ASSESSMENTS

Lebanon: What U.S. Warships off the Coast Do -- and Do Not -- Mean

Feb 29, 2008 | 17:13 GMT

U.S. Department of Defense

Summary

At least part of the USS Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group will pause in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lebanon and Syria during a routine deployment, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen said Feb. 28. While the ships' presence is sure to grab Syria's attention, it is not a precursor to a military strike. Rather, the United States is signaling to Syria, Iran and Hezbollah that any bold moves to impose their will on the Lebanese government or retaliate for the death of Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyah could have serious repercussions.

Several U.S. warships will join the USS Cole off the coast of Lebanon. While this is meant to grab Syria's attention, it is not a precursor to a military strike; it is a signal to the Syria-Iran-Hezbollah axis....

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