Statements by #Macron, #Austin show reluctance of ‘war party’ to change its course, says #Lavrov Statements by Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and French President Emmanuel Macron indicate that the "party of war" does not want to change its course toward "inflicting strategic defeat on Russia," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference following the Antalya Diplomatic Forum. "The situation clearly indicates that the "war camp" in Europe is still very strong <...> The latest statements by both Macron and Austin, and the conversation of German generals still indicate that the "war party" still does not want to change its course to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield. We understand it," he said. In the past few months, there have been many analytical publications hinting that Western leadership has begun to understand the futility of continuing to push Ukraine towards military action, Lavrov noted. However, recent statements by top officials, including the exposure of the German military command, indicate the opposite.

US, UK pummel #Houthi sites across #Yemen as Red Sea attacks escalate In 4th joint operation, fighter jets hit 18 targets in 8 locations; Iran-backed rebels denounce ‘US-British aggression’ while Washington admits Houthis yet to be deterred The US and Britain struck 18 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, answering a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed rebel group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including a missile strike this past week that set fire to a cargo vessel. According to US officials, American and British fighter jets hit sites in eight locations, targeting missiles, launchers, rockets, drones, and air defense systems. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to provide early details of an ongoing military operation. This is the fourth time that the US and British militaries have conducted a combined operation against the Houthis since January 12. But the US has also been carrying out almost daily strikes to take out Houthi targets, including incoming missiles and drones aimed at ships, as well as weapons that were prepared to launch. The US F/A-18 fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which is currently in the Red Sea, officials said. “The United States will not hesitate to take action, as needed, to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways,” said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. “We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that they will bear the consequences if they do not stop their illegal attacks.”

According to Israeli Media, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a Phone Call tonight with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss the ongoing Situation across the Middle East and the Regional Threat to American and Israeli Forces. With this Call coming prior to the possible beginning of a Large-Scale Military Campaign by the United States, with Coordination from Israel, against Iranian-Backed Forces across the Region.

20-Plus Countries Have Joined U.S.-Led Red Sea Coalition, Pentagon Asserts More than 20 countries have signed on to join a U.S.-led naval coalition tasked with protecting Red Sea maritime traffic from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia, according to the U.S. Defense Department. “We’ve had over 20 nations now sign on to participate,” Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said at a Dec. 21 press briefing. “The nations that have agreed to publicly discuss their participation, we’ve put those out there,” he told reporters. “We’ll allow other countries and defer to them to talk about their participation,” Mr. Ryder added. Earlier this week, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the launch of the multinational coalition, dubbed “Operation Prosperity Guardian.” The operation’s stated aim is to protect Red Sea traffic from attacks by the Shiite Houthi militia, which overran much of Yemen—including the capital Sanaa—in 2014. In announcing the launch of the coalition, Mr. Austin listed its members as the UK, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Bahrain, and Seychelles. In his remarks on Dec. 21, Mr. Ryder said Australia and Greece had also “highlighted their participation in this operation.”

U.S. Navy deploys missile destroyer Laboon to Middle East The U.S. Navy missile destroyer Laboon has been deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure security in the Middle East, the US Central Command said. "USS Laboon transits the Suez Canal, December 18. Laboon is deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region," the command said on X (formerly Twitter). On December 15, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered extending the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea for a few more days. According to the Associated Press, the defense secretary's decision was driven by instability in the region that was caused by Israel's war in Gaza. This is the third time the aircraft carrier’s deployment in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea has been extended, the AP said. The Washington Post reported that US forces in the Middle East have been subjected to at least 76 attacks by militants since October 17 amid the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.