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  • Subject: US deploying troops to 35 African countries
Subject: US deploying troops to 35 African countries

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Posted by: FloodPsychologis
So essentially you support bribing them to be nice. Good to know. Why should I care about what these people do? Why are we even based in this region or hell any 3rd world nation that we don't do a lot of trade with, to begin with?

Bribing the other kids on the playground to be nice sums up a lot of American foreign policy. How I think it ought to be is irrelevant. This is just the reality of politics.

  • 12.26.2012 3:23 PM PDT

Es ist Zeit für einige Gefahr-pay


Posted by: Vgnut117

Posted by: Sgt Drifter
Tell me something I don't know... my point is that they have resources... they should be made to pay something.

Because the benefits outweigh the costs to those making this decision. What is the legality of foreign governments hiring the US military is a possible issue. And how thrilled are these governments going to be paying? Will they pay for what the US seems necessary? Maybe they won't go through with it at all?

You have to stop thinking about how it ought to be.


But do they really? I mean think about. How thrilled are the civilians going to be to have a US presence in their countries? Yeah, there is a lot of potential that good may come of this.

However, there is also the potential for the people to be upset by this and become more open to housing and/or supporting extremists simply because of a common 'enemy'... the United States.

  • 12.26.2012 3:24 PM PDT

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"Ignorance is a plague."

Close, but the plague killed those infected with it, and the ignorant are still alive.
I wish ignorance was a plague.

According to the AP's update this week, soldiers will be sent overseas in the new year to assist only with training and equipping efforts, and are not necessarily permitted to participate in military operations

  • 12.26.2012 3:27 PM PDT

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Posted by: farmerscott21
It sucks pretty bad over there. Extremist groups are getting a solid foothold--better to take care of the problem now before it turns into another Afghanistan.
Northern Mali is already the "Afghanistan" for extremists groups such as al-Qaeda and Ansar Dine.

  • 12.26.2012 3:27 PM PDT

If we disagree, it's nothing personal, opinions are opinions.
Antagonizing me to build a false sense of worth is so damn cute.

Brighten your day with science.

Posted by: farmerscott21
It sucks pretty bad over there. Extremist groups are getting a solid foothold--better to take care of the problem now before it turns into another Afghanistan.

  • 12.26.2012 3:27 PM PDT
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Yup.


Posted by: King Dutchy

Posted by: FloodPsychologis

Posted by: MilitaryTheorist

Posted by: noceRetilE
Honestly instead of taking care of everyone else s problems why don't we focus on ours. This is just stupid.


Foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of our spending, bro.


Let's stop throwing away 50 billion dollars every year :)
How is it "throwing away"?


What do we get from it? Sure, we can influence countries to do stuff, but why do we care what they do or don't do?

  • 12.26.2012 3:29 PM PDT

Door Kickers Inc.


Posted by: FloodPsychologis

Posted by: King Dutchy

Posted by: FloodPsychologis

Posted by: MilitaryTheorist

Posted by: noceRetilE
Honestly instead of taking care of everyone else s problems why don't we focus on ours. This is just stupid.


Foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of our spending, bro.


Let's stop throwing away 50 billion dollars every year :)
How is it "throwing away"?


What do we get from it? Sure, we can influence countries to do stuff, but why do we care what they do or don't do?
It's all about our interests.

  • 12.26.2012 3:30 PM PDT

If we disagree, it's nothing personal, opinions are opinions.
Antagonizing me to build a false sense of worth is so damn cute.

Brighten your day with science.

Posted by: Sgt Mag1

And then there's this military expert.

  • 12.26.2012 3:31 PM PDT
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Yup.


Posted by: Vgnut117

Posted by: FloodPsychologis
So essentially you support bribing them to be nice. Good to know. Why should I care about what these people do? Why are we even based in this region or hell any 3rd world nation that we don't do a lot of trade with, to begin with?

Bribing the other kids on the playground to be nice sums up a lot of American foreign policy. How I think it ought to be is irrelevant. This is just the reality of politics.


Indeed, and it's a waste of money. We have no need for bases in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe especially, let's get out. We shouldn't be giving Egyptians M1 Abrams and so on.

@SgtMag1: And what are our interests? I support Israel and I think they can fight their own battles, if they are in a pinch and need some tanks ASAP sure thing, but a few billion dollars every year when they face only a small threat is a waste to me.

