With the French sending a Mistral Class LHD to Mali, I think its fair to say that we're seeing the beginning of the 2nd Long War.
I expect (if it hasn't happened already) to see the French equivalent of a Combined Arms Task Force operating in theater.
The next thing to watch out for is British involvement. If the Brits decide to participate fully (and I mean ground troops) in this action then that's a signal of a much wider operation in the offing.
The question for we Americans is this. Our allies came to our assistance in Afghanistan. Now that they're fighting off shoots of the same terrorist group that we've been battling for years do we deny requests for troops on the ground?
Solomon some fresh pics
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If we can spare some A-teams for Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army, I think we can spare a few for the Maghreb.
ReplyDeleteI think if we do, and I am betting we will eventually, it will be an old-fashioned "Low-Intensity Conflict" where we don't allow cameras and reporters to tag along.
I think we are looking at the Maghreb possibly turning into the Commando Olympics Part Deux: Nord D'Afrique.
For the moment, however, I think we are focused on Syria and what might happen there first.
the French don't play all the Special Ops games that we do. they have more than enough in house without needing us for that. they need UAVs, strategic and possibly tactical airlift and also maybe mechanized infantry.
Deletequite honestly this is prime time for an Army Stryker Brigade.
I vote NO. Their government only helps us because they feel obligated too.
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