Retired French general Michel Yakovleff explains why France should refuse to join United States President Donald Trump’s proposed Strait of Hormuz coalition.
Michael Yakovleff compared joining the coalition to buying a promotional ticket on the Titanic, warning that it would mean reinforcing a failing strategy.
“It’s not the time to buy a promo ticket for the Titanic. On the Titanic, the captain, it seems, wanted to sell cheap tickets for the dinner dance after hitting the iceberg,” said Michel Yakovleff.
Michel Yakovleff Advises France to Reject Trump’s Strait of Hormuz Coalition
He stressed that countries should avoid backing operations already at risk of failure and instead pursue alternative approaches.
Michael Yakovleff argued that this principle, which he learned at the American War College, provides multiple reasons for France to say no to Trump’s request.
“I learned that at the American War College. You do not reinforce failure. You find something else, you move elsewhere, but you do not reinforce failure, so there are lots of reasons to say no to Trump,” said Michael Yakovleff.
Also Read: France’s Macron Ignores Trump’s Panicked Plea after Strait of Hormuz Closure Threats
Elsewhere, French President Emmanuel Macron has so far declined to respond publicly to U.S. President Donald Trump’s urgent call for allied warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, despite the escalating tensions with Iran.
All World leaders have so far refrained from responding publicly to an urgent call by Trump to assemble a multinational naval force to secure the Strait of Hormuz, even as Iran’s threats and attacks appear to have effectively choked one of the world’s most vital shipping corridors.
Countries Decline Trump’s Call to Join Strait of Hormuz Coalition
Earlier, President of the United States Donald Trump had called upon the NATO member states to support Washington’s efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran.
Closure of the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman by Iran followed the intensified attacks on Iran amid U.S. and Israeli strikes.
As a result, oil and gas prices increased in the US. Crude oil prices increased past $100 a barrel.
Also Read: Why Donald Trump is Losing the War at Home
Multiple countries, including Australia, Japan, France, and the U.K., have announced they will not offer reinforcements to help with Trump’s attempts to reopen the vital shipping route.
United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed on March 16 that the UK, as a member of NATO, will not be involved in the conflicts in Iran.
Trump has also asked China to help unblock the strait before a planned summit with President Xi Jinping later this month, warning that his trip to Beijing could be delayed.
