Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has put into sharp relief both the costs of modern war in the age of proliferating drones and a fundamental principle dating to the beginning of our Republic.

From the get-go, Americans have fought and died defending freedom of navigation imperiled by British warships and Barbary pirates seizing our vessels and their crews.

Now, Iran’s allies in Yemen and China are also threatening that principle in the Red Sea’s Bab-el-Mandeb and in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, respectively. 

Much rides on whether we’ll demonstrate the ability to restore deterrence of such modern day piracy, or as some on Capitol Hill are demanding, cut and run. There will be few places to run – or sail – to if freedom of navigation is no longer exercised by us and our friends.

This is Frank Gaffney.