[Edited on 12.26.2012 3:34 PM PST]

  • 12.26.2012 3:32 PM PDT

*´¨)---––•(-• Dutchy •-)•–--–-(¨´*
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)••(¨*•.¸ (¨´*•.¸´•.¸
(¸.•´ (¸.•Everything fails•.¸) ´•.¸)


Posted by: FloodPsychologis

Posted by: King Dutchy

Posted by: FloodPsychologis

Posted by: MilitaryTheorist

Posted by: noceRetilE
Honestly instead of taking care of everyone else s problems why don't we focus on ours. This is just stupid.


Foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of our spending, bro.


Let's stop throwing away 50 billion dollars every year :)
How is it "throwing away"?


What do we get from it? Sure, we can influence countries to do stuff, but why do we care what they do or don't do?
I'll just repost something from another group.

Posted by: SPARTAN 32192
*sigh*

Foreign aid develops the markets of the future; long-time aid recipients have become strong trade partners and are the fastest growing markets for American goods. Foreign aid develops partnerships with countries committed to enabling the private sector investment that is the basis of sustained economic growth to open new markets for American goods, promote trade overseas, and create jobs here at home.

Most people don't realize that anything we construct for another nation abroad has to be made from all American materials. Even most US cars can't be used for transport because the engines were made in Canada.

Anyone who wants to abolish foreign aid is silly. It's a crucial part for any hegemonic state to remain the hegemonic state. You make it seem like we're giving away as much as we pour into our military. Foreign aid is $53.3 billion, government wise, that's not a lot of money. And since it's going into a future investment, it's a pretty good idea to maintain a healthy budget for them. I've written enough papers and done enough presentations on this crap to fry my brain.


TL;DR If you seriously think cutting foreign aid will somehow help our "bad" economy, then you're just really delusional.

  • 12.26.2012 3:33 PM PDT

Door Kickers Inc.


Posted by: FloodPsychologis
We have no need for bases in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe especially, let's get out. We shouldn't be giving Egyptians M1 Abrams and so on.
Again, it's all about interests. I don't really have a strong foothold of why we do things in areas such as Asia or Europe, but I do for the middle east. I can say that a large portion of our interests in this area are, but not limited to, economical interests and to counter Iranian influence in the region.

  • 12.26.2012 3:35 PM PDT

Door Kickers Inc.


Posted by: FloodPsychologis
@SgtMag1: And what are our interests? I support Israel and I think they can fight their own battles, if they are in a pinch and need some tanks ASAP sure thing, but a few billion dollars every year when they face only a small threat is a waste to me.
Israel faces a rather large threat from terrorist groups surrounding their country; which, some of these groups are state funded.

  • 12.26.2012 3:38 PM PDT
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Yup.


Posted by: King Dutchy

I'll just repost something from another group.

Posted by: SPARTAN 32192
*sigh*

Foreign aid develops the markets of the future; long-time aid recipients have become strong trade partners and are the fastest growing markets for American goods. Foreign aid develops partnerships with countries committed to enabling the private sector investment that is the basis of sustained economic growth to open new markets for American goods, promote trade overseas, and create jobs here at home.

Most people don't realize that anything we construct for another nation abroad has to be made from all American materials. Even most US cars can't be used for transport because the engines were made in Canada.

Anyone who wants to abolish foreign aid is silly. It's a crucial part for any hegemonic state to remain the hegemonic state. You make it seem like we're giving away as much as we pour into our military. Foreign aid is $53.3 billion, government wise, that's not a lot of money. And since it's going into a future investment, it's a pretty good idea to maintain a healthy budget for them. I've written enough papers and done enough presentations on this crap to fry my brain.


TL;DR If you seriously think cutting foreign aid will somehow help our "bad" economy, then you're just really delusional.


Care to give some examples of "long-time aid recipients have become strong trade partners and are the fastest growing markets for American goods"? It's 50 billion or a largely reduced amount that's not being given every year, it's not much, but it's better to start somewhere. Bringing back our military overseas is a good way of cutting unnecessary costs too.

@SgtMag1: I agree with what you said about Asia and Europe, but I feel we can at the very least, scale down the number of troops in the Middle East, and instead of GIVING them weapon systems, we TRADE them to Israel :) Regarding Israel, these groups don't
pose a significant threat to Israel itself even though rocket incidents might happen. I'll tell you why. If Israel wanted, it could completely annihilate Gaza, the West Bank or anyone it wanted whether they are Hezbollah or whoever in this area without any struggle if it didn't try and prevent civilian casualties.

[Edited on 12.26.2012 3:46 PM PST]

  • 12.26.2012 3:41 PM PDT

Posted by: Gaara444
Have you seen what life is like even in the modern societies of Africa? There's nothing there except Diamonds and Civil War.

lel

You watch way too many movies.

Extremely Relevant.

