General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of US European Command, reportedly warned the Pentagon that he lacks sufficient naval forces to continue defending Israel against ballistic missile attacks. In a message to senior Pentagon officials, Grynkewich stated that without an additional destroyer, he would be forced to choose between protecting the US homeland and defending Israel. Currently, two warships are operating in the Eastern Mediterranean and one in the Red Sea, according to the report.
General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of US European Command (EUCOM), has been identified as the senior US military official who warned the Pentagon that he lacks sufficient naval forces to continue defending Israel against ballistic missile threats. The identification emerged Saturday afternoon, as Grynkewich's name and the specific wording of his internal message — stating that without an additional Navy destroyer he would be forced to choose between protecting the American homeland and defending Israel — were reported by Israeli media citing The Washington Post.
The story first broke at 14:53 Jerusalem, when an anonymous US general was reported to have issued the warning. Within minutes, subsequent reports at the same timestamp named Grynkewich directly, detailed the current deployment of two warships in the Eastern Mediterranean and one in the Red Sea, and quoted his stark choice. As The Zioneer reported at 15:28 Jerusalem, the warning was first published by The Washington Post and cited by Israeli news outlets; the earlier report did not include the specific number of vessels currently deployed.
The warning highlights the growing strain on US naval resources as the Pentagon simultaneously conducts a sustained campaign against Iran in the Middle East — over 20 US Navy warships are patrolling the region, as The Zioneer reported on July 9 — while also managing planned reductions in forces assigned to Europe, including a reported cut of fighter jets assigned to NATO from 150 to 100. It remains unclear whether the Pentagon has responded to Grynkewich's request for an additional destroyer.
7 developments
- StrongUS official warns Pentagon lacks sufficient munitions for sustained operations, says White House may not be aware
- DevelopingUS Defense Secretary warns Europe of 'new invasion' via southern coasts
- StrongReport: Pentagon to cut US fighter jets assigned to NATO in Europe from 150 to 100
- DevelopingUS Embassy in Jerusalem orders shelter-in-place for staff amid drone, missile threat
Source and signal
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