2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBernie Sanders: US sending troops to Syria could mean ‘perpetual warfare’
Bernie Sanders: US sending troops to Syria could mean perpetual warfareKhorri Atkinson
MSNBC
The Vermont lawmaker said in a statement through a spokesman Michael Briggs on Friday that the U.S. involvement could lead to perpetual warfare.
The senator believes that the crisis in Syria will be solved diplomatically, not militarily, the statement reads.
Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, who is seeking the Democratic Partys nomination, supports for efforts by Secretary of State John Kerry to include bring Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and other nations into discussions on how to end the civil war, the spokesman added.
On the campaign trail, Sanders has said he is not opposed to using military force, but he believes it only should be used as a last resort.
A spokesman for former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Sanders chief rival, told CNN that the former first lady sees merit in the targeted use of special operations personnel to support our partners in the fight against ISIS, including in Syria.
progree
(10,909 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Divernan
(15,480 posts)With special forces "advisers". Back in 1959, recent marine option grads from Marquette's NROTC program came back to campus to visit and told the other NROTC guys that there were Marines who were on the books as being stationed in India, but were actually in combat in Vietnam. This was not public information at that time.
Eisenhower placed military advisers and CIA operatives in Vietnam, and John F. Kennedy sent American soldiers to Vietnam. Lyndon Johnson ordered the first real combat by American troops, and Richard Nixon concluded the war.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/55.asp
http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history
According to a survey by the Veterans Administration, some 500,000 of the 3 million troops who served in Vietnam suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and rates of divorce, suicide, alcoholism and drug addiction were markedly higher among veterans.
In the United States, the effects of the Vietnam War would linger long after the last troops returned home in 1973. The nation spent more than $120 billion on the conflict in Vietnam from 1965-73; this massive spending led to widespread inflation, exacerbated by a worldwide oil crisis in 1973 and skyrocketing fuel prices. Psychologically, the effects ran even deeper. The war had pierced the myth of American invincibility, and had bitterly divided the nation. Many returning veterans faced negative reactions from both opponents of the war (who viewed them as having killed innocent civilians) and its supporters (who saw them as having lost the war), along with physical damage including the effects of exposure to the harmful chemical herbicide Agent Orange, millions of gallons of which had been dumped by U.S. planes on the dense forests of Vietnam. In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was unveiled in Washington, D.C. On it were inscribed the names of 57,939 American armed forces killed or missing during the war; later additions brought that total to 58,200.
I had both friends and relatives who served in Vietnam. Those that survived were seriously screwed up, psychologically and/or physically (Agent Orange).
DrBulldog
(841 posts)I have never forgotten this fact because I became of draft age at the start of the Viet Nam war and was in Nixon's first draft lottery - in which by the grace of gawd I got a very high number. Most Americans don't realize that it was Eisenhower who actually started the war and then two moronic Democrats followed up to fail to take the opportunity to stop the whole thing in the bud.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)after spending nearly 4 years expanding it.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)polly7
(20,582 posts)It was never meant to really end, imo.
RKP5637
(67,111 posts)I't's pathetic!
polly7
(20,582 posts)who rush in once a sovereign nation is opened up for plundering, the World Bank and IMF and their predatory loans set in place to 'help' them recover, and on and on and on.
It's nauseating.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)But now they just rush in, bomb the hell out of a country, plunder and leave. And some people are surprised that it degenerates to the point of having civil wars and extremists like ISIS spreading all over the region and making a fortune in the process because they control several oil fields and there are buyers for that gooey disgusting stuff tainted with blood.
polly7
(20,582 posts)I don't how anyone who's bothered to even read half of what's available could be surprised at any of it, though I understand how many just don't want to hear it, see it or think about it ..... because it is so awful.
We use those extremists when we need them, kill them when we don't ....... it just all depends on if the brutality they're spreading helps our 'cause' or not. I'm thinking of Libya here, and remembering the horrors the world ignored as thousands of Africans who'd been welcomed into and were working in Libya for decades were suddenly 'Qaddafi loyalist mercenaries' and, many, tortured, hung in the streets, raped and murdered. Now we're seeing it in Syria, and many other places who've already been 'liberated' for profit, and the millions of those left behind at the mercy of whatever extremists move in to fill the vacuum.
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)His endless war-making is disgusting and evil and immoral and just depressing. He must be totally in thrall to the MIC. To increase the military involvement in Syria is the last thing we need to do, and is just a waste of life and money, and increases suffering.
