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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUS military in Niger had asked for more military resources before ambush but were rebuffed
(((DeanObeidallah)))? @Deanofcomedy 16h16 hours agoWOW: LA Times reports the US military in Niger had asked for more military resources before ambush but never came http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-fg-trump-niger-20171019-story.html
____The attack, apparently carried out by militants affiliated with Islamic State, was the deadliest since Trump took office, yet the U.S. militarys Africa Command still does not have a clear story board of facts that commanders usually gather swiftly after deadly incidents. That has senior Pentagon officials and lawmakers suggesting incompetence.
The questions arising from the incident, particularly about the availability of additional military support to the patrol, echo those raised in the aftermath of the 2012 Benghazi attack in Libya, which resulted in the deaths of four people: U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, foreign service information officer Sean Smith, and CIA contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
For months before the ambush, the U.S. military had requested more drones or other surveillance aircraft in Niger and additional military medical support, but those requests met resistance from the U.S. ambassador to the country, who was reluctant to increase the American presence in the country, according to a U.S. official briefed on the attack.
The Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha, otherwise known as an A-Team, increasingly had been operating in remote areas far from command support, the official said. Green Beret-led patrols had visited the area along the Mali-Niger border 29 times in the last six months. Islamic State and Al Qaeda operate there, exploiting divisions within local tribal forces in the region...
read more: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-fg-trump-niger-20171019-story.html
Link to tweet
coolsandy
(479 posts)coolsandy
(479 posts)Looks like it could be the ambassador.
keithbvadu2
(36,724 posts)What was it that the republicans cried about Benghazi?
Something like... four died.
Scarsdale
(9,426 posts)were WHITE, likely rich and probably gop voters. These military members were not dignitaries. Where does all the money go, the Pentagon takes a large part of the treasury, then spend it on WHAT?? Where is Gowdy and the rest of them, forming committees to investigate this? Darrel Issa should be outraged, but of course he is not.
whathehell
(29,052 posts)there's really nothing here that points to this being a racial issue -- Three of the Niger servicemen were white as well.
As to those in Benghazi being "likely rich", that's actually unlikely since the Foreign Service, like most government jobs, does not pay terribly well.
As to they're being "likely gop voters" that would be a huge assumption, especially in the case of the Ambassador, since he was a personal friend of Hilary Clinton's.
Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)Trump is not organized enough to have placed Ambassadors except for posts like the Vatican and other "white" countries. The odds that he gets around to placing anyone in Africa are slim to none.
Ambassador Eunice S. Reddick was nominated by President Barack Obama as Ambassador to the Republic of Niger on July 30, 2013. Hillary Clinton left office as SOS February 1, 2013, so blame it on Obama in 3, 2, 1...
keithbvadu2
(36,724 posts)Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)If it even gets brought up in the MSM, all we will hear about is that she was appointed by Obama. I wouldn't be surprised if they try to drag Hillary Clinton into it.
keithbvadu2
(36,724 posts)Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)It will get blamed on everything but him.
whathehell
(29,052 posts)Typically cheap Repukes denied requests for more security funds, then blamed Dems when it was breached.
bigtree
(85,984 posts)...increased security funding requests came from the embassy staff/State Dept. and were rejected by the republican-controlled Congress.
These requests came from the military themselves and look to have been rejected, in part, on the recommendation of the U.S. ambassador to the country, herself.
Who's CIC, again?
whathehell
(29,052 posts)on the recommendation of the Ambassador himself". Could be, but the other "part" did come from the Republican congress. I have no idea what the CIC is.
(CIC= Commander in Chief. )
Time for Trump to sit in 13 hours worth of hearings under cross-exam.
bigtree
(85,984 posts)...head of the armed forces, president of the United States.
Republican president, republican Congress. What's the problem with getting the funding requested by commanders in the field?
Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, documented to Congress in March his forces lack of needed resources on the continent. He said about 20% to 30% of requirements for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights were being met, and complained there werent enough military helicopters to help locate missing, wounded, or killed service members. LAT
dreamland
(964 posts)...the Niger incident were direct result of the actions of the P_resident.
NCjack
(10,279 posts)him to muzzle and, if necessary, fire those who try to tell the truth. Another test of honor for Gen. Kelly, as he knows all.
keithbvadu2
(36,724 posts)Kelly lied about FBI building funding so he has no honor.
A poor example of Officer Corps integrity.
Roland99
(53,342 posts)Read another article that the State Dept said the ambassador did not reject requests
bigtree
(85,984 posts)..clarified, it looks to be more of an issue between the administration, the Pentagon, and Congress refusing to prioritize support for the Niger deployment and operations.