Is escalating the conflict by bombing the Houthis the way to go?

Not everyone is willing to talk.

I have for many years held a particular (not positive) view of America as a superpower, I am beginning to change my view I think. I have never been as grateful for the presence of America as a global force so to speak than I have been in the last few months.

They did the right thing, you can not attack global shipping in International waters.
They had been warned and chose to ignore it, had to face the consequences.

Visgir1

They did the right thing, you can not attack global shipping in International waters.
They had been warned and chose to ignore it, had to face the consequences.

I agree.

The Houthis cannot be allowed to hold the west to ransom by excerting control of the Red Sea and forcing ships to take the much longer route around the Cape. It’s a major trade route. Remember Suez?

The Houthis have been provoking a response for some weeks, the responds is going to make no difference to their determination, while they have the missiles they will continue just as Hamas has. Iran will keep them supplied with weapons for sure, the risk is that they will target a major ship with multiple missiles together and one will get through, then it will escalate massively.

The Houthis knew that by attacking ships in the Red Sea they would eventually have their bases destroyed.

No terrorist group can be allowed to attack innocent civilians.

Indeed. Terrorists don’t respond to diplomacy.

Whitewavemark2

It seems to me it is the very worse course to take.

Surely diplomacy is much more sensible?

WWM2, I agree about bombing not being the best idea, but have no idea what else would work. Perhaps you could help me out.
Diplomacy only works if you can get both groups to the table.

I agree with what has been done though ask the question where are the French, Germans, Dutch and Italians?
All countries are being damaged by global shipping routes being blocked. A group of countries must surely appear better than the usual two who look like aggressors in some eyes after the debacle in Iraq. It must impact the Chinese economy their quickest way to European countries is through the Suez Canal.
I can remember the Suez crisis, my father had been in the Navy during WW2 and they had been on stand-by and his call-up papers came.
I also had a cousin who fought in the Navy in Suez when quite a lot of his friends lost their lives.

I do find it interesting how some people seem to believe we can have constructive diplomatic talks with terrorists.

Lovely idea but never going to happen

Whitewavemark2

It seems to me it is the very worse course to take.

Surely diplomacy is much more sensible?

😁That’s what the late not so great Corbyn would have written.

I agree with everyone else, you can’t allow a terrorist group to control the seas and to try and steal the goods for themselves and Iran and to attack civilian ships and UK or US ships.

Bella23 Yeah exactly, where are the other countries, do we always have to do their fighting for them.

I agree Bella23 why is it always UK & USA . China doesn't get involved either.

Diplomacy is unlikely to find a Houthi to talk with. The ultimate issue is the Iranian regime which stirs up trouble wherever it can. You can damage the web but the spider will rebuild it and this spider desires nuclear weapons. A bunch of religious bigots in charge of nuclear missiles is worrying.

where are the other countries, do we always have to do their fighting for them

We get involved in too many foreign conflicts while other governments sit on their hands and do nothing.

I'm glad someone else thinks like me oreo and sodapop, I'm not saying we shouldn't but why can more of the European countries not see the threat or be willing to do something? Just like in Ukraine, they are tardy with arms and money.
China always appears to sit and watch very carefully.

Why US and UK indeed? Where are the rest of the western countries in need of these trade routes?

From SKY news website

Has diplomacy with pirates ever worked?

I agree with those who say that it would be better if we could have more countries prepared to get involved.

Couldn't agree more! Where indeed are the French, Germans and other countries who rely on this trade route? .it's always us and the US, and always us two who get the disapproval of other nations who do in fact benefit! Hypocrisy comes.to mind.

Failing to vote for ceasefire in Gaza has provoked this. Seems to me that goods are more valuable than lives. Why do we have to be US poodle?

Even if we voted for a ceasefire in Gaza, we in the UK have no way of enforcing our vote.
I am struggling to understand why Saudi Arabia is not actively fighting the Houthis along with the USA and UK.

Indeed it's always been a brilliant idea to agree to absolutely everything someone requests because they threaten force.