Glad to hear Sanders is on the right side here.
tecelote
(5,122 posts)Absolutely!
Endless War should be a major issue in 2016.
The mass killing will continue under Hillary. How can Hillary supporters justify that?
Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)than the wars she will continue to wage and start.
tecelote
(5,122 posts)Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)I actually haven't heard about that.
Response to Fast Walker 52 (Reply #8)
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BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)General Smedley Butler knew what he was talking about and it got a lot worse since then.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)he wouldn't be in charge. It's not his call that we are waging continuous war. I believe it's Gen Clapper calling the shots. Remember Presidents come and go but the NSA/CIA is always there.
turbinetree
(24,703 posts)is "WHY" this president and this Congress, have not gone into the well of Congress and told the American people that under Article 1 Section 8 Paragraph11, you know that pesky thing called the Constitution "WHY" there has been no discussions and and vote for this kind of crap and other pieces of crap.
Just think we are spending over 4 million a day, in Afghanistan, (and leaving over 5,000 human beings supporting a corrupt government) and now we are spending over 4 million a day in whatever you want to call it in that proxy war with Russia and the other dirt bags with there ego's as big as they can get.
And then to top it all off this country has the USS Ronald Reagan (what a name) patrolling the South China Sea, invoking the Stars War protection blanket of imagination.
And then let's not forget that "IF" one of these special operation soldiers gets captured and is then shown on world wide T.V in a orange jump suit , will this country then make a decision as a whole------------------because apparently the public is again being left out of the proverbial loop, while the new speaker of the house is on his four day vacations that he requested every week, to just take the new job and doing nothing again, same old game just a different name
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)turbinetree
(24,703 posts)It's like they left there job, getting ready for the pomp and ceremony of Armistice Day, Thanksgiving---------------amazing.
They don't want to do this part of the job, and they "HAVE NO EXCUSES" , none, we have a right to know why right now on why they are giving us crap excuses on what they are NOT doing, they are just waiting for a consequence to blame the other side----------------it is just amazing.
Everyday the MSM , editorials in the newspapers, should be asking this question, there should be a debate on this its nowhere to be seen none....................................
Thanks
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Martin Eden
(12,872 posts)I agree with Bernie we should not send troops of any kind into this conflict, but I don't see how this crisis can be "solved" diplomatically.
There is no diplomacy with ISIS. They will continue fighting until they are defeated.
The questions are to what degree this is a national security concern of the United States and what should we do about it.
As horrible as the Assad regime is, I think the established Syrian government is the best viable solution for stability and any possible opportunity to make progress through diplomacy after the dust settles. If the Assad regime is deposed by the amalgam of rebel factions, the likely result will be long term chaos with heavy influence by extremist groups, including ISIS.
The Obama administration should swallow its pride, admit they were too optimistic about the "Arab Spring" movement in Syria, and work with Russia & Iran in their efforts to eradicate ISIS (or ISIL, as Obama calls it). Unfortunately this means abandoning the rebels we previously tried to support, but that effort was an official failure when we could not find any viable (and acceptable) fighting force to train.
It's tempting to say we should entirely wash our hands of this whole bloody mess and completely extricate ourselves from any involvement. I would agree that is a better option than sending boots on the ground, but the fact is we opened this Pandora's box when we invaded Iraq and we bear a large degree of responsibility for what's happening. But we have to keep in mind that our military "solutions" tend to make things worse.
If Russia and Iran want to spend blood and treasure to defeat the cancerous spread of an Islamic State that is so bad even al Qaeda denounces them, I see that as a positive development. Let's not get in their way or escalate our own military intervention. Our policy should be aimed toward an end to perpetual war. Diplomacy at this juncture requires mature relations with Russia, Iran, and all nations affected by the outcome.
Response to Martin Eden (Reply #12)
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Martin Eden
(12,872 posts)Can the leaders of human civilization find a path to both peace and justice?
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)i think you have him confused with Hillary Clinton who supports expanding our operations in Syria and continued involvement in other equally futile places like Libya.
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)No contradiction there.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)He's supporting Obama's decision here.
Exactly how do you spin that as Sanders supporting "perpetual war".
He's against every single other military aggression or expansion - HRC is for all military expansion and explicitly says so, including further aggression in Libya! A place so fucked up, I can't imagine any possible productive thing we could do there.
