In the face of a recent Houthi attack in Yemen, the U.S. Navy launched a convoy operation codenamed "Guardian of Prosperity," with a specific plan to unite multiple countries and form a multinational force to protect ships passing through the Red Sea. Soon after the call was issued, it was echoed by a number of countries, and the US Navy thought that this was the case. However, when the plan was really implemented, the problem came out, and a few days ago, the media revealed that the operation led by the US Navy faced many difficulties, one is that many allies do not want to participate, and the other is that the French Navy, which has already said that it wants to participate, actually has a dispute with the US Navy, which has the meaning of "retreating".
According to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, this multinational force is led and commanded by the US Navy's 5th Fleet and Task Force 153, with the assistance of other countries' navies. However, only about 10 countries have clearly stated that they are participating, which is a big gap from the number that Austin envisioned. This problem arises because some of America's hardcore allies, as Austin thought, did not hesitate to participate. Spain, Italy and Australia are three countries that do not mean to work at all. In order not to provoke the United States, Spain even threw the pot on the EU, saying that it depends on the EU's meaning, and if the EU decides to participate in this plan, he will act, and if the EU does not participate, he will not participate. If there are not enough countries participating in the plan, the strength and effectiveness of this escort operation will naturally be greatly reduced.
What was even more unexpected for Austin was that the French Navy, which originally said to participate, seemed to be withdrawing from the plan in the past two days. A scholar in the United States revealed that before the start of the escort operation, the US and French navies held consultations, possibly to improve some details or other matters, but the talks between the two sides broke down, and the French naval representative left the meeting angrily on the spot. Even if the French Navy does not withdraw, it is estimated that it will not be able to wait for the dispatch and command of the US Navy. This scene is a bit interesting, what is the reason for the collapse of the US-France talks, is it because of the struggle for command of the operation, or is there an irreconcilable difference in other aspects?
Judging from Austin's plan, the leader and commander of this operation is the US Navy, and the US Navy is solely responsible for all escort matters, and the navies of other countries are to "lay hands" and do what the US Navy wants. Who wants to do the same job, under the same danger, why is everything decided by the US Navy. A country with little work may not have much complaint, and a main force like the French Navy, which has no command at all, must be uncomfortable in his heart. It stands to reason that the US Navy must give the French Navy some command, otherwise it will be too late to report to the US Navy if it encounters some emergency situations on the vast sea, and it will be too late to launch an operation after receiving instructions from the US Navy.
According to an American scholar, "which merchant ships passing through the Red Sea can receive escort services?" The US and French navies also have differences on this matter, with the French navy meaning to give priority to its own ships, while the US navy may favor its own ships. In fact, on this point, the US and French navies are destined to not be able to work together. The other participating countries are the same, each with its own calculations, and most of them want to be yellow when they escort ships in the Red Sea.