Starr notes that the easiest option would be to extend deployments of Navy ships passing through the region. That was done this week when three warships on reserve—carrying more than 2,000 Marines, Harrier jets, V-22 tilt rotor aircraft and a variety of helicopters— was ordered to head to Israel in case Americans needed evacuation in a worst case scenario.
“This is post-Benghazi,” the official said. “We’re looking at instability in Libya, Egypt, Syria and now Israel and Gaza.”
Perhaps Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knew America’s plans when he said today that the U.S. will cooperate with Israel to curb terror organizations rearming themselves.
President Obama told Netanyahu the US would intensify efforts to help Israel address the smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza.
Starr notes the Navy previously announced that four warships capable of providing ballistic missile defense—the USS Ross, the USS Donald Cook, the USS Carney and the USS Porter—will now be based at Rota, Spain.