Skeeter Barnes
(994 posts)Would you have ever thought when you voted for Barack Obama that we would be at war the entire eight years he was in office? Both parties are corrupt and they will eventually destroy this country if not the entire world.
avaistheone1
(14,626 posts)The permanent war economy has worked very well for the 1%. For the rest of us not so much.
in_cog_ni_to
(41,600 posts)It's time to spend OUR tax dollars on US! Our infrastructure is crumbling. What's left of our public schools are crumbing. Our water system is in desperate need of being replaced. Bridges and roads are collapsing.
It's time to take care of this country and the people who live here!
Enough with the damn WARS!
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)CentralMass
(15,265 posts)BootinUp
(47,166 posts)There are certain times when it is morally right to take action.
polly7
(20,582 posts)ybbor
(1,554 posts)We would be better off helping here. Then maybe the inhabitants wouldn't feel so inclined to join the military as a way to escape from said regions.
BootinUp
(47,166 posts)Spend the money to help improve our inner cities. Rebuild our infrastructure, spend money on schools, put our citizens to work doing so. Stop spending all our money on the money pit that is the Middle East. It hasn't improved anything so far.
tecelote
(5,122 posts)What's morally right about collateral damage?
We used to say that "Sending doctors, teachers and engineers will turn enemies into allies faster than a bullet". That's the moral high ground. But today, intervening in foreign countries and killing people is morally right?
You blow me away.
This is about MIC profits. War profiteering. Which, used to be considered a sin.
BootinUp
(47,166 posts)Obama used the threat of force in Syria, and all the hand wringers were wrong.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Or that it has "helped" the civilians in Syria in any way?
I want some of what you're smoking...there are so many stories about our total failure in Syria...
Here's just one for you:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34278233
Congress approved $500m (£323m) to train and equip around 5,000 rebels as a key plank of US strategy against IS.
But the first 54 graduates were routed by an al-Qaeda affiliate, Gen Lloyd Austin told lawmakers.
Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte said the number remaining was a "joke". "We have to acknowledge this is a total failure. I wish it weren't so, but that's the fact," said another Republican Senator, Jeff Sessions.
Snip
Gen Austin also promised "appropriate actions" if an investigation found than senior defence officials doctored intelligence to downplay IS and al-Qaeda strength in Syria. The allegations that intelligence analysts' reports were being manipulated first emerged in the Daily Beast earlier this month.
BootinUp
(47,166 posts)tecelote
(5,122 posts)You say we were wrong because we went in but what have we accomplished?
raindaddy
(1,370 posts)And other than making a handful of rich people richer and hanging an obscene military budget around the necks of the American public what are the results.. Vietnam, Nicaragua, Iraq, Afghanistan..Maybe Bosnia and Somalia were morally right.. But do you have any idea what we could've done to "improve" the conditions of people living not only in this country but the world with the trillions of dollars spent in the first four war mentioned?
War is a business that makes huge profits and it's being treated like any other profitable business.. Unfortunately you and I don't have a say in where the next "morally right" action is going to take place.
BootinUp
(47,166 posts)And thats why I support Hillary.
raindaddy
(1,370 posts)tecelote
(5,122 posts)LWolf
(46,179 posts)that don't include the US military, MIC, or boots on the ground.
Diplomacy.
Response to portlander23 (Original post)
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salib
(2,116 posts)Clinton is simply saying she would do the same. And maybe more in some cases.
Response to salib (Reply #38)
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salib
(2,116 posts)I think the post I responded to said that she "is" creating more veterans. Fortunately, she is not on a position to do so right now.
However, she is the presumptive one to be in that position in the future.
The near future.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts)War means more money for their cronies.
MADem
(135,425 posts)BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)He lied. He had to know that this would degenerate and that eventually he would have to send troops. If he didn't know then that makes him ill informed at best.
MADem
(135,425 posts)act as he thinks best, and not worry about how it will affect his political future.
You can call him a liar, I would suspect if he bothered to reply to you he'd say the features of the conflict changed and he responded accordingly. Put another way, he no longer has to care what you or anyone else thinks. Lame duckedness has a certain freedom in that regard.
Regardless, the bottom line is that the barn door is open and there are no ungulates inside.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)He has no excuse. Ordinary people saw that coming so he must have had a clue. Did military advisers became so lame over the years as to not see what would be likely to happen?
MADem
(135,425 posts)It's very easy to be an armchair general, with no responsibility for the process, or the outcome.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)He doesn't even take their calls.
