Vice Admiral Moore argument, contradicts the Navy’s own studies and analysis about 5th Fleet Basing importance – more bullshit piled on failed US foreign policy in Bahrain

[cb editor: read next article in contrast to the crap Vice Admiral Moore is spewing…]

MOORE: Bahrain, a vital U.S. ally – Backing protesters would betray a friend and harm American security
By Vice Adm. Charles W. Moore – The Washington Times – November 30, 2011

Imagine a world in which U.S. and allied forces had to travel thousands of extra miles to defend vital interests in the Middle East.

Imagine how pleased the Iranians would be if they knew their navy could have uncontested access to anywhere in the Gulf without fear of an immediate response.

If that’s not the kind of world you want to confront, then you should care greatly about continuing the incredibly important U.S. partnership with Bahrain.

As former Middle East force commander and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. William Crowe, has said, Bahrain is “pound for pound, man for man, the best ally the United States has anywhere in the world.”

Bahrain has been there for us during good times and bad since the end of World War II.

In 1948, Sheik Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the amir of Bahrain, courageously decided to allow U.S. Navy ships to use Bahrain as a port of call.

U.S. forces established a full-time basing arrangement with Bahrain in 1971. This agreement took on new significance during the first Gulf War, with forces in that country providing critical support for the liberation of Kuwait.

In recognition of the need for an ongoing, large naval presence in the Middle East, the 5th Fleet was established in 1995 with its headquarters in Bahrain.

Since that time, the extraordinary U.S.-Bahrain security partnership has only continued to grow, and the U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters has become the centerpiece of allied efforts to promote peace and stability in the Gulf.

We and our friends in the region depend on Bahrain for operations covering almost 2.5 million square miles of water area, including the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. …more