Yemen to America: Just give us the money and go away
American taxpayers forked over nearly $70 million to Yemen in security aid last year. The Yemeni government is demanding more now in the wake of the Crotch Bomber attack.
What they don’t want: U.S. troops to help them fight jihad effectively:
Yemen’s foreign minister said Wednesday that his country opposes any direct intervention by U.S. or other foreign troops in the fight against al-Qaida.
Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi told The Associated Press in an interview that “there is a lot of sensitivity about foreign troops coming to Yemeni territory.”
The United States has ramped up its counterterrorism aid to Yemen in an intensified campaign to uproot al-Qaida’s offshoot here, which Washington warns has become a “global” threat. U.S. military personnel have already been on the ground training Yemeni security forces in the fight, and intelligence cooperation has increased.
Al-Qirbi said Yemen’s government would welcome more military trainers, “but not in any other capacity.”
“There is a lot of debate among them about how far they should get involved in Yemen,” al-Qirbi said, referring to the United States and its allies. “I’m sure that their experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be very useful to learn from — that direct intervention complicates things.”
Well, yes. The presence of American troops would certainly complicate the longtime and well-known efforts of Yemen government and military officials to aid and abet jihadists on their soil.
“Sensitivity” my foot.
Once again, the jihadi-enablers remind us: Political correctness is the handmaiden of terror.
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Name one world power in history, excluding the USA, that would give aid in the form of 70 million dollars and would not be immediately followed by troops.
US ground troops aren’t always necessary to deal with terrorists. For now, trainers are an acceptable tool to combat Yemeni terrorists. And, nothing is off the table because the current level of effort will be examined, and it’s success determined. From that point adjustments will, of course, be made.
Well, the US pays a lot in tribute to Egypt, and we certainly don’t have any problems with the muslim brotherhood, do we?
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1261.xls
zyzzyg – who made you so dang smart!? Why, you know everything about everything. I am absolutely amazed!
zyzzyg:
Dealing with terrorists my way is – having them looking down the business end of a Barrett 50 Cal.
Since you’re presenting that as a fact rather than an opinion or surmise, please provide the underlying evidence for your position, including, by all means, your own training and experience in the area of foreign relations and military strategy and tactics.
txvet2–LOL, and um
*crickets*
Once you feed them, they won’t go away.
Yemen
No money.
No trade.
No aid.
No troops.
No visas.
No students.
Close the doors and shut them out.
Slapping myself, why do I feel this way???
Are we to pay them a dollar amount per terrorist, or is this a flat rate?
I think that a couple of cruise missiles and Predators may be cheaper in the long run.
Not only that, we run the very real risk of being subjected to novel-length empty, meaningless posts in reply, replete with way over-used phony, wannabe-cowboy-tough-guy-type “yeps” and “nopes”.
Are you talking about trolls or terrorists?
I say pull all that money back, give it to the Israelis who don’t seem to have a problem profiling, and not let another flight from Yemen or anyone from Yemen enter our airspace. See how long it takes these people to clean up their own toilet.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that how we planned and carried out our operations in Viet Nam? First trainers, then more trainers, then a few troops to help out the trainees, then more troops, then a left wing media and government working to undermine the troops, then surrender and abandonment.
If memory serves me right, Korea was handled very similar with the exception of the surrender and abandonment. . . we’re still there.
But on the other hand, no trainers were sent in to Iraq prior to combat troops. Still had the media and members of the Government actively working to undermine the troops, but still . . .
Is it just me, or have we changed our battle tactics since decisively winning WWII? And since then our win/loss record hasn’t been so great.
Wow, the U.N. has brought nothing but peace, love, unicorns and rainbows to the world.
I’d open my wallet for a few extra cruise missiles to be sent (read launched) to Yemen!
every country says the same thing. “give us the money, and stfu” and our gubmint does just that. the u.n. germany, italy, japan, okinawa, s.korea, n.korea, israel, egypt, iraq, afghanistan et al. LET’S TRY A NEW TRACK SINCE 60 YEARS OF THIS PATH HAS LED TO BANKRUPTCY AND A NATION OF ILLEGAL ALIENS. HOW ABOUT WE BRING OUR TROOPS PROTECTING THE REST OF THE WORLD HOME TO PROTECT US, AND TELL THE WORLD TO STFU.