They have to write letters to the White House.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Quick, get out the torches and pitchforks...
bvar22
(39,909 posts)THAT one is the worst....and the most worn out.
The Congressional Progressive Caucus is the LARGEST Caucus in the Democratic Party.....yet,
how many were appointed to positions of power in his administration?
[font size=4]
The DLC New Team
Progressives Need NOT Apply
[/font]
(Screen Capped from the DLC Website)
http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=254886&kaid=86&subid=85
Were you awake during the Bush Years?
Did he govern for everybody?
.
.
.
.
Has ANY President ever governed for everybody?
MADem
(135,425 posts)Rahm Emmanuel has been gone from the WH for some time, you know. He has a new little job to keep him busy. And you probably don't realize that he worked his ass off to get Obama elected.
People who help get rewarded.
And I can't get that link to work--did you grab it from an old post, or something? Speaking of "bullshit lines" and all that...to quote you. Or could it be that, since the DLC was pretty much running on fumes since 2009 and was DISSOLVED (as in broken up, defunct, shut down, done for) in 2011, that the website has gone the way of the dodo, as well?
A good President will try to govern for We, The People. I think you overestimate the degree of grumbling from that 'largest caucus' you're going on about. I think most of them -- if not all of them -- helped to get BHO re-elected and continue to find common cause with him on most if not all issues.
If they were so dissatisfied, like you seem to be, why didn't we hear them shit-flinging and pouting back then? Where were the demands that he be primaried like Jimmy Carter?
And funny, it seems to me that it was a cadre of 'expert progressives' who were the ones who DEMANDED that an unknown, inexperienced Obama be elevated to the Presidency in the first place -- and now, they don't get all that they wanted, so they're experiencing buyer's remorse, or what?
If those critics couldn't pick a "good" candidate that met their requirements back in 08, why should I believe they'll do better in 16? All that smug certainty "He's the MAN--he's all about HOPE and CHANGE!!!" for a charismatic but entirely UNTESTED guy with very little actual experience. Thank god we got lucky, and he ended up being a really good thinker who, notwithstanding a few glitches, picked some good staff to help him run the executive branch. He greatly exceeded my expectations, and I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way. I've enjoyed the Obama years, and I'm glad he was elected.
Maybe that group of complainers either doesn't understand that politics is the art of compromise, or maybe they just are never satisfied, is what I'm starting to think. You can't always get what you want--that's a life lesson, as well as a popular song.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)Bread and Circus
(9,454 posts)Why do we need to be the world's enforcer and policeman? Why do we have to be in near perpetual conflict goung back nearly a 100 years?
It is madness.
polly7
(20,582 posts)BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)MisterP
(23,730 posts)and then even scared-er once the community gets gated; next I presume is some Ballardian hell in an exurban arcology
(and of course corpo shills then say we need to be cured of our irrational fear ... of waste dumps)
qazplm
(3,626 posts)LMAO.
One can validly argue whether we should simply sit out Syria and not get engaged. That's a worthwhile position/conversation.
But no, the Syria issue will not be solved diplomatically. ISIS isn't coming to the negotiation table, and neither is Assad or the rebels. It's a civil war combined with a crazy third party that is fanatical and thinks nothing of killing anyone.
That doesn't get solved diplomatically.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)WE have an lengthy history of causing way more harm than good in the Middle East.
EdwardBernays
(3,343 posts)What does he think we've had since... well.. forever?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_United_States_military_operations
EdwardBernays
(3,343 posts)here's the last 25 years:
1990 Liberia: On August 6, 1990, President Bush reported that a reinforced rifle company had been sent to provide additional security to the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, and that helicopter teams had evacuated U.S. citizens from Liberia.[RL30172]
1990 Saudi Arabia: On August 9, 1990, President Bush reported that he launched Operation Desert Shield by ordering the forward deployment of substantial elements of the U.S. armed forces into the Persian Gulf region to help defend Saudi Arabia after the August 2 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. On November 16, 1990, he reported the continued buildup of the forces to ensure an adequate offensive military option.[RL30172]American hostages being held in Iran.[RL30172] Staging point for the troops was primarily Bagram air field.
