| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| New U.S. carrier in Gulf a "reminder" to Iran: Gates |
| 2008-05-01 |
| The U.S. Navy has temporarily added a second aircraft carrier in the Gulf as a "reminder" to Iran, but this was not an escalation of American forces in the region, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters during a trip to Mexico, Gates flatly denied a suggestion that the presence of two U.S. carriers in the Gulf could be a precursor to military action against Tehran. "This deployment has been planned for a long time," Gates said. "I don't think we'll have two carriers there for a protracted period of time. So I don't see it as an escalation. I think it could be seen, though, as a reminder." He declined to elaborate on his remarks and provided no details about the deployment. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #6 |
| Posted by: gorb 2008-05-01 11:52 |
| #5 It's bad enough being bait in a trap - I sure hope the trap is set. That is, we had better have the WILL to respond with overwhelming force if attacked. |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2008-05-01 09:24 |
| #4 Sounds more like another example of the "send a message" school of foreign policy. |
| Posted by: Party of Dog 2008-05-01 08:35 |
| #3 yeah, I'm thinking "floater" right now..... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-05-01 06:26 |
| #2 With only two groups in theater, and one of those simply passing through; Gates is correct in wanting to 'shake the skirts' of the Mullahs. With 5 Carrier Groups to start Operation Iraqi Freedom with a sixth 'floating to shore up the rear', We knew lightning was about to strike; so no tremors can be assumed as of yet. Desert Storm was backed by 6 groups with a 7th 'Floater' (WOW what a presence of real estate and firepower!!). Put 3 in and my neck hairs will begin to rise! http://www.navysite.de/navy/iraqi-freedom.htm |
| Posted by: smn 2008-05-01 04:50 |
| #1 Iff NO US-IRAN CONFLICT > US-Allies stays put albeit in ACTIVE DEFENSE in Iraq-Afghani; IRAN in INACTIVE/DEFENSIVE OFFENSE towards SSSHHHHHH, RUSSIA + CENTRAL ASIA, which is okay wid Iran + Radical Islam. WE'LL FIND OUT THIS SUMMER IFF THE USA, EUROS, RUSSIA, CHINA, INDIA, etc. CAN TRULY TOLERATE NUCLEAR ISLAMISM-JIHAD??? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-05-01 00:30 |