Article

2011-05-16 Arabia

Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwaters Founder - NY Times

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Posted by Besoeker 2011-05-16 03:18|| || Front Page|| [7 views ] Top

#1 The gulf countries, and the U.A.E. in particular, dont have a lot of military experience. It would make sense if they looked outside their borders for help, said one Obama administration official who knew of the operation. They might want to show that they are not to be messed with.

Still, it is not clear whether the project has the United States official blessing. Legal experts and government officials said some of those involved with the battalion might be breaking federal laws that prohibit American citizens from training foreign troops if they did not secure a license from the State Department.

There ya go. And the Slimes knows they didn't go through the State Department, or the Slimes would've published this story long ago. Left in the dark, this time?

Posted by Bobby 2011-05-16 05:58|| 2011-05-16 05:58|| Front Page Top

#2 It would make sense if they looked outside their borders for help, said one Obama administration official

They suck at military things beyond oppressing the locals. Makes sense that they would outsource the work. It is the future. Just another bit of globalization - the flow of labor, capital and jobs.

Posted by SteveS 2011-05-16 07:12|| 2011-05-16 07:12|| Front Page Top

#3 I can imagine Xe, and companies like it, developing into an American Foreign Legion, somewhat modeled off the FFL. But the same rules would have to apply. They are "too American", which limits them in some ways.

They would have to be offshore to avoid lawfare. They could only deploy to areas with bilateral anti-ICC treaties with the US. They would have to have former US officers in charge. And their transport and logistics would have to be provided by the US military.

Other mercenary corporations would have a lot fewer problems.

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-05-16 09:17|| 2011-05-16 09:17|| Front Page Top

#4 Hire gurkhas.

There are something like 50 applicants for every position in the overseas gurkha regiments.

As I recall the UK still has 2, Singapore has 1 or 2 and Brunei has 1. Hong Kong used to have a couple but I doubt they are still there.

Posted by phil_b 2011-05-16 09:36|| 2011-05-16 09:36|| Front Page Top

#5 Ah Yes, Ghurkas...bad bad boys when their blood is up, dangerous when completely calm.

There are some freaking bad dudes in the FFL...geez...ex CIA, ex Spetznaz, ex Stasi, you name it, they've got them.

Someone send a memo to the Moslem Brotherhood...

Do not mess with French Citizens or you'll get a French speaking Russian at the door...in a very bad mood.

Posted by Bill Clinton 2011-05-16 10:16|| 2011-05-16 10:16|| Front Page Top

#6 They would have to be offshore to avoid lawfare

That's probably why they headquartered on Tortola, BVI with off-shore banking...the unemployed locals also have experience wielding machetes and would blend in fight the Somalian pirates....

Posted by Lumpy Elmoluck5091 2011-05-16 11:57|| 2011-05-16 11:57|| Front Page Top

#7 correction:
blend in >to< fight

Posted by Lumpy Elmoluck5091 2011-05-16 11:59|| 2011-05-16 11:59|| Front Page Top

#8 Is the NYT intent upon blowing up our entire intelligence establishment?

Can they keep their mouth shut about anything?

Posted by Bill Clinton 2011-05-16 14:56|| 2011-05-16 14:56|| Front Page Top

#9 C'mon, Bill - you know the answers.

Yes.

No (except Bambi's grades, background, true beliefs, etc.).

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2011-05-16 18:09|| 2011-05-16 18:09|| Front Page Top

#10 The gulf countries, and the U.A.E. in particular, dont have a lot of military experience. It would make sense if they looked outside their borders for help, said one Obama administration official who knew of the operation.

This dude is about fifty years behind the information-curve, not to mention somewhat wrong.
Oman's had contract military personnel (actually, they are or were seconded) from the UK for decades, plus from other nations. Bahrain has used Pakistanis, as have the Sauds. Other UAE states also use contract personnel of Commonwealth origin.

The Gulf countries don't have much in-house military experience, because it is intended to be that way.

Posted by Pappy 2011-05-16 21:55|| 2011-05-16 21:55|| Front Page Top

23:30 trailing wife
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