1991 Iraq and Kuwait: Gulf War, On January 16, 1991, in response to the refusal by Iraq to leave Kuwait, U.S. and Coalition aircraft attacked Iraqi forces and military targets in Iraq and Kuwait in conjunction with a coalition of allies and under United Nations Security Council resolutions. On February 24, 1991, U.S.-led United Nation (UN) forces launched a ground offensive that finally drove Iraqi forces out of Kuwait within 100 hours. Combat operations ended on February 28, 1991, when President Bush declared a ceasefire.[RL30172]
199196 Iraq: Operation Provide Comfort, Delivery of humanitarian relief and military protection for Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq during the 1991 uprising, by a small Allied ground force based in Turkey which began in April 1991.
1991 Iraq: On May 17, 1991, President Bush stated that the Iraqi repression of the Kurdish people had necessitated a limited introduction of U.S. forces into northern Iraq for emergency relief purposes.[RL30172]
1991 Zaire: On September 2527, 1991, after widespread looting and rioting broke out in Kinshasa, Air Force C-141s transported 100 Belgian troops and equipment into Kinshasa. American planes also carried 300 French troops into the Central African Republic and hauled evacuated American citizens.[RL30172]
1992 Sierra Leone: Operation Silver Anvil, Following the April 29 coup that overthrew President Joseph Saidu Momoh, a United States European Command (USEUCOM) Joint Special Operations Task Force evacuated 438 people (including 42 Third Country nationals) on May 3. Two Air Mobility Command (AMC) C-141s flew 136 people from Freetown, Sierra Leone, to the Rhein-Main Air Base in Germany and nine C-130 sorties carried another 302 people to Dakar, Senegal.[RL30172]
199296 Bosnia and Herzegovina: Operation Provide Promise was a humanitarian relief operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav Wars, from July 2, 1992, to January 9, 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history.[9]
1992 Kuwait: On August 3, 1992, the United States began a series of military exercises in Kuwait, following Iraqi refusal to recognize a new border drawn up by the United Nations and refusal to cooperate with UN inspection teams.[RL30172]
19922003 Iraq: Iraqi no-fly zones, The U.S., United Kingdom, and its Gulf War allies declared and enforced "no-fly zones" over the majority of sovereign Iraqi airspace, prohibiting Iraqi flights in zones in southern Iraq and northern Iraq, conducting aerial reconnaissance, and several specific attacks on Iraqi air-defense systems as part of the UN mandate. Often, Iraqi forces continued throughout a decade by firing on U.S. and British aircraft patrolling no-fly zones.(See also Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch) [RL30172]
199295 Somalia: Operation Restore Hope, Somali Civil War: On December 10, 1992, President Bush reported that he had deployed U.S. armed forces to Somalia in response to a humanitarian crisis and a UN Security Council Resolution in support for UNITAF. The operation came to an end on May 4, 1993. U.S. forces continued to participate in the successor United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II).(See also Battle of Mogadishu)[RL30172]
199395 Bosnia: Operation Deny Flight, On April 12, 1993, in response to a United Nations Security Council passage of Resolution 816, U.S. and NATO enforced the no-fly zone over the Bosnian airspace, prohibited all unauthorized flights and allowed to "take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with [the no-fly zone restrictions]."
1993 Macedonia: On July 9, 1993, President Clinton reported the deployment of 350 U.S. soldiers to the Republic of Macedonia to participate in the UN Protection Force to help maintain stability in the area of former Yugoslavia.[RL30172]
1994 Bosnia: Banja Luka incident, NATO become involved in the first combat situation when NATO U.S. Air Force F-16 jets shot down four of the six Bosnian Serb J-21 Jastreb single-seat light attack jets for violating UN-mandated no-fly zone.
199495 Haiti: Operation Uphold Democracy, U.S. ships had begun embargo against Haiti. Up to 20,000 U.S. military troops were later deployed to Haiti to restore democratically-elected Haiti President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from a military regime which came into power in 1991 after a major coup.[RL30172]
1994 Macedonia: On April 19, 1994, President Clinton reported that the U.S. contingent in Macedonia had been increased by a reinforced company of 200 personnel.[RL30172]
1995 Bosnia: Operation Deliberate Force, On August 30, 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraft began a major bombing campaign of Bosnian Serb Army in response to a Bosnian Serb mortar attack on a Sarajevo market that killed 37 people on August 28, 1995. This operation lasted until September 20, 1995. The air campaign along with a combined allied ground force of Muslim and Croatian Army against Serb positions led to a Dayton Agreement in December 1995 with the signing of warring factions of the war. As part of Operation Joint Endeavor, U.S. and NATO dispatched the Implementation Force (IFOR) peacekeepers to Bosnia to uphold the Dayton agreement.[RL30172]
1996 Liberia: Operation Assured Response, On April 11, 1996, President Clinton reported that on April 9, 1996 due to the :"deterioration of the security situation and the resulting threat to American citizens" in Liberia he had ordered U.S. military forces to evacuate from that country "private U.S. citizens and certain third-country nationals who had taken refuge in the U.S. Embassy compound...."[RL30172]
1996 Central African Republic, Operation Quick Response: On May 23, 1996, President Clinton reported the deployment of U.S. military personnel to Bangui, Central African Republic, to conduct the evacuation from that country of "private U.S. citizens and certain U.S. government employees", and to provide "enhanced security for the American Embassy in Bangui."[RL30172] United States Marine Corps elements of Joint Task Force Assured Response, responding in nearby Liberia, provided security to the embassy and evacuated 448 people, including between 190 and 208 Americans. The last Marines left Bangui on June 22.
