What the heck is American troops doing in Niger?

[Savago]

I've asked myself what is going on and found this:
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/10/niger-isis-us-soldiers-attack/543531/

Basically there are some baddies there (Boko haram) and in the last few years USA is training local troops and helping them fight the damn terrorists.

The whole issue is that (surprise, surprise!) it is not being much effective and the military is increasing presence in the region.

It seems that ATM there are only Junior people assigned for the Africa military affairs, and the current administration is still to acknowledge the importance of the Sahel in fighting terrorism.

I guess this explains why it took over 12 days to mention (after a journalist pocked the president) the fallen soldiers.

Basically those soldiers were in an unarmored vehicle, with no heavy weaponry, with no support or proper intel, following some local troops when they were ambushed.

A complete SNAFU if you ask me, it smells Benghazi all over the place.

[Crabballs]

They are looking fo0r that Nigerian prince that promised you $10,000,000 if you send him $1,500. 

[bill-jr]

Smells like bengazi ?!?
I thought there was Nothing to see there  ?!?
So looks like a big cover up to you ?!?
Over some youtube video ?!?
How exacally does it “smell” like bengazi ?!?
1st your hearing of boko haram ?!? Living under a rock ?!?
What i wonder is why only hearing of 1 specific soldier when 4 lost thier lives ?!?

[Patrick]

Someone doesn't know there is a big muslim and isis problem is many African countries ?  I find that a problem.

But, regardless, I too have issues with us being the worlds police. I guess its better than the alternative though.

[Gavin_Sons]

https://youtu.be/LQCU36pkH7c

[phideux]

Smells like Benghazi???
Were those soldiers ignored by the State Dept when they put in 600 requests for added security??
Were their repeated pleas for help ignored during a 13hr firefight when help was 1-1/2hrs away??
Were their deaths blamed on an anti-muslim video and was a poor filmmaker arrested  for making the video??
What difference does it make anyway????

[specialdose]

Smells like Benghazi???
Were those soldiers ignored by the State Dept when they put in 600 requests for added security??
Were their repeated pleas for help ignored during a 13hr firefight when help was 1-1/2hrs away??
Were their deaths blamed on an anti-muslim video and was a poor filmmaker arrested  for making the video??
What difference does it make anyway????



In the immortal words of Joe Friday, 'just the facts ma'am" that's the difference in the two situations..... Good grief......

[Rams]

I keep hearing on the news how some of our Congressional leadership are claiming to be shocked that we have troops there.   They are either liars or not paying attention.   In either case, they are not doing their jobs.   No one should be surprised of this.

[LandElephant]

I know you seem intelligent so here is some information that might help you understand what is going on in Niger:

The United States Army Special Forces; colloquially known as the Green Berets (due to their distinctive service headgear), are a special operations force tasked with five primary missions: unconventional warfare (the original and most important mission of Special Forces), foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, and counter-terrorism. The first two emphasize language, cultural, and training skills in working with foreign troops. Other duties include combat search and rescue (CSAR), counter-narcotics, counter-proliferation, hostage rescue, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian demining, information operations, peacekeeping, psychological operations, security assistance, and manhunts; other components of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) or other U.S. government activities may also specialize in these secondary areas.[5] Many of their operational techniques are classified, but some nonfiction works[6] and doctrinal manuals are available.

Why don't you know about is because it is an "Active Mission" and not one that needs every enlightened citizen being involved in the decision making.  Benghazi , Please let that one rest.

WE the world are fighting a global war on terror.  But it can't be just the United States.  Training other countries so they can help themselves is some of the most effective ways of combating terror.  This can and is the MISSION of the Green Beret or Special Forces.

What heavy equipment did you want them to take with them. Their job is to assist and integrate into the group they are training. Do you want them to have 10 Abrams tanks parked outside the village.  120 MM Howitzers sitting 20 miles away so they can rain terror down on the terrorist?

