Send the Frigates – The Atlantic
America’s allies, particularly but not exclusively the Europeans, have very good reasons to be furious with the Trump administration. Quite apart from Donald Trump’s gratuitous insults and shocking threats (particularly to take Greenland), they are rightly incensed that the United States, together with Israel, launched the latest campaign against Iran without consultation or forewarning. Their first reaction to requests for help escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz has been some version of “You made your bed, now lie in it.” Even the Saudis, no friends of Iran, are reported to have temporarily cut off access to American air bases out of anger at getting no heads up from the Americans about the latest decision to guide American ships through the strait. All understandable, but a serious error from the point of view of their own interests. The fundamental situation is this: The American blockade of the strait, though belated (it began only on April 13, six weeks into the war), is effective. Despite its paucity of mine-clearing vessels, and probably using previously unknown or …