I was talking about posters who seem to know the exact solution to every problem, punctuated with rhetoric full of bravado, regardless of whether that solution flies in the face of common sense.
Why? We have enough B52′s and iron dumb bombs for a good old fashioned inventory reduction.
Smart weapons are for sissies.
The Israelis also profile women travelling alone as a suspicious class.
How do you think the commenters here would react if MM came back from her latest speaking engagement with a tale about how she!–a tiny Asian woman–was pulled aside by the TSA for extra screening? Conspiracy theories would abound.
Seeing that the libs don’t want us to use bombs on middle eastern countries perhaps we could load up a bunch of B2′s with pigs blood and just dump it across one middle easter country (perhaps Yemen). Perhaps then the terrorists would know we mean business.
It seems that everybody wants the money these days … And what do we get?
Yemen would make a nice military base in the ME. Littoral access, anti-piracy footing and a way to keep the Straits of Hormuz open. It would be easier, and cheaper, to just take it. Why we put up with these little punks is beyond me.
Equating the two screening methods, when they are intiated, is apples and oranges.
I have been screened in an Israeli and TSA fashion. The former is impressive; the latter pathetic.
Why do we have to give it to anybody? Can’t we just keep it?
He went on to say, “We are particularly sensitive to troops coming from Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, as they bring hardly any US dollars with them.”
Chapoutier, maybe she would think that fact she made it back safely would be worth it. You assume she would be outraged; Only she could say for sure.
He seems to be the only person who actually believes the US dollar has value.
Give us more money. Money will buy you love and security. Somebody slap some sense in me from this delusional liberal mindset.
You are missing my point. Everyone always goes on about how wonderful Israeli-style security is. And it is. But many of the methods they use would not be easily tolerated here, by either the left or right. Case in point: Getting asked random, unrelated questions asked to elicit a reaction. (See yesterday’s entry).
Michael Yon didn’t seem too grateful about it.
I’ve believed all along that Osama Bin Laden is hiding in his tribal homeland in Yemen. The more heat we bring there, the louder the cries from the bribed officials will be to “back off”.
Ground troops may not be necessary in Yemen if the Air Force can do the job. Also, we not only can suspend air service to and from Yemen, we can also impose secondary suspensions on those who continue to maintain their connections. I know that would be a pain in the butt, but we were attacked.
Having experienced it, I guess I disagree. Yes the questions are more than one would expect, but very quickly yo see what their intent is.
The TSA’s approach is boilerplate with the examiner having little understanding of their own process. I think most people would dislike their time being wasted by someone clearly untrained for their task.
chapoutier said:
Bottom line is – and I will agree with Israels Approach, Singapores approach, Hong Kongs approach etc etc – if some clown fits the profile they are searched, if they do not fit the profile – they do not. If for some reason, and yes it has happened, I am ulled asdie for some reason then so be it – at least I know someone is looking out for me and others.
I think it’s fine if we drop the $70 mil from the air, 500 pounds at a time.
Chap,
One other point. Given my background, I am undoubtedly much more tolerant of such security “intrusions” than many travelers. So, I would be interested in others comments regarding the question you raised.
It is a fair question.
Hey Yemen check this out:
Since our government isn’t authorized to give you a dime, what say we go forward with that “go away” thing … and keep our money as well. Ain’t like the law allows it to go to you anyway …
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
OK, here’s my link again from yesterday. The “Profilers” – and they call them that – are alert “… before passengers even enter the terminal. Officials constantly monitor behavior, alert to clues that may hint at danger: bulky clothing, say, or a nervous manner.”
“To a much greater degree than in the United States, security at El Al and Ben Gurion depends on intelligence and intuition…”
Do you get the feeling at any airport you have been to recently that “intelligence and intuition” play any part in TSA screening?
The Boston Globe writer goes on to say “But it is illogical and potentially suicidal not to take account of the fact that so far every suicide-terrorist plotting to take down an American plane has been a radical Muslim man.” That pretty much lets MM off the hook.