These men and women know exactly what dangers they are entering when they accept these missions.  They train hard.  But death comes to all of us. That is unfortunate but a fact of life.  We in the military accept that.  It is our mission.

Maybe you should be asking why was a congresswomen taping a conversation that the President was having with the grieving widow of a fallen soldier?

Here's my challenge, tell me exactly what you would say to a young wife and mother who is grieving because her husband and soul mate has been killed in action for their country, OUR country.  You have that experience? You been there, done that?

Dirty politics is dirty politics.  I read the transcript and OUR President showed grace and compassion as Commander -In-Chief to this young woman.  There is never the right words, but if you got better words then lets hear them.

This is no Benghazi.  They had a mission, they were performing their duties, they knew the risk, and unfortunately the POOP hit the fan.

Charlie Morse
USMC Retired

[Chrisj CMA]

You guys are arguing over stuff you have no way of knowing much about.  Especially to the OP, where Special Forces troops go and what they do is usually classified.  Beyond that what you do get told about what they are doing is called a "cover story"

It's none of our business what they were really doing .

We finally have a President that trusts his military leadership, he let's them do their job.

You simply have no idea!

[The emperor has no clothes]

You guys are arguing over stuff you have no way of knowing much about.  Especially to the OP, where Special Forces troops go and what they do is usually classified.  Beyond that what you do get told about what they are doing is called a "cover story"

It's none of our business what they were really doing .

We finally have a Present that trusts his military leadership, he let's them do their job.

You simply have no idea!

It's none of our business ? Oh, I beg to differ.

[Chrisj CMA]

You guys are arguing over stuff you have no way of knowing much about.  Especially to the OP, where Special Forces troops go and what they do is usually classified.  Beyond that what you do get told about what they are doing is called a "cover story"

It's none of our business what they were really doing .

We finally have a Present that trusts his military leadership, he let's them do their job.

You simply have no idea!

It's none of our business ? Oh, I beg to differ.

Differ all you want.  It's the President and his military leadershp's business.  I was a Special Forces member and I can tell you it would be impossible to operate if they had to tell YOU what they were planning.

Like I said you have no idea

[The emperor has no clothes]

You guys are arguing over stuff you have no way of knowing much about.  Especially to the OP, where Special Forces troops go and what they do is usually classified.  Beyond that what you do get told about what they are doing is called a "cover story"

It's none of our business what they were really doing .

We finally have a Present that trusts his military leadership, he let's them do their job.

You simply have no idea!

It's none of our business ? Oh, I beg to differ.

Differ all you want.  It's the President and his military lradershp's business.  I was a Special Forces member and I can tell you it would be impossible to operate if they had to tell YOU what they were planning.

Like I said you have no idea

There is a huge difference between telling us what they are planning and the whole thing being none of our business. ( I'll let the last comment go)

[Chrisj CMA]

You guys are arguing over stuff you have no way of knowing much about.  Especially to the OP, where Special Forces troops go and what they do is usually classified.  Beyond that what you do get told about what they are doing is called a "cover story"

It's none of our business what they were really doing .

We finally have a Present that trusts his military leadership, he let's them do their job.

You simply have no idea!

It's none of our business ? Oh, I beg to differ.

Differ all you want.  It's the President and his military lradershp's business.  I was a Special Forces member and I can tell you it would be impossible to operate if they had to tell YOU what they were planning.

Like I said you have no idea

There is a huge difference between telling us what they are planning and the whole thing being none of our business. ( I'll let the last comment go)

You and I are simply arguing wording.  You see a difference, I see it as they don't have to explain their actions to me (us) BECAUSE it's not our business

Peace

[The emperor has no clothes]

You guys are arguing over stuff you have no way of knowing much about.  Especially to the OP, where Special Forces troops go and what they do is usually classified.  Beyond that what you do get told about what they are doing is called a "cover story"

It's none of our business what they were really doing .

We finally have a Present that trusts his military leadership, he let's them do their job.

You simply have no idea!

It's none of our business ? Oh, I beg to differ.

