USS LINCOLN BLOODY MUTINY

What happened aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln? Is it a sign of the political fracturing of the USA?

By Sidney Hey

When a superpower begins to lose its dominance of the seas, it is a sign that it will soon cease to be one. The striking and bloody incident that took place on board the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln in the Indian Ocean which the Western media were unable to conceal could be foreshadowing a rift within the US establishment and, with it, a crisis that could lead to something many have been speculating about for a decade: civil war.

This is what happened in Rome. The first cracks in that magnificent empire became apparent in its legions and in a declining economy that sowed anarchy throughout its domains. Donald Trump could be the Odoacer of a declining Rome who, in 476, brought an end to what remained of the empire. If that were the case, Marco Rubio would be the ‘Brutus’ and his other lieutenants would divide up the spoils.

Military sources close to the Islamic Republic of Iran, as reported by media outlets such as “Tasnim News”, stated that a fight broke out between the crew and their superiors, resulting in no fewer than seven deaths. Immediately following this leak, US media particularly those close to the Pentagon, such as the “Military Times” put forward a very different account, claiming that several crew members had attempted suicide by jumping overboard. The families of those on board have lodged complaints with the White House seeking clarification of what happened, but have not yet received any response. But what lies behind this glossed-over picture is a deep-seated crisis between the White House and the Pentagon, reflected in the growing discontent amongst officers and middle-ranking personnel in the Navy.

The beginnings of a mutiny on the world’s most powerful floating fortress go far beyond a mere anecdote; indeed, the facts are likely to be far more serious than those that have come to light. The nervous breakdown evident in the skirmishes amongst the crew of the USS Lincoln which became apparent in the presence of officials who had arrived from Washington DC exposes serious morale issues amongst the sailors following months without calling at port, compounded by the constant stress caused by drone and ballistic missile attacks.

This makes it clear that, in addition to the impunity to which the US had become accustomed, the assurance of being able to act without consequences has also come to an end.

For his part, Donald Trump himself posted on social media that “the Iranians were defeated”, amongst other far-fetched claims that not even his own commanders believe. This only serves to highlight the inconsistencies between what the administration in Washington says and what is actually happening in the Indian Ocean. There is great frustration amongst the troops, all because they have had to spend over a year drifting on the high seas to serve the decisions of an ‘orange’ bloke who is, at the same time, controlled by Israel.

What happened on the USS Abraham Lincoln is extremely serious far too serious for a president to turn a blind eye to. This is a reality that has always been a taboo subject within the armed forces and highlights a psychological situation that cannot be concealed. Even some US analysts, such as former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, have pointed out that the pressure to which the sailors in this task force were subjected typically leads to alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide.

It was Trump who has placed his naval force under unbearable pressure, and this is exacerbated by the contingencies that arose when aggressive actions against Iran were launched. It is true that the person directly responsible has been the dimwit Pete Hegseth, but who appointed Hegseth to the post? And from there, whom did this ‘Big Champ’ choose to fill the top command positions on the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US armed forces? Incompetence and a lack of realism are taking their toll, and the worst thing is that the full consequences have yet to be revealed.  They had a warning last year with Yemen, where Ansar Allah taught them a harsh lesson about the dangers of picking a fight with those who can and know how to fight. Bombing cities, ports and villages may be very easy, but facing a motivated, determined and tireless enemy who uses equipment that, by all logic, should already be obsolete that is something very difficult to contend with.

Added to this, the sheer volume of media coverage broadcasting images that lend credibility to reports of the Islamic resistance’s activities has turned the false narratives peddled by the Western media to their own citizens on their head.

In the Strait of Hormuz, the IRGC have given them a very nasty time and, far from backing down or calling for a truce, have forced the US task force to stand clear of the Iranian coast for the simple reason that they could lose their flagship. And this is neither speculation nor propaganda. The facts on the ground are compelling, establishing Iran as the undisputed victor whilst simultaneously elevating China to the status of a superpower; China undoubtedly plays a strategic role, providing discreet yet sufficiently effective support to ensure that the IRGC possesses the firepower that the US Navy clearly fears.

It is true that Chinese influence had already been growing for at least 15 years, but it is undoubtedly Donald Trump who has accelerated the collapse of whatever remaining potential the US had. If we add to this the lies told by its president, there is nothing more to say.

As soon as this leak became public knowledge, the White House picked up the phone and pleaded with the Pakistani mediators to try to persuade their Iranian counterparts to return to the negotiating table. But for that to happen, it would have to be acknowledged that the memorandum of understanding remains in force and Tehran has made it clear that this will not be the case, due to the Americans’ own actions.