LONDON/WASHINGTON/DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. on Wednesday returned the Yemen-based Houthi rebels to a list of terrorist groups, as the militants attacked their second U.S.-operated vessel in the Red Sea region this week and the U.S. military carried out fresh strikes.

 

Attacks by the Iran-allied Houthi militia on ships in the region since November have slowed trade between Asia and Europe and alarmed major powers in an escalation of the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.

 

The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians and have threatened to expand attacks to include U.S. ships in response to American and British strikes on the group's positions.

 

(more)

 

https://www.reuters.com/business/business-heads-see-red-sea-tensions-causing-lengthy-trade-dislocation-2024-01-17/

 

 

I don't think this will end well for the Houthis.

Or the US or US to be Frank. They seem recklessly fearless on a suicide mission and may well along with Israel draw us into World War 3. Buy gold.

1 minute ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Or the US or US to be Frank. They seem recklessly fearless on a suicide mission and may well along with Israel draw us into World War 3. Buy gold.

 

Nonsense.

The UK's been doing a little terrorists listing too

 

https://twitter.com/ukhomeoffice/status/1748293448786972705

 

Home Secretary declares Hizb ut-Tahrir as terrorists

Founded in 1953, Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international political group with a long-term goal of establishing a Caliphate ruled under Islamic law. While their headquarters are in Lebanon, the group operates in at least 32 countries including the UK, United States, Canada and Australia.  

The proscription of Hizb ut-Tahrir includes the global organisation, as well as all regional branches, including Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain.  

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-declares-hizb-ut-tahrir-as-terrorists

 

Those Houthis seem quite formidable.

 

How a Ragtag Militia in Yemen Became a Nimble U.S. Foe

For years, the scrappy Iran-backed Yemeni rebels known as the Houthis did such a good job of bedeviling American partners in the Middle East that Pentagon war planners started copying some of their tactics.

Noting that the Houthis had managed to weaponize commercial radar systems that are commonly available in boating stores and make them more portable, a senior U.S. commander challenged his Marines to figure out something similar. By September 2022, Marines in the Baltic Sea were adapting Houthi-inspired mobile radar systems.

source

 

Now that America has made itself an enemy of the Houthis, they can expect attacks on American ships as well.

So much for not expanding the war in Gaza.

 

Had they stuck to shooting down the missiles it would have IMO been seen as business as usual, but to attack land based facilities has made them official enemies, and that goes for Britain as well.

 

IMO stupidity writ large.

8 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Now that America has made itself an enemy of the Houthis, they can expect attacks on American ships as well.

So much for not expanding the war in Gaza.

 

Had they stuck to shooting down the missiles it would have IMO been seen as business as usual, but to attack land based facilities has made them official enemies, and that goes for Britain as well.

 

IMO stupidity writ large.

 

@thaibeachlovers

 

Because prior to this the USA wasn't the Houthies enemy? Also, always weird how explain you own statements to yourself - like, didn't the Houthies just made themselves an enemy of the USA? Can't they expect more attacks?

 

And yeah, I think it's clear by now you're into appeasement of Houthis, Russians, Hezbollah, Iran, etc.

 

On 1/24/2024 at 8:18 PM, placeholder said:

Those Houthis seem quite formidable.

 

How a Ragtag Militia in Yemen Became a Nimble U.S. Foe

For years, the scrappy Iran-backed Yemeni rebels known as the Houthis did such a good job of bedeviling American partners in the Middle East that Pentagon war planners started copying some of their tactics.

Noting that the Houthis had managed to weaponize commercial radar systems that are commonly available in boating stores and make them more portable, a senior U.S. commander challenged his Marines to figure out something similar. By September 2022, Marines in the Baltic Sea were adapting Houthi-inspired mobile radar systems.

source

 

Cheap readily available tech has changed the landscape immeasurably in the last 5-10 years. The world of tanks/battleships/and multi-million-pound drones have been seriously threatened by cheap tech. Just one example is the Russian Lancet loitering munition  has been deadly effective in Ukraine and they appear unjammeable. The West's industrial/military complex is focused on high-cost big-ticket items and needs security guarantees from the government before they can begin. Red tape and safety and environmental concerns also degrade the timescale from commissioning to from commissioning to inception.

