Article

2019-01-21 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Tata & Prince: Precedent for Syria, Afghanistan pullout lies with WWII-era Flying Tigers

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Posted by Besoeker 2019-01-21 06:58|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 We may soon begin to learn there are limitations to the capabilities of Private Military Companies (PMCs).

Posted by Besoeker 2019-01-21 07:06|| 2019-01-21 07:06|| Front Page Top

#2 Oh, boy mercenaries have such a great reputation!

If we can't justify the job with national troops, we shouldn't be doing whatever the hell it is.

The Flying Tigers were am attempt to get around Congress. They're nothing to brag about.

Posted by Herb McCoy 2019-01-21 08:45|| 2019-01-21 08:45|| Front Page Top

#3 "A mercenary captain is either a capable man or not..."

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2019-01-21 08:48|| 2019-01-21 08:48|| Front Page Top

Renault: My dear Ricky, I suspect that under that cynical shell, you're at heart a sentimentalist...Oh, laugh if you will, but I happen to be familiar with your record. Let me point out just two items. In 1935, you ran guns to Ethiopia. In 1936, you fought in Spain on the Loyalists' side.

Rick: And got well paid for it on both occasions.

Renault: The winning side would have paid you much better.

Rick: Maybe.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-01-21 08:53|| 2019-01-21 08:53|| Front Page Top

#5 “In Afghanistan, Coalition forces have trained and equipped 175,000 Afghan National Army and 150,000 Afghan National Police Forces that can secure their country.”

If they are capable, why don’t the Aghans take care of the security of their country?

“The move makes sense in every respect. The U.S. has invested nearly $1 trillion in Afghanistan since the war’s inception and has another $50 billion on tap for 2019. The privatized force can do the job about 85 percent cheaper with the prospect of being more effective.”

A privatized mercenary force is 85% cheaper and has the prospect of being more effective. The operative phrase is prospect of being more effective.

What recent experiences can be pointed to that support that idea? Africa? Weapons and Warfare.

There are some attractive features of mercenary forces: cost (already mentioned), latitude in recruiting a combat-experienced army, and keeping the force free from social engineering “engineers.” The U.S. can use the money saved for building a wall, building infrastructure and reducing the debt.

On the other hand:

1. Recruiting combat-experienced mercenaries might be a problem as fewer and fewer Americans have combat experience. That leaves recruiting mercenaries from other armies which can be problematic.

1.What happens when mercenaries break laws? Who is on the hook for that?
2.There are likely to be support, logistics and intelligence issues.
3.What happens when the SHTF. Does the U.S. intervene? Not so easy to drop forces into a gone-south situation.

Posted by JohnQC 2019-01-21 09:49|| 2019-01-21 09:49|| Front Page Top

#6 Whoops. 1, 1, 2? Reminds me of a joke I heard. "There are only three kinds of people in this world: Those can can count and those who can't."

Posted by JohnQC 2019-01-21 09:52|| 2019-01-21 09:52|| Front Page Top

#7 HIMMM. "Flying Tigers in the pre-World War II era". I am only familiar with WW11 and post. My uncle went on to Pam Am as a pilot and helped with the air lift out of Castro's Cuba. He never talked much about it but he was never asked as I recall. I envied him I must say. He and his small family traveled the world. Portugal sounded interesting. Mentioned the loading of sardines on the backs of burros spilling many and gathering then up lastly so as not to waste. Yep, poop and all.

Posted by Dale 2019-01-21 11:07|| 2019-01-21 11:07|| Front Page Top

#8 Study the Congo war 60-68. Mobutu and Lumumba. The Maoist "Simbas". The Nigerians/Congolese vs Biafra.

Or if you like fiction, watch the Wild Geese, while listening to Roland the headless Thompson gunner.

Posted by Glolush Whusotch4899 2019-01-21 13:08|| 2019-01-21 13:08|| Front Page Top

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