Threatening or Playing Games?

Now here's some interesting news; it seems the French have moved the FS Charles De Gaulle, the only non-American nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier in the world, and its task force into the Arabian Sea. In doing so, it has become the 4th Western Aircraft Carrier currently within striking distance of Iran. Moreover, it is said to be working in cooperation with the American Naval task forces in the area.

Have the French finally decided to flex their military muscles in the Middle East? I mean, it's not that they don't have any (indeed, the French are considered to have, after the United States and Great Britain, perhaps the greatest 'power projection' capabilities in the world); but, rather, it's that they consistently fail to use them effectively. Now, this metaphor of flexing muscles brings me to my main point: what exactly are we going to do with all these Aircraft Carriers and Naval Task Forces sitting off the Iranian coast? Are they there to sit around, conduct drills and 'intimidate' Iran? 'Cause if that's the case, I don't think it's working.

In order for these shows of Naval Force, whether done by France or the United States, to be effective our enemies must actually feel, you know, threatened by them. If Iran thinks that the Charles de Gaulle is going to sit in the Arabian Sea, play a few war games, and never actually bomb them, they're probably not going to get too concerned about it. This, of course, is the real problem with this whole situation: we can put all the Aircraft Carriers and Battleships we want within striking distance of Iran; but at this point, Ahmadinejad knows we're bluffing.

When the situation arises, we must be willing to use these great symbols of Naval supremacy. Otherwise, we're just wasting our time.