 

This is why the West is talking about conscription and the like they are going to have to put hugely more resources into their armies and industries if they hope to keep up with the new "Axis of Evil" and the increasingly angry populace are becoming restless from the collapsing welfare states and cost of living crises. I'm not sure a western woke Generation Z deprived of affordable housing, secure employment, pensions and a welfare state is ready to add risking their lives in a hot war. We are cursed to live in interesting times - we oldies have profited from the post-war boom this coming generation is in a pre-war bind.

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Cheap readily available tech has changed the landscape immeasurably in the last 5-10 years. The world of tanks/battleships/and multi-million-pound drones have been seriously threatened by cheap tech. Just one example is the Russian Lancet loitering munition  has been deadly effective in Ukraine and they appear unjammeable. The West's industrial/military complex is focused on high-cost big-ticket items and needs security guarantees from the government before they can begin. Red tape and safety and environmental concerns also degrade the timescale from commissioning to from commissioning to inception.

 

This is why the West is talking about conscription and the like they are going to have to put hugely more resources into their armies and industries if they hope to keep up with the new "Axis of Evil" and the increasingly angry populace are becoming restless from the collapsing welfare states and cost of living crises. I'm not sure a western woke Generation Z deprived of affordable housing, secure employment, pensions and a welfare state is ready to add risking their lives in a hot war. We are cursed to live in interesting times - we oldies have profited from the post-war boom this coming generation is in a pre-war bind.

 

Gen Z are acutely aware of the massive shift in wealth from the middle class to the rich over the past generation. They are understandably reluctant to fight for billionaire interests.

8 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Cheap readily available tech has changed the landscape immeasurably in the last 5-10 years. The world of tanks/battleships/and multi-million-pound drones have been seriously threatened by cheap tech. Just one example is the Russian Lancet loitering munition  has been deadly effective in Ukraine and they appear unjammeable. The West's industrial/military complex is focused on high-cost big-ticket items and needs security guarantees from the government before they can begin. Red tape and safety and environmental concerns also degrade the timescale from commissioning to from commissioning to inception.

 

This is why the West is talking about conscription and the like they are going to have to put hugely more resources into their armies and industries if they hope to keep up with the new "Axis of Evil" and the increasingly angry populace are becoming restless from the collapsing welfare states and cost of living crises. I'm not sure a western woke Generation Z deprived of affordable housing, secure employment, pensions and a welfare state is ready to add risking their lives in a hot war. We are cursed to live in interesting times - we oldies have profited from the post-war boom this coming generation is in a pre-war bind.

 

 

 

The part about cheap tech (and it's enhancement of asymmetric warfare) rings true. The gratuitous comments about the Welfare State and such, not so much. As for the West talking about conscription, really? Maybe if you  equate the comments of a few people in the UK with the West. Otherwise, again, not so much.

I wonder how many Houthis have crossed the southern border?  And how many are on the way...

 

 

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

I wonder how many Houthis have crossed the southern border?  And how many are on the way...

 

 

 

millions.

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Now that America has made itself an enemy of the Houthis, they can expect attacks on American ships as well.

So much for not expanding the war in Gaza.

 

Had they stuck to shooting down the missiles it would have IMO been seen as business as usual, but to attack land based facilities has made them official enemies, and that goes for Britain as well.

 

IMO stupidity writ large.

So your terrorists friends attack a civilian oil tanker, from Greece to Singapore, set it on fire, , and you want to blame everyone but the ‘innocent’ terrorists.

 

You need to be on the New Zealand watch list for extremist nut jobs.

