With renewed hostilities between US and Iranian forces, questions are certain to be raised about America’s endgame in the conflict.
But as the US Navy helps enforce a blockade on Iranian vessels around the Strait of Hormuz while facilitating a wider joint campaign, there is no question that the Navy’s efforts so far have not been a “failure.”
That was the contention made in these pages by Center for Strategic and International Studies analyst Mark Cancian on July 17. In an op ed, he argued that while US strategists and politicians shared a portion of blame for America’s inability to ensure safe passage through the Strait, the Navy failed to adequately plan for such a mission despite decades of forewarning.
Respectfully, that conclusion is premature and misdirected. The United States may not yet have achieved all strategic goals begun under Operation Epic Fury and follow-on strikes, but that does not make the Navy responsible for failure.
Carrier aviation, AEGIS-equipped warships and emerging unmanned mine warfare systems appear to have performed effectively. The US blockade of Iran is also creating pressure on Iran’s economy and war effort.
