The War on Terror - Latest

BBC News: Reports on two raids by US Special Forces in Africa, one successful  in Libya to capture a planner for the US Embassies attacked in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, another a failure in Somalia, the aim to capture a Al Qaeda linked terrorists behind the recent Kenya attacks. 

Lets Get Real:

This hat takes its hat off to the US Special Forces for mounting these raids, the terrorists should never be allowed to sleep without thinking the US will come after them, also the Oval must get some credit, it gave the green light.   It is odd that President Obama is happy with Special Forces attacks and drone kills but has a problem with using the regular Army, the recent disaster with Syria.   One can only postulate that he has seen to many James Bond films, his favourite show is Homeland.    The downside from reports is that the Libyan terrorists will be tried in Federal Court, he should be debriefed first, then more water boarding then placed on Trial.   This is why President Obama is weak folks, he only goes half way. 

France faces Terrorist THREAT - Terror

BBC News: Reports that President Hollande has increased security around French public building after military operations in Africa lead to French military deaths in attempt to thwart Islamic threats in the region. 

Lets Get Real: 

Lets recall what the failure of the military mission to rescue the US hostages in Iran did to the Carter Presidency, it lead to its demise in 1980, also after a military failure in Somalia early in the Clinton Presidency this made Clinton less than ready to take military action in Bosnia, thus these deaths could have the following effect on the the new French Government, it could be afraid to take risks, or on the other hand it could learn the lesson that President Obama learned, you can not afford for your Western liberal view of the world to effect your actions in national security, thus Obama has increased the drone strikes of the Bush Era, and has increased its scope.   The drone strikes has come under critical attack from the left in the US and from Europe, lets see how the French react, will they run away, not new for the French or stand with the US and UK in taking down the terrorist threat from Islamic terrorists. 

Liberals Attack Obama for no Prosections over Bush Torture

CNN News: Reports that Liberals are mad that Obama is not dragging the Bush Administration in to court over its torture policies. Someone should have advised President Obama that no good deed ever goes unpunished. The left in the USA are appeasers, they will never fight for the security of the USA. They would allow the terrorists to win, give Obama his due, he gets the point that he needs the CIA. A major example of that is Pakistan and Afghanistan, the CIA is running the drone operation to kill terrorists. One has to ask why these Liberals not attacking Obama for killing terrorists and pirates, could it be that they are partisan hacks.

Going after Pirates in Somalia

CNN News: Reports that the US Defence Department is looking at how to close down the the threat of modern pirates from Somalia, one option is go after them on land, in Somalia. This would be a very bad idea, the USA had a very bad time in Somalia during the Clinton Presidency, it fact it can be argued that the failed operation in Somalia constrained Clinton for years. If the USA has to hit on land it should use special forces, drones and other black ops. On the political side USA should try to get a Government for the Somalia, help the poor people of the country. As long as you have a failed country, poor people you will have modern pirates in the region, thus a twin track, covert and overt action.

Obama 1 - Pirates 0

BBC News: Reports on the release of the US hostage held by Somali Pirates, the US Navy took military action at the end of the day. The US Navy is seems from various wire reports had the ability to take action when the US hostage, Captain Richard Phillips jumped for freedom from the lifeboat that he was held on by the Pirates. Three things spring to mind, Captain Phillips is a hero, he volunteered to be the hostage rather than his crew, this was the second time that he escaped, the US Navy got luck, it was ready the second time. Also President Obama must get of the political glory, he must have green light the operation, this will show that Obama will not allow pirates or terrorists push him around. One should note this operation took place on the sea, the next time could be on land, and in that dilemma Obama could face the same problems as Carter and Reagan.

Update:

BBC News: Reports on the actual process that lead to the release of Captain Richard Phillips, it seems that the pirates made the mistake of being on deck and thus open to action by US Snipers. Thus the end result, three dead pirates and one in custody. One of the main lessons one can learn from this process is not to trust first reports. The original post is correct minus the method of release, the rest is a fair view of the events. I will not edit the original post, a mistake was made, bloggers are not news networks, they have to be trusted what comes over the wire reports. In future this blogger will wait to get the full story on current events before posting. Again sorry reader for not being factual, this blog will always try to be truthful about events eve if the opinions are open to debate.

Modern Pirates

The New York Times: Reports that talks between the US Navy and modern Somali Pirates that are holding a US hostage have broken down. Lets hope the West Wing is keeping this to below Presidential level, Jimmy Carter had the hostages in Iran and Reagan had the hostages held in Lebanon. Carter allowed Iran to twist him the wind, he lost his re-election bid in 1980, Reagan allowed his concern for the hostages to move the Administration to talk to Iran, thus Iran - Contra, the selling of arms to Iran and the money being divert to the Contra freedom fighters of Nicaragua. The USA should have one message to the modern pirates, you have one hour to release the hostage or will you blow you out of the water, if you kill the hostage will blow you out of the water. The message should be that simple, any money given or freedom for the pirates will show that Obama is even more weak than he looks now, this is another test for President Obama.