Theo Francken on the Western military campaign against the Houthi terrorists: “Where is Belgium?”

The West has launched a military campaign against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen. The Iranian ayatollahs are not only facing strong resistance in Israel (Hamas, Islamic Jihad), Lebanon (Hezbollah) and Iraq (Hezbollah in Iraq), but their proxy in Yemen is now coming face to face with the West.

Safe international sea lanes and freedom of navigation are basic pillars of our globalised economy and crucial for our ports. The Houthis continue to attack international container ships with their missiles and drones, allegedly “in solidarity with the Palestinians”, de facto because Iran and Russia dictate it to them. All our Western warnings and alerts were ignored. After 157 attacks on American bases in the Middle East and 27 attacks on ships in the Red Sea (hundreds of drones and tens of missiles), enough is enough for the West.

Wind, talk and wagging moral fingers

Given its global maritime weight, Belgium should have participated in this - just like the Netherlands - but Belgium is doing nothing at all. “Selling a lot of wind, talk and wagging moral fingers as they do in the Chamber is what the majority parties do best. But ensuring the safety of our people, economy and companies, they do a lot less well,” Theo Francken notes.

Frigate?

During the night-time budget debate at the end of December, Theo Francken questioned Minister Dedonder (PS party) about our potential contribution to security stabilisation in the Red Sea. She spoke of “possibly a frigate”. Weeks later, nothing has been decided. What’s more, while the US, the UK and the Netherlands are already bombing, the EU will start considering this week whether it can launch its own Red Sea mission, parallel with the American-led “Operation Prosperity Guardian” that has been running since the end of December. Can the EU’s geopolitical incapacity be better illustrated?

Aversion to America

The De Croo government is so one-sidedly aligned with Paris that its socialist and ecologically inspired aversion to America is causing Belgium to lose face internationally. In that respect, Dedonder is just as bad as Flahaut (PS party). Everything for Europe (read Paris), nothing for NATO. Shortsighted and stupid.

Speak loudly, without a stick

Former American President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt put it this way: “Speak softly, but carry a big stick.” Belgium is speaking loudly, but has no stick.