Originally Posted by
ORAC
It would seem the delay is because the US isn’t yet ready…. Presumably waiting for CTGs, MEU and FJ deployments to get into position and combat ready.
US ground forces in Iraq are already experiencing daily drone and other attacks..
Several U.S. Defense officials have stated the Israeli government has notified them that their continuous requests for delays in regards to the ground invasion of Gaza, which Secretary Austin reportedly urgently conveyed over the weekend, is beginning to “wear thin,” but that the Department of Defense still doesn’t believe they are prepared for a major outbreak of violence and attacks throughout the region, which they believe will occur when the invasion begins, with assets and troops still moving into position and possible targets still being Identified…..
As mentioned in one of your previous posts, deploying another THAAD system w/ Patriots is telling, esp given that US assets in Syria and Iraq like Al-Tanf have suddenly gotten more strategic (and vulnerable to larger scale attacks) as the war of words between Tel Aviv and Tehran has become more heated, pointed, and direct. With Tehran threatening to unleash Hezbollah if the IDF goes into Gaza and Tel Aviv vowing to "cut off the head of the snake" if they do, direct US involvement is almost certain if, this time, it so happens everyone in the area suddenly decides to keep their promises to one another.
We know where the Navy is and, although there hasn't been much reporting on it, I assume beginning on the 7th golf courses from Missouri to the ME and Indian Ocean have emptied and the USAF has been diligently brain-working through a whole new set of potential targets, and not limited to Syria and/or southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah alone has a massive stockpile of rockets and missiles not to mention their 60,000+ members so Hamas/Gaza becomes a sideshow if that party begins in earnest. Taking a bit more time to get squared away in order to take out as much of that force as possible during the first 24-48 hours if it does kick off is best because the tunnels in Gaza and those in them aren't going anywhere.