  • 12.26.2012 3:45 PM PDT

Dating Age

For those looking to vent, get proper advice, or give it to those in need.


Posted by: FloodPsychologis
Indeed, and it's a waste of money. We have no need for bases in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe especially, let's get out. We shouldn't be giving Egyptians M1 Abrams and so on.

@SgtMag1: And what are our interests? I support Israel and I think they can fight their own battles, if they are in a pinch and need some tanks ASAP sure thing, but a few billion dollars every year when they face only a small threat is a waste to me.

If we look at this with a realpolitik view. So think of a Machiavellian way of looking at this, you'd be called naive and stupid for shrugging off the potential to strangle a problem now before it's a threat tomorrow. Like I said earlier stop thinking about how things ought to be. We should aim for how things ought to be but to do that you have to understand how things are.


Posted by: Sgt Drifter
But do they really? I mean think about. How thrilled are the civilians going to be to have a US presence in their countries? Yeah, there is a lot of potential that good may come of this.

However, there is also the potential for the people to be upset by this and become more open to housing and/or supporting extremists simply because of a common 'enemy'... the United States.

If you weren't grossly exaggerating what's actually happening I might agree with you. US presence? They're sending some troops for training and advising. This is hardly newsworthy to begin with.

  • 12.26.2012 3:49 PM PDT

Door Kickers Inc.

Posted by: FloodPsychologis

List of terrorist groups that are a threat to Israel:

Hezbollah - Funded and trained by Iran
Hamas
al-Qassam Brigades - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
al-Asqa Martyr's Brigades
Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
Fatah
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
al-Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula (umbrella term for AQ backed groups in this region)
al-Qaeda in Jordan (again, an umbrella term)
Fatah al-Islam
Plus many, many more.

Israel is under a constant threat of a terrorist attack, not just from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but also from the Sinai, Jordan and Lebanon. You said something about how Israel could wipe them out. Not really.


  • 12.26.2012 3:55 PM PDT
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Yup.


Posted by: Vgnut117

Posted by: FloodPsychologis
Indeed, and it's a waste of money. We have no need for bases in Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe especially, let's get out. We shouldn't be giving Egyptians M1 Abrams and so on.

@SgtMag1: And what are our interests? I support Israel and I think they can fight their own battles, if they are in a pinch and need some tanks ASAP sure thing, but a few billion dollars every year when they face only a small threat is a waste to me.

If we look at this with a realpolitik view. So think of a Machiavellian way of looking at this, you'd be called naive and stupid for shrugging off the potential to strangle a problem now before it's a threat tomorrow. Like I said earlier stop thinking about how things ought to be. We should aim for how things ought to be but to do that you have to understand how things are.


Posted by: Sgt Drifter
But do they really? I mean think about. How thrilled are the civilians going to be to have a US presence in their countries? Yeah, there is a lot of potential that good may come of this.

However, there is also the potential for the people to be upset by this and become more open to housing and/or supporting extremists simply because of a common 'enemy'... the United States.

If you weren't grossly exaggerating what's actually happening I might agree with you. US presence? They're sending some troops for training and advising. This is hardly newsworthy to begin with.


I understand how things are, the difference is that I don't see how let's say for example the Egyptians come to hate us, why is this a problem? I want you to try and explain this to me. What difference does it make? I would surely understand the need to have good relations with Canada or Mexico, but is Egypt a strong trading partner like Canada or China? Does their opinion of us ultimately matter? What kind of threat can they pose to us?

  • 12.26.2012 3:58 PM PDT

Currently studying Computer Science & Software engineering. Hope to work on mobile devices of the future! When a certain game's credits roll, look out for my name! ;)

You will -blam!- bricks when you see what game it is! =)

Africa is starving! US sends troops.

Oh yeah, that will feed them well...

  • 12.26.2012 3:59 PM PDT

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Posted by: FloodPsychologis
Egypt
An ally in the very strategic Middle East. That's why.

  • 12.26.2012 3:59 PM PDT

Dating Age

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Posted by: Sgt Mag1
Posted by: FloodPsychologis

List of terrorist groups that are a threat to Israel:

Hezbollah - Funded and trained by Iran
Hamas
al-Qassam Brigades - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
al-Asqa Martyr's Brigades
Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
Fatah
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
al-Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula (umbrella term for AQ backed groups in this region)
al-Qaeda in Jordan (again, an umbrella term)
Fatah al-Islam
Plus many, many more.

Israel is under a constant threat of a terrorist attack, not just from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but also from the Sinai, Jordan and Lebanon. You said something about how Israel could wipe them out. Not really.



Fatah is not considered a terrorist organization.

