By John Q. Hosedrinker Biden says he’s decided on response to Iran over deadly drone attack. The U.S. response will involve multiple deliberate strikes on facilities that enabled the attacks on U.S. forces. It’s both concerning and amusing to see Iran-backed groups claiming they will suspend attacks on U.S. forces as if it’s a generous act. In reality, they know they messed up and are trying to distance themselves now.
The response needs to be impactful to curtail Iran’s behavior, and there are three key targets: Shahed drone production facilities/storage, Iranian drone earth terminals, and Iranian oil production facilities. By striking these targets, the U.S. can impose costs, both economically and in terms of degrading Iran’s ability to fund and support proxies.
If I were an Iranian general or worked at a Shahed facility, I would probably call out sick for the next week or so, especially during nighttime when there are fewer civilians around. The U.S. doesn’t want to kill people, but it still needs to react and respond to what happened.
The ability of the U.S. military to carry out such precision strikes and take offensive action is unparalleled. It may be easy to underestimate their capabilities due to past experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, but no other country on Earth can offensively occupy even its closest neighbors. It’s a significant achievement.
It’s crucial to consider the plight of the Iranian people who suffer under theocratic tyranny. If Iran were to become a secular republic and allow the return of its Jewish population, the dynamics in the region would dramatically change. The main backers of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis would be gone, and the entire calculus would shift. Radicals would lose their home, and the prospects for peace and stability would improve.
However, we must wait and see what happens. Speculating about military actions shouldn’t involve fantasies or excitement. Lives are at stake, and it’s about ensuring long-term security and peace.
There is no need to announce the response, and some may wonder why the U.S. does it. The effectiveness of the response shouldn’t be compromised by revealing plans in advance. It’s like telling your opponent exactly how you’re going to attack them and giving them a chance to prepare their defense. Actions should speak louder than words.
Jeopardizing the lives of U.S. service personnel by providing detailed information about military action is not a responsible or strategic move. We should aim to achieve our goals while minimizing harm to Iranian civilians and maintaining a chance for peace in the future.
The focus should be on getting the job done without unnecessary announcements. It’s essential to prioritize the safety of U.S. service personnel and to avoid alienating the Iranian people.
It’s interesting to observe that even announcing the U.S.’s ability to hit Iran whenever and wherever needed is enough to make Iran largely defenseless. Their boasting and confident posture quickly change when faced with the reality of U.S. action. It’s a testament to the strength and capability of the U.S. military.
Ultimately, it’s a challenging situation for any leader, and whatever decision President Biden makes will undoubtedly be criticized by some. Taming the Middle East and bringing lasting peace is a daunting task, and it seems to get worse every year. It’s a complex region, and there are no easy solutions.
As we await the response, let’s hope that it will be a step towards peace and not further escalations. The lives of Iranian civilians should be a priority, and we should strive to maintain a chance for peace with the Iranian people. War should never be a first choice, but sometimes it becomes inevitable when threats persist.