I noticed a small article last week that said the U.S. Navy believes that Iran could now shut down the Straits of Hormuz. This area is the chokepoint in the Persian Gulf through which 40% of all the oil in the world passes, so the strategic implications to the world economy are enormous. The article below questions whether the Navy could reopen the Straits if Iran decided to close them, as it certainly would if Israel decided to strike at its nuclear program. The author's answer is "yes" but maybe not quickly because the Navy has lost its edge in performing its core competency: control of the seas. Diplomacy is laudable but when the talking stops and vital interests are at stake, you had best make sure that Teddy Roosevelt's "Big Stick" is ready to go. Politicians and Navy brass take note.
www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/017/344friup.asp
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