Summary and Key Points: The deployment of the U.S. Navy’s USS Georgia, an Ohio-class nuclear-powered submarine, to the Middle East serves as a powerful deterrent amid escalating tensions between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran.
-Equipped with up to 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Georgia adds significant strategic firepower to the region.
-Iran’s threats of retaliation over Israel's assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, coupled with Hezbollah's cross-border drone attacks on Israel, have heightened concerns of broader conflict.
-The U.S. move underscores its commitment to Israeli defense while signaling readiness to counter any further escalation, both militarily and through potential sanctions.
One benefit of having the world’s most capable navy is the ability to project power beyond one’s borders. In short order, the United States can deploy vessels around the globe, asserting a presence in hot spots or backing up an ally. The be-anywhere capability of the U.S. Navy is something Americans may take for granted. But few nations on Earth can project power the way the U.S. Navy can project power.
Case in point, USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered Ohio-class submarine, was just deployed to the Middle East.
“The United States deployed the USS Georgia in response to retaliation threats from Iran and Hezbollah against Israel for twin assassinations of Hezbollah’s top commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut and Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month,” Al Monitor reported.
Georgia can carry as many as 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles, instantly shifting the power dynamics wherever the Ohio-class submarine is present.
The current conflict in the Middle East, which has been raging since Hamas’ terrorist attack last Oct. 7, seems to be escalating. Hezbollah is drawing Israel’s ire after firing more than 320 drones and rockets into Israel in August.
“Israeli officials have threatened for months to launch a large-scale military offensive against Hezbollah if the US- and European-led diplomatic track fails to defuse Hezbollah’s cross-border attacks,” Al Monitor reported.
Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel Defense Forces’ chief of staff, toured Israel’s northern border earlier this week to get a feel for Israeli preparedness. Halevi’s visit was in response to a Hezbollah drone that had compromised Israeli air defenses and detonated against a building.
Iran, which backs Hezbollah, poses another potential problem. Tehran is expected to retaliate for Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The nature of the retaliation remains unclear; Iranian leaders have subtly suggested that Iran will counter with unconventional methods. “The commander of Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, warned in a speech on Monday that Iran’s response will differ from its previous attacks,” while “Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei hinted to a group of students in Tehran last month that there are means of fighting other than “taking up arms” in the modern era, including cyber means,” Al Monitor reported.
The U.S. deployment of USS Georgia to the region is designed to deter further escalation, and possibly to aid in the defense of Israel. U.S. President Joe Biden has also alluded to retaliatory sanctions, complementing the military threat with a financial threat.
The Georgia deployment also suggests that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is unlikely in the near future.
Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.
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