AG: I recall being told a long time ago that the approximate price per “dumb” bomb was $1.00/pound. We certainly couldn’t go “wall-to-wall”, but we could make a LOT of parking lots in Yemen for $17 million!
I’m for bombing the whole region, planting the American flag smack dab in the middle, and taking all the oil…who’s with me on this? Chap?
AG: Other words missing from descriptions of TSA screening: “common sense” and “consistent” to name a few.
I say bring it on. I can handle it.
It reminds me of a famous letter Mark Twain wrote to Andrew Carnegie:
“You seem to be in prosperity. Could you give an admirer a dollar & a half to buy a hymn book with?…P.S. Don’t send the hymn book. Send the money. I want to make the selection myself.”
I’m with GK on this…bring it.
Michael Yon is not Michelle Malkin. I do understand what you are implying, but my point is each person can decide what they will endure- and how the impact is either worth the security or not (you projected an outcome without basis). And the Israelis have reason to treat women with more caution, especially those who hide under excessive layers of clothing. Besides, we have endured NOTHING like what they have for so long. When we have, we may welcome even more intrusive screening just to stay alive.
Anybody with half a brain would know that that would be political profiling, not anything that could be remotely connected to national security, Chapoutier.
SpeakEasy: There is a world of difference between an Israeli professional and a TSA badge-wearer who is trying NOT to come off like Barney Fife.
The professional knows what questions to ask and what are off-limits and is not interested in the answer, just the non-verbal cues. Barney and his ilk ask whatever he wants to know, and is not interested in the non-verbal cues, just the answer.
Scene in the TSA break-room:
Barney walks in and slumps into an armchair, lighting his Marlboro, “Man, I asked this really frumpy looking dude what he makes in a year and he told me he gets $1,600,000 plus stock options!”
Barney’s buddy takes a swig of his Monster energy drink and chimes in, “No way, man! That’s way higher than the dude yesterday who is only pulling down a measly $1,000,000 and he never even mentioned stock options! Hey, anybody know what a stock option is?”
Barney mutters to himself, “Who cares if you’re pulling down a cool mill!”
Can’t remember where I read just this morning that we are about to receive over a 1000 Yemen lotto winners via the famous ‘diversity immigration visa’ and I’m sure they’ll all go through rigorous background checks.
I’m a very tiny woman too – albeit blonde and blue-eyed. Yea, I get flagged every time even though everything in my purse or carry-on is clearly seen when opened. I’ve had them peek and just as quickly close it. They know the system is stupid and can’t do anything about it either…it takes D.C. to come up with the crazy rules, that helps nobody in the long run.
Correction:
MM’s story about the Yemeni immigrants is right after this one on her homepage. That’s where I read it.
Man, that is some rough stuff. Can you imagine how stressful and difficult that is to get asked random, unrelated questions? I don’t know if I could survive it.
I can’t decide which is worse. Getting pushed into a dummy wall by CIA agents, put in a box with a caterpillar or being asked random questions. Hmm…
kinda like the census?
To be fair, I should point out that per zigzag
the Obama team has it all under control.
Proving my conspiracy theory point…
It just amazes me when powers that be think bribing and training their solders is not going to come back and bite us down the road. We are training potential future enemies to fight us, somehow that does not make any sense to me.
Ummm…did you read all the histrionics from your fellow posters (and apparently Yon himself) on the Michael Yon thread yesterday?
Back to the original point, which was whether we should be annoyed that the existing government of Yemen does not want US troops in combat operations in their country.
Of course they don’t want our troops fighting a war in their country. That would lead to an internal revolution.
If the US government comes to the conclusion that the only solution to the problem of Yemen being a haven for terrorists is that we need to fight the terrorists ourselves we need to be prepared to treat it as a war against Yemen itself. Police actions by our military don’t work. All out war though seems works fine (when you vastly overpower the enemy).
We land an overwhelming force in the country. We break things and kill people until the mission has been completed, and then we leave.
War isn’t complicated, it is however awful. It should be avoided and should be kept as short as possible.
Yon was handcuffed. Thats a little different than being asked how much money he makes.