Differ all you want.  It's the President and his military lradershp's business.  I was a Special Forces member and I can tell you it would be impossible to operate if they had to tell YOU what they were planning.

Like I said you have no idea

There is a huge difference between telling us what they are planning and the whole thing being none of our business. ( I'll let the last comment go)

You and I are simply arguing wording.  You see a difference, I see it as they don't have to explain their actions to me (us) BECAUSE it's not our business

Peace

It's more than words. EVERYTHING the government does, including the military, is our business.

[Chrisj CMA]

You guys are arguing over stuff you have no way of knowing much about.  Especially to the OP, where Special Forces troops go and what they do is usually classified.  Beyond that what you do get told about what they are doing is called a "cover story"

It's none of our business what they were really doing .

We finally have a Present that trusts his military leadership, he let's them do their job.

You simply have no idea!

It's none of our business ? Oh, I beg to differ.

Differ all you want.  It's the President and his military lradershp's business.  I was a Special Forces member and I can tell you it would be impossible to operate if they had to tell YOU what they were planning.

Like I said you have no idea

There is a huge difference between telling us what they are planning and the whole thing being none of our business. ( I'll let the last comment go)

You and I are simply arguing wording.  You see a difference, I see it as they don't have to explain their actions to me (us) BECAUSE it's not our business

Peace

It's more than words. EVERYTHING the government does, including the military, is our business.

It's our business to the extent we are responsible to vote and put in a leader that protects America.  The details of how that is done is not our business directly.  After the real facts are revealed (if they ever are) you can voice your concerns then.  At this point in the process I stand by my statement, it's not our business exactly what they are doing.

[Rams]

Would it make more sense to say the that if the general public knows, then most assuredly the enemy knows and is therefore not shared?

I have a good friend that was Commander of a Marine Expeditionary Force in this part of the world,  to this day he can not discuss exactly what they were doing.   At some point the restrictions may come off but , I have full confidence that they were acting in our best interests.

[Chrisj CMA]

Would it make more sense to say the that if the general public knows, then most assuredly the enemy knows and is therefore not shared?

Exactly

[Skinhead]

It's more than words. EVERYTHING the government does, including the military, is our business.

Please spare me all the false indignation over classified military missions, where was it when we were lied to about Benghazi and fast and furious?  Savagos feeble attempt to discredit Trump is insulting, as is yours in defending his attempt.  Why aren't you two calling for the prosecution of holder and Clinton ?  I could support you on that.

[The emperor has no clothes]

It's more than words. EVERYTHING the government does, including the military, is our business.

Please spare me all the false indignation over classified military missions, where wasit when we were lied to about Benghazi and fast and furious?  Savagios feeble attempt to discredit Trump is insulting, as is yours in defending his attempt.  Why aren't youto calling for the prosecution of holder and Clinton ?  I could support you on that.

Skin, I said nothing about knowing the details of classified info. The original question was "what are we doing in Niger ?" We the people should know the general policies of what we are doing around the world.

[Skinhead]

I know what we are doing in Niger, standing against terrorism and  for what most Americans believe in, freedom.  That's good enough for me. 

[Chrisj CMA]

We the people should know the general policies of what we are doing around the world.

 WRONG!

Listen, I was sent into a combat situation in a country we were not at war with.  I am sure you would not have approved had you been briefed.

Did I like it?  NO

Did I go?  YES

Was it my business to ask for more information than what I was given?  NO

Did our government lie to you about what I was doing?  YES

Do I agree with that?  I'm still alive!

Was it your business what I was sent to do?  NO

If you want things like this to be your business...RUN FOR PRESIDENT

[The emperor has no clothes]

We the people should know the general policies of what we are doing around the world.

 WRONG!

Listen, I was sent into a combat situation in a country we were not at war with.  I am sure you would not have approved had you been briefed.

Did I like it?  NO

Did I go?  YES

Was it my business to ask for more information than what I was given?  NO

Did our government lie to you about what I was doing?  YES

Do I agree with that?  I'm still alive!

