This is John Batcher speaking with Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, United States Navy retired,

Foundation for the Defense of democracies about the deployment of the U.S. Navy in the region

around the threat to Israel by Iran and by Hezbollah.

I especially asked about the USS Georgia, which is Ohio class, a missile boat.

A boomer that has many many cruise missiles inside asking will we use

it against what and Mark's careful answer with all the elements involved.

This is Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, United States Navy retired on the scale of the assets

around Israel to protect Israel but what about Hezbollah what about

Iran do we attack more of this tonight so first I I'm glad you brought up to Georgia.

I think I'm getting a little tired of DoD saying, we don't normally tell you about the movement of guided,

you know, guided missile submarines, which are the Ohio class of which Georgia is one of when they do it

once a year now and now it's that they've moved one somewhere but but you're right the

Georgia's there there's an acceleration of the of a carrier strike group into the area.

I'd say it's there for two reasons. One is a is an attempted deterrence, an attempt to say to Iran, we're in position to impose cost on you if you are

disproportionate in your response to Israel. It's an attempt to tell Hezbollah if you initiate a

conflict with Israel we will hold you accountable. We'll support the

Israelis if they want in an air campaign that there's an if in that. Of course the second part

of your terms is a credible belief you'll use it and so then you have to ask yourself

are these assets really there to be used in combat against Iran or against Lebanon and there I'm not

so sure I'm 100% sure the Biden administration's trying to send a message.

I don't know if they're willing to use them if a red line is crossed by Iran or

Hezbollah. So this is a you know this is a risk you know to to burn these forces

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