In a significant development, the United States has executed airstrikes on three facilities in Iraq, reportedly utilized by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia.
This action was in response to an assault on Erbil Air Base on Christmas Day, which resulted in injuries to three American servicemembers, one of whom is in critical condition.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, in an official statement, said, "Today, at President Biden's direction, U.S. military forces conducted necessary and proportionate strikes on three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups in Iraq. These precision strikes are a response to a series of attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias, including an attack by Iran-affiliated Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups on Erbil Air Base earlier today, and intended to disrupt and degrade capabilities of the Iran-aligned militia groups directly responsible."
President Biden was briefed about the attacks early Sunday, but the decision to respond was not made until 8:45 p.m.
Regardless of one's stance on the deployment of U.S. forces to Iraq and Syria, it is undeniable that they are stationed there under the directive of the President. In fact, four consecutive presidents have made this decision. Given that these servicemembers are placed in harm's way, it is incumbent upon us to ensure their safety. Since Biden assumed the presidency, U.S. forces have been attacked hundreds of times. Earlier in December, it was reported that American Forces were attacked by Iranian Proxies 84 times in 52 days, and Biden did not respond. That number has now escalated to 102, with only six retaliatory attacks in return.
Despite an American serviceman being critically injured in a terrorist attack on Christmas Day, Austin emphasized the "proportionate" nature of the strikes, almost as if he was apologizing to Iran for the attacks. This approach suggests a reluctance to provoke Iran, reminiscent of the response to the Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
As long as the consequences of attacking Americans and American installations remain minimal, such incidents are likely to continue. Future attacks will not be confined to the Iranians and their proxies. Terrorists in other regions are observing our response and strategizing accordingly. China is also likely doing the same.
In a previous post, it was warned, "It is only a matter of time until Americans get killed." The question arises why Biden is so apprehensive about offending Iran that he would rather receive coffins at Dover AFB than take decisive action.
In response to the recent attack on U.S. Destroyer and several other ships in the Red Sea, it was stated, "Sorry, letting barbaric, lice-infected nations lob missiles at your warships and neutral shipping in international waters says anything but 'strong and steady leadership.'" The current actions have made us vulnerable, and it's time to adopt a more assertive stance. As Caligula once said, "Let them hate us, so long as they fear us." Perhaps a reading of Machiavelli's "The Prince" could provide some guidance. Without fear and respect, leadership is impossible, and currently, we lack both.
The cycle of attacks will only cease when the cost of attacking Americans and American interests surpasses the benefits.
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