1996 Kuwait: Operation Desert Strike, American Air Strikes in the north to protect the Kurdish population against the Iraqi Army attacks.
1996 Bosnia: Operation Joint Guard, On December 21, 1996, U.S. and NATO established the SFOR peacekeepers to replace the IFOR in enforcing the peace under the Dayton agreement.
1997 Albania: Operation Silver Wake, On March 13, 1997, U.S. military forces were used to evacuate certain U.S. government employees and private U.S. citizens from Tirana, Albania.[RL30172]
1997 Congo and Gabon: On March 27, 1997, President Clinton reported on March 25, 1997, a standby evacuation force of U.S. military personnel had been deployed to Congo and Gabon to provide enhanced security and to be available for any necessary evacuation operation.[RL30172]
1997 Sierra Leone: On May 29 and May 30, 1997, U.S. military personnel were deployed to Freetown, Sierra Leone, to prepare for and undertake the evacuation of certain U.S. government employees and private U.S. citizens.[RL30172]
1997 Cambodia: On July 11, 1997, In an effort to ensure the security of American citizens in Cambodia during a period of domestic conflict there, a Task Force of about 550 U.S. military personnel were deployed at Utapao Air Base in Thailand for possible evacuations. [RL30172]
1998 Iraq: Operation Desert Fox, U.S. and British forces conduct a major four-day bombing campaign from December 1619, 1998 on Iraqi targets.[RL30172]
1998 Guinea-Bissau: Operation Shepherd Venture, On June 10, 1998, in response to an army mutiny in Guinea-Bissau endangering the U.S. Embassy, President Clinton deployed a standby evacuation force of U.S. military personnel to Dakar, Senegal, to evacuate from the city of Bissau.[RL30172]
199899 Kenya and Tanzania: U.S. military personnel were deployed to Nairobi, Kenya, to coordinate the medical and disaster assistance related to the bombing of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.[RL30172]
1998 Afghanistan and Sudan: Operation Infinite Reach, On August 20, President Clinton ordered a cruise missile attack against two suspected terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and a suspected chemical factory in Sudan.[RL30172]
1998 Liberia: On September 27, 1998, America deployed a stand-by response and evacuation force of 30 U.S. military personnel to increase the security force at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia. [1] [RL30172]
19992001 East Timor: Limited number of U.S. military forces deployed with the United Nations-mandated International Force for East Timor restore peace to East Timor.[RL30172]
1999 Serbia: Operation Allied Force: U.S. and NATO aircraft began a major bombing of Serbia and Serb positions in Kosovo on March 24, 1999, during the Kosovo War due to the refusal by Serbian President Slobodan Miloević to end repression against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. This operation ended in June 10, 1999, when Miloević agreed to pull out his troops out of Kosovo. In response to the situation in Kosovo, NATO dispatched the KFOR peacekeepers to secure the peace under UNSC Resolution 1244.[RL30172]
2000 Sierra Leone: On May 12, 2000, a U.S. Navy patrol craft deployed to Sierra Leone to support evacuation operations from that country if needed.[RL30172]
2000 Nigeria: Special Forces troops are sent to Nigeria to lead a training mission in the county.[10]
2000 Yemen: On October 12, 2000, after the USS Cole attack in the port of Aden, Yemen, military personnel were deployed to Aden.[RL30172]
2000 East Timor: On February 25, 2000, a small number of U.S. military personnel were deployed to support the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). [RL30172]
2001 On April 1, 2001, a mid-air collision between a United States Navy EP-3E ARIES II signals surveillance aircraft and a People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) J-8II interceptor fighter jet resulted in an international dispute between the United States and the People's Republic of China called the Hainan Island incident.