Was he handcuffed because he makes too much money or refused to answer? I think Obama would like to handcuff people that he thinks make too much money. (unless they vote for him
of course)
Of course, we have only one side of the story. But my guess is because he got belligerent when asked.
so the agents acted stupidly?
Yon kept referring to the tapes of the incident and how he’d welcome it’s release, because he was not aggressive. Perhaps it’s like the one where the guy shut down the whole airport and when they needed to see what he looked like found the camera hadn’t been recording for a number of hours….hmm,hmm,hmmmmmmm?
You’re the nearest attorney – is belligerent illegal?
For the last two years Yemen tried to shake down America for $100 million to allegedly build a terrorist detention/rehabilitation center for the 100 Yemeni detainees they demanded we send them. Even Obama could smell that B.S. and declined. As Jane Novak has long pointed out, President Saleh uses al Qaeda as his special ops troops against the Shiite rebels in the north and perhaps more moderate socialist movement in the south. Saleh refuses to turn over to America several on the FBI’s most wanted list (for the Cole bombing and Elbaneh from the Lackawanna Six). If we give Saleh $70 million, we’ll get maybe $7 in counterrorism effort out him, the cost of a few rolls of Chapstick to aide the lip service.
AG – heh
It would be a pity to bomb these terrorist-enabling bastards, wouldn’t it?
I wonder where that 70 million dollars really went, don’t you?
Nicely!
No. Neither is cracking a joke about having a kilo of cocaine strapped to your thighs.
Regardless, both will get you in trouble in certain situations, including going through airport security.
But don’t worry if you have a bomb in your pants. Just don’t belittle the security guy.
Nice guys finish
lastthe explosion.Thank you. But, don’t be amazed. It is just common sense. You have common sense, don’t you?
OK. I agree, the only good terrorist is a dead terrorist. But, how do you know who isn’t a terrorist, and who is a terrorist?
Don’t you follow the news?
Was the military involved in the capture and conviction of the shoe bomber? NO.
Was the military involved in the capture and conviction of Mousawi, the twentieth 9/11 highjacker? NO.
Was the military involved in the capture and conviction of the pizza delivery guy at Fort Dix, New Jersey? NO.
Was the military involved in the capture and conviction of the Virginia paint ballers? NO.
Was the military involved in the capture and conviction of the shoe bomber? NO.
Pretty much true, except for the surrender part.
True. And technically we are at war with them.
Yeah OK, however the difference is we had agreements with the Governmnets to accept our trainers. The Government of Iraq was not willing to accept our trainers. Yes, go on . . .
I hope we have changed our tactics, and continue to change our tactics to meet the changing threat. You forget Panama, Grenada, the first Gulf War and the Balkans.
LOL.
Don’t you follow the news (cont’d).
Was the military involved in the capture of pipe bombers in South Carolina? No.
Was the military involved in the capture of the Lackawana soccer players? No.
Was our military involved in the capture of the Nortern Virginia visitors to Pakistan? No.
Was the military involved in the capture of Jose Padilla? No.
Was the military involved in the capture of the crtoch bomber? No.
Was the military involved in the capture of the English plot to bomb airliners crossing the Atlantic? No.
Was the military involved in the capture of the SOuth Florida knuckle heads who wanted to attack the Sears Tower? No.
I’d call all these guys and more terrorists. Wouldn’t you?
Yes, the military has it’s place, Law Enforcement has it’s place, and you better believe the citizens have their place.
There is more than one way to skin a cat, and there is more than one way to deal with terrorists. Do you agree?
You sure called that one right!
Correct me if I am wrong, but is training a good idea in this situation? Do we have any idea who we are training and how that training is being used? Are the people we are training turing around and training terrorists our methods to make them more effective? I think these are really important questions here. Yemen has not proven to be a very reliable partner in the war or terror in my opinion.
Out of curiousity, why hasn’t this been referred to the U.N. Security Council? Here we go again with our cowboy swagger when we really need to defer to the international community. Europe may not like us if we go it alone.
/sarc
Was that Yemen or California?
barbaric
backwards
home of fools
Could be.