And, on another front, per this comment on the MOA piece:

The US is no longer sending the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean, but rather to the 'Central Command area of responsibility' which includes the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. This followed attacks on US forces in Syria and Iraq who were fired on by Iranian-backed militias. The US wishes to avoid backing its forces on the ground, especially if they are taken hostage by rebel militias. They don't want a US ground war. There is also some evidence from remarks by US officials that they may be considering withdrawing US ground forces from Iraq, Jordan and Syria to avoid them being overwhelmed and taken hostage. According to John Helmer at Dances With Bears this signals an acknowledgement by the US of the vulnerability of US carrier groups to Russian Kinzhal missile attacks from the Black Sea. The Eisenhower Carrier Group moved to the Persian Gulf would be less of a target for the Kinzhal missiles which travel at Mach 8 and possess sophisticated targeting capabilities. They are virtually unstoppable. The US is extremely worried about the missile defense vulnerabilities of its naval forces. But the US is definitely itching for a war and I'm guessing long range ballistic missiles against Iran and, if necessary, Russia.

See also here

Posted by: Damien | Oct 25 2023 7:25 utc | 141