If so, this may the first time that the US Navy has gotten involved in active gunboat diplomacy since the US battleship New Jersey pounded Lebanon on behalf of Israel: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/26/us-yemen-security-strikes-idUSKBN0NH04C20150426
These could be Egyptian vessels. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world...455830-d343-11e4-8b1e-274d670aa9c9_story.html The last active US battleship, the New Jersey, was retired shortly after bombarding Lebanon in 1984.
The Iowa class BB's were decommissioned during the G.H. Bush (41) administration after we won the Cold War to be put back in the reserve fleet to be ready to go back to war in the future. But President Clinton decided to break the law that Congress passed and G.H. Bush signed into law and turned all of the Iowa class battleships into museums. All four of the Iowa's were still on active duty during the first Gulf war. The first Tomahawk missiles that were launched during the first Gulf war were launched by a Iowa class battleship.
If they are U.S. Navy guns, those little 5"/54 pop guns aren't going to scare anyone. The 5"/54 naval gun. This is when you use gunboat diplomacy and you need a real warship to show the flag, something like an Iowa class battleship with it's nine 16"/50 guns that can be heard from 100 miles away when they fire their guns, a nine gun salvo could turn 1/2 of a square mile into a parking lot.
More on the escalation of the war in Yemen, but still no info on whose warships "pounded an area near the port of the southern city of Aden." http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/26/us-yemen-security-strikes-idUSKBN0NH04C20150426
Don't even bother, this person does not even care what others say, just wants to stand on a soap box and pontificate at others. Heck, he does not even know what "Gunboat Diplomacy" is! And such an obviously stupid remark (such as the USS New Jersey being the last BB and retired shortly after 1984) shows absolutley no research capability at all.
Stick your head out of the horse manure, mushroom. Your argument is with Wikipedia and other sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Jersey_(BB-62) "Battleship New Jersey...was reactivated once more in the 1980's...In 1983 she participated in US operations during the Lebanese Civil War...New Jersey was decommissioned for the last time in 1991." Please explain what Gunboat Diplomacy is.
Wow, talk about offensive because you do not like being called on being wrong? Here, let's remind you of what you said, shall we? There are 7 years between 1984 and 1991. And not only was it not the "last active Battleship", it was not even the next to last. The USS Missouri was decommissioned in March 1992, and the USS Wisconsin was decommissioned in September 1992. So that is yet something else you are wrong on. As for "Gunboat Diplomacy", it is also known as "Big Stick" Diplomacy. It is not the use of ships in operations, but the threat of using a ship against a nation that you are potentially in conflict with to bend them to your will. Neither of these apply in this situation, you are trying to fit one thing into another because it suits your desire. Trust me, do not try to get into this kind of debate with me. You are just pissed because you made a claim and were proven wrong. Just say "Yea, my bad. It was decommissioned years later after 2 other ships" and move on. We all make mistakes at times, even I do. Admitting the mistake and being respectful is what an adult does. Reacting with anger and saying you were right all along (when proven you are wrong yet again) is something a child does. Oh, and Wikipedia says you are wrong. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_class_battleship
This is a better source when it comes to Iowa class BB's. -> < http://warships1discussionboards.yu...d-Battleships-Be-Back-In-Service#.VT52KBz3-iw > So is this one. -> http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_16-50_mk7.htm This is even better. -> http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/search_battleships.html I'm also a pretty good source when it comes to the Iowas class BB's since I served with Sub Unit One, 1st ANGLICO, I was a Shore Fire Control Party Man (MOS 0849) in layman terms I spotted naval gunfire and got it on target in Vietnam. Seen the USS New Jersey fire it's 16" guns close up at sea and also was on the other end to see what those 16" 2,700 lb and 1,900 lb projectiles could do when they hit their targets. Re: Gunboat diplomacy you have to understand geopolitics. For example Putin is a chess master on the geopolitical chess board while Obama plays checkers. Gunboat diplomacy: Back to the Iowa class battleships and gunboat diplomacy.
Exactly my friend. In Gunboat Diplomacy, it is not the use of the boats, but the threat of their use that gets a nation to change how it operates. Sailing a Carrier Group into the Gulf of Sidra is "Gunboat Diplomacy" in action in the late 20th century. The leader of a North African nation tried to say "this is all our water, everybody else stay out". The US sends in it's ships, saying "no it is not, we can go wherever we please in International Waters". The US did not attack that nation because of this, it only responded when it was attacked. The same thing with US ships in the Persian Gulf, as a nation there has been trying to claim that it "owns" the Straight of Hormuz, and we run our ships through it to show that they indeed do not. Another is what is going on with China. That is Gunboat Diplomacy, trying to use their ships to enforce claims on territory that belongs to other nations. But notice, China is not attacking them, simply using it's military might to show that it can control what it occupies. But when a nation uses it's ships to attack another, that is not "Gunboat Diplomacy", since there is no diplomacy at all involved. Just gunboats. And the biggest fail, notice the "?" in the OP, and that there is nothing in his reference stating that the US has in fact shelled Yemen. So far all of the attacks have been from air as far as I am aware, and predominantly by Saudi Arabia. However, to be accurate there is "Gunboat Diplomacy" by the US involved here. The fact that the fleet is there has forced Iran to turn around it's ships that were supplying the rebels with arms. Gunboat Diplomacy at it's finest, and not a shot fired from either side.
Okay, you're right, both the Missouri and the Wisconsin fired their big guns in anger after the New Jersey. So, who's shelling Yemen?