 

 

7 hours ago, Morch said:

 

 

So you think it's a good idea to have open borders when you're in an asymmetric war with a terrorist group?

 

7 hours ago, impulse said:

 

So you think it's a good idea to have open borders when you're in an asymmetric war with a terrorist group?

 

That’s a very weak argument given the fact what is arguably the most secure border on the planet didn’t stop an obscene terrorist attack.

 

You’ve just pointed at the very best example of borders and walls not working.

 

 

5 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

So you think it's a good idea to have open borders when you're in an asymmetric war with a terrorist group?

 

 

So do you have any single post of mine saying something in favor of open borders, regardless of being at war?

An off topic post linking to an unapproved source has been removed

 

18. Social media content is acceptable in most forums. However in factual areas such as but not limited to news, current affairs and health topics, social media cannot be used unless it is from a credible news media source or a government agency,

During Biden's administration, somewhere over 8 million unvetted people crossed the US border, with tens of thousands more on the way.  Hundreds already on terror watch lists.

 

And now we're in an asymmetric war with a terrorist group who know they can't damage the USA on the battlefield.
 

What could possibly go wrong?

 

6 hours ago, impulse said:

 

During Biden's administration, somewhere over 8 million unvetted people crossed the US border, with tens of thousands more on the way.  Hundreds already on terror watch lists.

 

And now we're in an asymmetric war with a terrorist group who know they can't damage the USA on the battlefield.
 

What could possibly go wrong?

 

 

Are there any reports of Houthis planning to carry out attacks in the USA? Any reports of Houthis trying to cross the border? Any Houthi terrorist infrastructure within the USA? You know....anything indicating this is a credible threat/concern?

 

6 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Are there any reports of Houthis planning to carry out attacks in the USA? Any reports of Houthis trying to cross the border? Any Houthi terrorist infrastructure within the USA? You know....anything indicating this is a credible threat/concern?

 

 

 

 

Christopher Wray seemed to be concerned...  And that was before the war really went hot with the Houthis.

 

Wray answered:

“The group of people that you’re talking about are a source of great concern for us. That’s why we are aggressively using all 56 of our joint terrorism task forces.”

Chairman Green continued:

“But there’s really no way for you to guarantee Hamas isn’t in them. … Do you think that number, that increased number increases the threat to the American people?”

Wray answered:

“I think any time you have a group of people in the United States we don’t know nearly enough about, that is a source of concern for us.”

 

https://homeland.house.gov/2023/11/15/fbi-director-wray-confirms-the-border-crisis-poses-major-homeland-security-threat-dhs-secretary-mayorkas-stonewalls/

26 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

As many as the reports of Saudis planning to hijack airliners and fly them into the WTC...

 

Christopher Wray seemed to be concerned...  And that was before the war really went hot with the Houthis.

 

Wray answered:

“The group of people that you’re talking about are a source of great concern for us. That’s why we are aggressively using all 56 of our joint terrorism task forces.”

Chairman Green continued:

“But there’s really no way for you to guarantee Hamas isn’t in them. … Do you think that number, that increased number increases the threat to the American people?”

Wray answered:

“I think any time you have a group of people in the United States we don’t know nearly enough about, that is a source of concern for us.”

 

https://homeland.house.gov/2023/11/15/fbi-director-wray-confirms-the-border-crisis-poses-major-homeland-security-threat-dhs-secretary-mayorkas-stonewalls/

 

Could you point out to where, exactly, the houthis are discussed?

US designations of "terrorist" and "sponsors of terror" arts so such a grotesque parody that it is difficult to take them seriously. These designations are driven, like terrorism itself, by exclusively by US political considerations. The saying one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter has always rung true. 

The Yememis have long memories of the good times they had under British rule.

 

5 hours ago, retarius said:

 

 

Reactionaries, I often find which to start their arguments from a year zero of their determination and sweep untidy historical facts under the carpet such as their fury at the UN chief’s comment that Hamas attack ‘did not happen in a vacuum’. Actions have consequences, destroy countries with high-tech weaponry and the blowback will be severe.

