Somone forgot to watch "Blackhawk Down"

[The Fish]

So, in the name of fighting (Lockheed-Martin presents) the War on Terror, the Bush Administration has been secretly helping Somalian warlords who are fighting for control of the country with Islamist factions. Now, while it might be a good idea to prevent the spread of radical Islam in North Africa, it turns out some of the groups we're giving money to were the same guys who dragged the bodies of Rangers through the streets of Mogadishu in 1994.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...601625_pf.html

Many of the warlords have their own agendas, Somali officials said, and some reportedly fought against the United States in 1993 during street battles that culminated in an attack that downed two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters and left 18 Army Rangers dead.

That article was from a month ago...now it turns out that the initial clashes between rival groups in Mogadishu has spread throughout the country and has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asi...us_in_somalia/

Oh yeah, and the Somalia expert at the State Department who tried to explain that maybe giving lots of money to bat-**** insane guys with guns might not be such a great idea? He got transferred.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsar...TY-SOMALIA.xml

All of this really serves as greater evidence for me that America's foreign policy is currently being handled by a bunch of chimps banging at random on typewriters.

[Tacticalwithdrawal]

either that or its a sign that US foreign policy is (eventually) beginnig to grow up and realise that black and white does not exist and that sometimes you have to deal with the only power available.



As for the whole sorry Blackhawk down affair, that was just a cockup of epic proportions from start to finish. I mean, it was the equivalent of a Klu Klux Klan group chariging into a black neighbourhood and shooting at anything that moved.

- Yes the locals returned fire, what a surprise
- yes the US troops quickly discovered that a ragtag fighter with a 30 year old AK47 is a good as a well trained modern soldier in streetfighting
- better actually 'cos the ragtag fighter lives there and is fighting for his home

real mess (and no disrespect to the bravery of the troops on both sides).

The worst thing about it was that everyone learned that you only have to shoot a few US soldiers and the US goes home, which makes every US soldier a target. It's taken years for that one to go away.

[The Fish]

either that or its a sign that US foreign policy is (eventually) beginnig to grow up and realise that black and white does not exist and that sometimes you have to deal with the only power available.

When has the US ever had a problem dealing with sordid characters to fulfill national objectives? From Saddam in the 80s to Bin Laden in Afghanistan to Pakistan today, not to mention dozens of dictators in Latin America for a number of decades, the US hasn't had a problem with the whole "the enemy of your enemy is your friend" ideal. The issue is, in the past, usually our friends ended up screwing us AFTER they took our money (see OBL). This time, we're paying the guys who screwed us the first time around.

[GeneralLee]

either that or its a sign that US foreign policy is (eventually) beginnig to grow up and realise that black and white does not exist and that sometimes you have to deal with the only power available.



As for the whole sorry Blackhawk down affair, that was just a cockup of epic proportions from start to finish. I mean, it was the equivalent of a Klu Klux Klan group chariging into a black neighbourhood and shooting at anything that moved.

- Yes the locals returned fire, what a surprise
- yes the US troops quickly discovered that a ragtag fighter with a 30 year old AK47 is a good as a well trained modern soldier in streetfighting
- better actually 'cos the ragtag fighter lives there and is fighting for his home

real mess (and no disrespect to the bravery of the troops on both sides).

The worst thing about it was that everyone learned that you only have to shoot a few US soldiers and the US goes home, which makes every US soldier a target. It's taken years for that one to go away.

2000 militia for 18 rangers thats how we fight . But we did go home which was stupid, ohwell that was clinton, bush isnt to squemish and now the somalis know to keep on our good side.

[Red Harvest]

2000 militia for 18 rangers thats how we fight . But we did go home which was stupid, ohwell that was clinton, bush isnt to squemish and now the somalis know to keep on our good side.

Going in was a mistake. Getting out was smart. That's the difference between Bush and Clinton, Clinton could admit a mistake and even rectify some of them. If it had been Bush we would be looking back having spent a trillion dollars fighting for a piece of **** country and still have no end in sight.

By the way, Reagan had the same problem as Clinton with Lebanon and reacted similarly in withdrawing. Remember all those marines killed in the barracks in Beirut? Makes Somalia look like a stunning success.

I heard about the current situation a few weeks ago. Wasn't really surprised. Bush ain't the sharpest pencil in the box.

[Legiondude]

one question, what was the number of american forces KIA, WIA and MIA? also what was the number of Us forces engaged in the operation, and what was the number of viecheles and choppers? And last, what was the total number of american personal in somalia at the time?

[Jesus The Inane]

one question, what was the number of american forces KIA, WIA and MIA? also what was the number of Us forces engaged in the operation, and what was the number of viecheles and choppers? And last, what was the total number of american personal in somalia at the time?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackhawk_Down

[IamthePope]

Exerting influence to dictate international events in our favor is always good in my opinion. Pulling out for political reasons is always bad. Viva la Bush!!!