2001present War in Afghanistan: The War on Terror begins with Operation Enduring Freedom. On October 7, 2001, U.S. Armed Forces invade Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 attacks and "begin combat action in Afghanistan against Al Qaeda terrorists and their Taliban supporters."[RL30172]
2002 Yemen: On November 3, 2002, an American MQ-1 Predator fired a Hellfire missile at a car in Yemen killing Qaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi, an al-Qaeda leader thought to be responsible for the USS Cole bombing.[RL30172]
2002 Philippines: OEF-Philippines, As of January, U.S. "combat-equipped and combat support forces" have been deployed to the Philippines to train with, assist and advise the Philippines' Armed Forces in enhancing their "counterterrorist capabilities."[RL30172]
2002 Côte d'Ivoire: On September 25, 2002, in response to a rebellion in Côte d'Ivoire, U.S. military personnel went into Côte d'Ivoire to assist in the evacuation of American citizens from Bouaké.[11]
[RL30172]
20032011 War in Iraq: Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 20, 2003, The United States leads a coalition that includes the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland to invade Iraq with the stated goal being "to disarm Iraq in pursuit of peace, stability, and security both in the Gulf region and in the United States."[RL30172]
2003 Liberia: Second Liberian Civil War, On June 9, 2003, President Bush reported that on June 8 he had sent about 35 U.S. Marines into Monrovia, Liberia, to help secure the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania, and to aid in any necessary evacuation from either Liberia or Mauritania.[RL30172]
2003 Georgia and Djibouti: "US combat equipped and support forces" had been deployed to Georgia and Djibouti to help in enhancing their "counterterrorist capabilities."[12]
2004 Haiti: 2004 Haitian coup d'état occurs, The US first sent 55 combat equipped military personnel to augment the U.S. Embassy security forces there and to protect American citizens and property in light. Later 200 additional US combat-equipped, military personnel were sent to prepare the way for a UN Multinational Interim Force, MINUSTAH.[RL30172]
2004 War on Terror: U.S. anti-terror related activities were underway in Georgia, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Eritrea.[13]
2004present: The U.S deploys drone strikes to aid in the War in North-West Pakistan
200506 Pakistan: President Bush deploys troops from US Army Air Cav Brigades to provide Humanitarian relief to far remote villages in the Kashmir mountain ranges of Pakistan stricken by a massive earthquake.
2006 Lebanon, U.S. Marine Detachment, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit[citation needed], begins evacuation of U.S. citizens willing to leave the country in the face of a likely ground invasion by Israel and continued fighting between Hezbollah and the Israeli military.[14][15]
2007 - The Mogadishu Encounter, on November 4, 2007, Somali Pirate's boarded and attacked a North Korean merchant vessel. Passing U.S Navy Ships and a helicopter that were patrolling at the time responded to the attack. Once the ship was freed from the pirates, the American forces were given permission to board and assist the wounded crew and handle surviving pirates.
2007 Somalia: Battle of Ras Kamboni, On January 8, 2007, while the conflict between the Islamic Courts Union and the Transitional Federal Government continues, an AC-130 gunship conducts an aerial strike on a suspected al-Qaeda operative, along with other Islamist fighters, on Badmadow Island near Ras Kamboni in southern Somalia.[16]
2008 South Ossetia, Georgia: Helped Georgia humanitarian aid,[17] helped to transport Georgian forces from Iraq during the conflict. In the past, the US has provided training and weapons to Georgia.
2010present - al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen: The U.S has been launching a series of drone strikes on suspected al-Qaeda and al-Shabaab positions in Yemen.
201011 Operation New Dawn, On February 17, 2010, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced that as of September 1, 2010, the name "Operation Iraqi Freedom" would be replaced by "Operation New Dawn". This coincides with the reduction of American troops to 50,000.
2011 2011 military intervention in Libya: Operation Odyssey Dawn, United States and coalition enforcing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 with bombings of Libyan forces.
2011 Osama Bin Laden is killed by U.S. military forces in Pakistan as part of Operation Neptune Spear.
2011 Drone strikes on al-Shabab militants begin in Somalia.[18] This marks the 6th nation in which such strikes have been carried out,[19] including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen[20] and Libya.
