An American destroyer and several commercial ships were the targets of a series of attacks Sunday. The attacks were by drones and ballistic anti-ship missiles and are believed to have originated in Yemen by anyone with access to a map. There are no reports of damage. The Pentagon said, "We’re aware of reports regarding attacks on the USS Carney [nice to know, as I don't take any level of competence for granted in Austin's Defense Department] and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available."

Social media indicates the Houthis in Yemen are claiming responsibility for shooting at and missing two commercial ships. They have not, as of yet, taken responsibility for shooting at the Carney.

⚡️BREAKING:

Ansarullah Yemen has officially announced that they have attacked 2 ships in the Red Sea.

Unity Explorer (Right) and Number 9 (Left) pic.twitter.com/QnyKMVB3jm

— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) December 3, 2023

The USS Carney is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The Carney and consorts have come under fire at least twice since its deployment to the Red Sea in October (BREAKING: US Navy Destroyer Shoots Down Missiles Fired by Iran-Backed Terrorists Operating in Yemen – RedState and Just in: US Naval Warship Shoots Down Another Drone Launched From Yemen – RedState, In another instance from last Sunday, ballistic missiles impacted in the direction of the USS Mason (2 missiles fired from Yemen in the direction of US ship, officials say - CBS News) but the Defense Department acted as though they weren't aimed at the ship.

The attacks began at 10 a.m. local time and continued for at least five hours.

Just yesterday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hectoring Israel over civilian casualties and "strategic defeat" (Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Wags Finger at Israel, Warns of 'Strategic Defeat'), a subject on which he may be one of the world's greatest living practitioners. He also crowed about the importance of "America's strong and steady leadership."

Sorry, letting barbaric, lice-infected nations lob missiles at your warships and neutral shipping in international waters says anything but "strong and steady leadership." His actions have made us the fat, left side of the IQ Bell Curve kid with a "kick me" sign on our back. It's time to take a lesson from Caligula, Oderint dum metuant: "Let them hate us, so long as they fear us." Maybe they should go to Amazon and buy a copy of Machiavelli's "The Prince." Without fear and respect, leadership is impossible, and we have neither going for us.