Republican Senator and Committee Vice Chair Susan Collins recently asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about
a New
York Times report that “Iranian-backed terrorists continue to
attack U.S. forces in the region.” Here is the exchange:
COLLINS:
Secretary Austin, as you indicated in your opening remarks, Iranian backed
terrorist proxy groups in the region have launched numerous drone and rocket
attacks against our forces, U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq. According to press
reports, there have been at least 20 such attacks and 19 U.S. service members
have been wounded. It’s imperative that Iran and its proxy groups understand
that they cannot attack American forces with impunity. I know that last week,
President Biden ordered two U.S. strikes against facilities in Syria used by
Iranian proxies to threaten our troops. But The New York Times has reported
over the weekend that Iranian backed terrorists continue to attack U.S. forces
in the region even after these airstrikes, since these U.S. airstrikes
apparently have not been sufficient to deter additional attacks on our troops
by Iranian backed proxies. What else is the department doing to stop attacks
against American troops?
AUSTIN:
Thanks. Sure. First of all, let me emphasize that the protection, the safety
of our troops and our civilians is of utmost importance to me and of utmost
importance to the president as well. We’ve taken a number of steps to make sure
that we increase our force protection posture. We’ve deployed a number of
assets into the region as well. We’ve been clear. The president’s been clear--
and I have been clear right here-- that if this doesn’t stop, then we will respond. And so we maintain the right to respond.
We have the capability to do that. And we will respond at a time and place of
our choosing.
Well, that’s reassuring! After just 20 or so
attacks, we’ve increased our “force protection posture!” Yay! That oughta show
‘em! And we’ve deployed a number
of “assets” into the region. And, by golly, we maintain the right to respond!
And we are capable of doing that, we’ll have you know! Moreover, if these incessant
rocket attacks that have wounded so many of our troops don’t stop, we will
respond! At a time and place of our choosing! Maybe even this year-- and
in the Middle East somewhere and against Iranian-backed entities of some kind! Possibly
militarily! So there!
Translation: don’t mess with Uncle Sam or we might misgender you--
or cut off sales of essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics, and toiletries to you!
($651,120 in 2022!)
Reports
indicate that Iran has attacked U.S. forces at least 28 times in
recent days. 28 times! Another 28 or so and we’ll respond! Maybe. How
embarrassing.
Hamas
butchered more than 30 American citizens. Another baker’s dozen or so are
unaccounted for, likely being held hostage inside Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza. Yet
the Biden administration hasn’t seriously or effectively pressured Hamas to
return them. Disgusting. The Biden administration is, however, constantly
pressuring Israel to be measured—or “proportionate”—in its response to
the Hamas terrorist attacks.
I am
anything but a warmonger. But this isn’t Ukraine. We are talking about repeated
direct attacks on American troops. 28 and counting. No other American president,
with the exception of Obama, would have been so unconcerned with attacks such
as these. (But, what do we expect after the Afghanistan debacle?) Every other one
of them, from George Washington to Donald trump, would have retaliated in one substantive
way or another. Though that likely wouldn’t have been necessary, as Iran would have
known that, so the attacks probably wouldn’t have occurred in the first place. Does
the Biden administration have a bizarre case of Stockholm
Syndrome?
Teddy
Roosevelt admonished us to “speak softly and carry a big stick.” The Biden
administration often yammers on loudly…but can’t even find its twig.
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