with Ukraine.  And because China is so dependent on Middle East oil they will not do anything to rock the boat.

23 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

With attitudes like that is it any wonder middle east communities want to kill western people?

The Saudis have been at it for a few years and gave up because of the costs.  Now they are waiting for someone else to do it.  Isn't Bahrain part of this coalition?

44 minutes ago, xylophone said:

IMO it would be foolish for Israel to stop now, but there is another consideration here – – for years Hamas has been building shelters, tunnels and storage facilities for explosives and weapons in Gaza, and I would bet good money on the fact that many Palestinians were complicit in this. If this is so, where does it leave Israel; actually on a hiding to nothing if they do not continue to try and wipe out Hamas.

 

Referring to the above, the problem is still that many Palestinians are complicit/supporters of Hamas and that will never change unfortunately, and as Hamas has clearly stated its objectives.....

 

-The complete destruction of Israel as an essential condition for the liberation of Palestine and the establishment of a theocratic state based on Islamic law (Sharia),

 

-The need for both unrestrained and unceasing holy war (jihad) to attain the above objective,

 

-The deliberate disdain for, and dismissal of, any negotiated resolution or political settlement of Jewish and Muslim claims to the Holy Land, and

 

-The reinforcement of historical anti-Semitic tropes and calumnies married to sinister conspiracy theories.

 

Then that leaves Israel with very few options and I still cannot understand why Blinken is still proposing a two state solution, mainly because Hamas and many Palestinians do not want Israel is anywhere near them, so the hostilities will continue, even with a supposed "two state solution".

 

The sad thing about it is that until Hamas is completely destroyed, and even then remnants will remain amongst the Palestinians, ready to go again, the situation will not be resolved.....so where to now. In light of this, it's not surprising that some far right Israeli ministers are quietly "seemingly condoning genocide".

 

As I have posted earlier, one solution would be the complete and utter destruction of Gaza and of Hamas, and possibly moving the Palestinians out so that Hamas can no longer infiltrate and work to destroy Israel.

 

In a nutshell, what other option does Israel have?

Israel can cave in to pro-terrorist supporters or they can continue with their stated goal of destroying Hamas.  If Israel plans to survive in its present form they will choose the later.

It might disappoint you when some impartial entities see that genocide has not happened.

I've read that some cases have taken years to settle.  I really don't know how long it will take and don't care to make a guess, especially since I am not a legal scholar nor an expert on genocide.

17 hours ago, Summerinsiam said:

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Ask Nelson Mandela. Even Ariel Sharon admitted that if he was a Palestininian he would take up armed resistance.

Since when does armed resistance mean pre-planning and intentionally butchering civilians like what Hamas did on October 7? 

35 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

And if I want to see penguins or polar bears???

San Diego Zoo has them.

https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/penguin-day

https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/animals/polar-bear

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Hmmm where shall I go, Grand Canyon, Taj Mahal, Machu Pichu, Pyramids, Eiffel Tower.............

Nah Chiag Mai Zoo        555

My favorite is the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park.  While stationed in San Diego during the 1960's I often spent my weekends there.  Besides the zoo, there are several excellent museums.  Was very affordable with my military discount.  Now the entry fee is as much as I made for a month's pay in the Navy.  That was 60 years ago.

Today, the zoo alone attracts 11,000 visitors a day. 

1 hour ago, Jeff the Chef said:

 

Maybe the long term trend is going to change now that the social media brigade are avidly watching and learning.

Erdogan has taken a secular state and turned it into an Islamic republic.  When dealing with the West he denies it.  And when dealing with the Arab world it is all about Islam. As Morch says, he is all over the page. 

As long as Putin is in power, Russia's allies are only friends of convenience.

10 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I don't think many do. Some can understand that pressure cookers explode. There are 2 sides to this. 

Justification is commonly used as a reason for the commission any act, whether it be humane or inhumane.  In this conflict, both Hamas and Israel claim justification for their actions.  In my opinion, what Hamas did on October 7 was despicable and cowardly. 

When pressure cookers explode you have an awful mess to clean up.  Seems like Israel feels it's their job to clean up the mess.  How they are doing it has created a lot of controversy.  War is hell.  War is costly.   If you are not ready to accept the price don't start one.

1 hour ago, Hawaiian said:

How can anyone with a sense of decency defend the actions of Hamas.

https://www.aol.com/news/freed-israeli-hostage-says-she-111806494.html

Quote from the comments section below the article.  "Remember Oct. 7.  Finish the job".

How can anyone with a sense of decency defend the actions of Hamas.

https://www.aol.com/news/freed-israeli-hostage-says-she-111806494.html