  • 12.26.2012 4:00 PM PDT


Posted by: Gaara444
Although the U.S. is there because of Terrorist networks, if we don't do it, who will?

If you weren't there... Would the terrorists be there? These people have reasons for hating the United States. My guess is that if the US did not act to begin with. All of this would never of happened.

  • 12.26.2012 4:01 PM PDT

Door Kickers Inc.


Posted by: Vgnut117

Posted by: Sgt Mag1
Posted by: FloodPsychologis

List of terrorist groups that are a threat to Israel:

Hezbollah - Funded and trained by Iran
Hamas
al-Qassam Brigades - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
al-Asqa Martyr's Brigades
Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
Fatah
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
al-Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula (umbrella term for AQ backed groups in this region)
al-Qaeda in Jordan (again, an umbrella term)
Fatah al-Islam
Plus many, many more.

Israel is under a constant threat of a terrorist attack, not just from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but also from the Sinai, Jordan and Lebanon. You said something about how Israel could wipe them out. Not really.



Fatah is not considered a terrorist organization.
Yeah, but their militant groups are. Well, at least the al-Asqa Martyr's Brigades is.

[Edited on 12.26.2012 4:04 PM PST]

  • 12.26.2012 4:03 PM PDT
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Yup.


Posted by: Sgt Mag1
Posted by: FloodPsychologis

List of terrorist groups that are a threat to Israel:

Hezbollah - Funded and trained by Iran
Hamas
al-Qassam Brigades - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
al-Asqa Martyr's Brigades
Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
Fatah
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
al-Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula (umbrella term for AQ backed groups in this region)
al-Qaeda in Jordan (again, an umbrella term)
Fatah al-Islam
Plus many, many more.

Israel is under a constant threat of a terrorist attack, not just from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but also from the Sinai, Jordan and Lebanon. You said something about how Israel could wipe them out. Not really.



I haven't heard of recent rocket attacks from Jordan or Lebanon, I figured the threat was only from the Gaza strip even though these groups were trained elsewhere. I was under the impression that Jordan knew not to cause the fury of Israel and was harsh towards Palestinian terrorist groups. Israel's in a tighter position than I thought, but it's not like they are outright attacking Israel.

[Edited on 12.26.2012 4:10 PM PST]

  • 12.26.2012 4:09 PM PDT

Door Kickers Inc.


Posted by: FloodPsychologis

Posted by: Sgt Mag1
Posted by: FloodPsychologis

List of terrorist groups that are a threat to Israel:

Hezbollah - Funded and trained by Iran
Hamas
al-Qassam Brigades - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
al-Asqa Martyr's Brigades
Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
Fatah
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
al-Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula (umbrella term for AQ backed groups in this region)
al-Qaeda in Jordan (again, an umbrella term)
Fatah al-Islam
Plus many, many more.

Israel is under a constant threat of a terrorist attack, not just from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but also from the Sinai, Jordan and Lebanon. You said something about how Israel could wipe them out. Not really.



I haven't heard of recent rocket attacks from Jordan, I figured the threat was only from the Gaza strip. I was under the impression that Jordan knew not to cause the fury of Israel and was harsh towards Palestinian terrorist groups. Israel's in a tighter position than I thought, but it's not like they are outright attacking Israel.
They don't get rocket attacks from Jordan, just there are extremist cells dedicated to the downfall of Israel located in Jordan.

  • 12.26.2012 4:10 PM PDT
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Yup.


Posted by: Sgt Mag1

Posted by: FloodPsychologis

Posted by: Sgt Mag1
Posted by: FloodPsychologis

List of terrorist groups that are a threat to Israel:

Hezbollah - Funded and trained by Iran
Hamas
al-Qassam Brigades - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
al-Asqa Martyr's Brigades
Palestinian Islamic Jihad - Funded and trained by Iran and Syria
Fatah
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
al-Qaeda in the Sinai Peninsula (umbrella term for AQ backed groups in this region)
al-Qaeda in Jordan (again, an umbrella term)
Fatah al-Islam
Plus many, many more.

Israel is under a constant threat of a terrorist attack, not just from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank, but also from the Sinai, Jordan and Lebanon. You said something about how Israel could wipe them out. Not really.



I haven't heard of recent rocket attacks from Jordan, I figured the threat was only from the Gaza strip. I was under the impression that Jordan knew not to cause the fury of Israel and was harsh towards Palestinian terrorist groups. Israel's in a tighter position than I thought, but it's not like they are outright attacking Israel.
They don't get rocket attacks from Jordan, just there are extremist cells dedicated to the downfall of Israel located in Jordan.


Doesn't the government keep them under control?

  • 12.26.2012 4:11 PM PDT