Interesting piece from Redstate, about this growing coalition (some requesting anonymity) that is supposed to secure freedom of navigation. If even half of the assessment is true, diplomatically, this is not looking good. If Egypt, who breathes on revenue from the Suez Canal, doesn't want to be part of any "US-led" anything, well, that probably doesn't portend success. Some interesting numbers of the ships in the mix (ahem, ahem):
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The Biden White House's grand idea for an international coalition to protect 10 percent of the world's shipping from the threat posed by a primitive Third World nation seems to be on the verge of a meltdown over the issue of American leadership of the operation. On Friday, I reported that France had withdrawn from Operation Prosperity Guardian, which was to be a US-led multinational coalition with the mission of keeping the Red Sea, and particularly the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, open to international shipping; see Biden's Plan to Safeguard Red Sea Trade From Houthis May Match Afghanistan in Incompetence. Since then, Italy and Spain have announced they will not participate in a US-led operation.
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For your convenience, the coalition members not sending ships are in italics.
United Kingdom — The UK will contribute one Type 45 destroyer, HMS Diamond. Four other destroyers are in the theater of operations but will not be a part of Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Bahrain — no one seems quite sure what, if anything, Bahrain is contributing.
Canada — Canada will send three staff officers.
France — The multirole frigate Languedoc will be in the operational area, but it will remain under French command.
Italy — Italy is sending the Bergamini/FREMM class frigate Virginio Fasan "to protect its national interests in response to specific requests made by Italian shipowners."
Netherlands — The Netherlands will send two staff officers.
Norway — Norway will send 10 staff officers.
Seychelles — Seychelles will share information but will not provide physical assets or men.
Spain — Spain will only participate in EU or NATO-led operations. It has not sent ships to the area.
New Members
Greece — Greece is sending one frigate to participate in Operation Prosperity Guardian.
Australia — Australia was asked to contribute naval assets; they are sending 11 staff officers.
Denmark — Denmark is sending one staff officer.
European Union
The European Union announced it would lend a hand.
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You can
read the whole thing here.