 

The Houthis it would appear are battle-hardened from years of fighting and appear fearless. If our strategy is to bomb them back into the stone age as a deterrence we have better be prepared for the cost of that open ticket. A few drone strikes on Saudi oil fields as before could be the match that starts an oil spike that will destroy Biden's chances of election and usher in President Trump.

 

There are no good choices left anymore only less bad ones and pressuring Israel into a ceasefire by it's allies the explicit demand that the Houthis have made ought to be one that is easily engineered. Or is it an open chequebook for us in the West regarding Israel - even ww3 ultimately? Do we get to vote on this? 

 

China has helpfully said can they please stop we have business to attend to getting all our stuff delivered to the world.

1 minute ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Reactionaries, I often find which to start their arguments from a year zero of their determination and sweep untidy historical facts under the carpet such as their fury at the UN chief’s comment that Hamas attack ‘did not happen in a vacuum’. Actions have consequences, destroy countries with high-tech weaponry and the blowback will be severe.

 

The Houthis it would appear are battle-hardened from years of fighting and appear fearless. If our strategy is to bomb them back into the stone age as a deterrence we have better be prepared for the cost of that open ticket. A few drone strikes on Saudi oil fields as before could be the match that starts an oil spike that will destroy Biden's chances of election and usher in President Trump.

 

There are no good choices left anymore only less bad ones and pressuring Israel into a ceasefire by it's allies the explicit demand that the Houthis have made ought to be one that is easily engineered. Or is it an open chequebook for us in the West regarding Israel - even ww3 ultimately? Do we get to vote on this? 

 

China has helpfully said can they please stop we have business to attend to getting all our stuff delivered to the world.

 

Give In To Terrorists, Hijackers, and Pirates, Opines Poster.

6 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

There are no good choices left anymore only less bad ones and pressuring Israel into a ceasefire by it's allies the explicit demand that the Houthis have made ought to be one that is easily engineered. Or is it an open chequebook for us in the West regarding Israel - even ww3 ultimately? Do we get to vote on this? 

Sadly, I suspect it's israel all the way, hey hey hey. Time to read up on Armageddon I fear.

 

Since when did any of us consumer units ever get to vote on being sent to be slaughtered? That hollow laughter you might hear is from the dead of WW1, WW2, Vietnam etc.

On and off the US does these things. Might as well ignore.

(maybe seeking attention?)

13 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Give In To Terrorists, Hijackers, and Pirates, Opines Poster.

Forgiveness starts with an apology and repentance. The US/Britain and their allies haven't said a peep about Iraq and Libya whose nation states we effectively cast into failed states. The Arab street knows all too well that their autocratic leaders are tolerated because of their oil and nothing else. We can't expect any moral support when our own interests are threatened. So here we are hand wringin' and calling for more air strikes and bombings and doubling down on that strategy. It didn't work in those countries and Afghanistan and I would wager it won't work now except to help set the whole world on fire.

 

China can wait and bide it's time it's 3000-year-old civilisation stands on the brink of a great pivot of power as the sun sets on the American Empire.

4 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

Forgiveness starts with an apology and repentance. The US/Britain and their allies haven't said a peep about Iraq and Libya whose nation states we effectively cast into failed states. The Arab street knows all too well that their autocratic leaders are tolerated because of their oil and nothing else. We can't expect any moral support when our own interests are threatened. So here we are hand wringin' and calling for more air strikes and bombings and doubling down on that strategy. It didn't work in those countries and Afghanistan and I would wager it won't work now except to help set the whole world on fire.

 

China can wait and bide it's time it's 3000-year-old civilisation stands on the brink of a great pivot of power.

 

So what you offer is more waffle?

 

Hand wringing? That for me is more associated with the whining from the likes of you (and others) about supposed past sins of the West, and how the locals are this or that.