Comments on: Send a Navy Hospital Ship to Gaza?

By: Christopher Albon

Christopher Albon — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 05:59:27 +0000

I could see 2011, if things stabilize for a year or so. I think a USNS hospital ship off the Gazan coast would be the hardest test for medical diplomacy. Overall, I think there are greener pastures for USNS hospital ships out there.

By: Philip O'Leary

Philip O'Leary — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:46:35 +0000

It might be worth the risk to try it but instead maybe send a armed amphibous ship in instead one of the LSD’s or and older LPD

By: TEJ

TEJ — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:36:56 +0000

We made a huge impact in Banda Aceh after the Boxing Day tsunami, seemingly turned a whole generation away from Osama Bin Laden. The big difference in Gaza is our long history with Israel. Bringing Arab & Muslim NGOs is a given (Turkish Red Crescent impressed in Aceh & had best coffee on the island). I think the ‘must have’ would be Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran and their brethren. Can’t see that working just yet. 2011?

By: Christopher Albon

Christopher Albon — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:45:24 +0000

I can imagine the headlines now:

“US Navy uses Arab medical NGOs as human shields for covert spy mission for Israel”

On the Kearsarge I spent 20 minutes trying to convince a local reporter that the broken landing craft we towed back to the ship (visible here) was not secretly surveying for oil.

By: Galrahn

Galrahn — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:33:22 +0000

It is certainly an interesting idea. While I tend to agree with your analysis, I think it is also possible this could be done right.

Instead of US and European doctors, if you could fill that ship with Arab medical organizations that could change it a bit. The big white ship would make a tempting terrorism target though, could Hamas guarentee its safety?

Because they would have to.