Was it your business what I was sent to do?  NO

If you want things like this to be your business...RUN FOR PRESIDENT

Jeff, your philosophy is about 2 steps removed from a Dictatorship. I repeat, we should not be privy to classified info (which is what you are referring to) . But we should have knowledge and debate about the direction our government is going.

[Chrisj CMA]

We the people should know the general policies of what we are doing around the world.

 WRONG!

Listen, I was sent into a combat situation in a country we were not at war with.  I am sure you would not have approved had you been briefed.

Did I like it?  NO

Did I go?  YES

Was it my business to ask for more information than what I was given?  NO

Did our government lie to you about what I was doing?  YES

Do I agree with that?  I'm still alive!

Was it your business what I was sent to do?  NO

If you want things like this to be your business...RUN FOR PRESIDENT

Jeff, your philosophy is about 2 steps removed from a Dictatorship. I repeat, we should not be privy to classified info (which is what you are referring to) . But we should have knowledge and debate about the direction our government is going.

Lets just say I'm glad you weren't in a leadership role with that philosophy while I was in harms way 

[The emperor has no clothes]

We the people should know the general policies of what we are doing around the world.

 WRONG!

Listen, I was sent into a combat situation in a country we were not at war with.  I am sure you would not have approved had you been briefed.

Did I like it?  NO

Did I go?  YES

Was it my business to ask for more information than what I was given?  NO

Did our government lie to you about what I was doing?  YES

Do I agree with that?  I'm still alive!

Was it your business what I was sent to do?  NO

If you want things like this to be your business...RUN FOR PRESIDENT

Jeff, your philosophy is about 2 steps removed from a Dictatorship. I repeat, we should not be privy to classified info (which is what you are referring to) . But we should have knowledge and debate about the direction our government is going.

Lets just say I'm glad you weren't in a leadership role with that philosophy while I was in harms way 

Let's just say I'm glad our Founding Fathers had the wisdom to create checks and balances. Your system would enable a dictatorship.

[Chrisj CMA]

We the people should know the general policies of what we are doing around the world.

 WRONG!

Listen, I was sent into a combat situation in a country we were not at war with.  I am sure you would not have approved had you been briefed.

Did I like it?  NO

Did I go?  YES

Was it my business to ask for more information than what I was given?  NO

Did our government lie to you about what I was doing?  YES

Do I agree with that?  I'm still alive!

Was it your business what I was sent to do?  NO

If you want things like this to be your business...RUN FOR PRESIDENT

Jeff, your philosophy is about 2 steps removed from a Dictatorship. I repeat, we should not be privy to classified info (which is what you are referring to) . But we should have knowledge and debate about the direction our government is going.

Lets just say I'm glad you weren't in a leadership role with that philosophy while I was in harms way 

Let's just say I'm glad our Founding Fathers had the wisdom to create checks and balances. Your system would enable a dictatorship.

My system.  LOL  NOT my system.  Its how the world works though.  From the beginning of the military the nuts and bolts of the missions we do are protected from general knowledge.  Like it or not, its how it works.  Sometimes its small things and sometimes its huge things.  I don't even agree with the free reign the media has in direct combat to report, twist, ask questions and compromise military operations, but like it or not for me, that's what our country is all about.

We all have things we don't like, maybe will never change, but its the way it is.

[Gavin_Sons]

anyone wanting to know more about what goes on behind the scenes should run for president. It was and still is none of our business what special operations we are doing in Niger. You (we) are just civilians and do not need to know about military actions around the world. Like i said, if you don't like it go back into the military or run for president. I'm amazed people think that they should know everything the military is doing in every country. If they told us everything they were doing we would get nothing done. What would be the point of even having a military if the enemy knew exactly what we had planned? You can know more after the missions are over and they release the information. Until then shut up and quit worrying about what our military are doing in some other country. All you need to know is they are there to protect us from threats.

[RP#62]

There are checks and balances, they just don't always include the general public nor should they.