2011present Uganda: U.S. Combat troops sent in as advisers to Uganda.[21]
2012 Jordan: 150 U.S. troops deployed to Jordan to help it contain the Syrian Civil War within Syria's borders.
2012 Turkey: 400 troops and two batteries of Patriot missiles sent to Turkey to prevent any missile strikes from Syria.
2012 Chad: 50 U.S. troops have deployed to the African country of Chad to help evacuate U.S. citizens and embassy personnel from the neighboring Central African Republic's capital of Bangui in the face of rebel advances toward the city.
2013 Mali: U.S. forces assisted the French in Operation Serval with air refueling and transport aircraft.
2013 Somalia: U.S. Air Force planes supported the French in the Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt. However, they did not use any weapons.
2013 2013 Korean crisis
2013 Navy SEALs conducted a raid in Somalia and possibly killed a senior Al-Shabaab official, simultaneously another raid took place in Tripoli, Libya, where Special Operations Forces captured Abu Anas al Libi (also known as Anas al-Libi)[22]
2014present Uganda: V-22 Ospreys, MC-130s, KC-135s and additional U.S. soldiers are sent to Uganda to continue to help African forces search for Joseph Kony.[23]
2014present - American intervention in Iraq: Hundreds of U.S. troops deployed to protect American assets in Iraq and to advise Iraqi and Kurdish fighters.[24] In August the U.S. Air Force conducted a humanitarian air drop and the U.S. Navy began a series of airstrikes against Islamic State-aligned forces throughout northern Iraq.[25][26]
2014 - 2014 American rescue mission in Syria: The U.S attempted to rescue James Foley and other hostages being held by ISIL. Air strikes were conducted on the ISIL military base known as "Osama bin Laden camp". Meanwhile, the bombings, Delta teams parachuted near an ISIL high-valued prison. The main roads were blocked to keep any target from escaping. When no hostage was found, the American troops began house to house searches. By this time, ISIL militants began arriving to the area. Heavy fighting occurred until the Americans decided to abandon the mission due to the hostages being nowhere in the area. Although the mission failed, at least 5 ISIL militants were killed, however 1 American troop was wounded. According the reports, Jordan had a role in the operation and that one Jordanian soldier had been wounded as well. This was unconfirmed.
2014present - American-led intervention in Syria: American aircraft bomb Islamic State positions in Syria. Airstrikes on al-Qaeda, al-Nusra Front and Khorasan positions are also being conducted.
2014present - Intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant: Syrian locals forces and American-led coalition forces launch a series of aerial attacks on ISIL and al-Nusra Front positions in Iraq and Syria.
2014 - 2014 Yemen hostage rescue operations against al-Qaeda: On November 25, U.S Navy SEAL's and Yemeni Special Forces launched an operations in Yemen in attempt to rescue eight hostages that were being held by al-Qaeda. Although the operation was successful, no American hostages were secured. In the first attempt, six Yemenis, one Saudi Arabian, and one Ethiopian were rescued. On December 4, 2014, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) threatened to execute the Somers if the U.S failed to the unspecified commands. AQAP also stated that they would be executed if the U.S attempted another rescue operation. On December 6, a second operation was launched. 40 U.S SEALs and 30 Yemeni troops were deployed to the compound. A 10-minute fire fight occurred before the American troops could enter where the remaining hostages (Somers and Korkie) were being held. They were alive, but fatally wounded. Surgery was done in mid air when flying away from the site. Korkie died while in flight, and Somers died once landed on the USS Makin Island. No American troop was killed/injured, however a Yemenis soldier was wounded.
2015 - April 30, 2015 U.S. sends ships to the Strait of Hormuz to shield vessels after Iranian Seizure of commercial vessel: The U.S. Navy deploys warships to protect American commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian interference. Concerns were also raised that Iranian gunships were trailing a U.S. container ship. Iran additionally fired shots over the bow, and seized, a ship registered in the Marshall Islands, part of a long-standing dispute between the two nations.[27]
2015-present - American military intervention in Cameroon
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)199295 Somalia: Operation Restore Hope
Picked this one pretty much at random but it sure didn't go as planned either. And who is naming these things? Operation Restore Hope? Really? Same category of stupid names as The Patriot Act.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,372 posts)It would be much more difficult for Hillary to bring Iran into discussions on how to end the civil war in Syria as she has already made clear during the Democratic Debate that Iranians are among the enemies that she is most proud of.
Thanks for the thread, portlander.