US ORDERS SUBMARINE AND AIRCRAFT CARRIERS TO SAIL MORE QUICKLY AMID RISING TENSIONS

Mon 12  August 2024:

In response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has directed a guided missile submarine to the region and accelerated the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group. This order came on Sunday evening after a conversation between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Galant, following the recent killing of senior members of Hamas and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Pentagon released a statement emphasizing Austin’s message to Galant: “Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.”

The USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered submarine, has been in the Mediterranean Sea since July, as confirmed by a US military social media post. Public announcements of submarine deployments are uncommon, making this move particularly noteworthy.

The USS Abraham Lincoln, previously stationed in the Asia Pacific, was already slated to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East, with the latter preparing to head home. Last week, Austin indicated that the Abraham Lincoln was expected to arrive by the end of the month, carrying advanced aircraft such as F-35 and F/A-18 fighter jets.

This deployment is part of a broader strategy by the US military to enhance Israeli defenses against potential Iranian attacks. The Pentagon noted that Austin and Gallant also discussed critical issues such as “the importance of mitigating civilian harm, progress towards securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Amid these developments, Washington and its allies are intensifying their efforts to broker a ceasefire. Hamas, on Sunday, urged the US, Qatar, and Egypt to present a plan for implementing the ceasefire proposal originally put forward in May by US President Joe Biden, rather than engaging in further negotiations and discussing new proposals for Gaza.