You tell me. You are the one making the charge that the US is "shelling Yemen", you are the one that has to back that claim up with proof. Sorry, I pretty much ignore the lazy individuals who simply go "I say this is true, you have to prove I am wrong". If you make a claim, you had better be able to back it up, do not be one of those lazy people who demands that others confirm their claims.
I said the US Navy "may be shelling Yemen." It could be Egypt or some other country. It's interesting that no one seems to know. Someone also apparently has a naval blockade on Yemen: http://news.antiwar.com/2015/04/27/food-medicine-shortages-mount-in-blockaded-yemen/
You know, I could also just say that you may be having sexual relations with sheep. Why, I did not say that you are, just that you may be. See the difference? Once again, you are trying to imply things without any evidence whatsoever. And yes, I am aware of the blockade, did I not mention it already by implication? What do you think turned away those Iranian ships with weapons the other day, the Blue Fairy?
I am not having sexual relations with sheep. You probably don't believe me, but I never do while I'm on the computer. I'm implying zilch, zip, nada. I truly think that it's strange that not even Reuters nor Al Jazeera seems to know who is shelling Yemen from the sea, and I'm not at all sure that it's the US.
I am done with you, time for some troll-be-gone. When you are able to say what you mean and not toss around crapola implications and back up your claims and statements with facts, not ducking and dodging. You said may many times, with absolutely nothing to back it up. That my friend is nothing more then "I am making things up, don't ask me to verify anything I say".
Iranians turn back Saudi ship in the Straight of Hormuz. http://view.s7.exacttarget.com/?j=f...663057d7212&jb=ffcf14&ju=fec812767165047b&r=0
And it just continues on. http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/polit...ship-u-s-official-says-no-americans-on-board/ It is not a Saudi ship. It is a Marshall Islands ship, the M/V Maersk Tigris. The Marshall Islands are now an independent nation, formerly a US Territory. It however has a Compact of Free Association with the US, giving it full protection of the US and it's military. So in essence this is the same as a US flagged ship as far as protection offered. Maersk is the same shipping company involved in the M/V Maersk Alabama incident, where a US flagged ship was taken by pirates in 2009. Research, try some someday.
Yes, the US Navy is projecting some power by escorting cargo ships, but it seems that since the big guns of the battleships are now either parts of museums or dismantled, that Drone Strike Diplomacy has become a larger part of foreign policy than Gunboat Diplomacy.
Gunboat diplomacy doesn't refer just to gunboats. It is the threat of military force that might include gunboats, but could involve political assassinations, "Shock and Awe" bombing, droning, and/or an invasion of some kind. The mere threat of force, as with the "boy who cried wolf," isn't good enough unless the threatening power is willing to back it up. In his short book, Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace, Gore Vidal lists the names of "almost 200 US military incursions since 1945." http://www.amazon.com/Perpetual-War...=gore+vidal+perpetual+war+for+perpetual+peace
Aid shipment reaches Yemen's conflict-hit Aden May 25, 2015 - 10:07:51 am http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/i...id-shipment-reaches-yemen-s-conflict-hit-aden Aden---A ship carrying 460 tonnes of Emirati humanitarian aid docked Sunday in Yemen's restive port city of Aden, as a Saudi-led coalition bombarded Shiite rebels across the country. The United Nations, which is hoping to host a conference on Yemen in Geneva next week, says that more than 1,600 people have been killed in the country since late March. Close to half a million more have been displaced and, although some aid trickled in last week during a five-day ceasefire, people still lack basic needs, including water, electricity and fuel. The shipment, including medical and food supplies, is the second from the United Arab Emirates following the delivery of 1,200 tonnes of aid last week, said local aid coordinator Ali al-Bikri. Another ship carrying 400 tonnes of diesel also arrived on Friday, said Bikri, who was appointed by Yemen's government-in-exile. "Aden needs urgently at least 200,000 food rations for the displaced," Bikri added. Aden has been rocked by fierce fighting between the Shiite Huthi rebels backed by troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and southern fighters allied with exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. The president has taken refuge in Saudi Arabia along with his government since the rebels overran much of the country and challenged his authority. In a bid to restore the authority of Hadi and his government, Saudi Arabia has been leading an air campaign against the Iran-backed Huthis since March 26. - Panic in Sanaa - Sporadic clashes rocked Aden on Sunday, killing two civilians and six rebels, after a day of fierce fighting that raged in the north, east and west of the city. Air raids also struck several targets in the evening, including the landing strip at Aden airport, and the city's northern suburbs, officials said. Strikes by the Saudi-led coalition also hit positions of the pro-Saleh elite Republican Guard in the central province of Taez, as well as rebel posts in Raymah province, west of Sanaa, witnesses said. Sources close to the Huthis said at least 10 of the rebels' fighters were killed in the air strikes. Ten civilians also died and 80 were wounded in shelling of several neighbourhoods of Taez, Yemen's third largest city, medics said. Coalition warplanes circled Sanaa several times on Sunday prompting rebel forces on the ground to open fire on them with anti-aircraft guns, triggering panic among residents, an AFP correspondent said. Witnesses said a Republican Guard base west of Sanaa was hit three times by coalition raids, after a night in which strikes also targeted arms depots belonging to the rebels southwest of the capital. AFP
Britain condemns Yemen attack on Saudi Arabia. ww.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20150607246440 How's that for a double standard? (This story is available from several sources, but I'm editing this to say that I can't get any of the links to work.)