-RP

[The emperor has no clothes]

There are checks and balances, they just don't always include the general public nor should they.

-RP

Agreed. What many here are seem to be confused about is the difference between troop movements and strategies vs. the overall arching situation.

[Gavin_Sons]

There are checks and balances, they just don't always include the general public nor should they.

-RP

Agreed. What many here are seem to be confused about is the difference between troop movements and strategies vs. the overall arching situation.

i think you are confused to think you need all this information upfront.

[The emperor has no clothes]

There are checks and balances, they just don't always include the general public nor should they.

-RP

Agreed. What many here are seem to be confused about is the difference between troop movements and strategies vs. the overall arching situation.

i think you are confused to think you need all this information upfront.

wtf ! When did I say anything close to that ? What I'm saying is what our government does IS OUR BUSINESS . In response to Jeff saying it wasn't.

[Chrisj CMA]

There are checks and balances, they just don't always include the general public nor should they.

-RP

Agreed. What many here are seem to be confused about is the difference between troop movements and strategies vs. the overall arching situation.

Trump is on twitter.  Follow him, then ask about the "troop movements" or the "overall arching situation"  What he answers and tells you, you can think of as your business.  I guarantee you will hear mostly crickets!

[Gavin_Sons]

Just by your responses you come off like you need to know everything the government does with our military. Are you forgetting why you are arguing again?

[Rams]

There are checks and balances, they just don't always include the general public nor should they.

-RP

Agreed. What many here are seem to be confused about is the difference between troop movements and strategies vs. the overall arching situation.

i think you are confused to think you need all this information upfront.

wtf ! When did I say anything close to that ? What I'm saying is what our government does IS OUR BUSINESS . In response to Jeff saying it wasn't.

What you say versus what you infer may be two different things but are easily interpreted to mean one thing.   Especially since we all are aware of your left leaning positions.   If you don’t wish to be mis-understood then, be more precise and less general in your postings.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  I infer nothing. My words were pretty clear. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES IS OUR BUSINESS. We do not have access to classified info, nor should we. But to say what the military does is none of our business is very close to tyranny.

[Chrisj CMA]

I infer nothing. My words were pretty clear. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES IS OUR BUSINESS. We do not have access to classified info, nor should we. But to say what the military does is none of our business is very close to tyranny.

LOL. I would love to see your head spin if someone decided to tell you 5% of what you don't know about secret military plans, options and plausible scenarios.  And you think you should be consulted.  LOOL

You have no idea

[Rams]

I infer nothing. My words were pretty clear. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES IS OUR BUSINESS. We do not have access to classified info, nor should we. But to say what the military does is none of our business is very close to tyranny.

Yeah, sure.......

[The emperor has no clothes]

I infer nothing. My words were pretty clear. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES IS OUR BUSINESS. We do not have access to classified info, nor should we. But to say what the military does is none of our business is very close to tyranny.

LOL. I would love to see your head spin if someone decided to tell you 5% of what you don't know about secret military plans, options and plausible scenarios.  And you think you should be consulted.  LOOL

You have no idea

OMG ! Not once have I said we should know any secret military plans. I give up.

[Chrisj CMA]

I infer nothing. My words were pretty clear. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES IS OUR BUSINESS. We do not have access to classified info, nor should we. But to say what the military does is none of our business is very close to tyranny.

LOL. I would love to see your head spin if someone decided to tell you 5% of what you don't know about secret military plans, options and plausible scenarios.  And you think you should be consulted.  LOOL

You have no idea

OMG ! Not once have I said we should know any secret military plans. I give up.

You said you as one of "we the people" you SHOULD know basic directions the military plans to go.  Those basic directions are the very secret plans.  You are confused for sure.

[Gavin_Sons]

you want to know what we were doing in Niger. Correct? That was the original question. Is the Niger operation classified? If it is you don't need to know. I believe it is since McCain is trying to get a subpoena to investigate it more. You guys are demanding information on classified information. Like i said, you're just a civilian. You are not entitled to any information on classified military actions.