Kristol's Next War: Send The US Marines After Somali Pirates

Matthew Yglesias:

In addition to being a booster of the two actual wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Bill Kristol and/or his publication has, at one time or another, also called for the United States to go to war with North Korea, Syria, Iran, and Sudan. And now he's got another war he's like to start:

And while [Bush is] at it, perhaps he could tell various admirals to stop moaning about how difficult it would be to deal with the pirates off the coast of Somalia (isn't keeping the shipping lanes open a core mission of the Navy?) and order the Navy to clobber them. If need be, the Marines would no doubt be glad to recapitulate their origins and join in by going ashore in Africa to destroy the pirates' safe havens.

Read the whole story: Matthew Yglesias

Comments

[DuPageDem]

Put the most successful pirates on the payroll and make they privateers, going after other pirates. They know what they're doing. That's how most pirates were stopped in the past.

[MagisterLudi]

Cute, and then of course the privateers will lay down their weapons, surrender the loot to us and peace will reign. Lemme guess, Obama Utopian, right?

[DuPageDem]

Actually, privitization is a Republican thing. You know, like paying off the warlords in Iraq. Anyway, most privateers way back ended up retiring, after scoring some big hauls -- they got to keep what they captured. Others were bought off with titles and officer's commissions. Perhaps these guys could be the seed of a Somali navy. They sure could use one.

[RodgerLodger]

Well, if you want more wars, read today's NYT on Obama's UN ambassador...she sounds like she's ready to send troops to places like Darfar...not saying she's wrong, but would love to hear from y'all on this.

[Meggie]

why isn't Kristol demanding some other country do a little work here? just how much stock does this guy have in military contractors? it's the only explanation.

[DRaymond]

Well in all honesty the very first mission of the Marine Corps was to defeat pirates in an African counttry (it's right there in their anthem...the shores of Tripoli).

Frankly the Pirates are Somalia's problem so unless we want to invade a soverign country or they ask us to the subject should be off the table.

What doesn't have to be off the table though is a proven technique...escorted convoys. It would add a few days to the shipping schedule as the convoys are assembled and then have to travel at the pace of the slowest boat. but there is no way a bundh of pirates with AK47's and RPGs are going to take on a guided missile frigate.

[butlerman]

Bill Kristol is very good at suggesting that other people be put in harms way. He, who is without one single minute of military experience himself assumes he knows more about naval operations than actual admirals. Most of what I have read seems to indicate that not a single one of these vessals are American. However Mr. Kristol wants to once again inject American force into a situation which requires solidarity and action from the world community. Instead of risking more damage both to the reputation and the lives of the our fine armed services why isn't Mr. Kristol suggesting that we use this as a bridge to repair our relationships with the world community over an issue in which we share common ground and mutual interest. In Mr. Kristol's world it is much easier to just pick up guns and play at war. Unfortunately war is not play and when you are the one with the actual gun in your hand and are the actual target there are no do overs.

[MagisterLudi]

Lemme guess, Butlerman, but you wouldn't mind when Obama, who would be scared of a .22 becomes in charge of our global Imperial forces and nucl-ear policy. Right?

The WHOLE IDEA in a Democracy that non-military people supervise the military. Think about it. Did FDR ever storm the beaches of Normandy. Who cares???

[butlerman]

Non Military people as in the president and the Sec. of Defense and the Legislative branch where declarations of war are began. You really want to turn this over to Bill Kristol who has been right about exactly nothing in his career. Your comment is asinine and has absolutely nothing to do with the story. Do you really want our armed forces put into harms way protecting in at least one of these cases Iranian oil interests? None of those ships are ours, our own admiralty is against this. With troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and the entire military streched beyond belief you believe we should take on the interests of other nations and still another adventure in Somalia. Remember what happened the last time we went there. The only way US force should be used is as part of an international effort. Take another qualudi and go back to your nap.

[rkimball]

why a should the usa protect eu bound oil from saudi arabia on saudi owned oil, crew & vessels.
just because the french say it's america's problem don't make it so. this is a global effort.

[Meggie]

agreed

[Rumplestiltskin]

The US Navy can protect US Flag merchant ships. If other countries,or flag of convenience vessels need protection, they can pay for it.

[Meggie]

interesting thought, but do you really want to sell out US military personnel as transport security to the highest bidder?

[Rumplestiltskin]

Only if it is in our economic interests, and fits in with normal naval operations. My only point was that we don't do it for free.

[VivaZapata]

the difference between a somali pirate and a neocon? arrrrrr. the pirate tries not to shoot. not funny? that's true.

[kasv]

DRAFT BILL KRISTOL! Let's give this task to Kristol, and all those at his publication, and all his relatives.

[ClevelandTom]

Kristol's solution to the Somali pirate problem reminds me of so many that have come out of particular segment of the right wing. When faced with a complex problem that has political, social, economic and military aspects, they become frustrated when no answer is immediately evident. In their frustration they throw up their hands and dump the problem on our military.

Besides, why does Kristol think the US has to solve this problem? Seems to me that Saudi Arabia, India, and Egypt, among others, have a much greater stake in getting rid of the pirates than the US does.

[Rog49Thomas]

And just the crew to rid the seas of this scourge

Herr Kapitan Krstol
And the Team?

Krauthammer
Bill O'Bluster
Sean H.
Rush
Karl Rogue
A. Coulter

Lady and Gentlemen the flag lapel pins are on me. And I'll buy Chuckie a parrot.

Anchors aweigh!

[Ouroboros]

Shorter Kristol: "The lives of American soldiers are merely pawns in my personal game of chess with myself, and I'd like to play some more."

[PublicusOrator]

Therefore let the pirates have free reign. Other words Thomas Jefferson was a fool for going after the Barbary Pirates. Terrific thought process.

[oncethere]

Bill has been complaining about the lack of "cheerfulness" in the Democratic party. I suppose he would say the disagreeable responses here to his idea of permanent war indicates a lack of cheerfulness among the commenters.

[pfc1369]

The U.S. is forever claiming to offer the world democracy, freedom, liberty, and more.

Strange then, that the U.S. always shows up with rifles, tanks, bombs, warships, planes, and death.

[bbridges1962]

Shiver me timbers!! Let's let Captain BUSH-HOLE take one of the decommissioned US Navy ships and his political team and let them take care of the pirates!! That may keep him occupied until Jan 20.

[greatlardini]

Avast ye maties!! Send Kommodore Kristol to lead the fleet!!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!