--- title: BASING U.S. SHIPS IN NEARBY WATERS TO COUNTER THREATS IN THE RED SEA description: American missile strikes on Houthi forces in the Red Sea underscore the Navy's critical role in protecting one of the world's busiest trade routes. image: https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/Why%20is%20Iran%20focusing%20on%20its%20maritime%20capabilities.png --- ###### 2 min read # BASING U.S. SHIPS IN NEARBY WATERS TO COUNTER THREATS IN THE RED SEA By: [ CIMSEC ](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/author/cimsec) on June 10, 2024 at 9:00 AM [Yemen](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/yemen) [Southern Red Sea](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/southern-red-sea) [china](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/china) [Houthi](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/houthi) [Red Sea](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/red-sea) [yemen ports](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/yemen-ports) [Gaza](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/tag/gaza) - [**](https://twitter.com/GlobalDryad) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dryad-global/) - [**](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZSIjPkeq7iDcsj4r9TF9mg?sub_confirmation=1) ![Featured Image](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/Why%20is%20Iran%20focusing%20on%20its%20maritime%20capabilities.png) American missile strikes on Houthi forces in the Red Sea underscore the Navy's critical role in protecting one of the world's busiest trade routes.  With persistent aggression from Iran and its proxies, maintaining a naval presence in the Arabian Peninsula remains essential, despite the primary focus on countering China in the Indo-Pacific and deterring Russia. Deploying vessels to the Red Sea is resource-intensive and time-consuming, with a carrier from San Diego taking about 20 days to reach the region. This limits U.S. naval capabilities in the western Pacific, critical if China invades Taiwan. Access to the Suez Canal, essential for East Coast vessels, is not guaranteed due to Egypt's economic instability and increasing reliance on Russian military support and Chinese investment. This geopolitical vulnerability necessitates a backup plan for U.S. Navy deployments eastward. A permanent U.S. naval presence in the Red Sea region, potentially within the Fifth Fleet's area of responsibility, could mitigate these challenges. This requires identifying a host country. The U.A.E., with major ports and political alignment with U.S. interests, faces security concerns due to its ties with China. Oman offers strategic proximity to the Iranian coast and Red Sea, though its balanced relations with Iran and the U.S. may complicate basing agreements. Kenya, while supportive of U.S. interests and beneficial for Red Sea operations, is geographically less strategic for Persian Gulf deterrence. India, a key defense partner, presents an opportunity for enhanced cooperation against China and Iran but risks complicating its relations with Russia and China. A model for this approach is the decade-long deployment of U.S. destroyers to Naval Station Rota, Spain, enhancing NATO defense and regional contingency operations. A similar deployment east of Suez would signal U.S. commitment to safeguarding global trade and countering Iranian threats, complementing Air Force tactical squadrons in the Middle East as suggested by defense expert Michael O’Hanlon. Ultimately, unconventional basing strategies are needed to address asymmetrical threats like the Houthis while maintaining focus on the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. must balance immediate regional security needs with broader strategic objectives, ensuring robust maritime security across multiple theaters.    [![Download the latest Metis Insights NOW](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4795492/d9290196-d985-413a-8c3c-f3325017508f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4795492/d9290196-d985-413a-8c3c-f3325017508f) [Source: CIMSEC](https://cimsec.org/basing-u-s-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea/#respond) ###### Share article [![Share on Facebook](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/fb.png?width=24&name=fb.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Fbasing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/linkedin.png?width=24&name=linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Fbasing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/twitter.png?width=24&name=twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Fbasing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Fbasing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=BASING%20U.S.%20SHIPS%20IN%20NEARBY%20WATERS%20TO%20COUNTER%20THREATS%20IN%20THE%20RED%20SEA) [![Share on Pinterest](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/pinterest.png?width=24&name=pinterest.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Fbasing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=https%3A%2F%2Ff.hubspotusercontent40.net%2Fhubfs%2F4795492%2FDrayad_DMP21%2FImages%2Fpinterest.png) [![Share on Email](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Drayad_DMP21/Images/mail.png?width=24&name=mail.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Fbasing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fchannel16.dryadglobal.com%2Farchive%2Fbasing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) #### Related Posts ### [Escalation Beneath the Waves: The Looming Threat.. The Red Sea, a crucial artery for global trade, faces a new menace in the form of Unmanned Undersea..](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/escalation-beneath-the-waves-the-looming-threat-of-houthi-uuvs-in-the-red-sea) ### [The Complex Dynamics Surrounding the U.S. Naval.. In response to escalating threats and disruptions to maritime security in the Red Sea, the United..](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/the-complex-dynamics-surrounding-the-u.s.-naval-task-force-in-the-red-sea) ### [U.S. Coast Guard train with Nigerian Navy on.. Twenty-four officers of the Nigerian Navy are participating in a four-week intensive U.S. Coast..](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/u.s.-coast-guard-train-with-nigerian-navy-on-maritime-law-enforcement) ##### Twitter Feeds Twitter Feeds [Follow @GlobalDryad](https://twitter.com/GlobalDryad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   ##### Channel 16 Channel 16 ###### [Cross-Strait relations in the Lai era](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/cross-strait-relations-in-the-lai-era) On May 20, Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as Taiwan's new president, prompting significant military... ##### Know More Know More ##### Reach Us Reach Us Press/media contact [Email Us](mailto:press@dryadglobal.com) General Enquiries [Contact Us Here](https://share.hsforms.com/1nNmumgLKRy6b7zdktrR3FQ2us84) [![DG Logo Horizontal NEW White](https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Branding/DG%20Logo%20Horizontal%20NEW%20White.png?width=280&height=100&name=DG%20Logo%20Horizontal%20NEW%20White.png "DG Logo Horizontal NEW White")](https://dryadglobal.com) © 2024 Dryad Global. All Rights Reserved [**](https://twitter.com/GlobalDryad)[**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dryad-global/)[**](https://www.youtube.com/c/IMSAGlobalDryad) ** ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1152100&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "CIMSEC", "url" : "https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/author/cimsec" }, "dateModified" : "2024-06-10T08:00:00.407Z", "datePublished" : "2024-06-10T08:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "BASING U.S. SHIPS IN NEARBY WATERS TO COUNTER THREATS IN THE RED SEA", "image" : [ "https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/Why%20is%20Iran%20focusing%20on%20its%20maritime%20capabilities.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/archive/basing-u.s.-ships-in-nearby-waters-to-counter-threats-in-the-red-sea", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://channel16.dryadglobal.com/hubfs/DG%20Logo%20Featured%20Image%20Green.png" }, "name" : "Dryad Global Ltd" } } ```