Why the US Navy won't blast the Iranians and 'open' Strait of Hormuz (responsiblestatecraft.org)

Article summary

The US Navy is hesitant to intervene in the Strait of Hormuz due to the risk of attack from Iranian missiles and drones. The era of carrier-dominated airpower is fading, and the proliferation of cheap, effective, and unmanned anti-ship systems has shifted the balance in favor of shore-based weapons. This change raises questions about the future of navies and the wisdom of investment in expensive instruments of national power. The US Navy's inability to safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz has significant implications for global trade and the economy.

Main themes

• US naval power
• Iranian missiles and drones
• global trade and economy
• naval warfare strategy
• anti-ship systems
• military intervention risks

What commenters say

• The US military's ability to project power is limited by the proliferation of cheap and effective anti-ship systems, making a ground invasion or naval intervention risky and potentially costly.
• Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz gives it significant leverage over the global economy, and even a limited number of attacks on tankers could have a major impact.
• The US and other Western nations are vulnerable to disruptions in global trade, and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could have severe economic consequences.
• The development of countermeasures to mitigate the threat of anti-ship missiles and drones is crucial to maintaining the security of global shipping lanes.
• A military solution to the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely, and a diplomatic solution may be the only way to resolve the issue.
• The US Navy's inability to safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz highlights the need for a new strategy for naval warfare in the face of emerging technologies and changing global dynamics.
• The global economy is highly interconnected, and a disruption in one region can have far-reaching consequences, making it essential to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.