Nothing Screams Peace Like the Deployment of Warships

Reprinted from Bracing Views with the author’s permission.

The U.S. approach to the crisis in Gaza is to send two aircraft carrier strike groups to the region. Because nothing screams peace like the deployment of warships. (Not to worry: it’s all about “deterrence” and “containment,” not about long-range strike.)

I remember when the Navy used “task force” rather than “strike group” to describe aircraft carriers and their associated escort ships. I suppose I have to applaud the Navy for stressing these are offensive, “forward-leaning” ships capable of inflicting enormous damage on an enemy.

Along with sending aircraft carriers named after Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower (I wonder how Ike would feel today, he of the military-industrial complex warning, about having an aircraft carrier capable of enormous destructiveness named after him?), the USA is also deploying President Joe Biden to the region. Biden is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu, the King of Jordan, and the head of the Palestinian Authority, though whether he intends to work to defuse the IDF “bomb” set to demolish most of Gaza remains unknown. It’s likely Biden will reemphasize that Israel has a blank check of support from the USA to do whatever it wants in Gaza, no matter how many innocents are killed and maimed in the process.

Speaking of checks, I caught this snippet from the New York Times courtesy of John Whitbeck:

Israel has asked the United States for $10 billion worth of emergency aid, according to three officials familiar with request. Lawmakers and the White House are crafting a package linking assistance to Israel with aid to Ukraine, funds to fortify the U.S.-Mexico border and aid to Taiwan.

To which Whitbeck added the following note:

“Clearly, it is anticipated that further aid to Ukraine, difficult to achieve in the House as a stand-alone matter, should sail through Congress if it is linked to a further tribute payment to Israel. One may legitimately wonder why Israel has not requested $100 billion. Can anyone imagine that Israel’s loyal and obedient servants in Congress and the White House would have said no?”

I’d like to say the cynicism of the Biden administration astounds me, but of course it doesn’t. Instead of voting separately on the merits of providing tens of billion in mainly military “aid” to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and even to border security in the U.S., all this is thrown into one bill. Then Congress is told to vote up or down on this kluge, this orgy, of destructive military weaponry.

And if Congress should dare to vote “no,” it can answer why it hates Jews and Israel, or why it’s weak on border security or China, or why it loves Putin.

Again, the cynicism here is breathtaking, and it’ll be interesting to see if a Jim Jordan-led House (assuming Jordan can cobble together the votes needed to become the next Speaker) will kowtow on this.

For U.S. cities desperate for federal aid, I suggest you declare war on Hamas and Gaza, denounce Putin, support Taiwan, and scream for tighter border security. It’s a surefire recipe for mountains of cash from Congress.

William J. Astore is a retired lieutenant colonel (USAF). He taught history for fifteen years at military and civilian schools. He writes at Bracing Views.