Reports out of Algeria are still sketchy but it appears that Algerian security forces attacked the Islamist group holding hostages at a gas plant near the Libyan border—and in the process killed a number of hostages along with hostage-takers.
This is not exactly how the United States, Britain, Israel, France or other Western nations would approach a hostage crisis. The security forces in all those countries would seek a resolution that would be most likely to leave the hostages unharmed and plan an attack only if there was absolutely no alternative or if there was actionable intelligence which suggested a good chance to free the hostages. See, for instance, the hijacking of the merchant ship Maersk Alabama that ended with Navy SEAL snipers taking out the hostage takers and freeing the captain, Richard Phillips.
The Algerians, by contrast, appear to have blundered in, guns blazing. This should not be particularly surprising since (a) Algeria is not a democracy and (b) it has long cultivated a ruthless style of counterinsurgency. During the war pitting Algerian security forces against Muslim militants (including the predecessors of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) in the 1990s, an estimated 100,000 or more people died as a result of the indiscriminate and heavy-handed tactics employed by both sides.
The Algerian way of fighting Islamist militants is eerily similar to that of the Russians who have pursued a similar scorched-earth approach in Chechnya. When confronted with Islamist hostage-takers, Russian security forces also rushed in–and the result was hundreds of dead hostages in a Moscow theater in 2002 and a Beslan school in 2004. In all these cases the assaults went so wrong partly because of a lack of skill on the part of the attackers and partly because their superiors simply didn’t care that much about who lived and died.
Of course there was no accountability for the Russian forces because their government is not democratic. The same undoubtedly will be the case in Algeria. Such blunderbuss tactics can work, at least for a time, but in the present instance they will exacerbate Algeria’s relations with the U.S., Britain, Japan and other countries whose hostages were in the line of fire and which were not consulted before the assault.
All of this should make us all the more thankful for the highly skilled and highly humane U.S. Special Operations Forces as they have developed over the last few decades. Some of their operations go awry too, but if you are ever taken hostage, you had better pray to be rescued by SEAL Team Six or Delta Force—not by the Algerian army.
I, for one, much prefer the Algerian approach to that favored by Israel (and the U.S.). They appear to have botched the operation. The operation perhaps was faulty, not the approach. In contrast, the current Israeli approach is to allow its hostages to be used as bargaining chips and to ultimately release hundreds, if not thousands, of dangerous criminals and terrorists. Is this what Max means when he states: "The security forces in all those countries would seek a resolution that would be most likely to leave the hostages unharmed"? n nThe approach should always be never to negotiate with these types. We pay lip service to this in the West (and Israel is among the worst offenders) but we don't actually practice it. n n
Two points: First, the brutal, but not at all surprising tactics of the Algerians will neither produce any sustained wave of revulsion by the international leftists against Algeria or more importantly a reconsideration of the "anti-imperialist, anti-colonialist third-worldist socialist" regimes that they have blindly supported for decades while reviling and slandering their former colonial masters in Europe. I await the day that there will be reckoning with these anti-colonial socialist revolutions that have immiserated almost all of Africa. n nAnd second, Boot fails to mention that the bloody intervention in 1972 in Munich of the German Special Forces where they were responsible for the deaths of many of the Israeli athletes kidnapped by Arab terrorists working for Arafat and the current PA head Abbas. The Germans didn't do much better than the Algerian butchers of today. And even worse they shortly released the few Arab terrorists captured in a ransom payment for German citizens. At least we can be certain that the Algerians will take no prisoners that can later be ransomed.
The Algerians and the Russians both won.
"…they will exacerbate Algeria’s relations with the U.S., Britain, Japan …" n nI'm confused. Only yesterday guerrilla warfare expert Max Boot was assuring us that it is the kidnappers who have lost international sympathy by kidnapping a variety of different nationals. Who are our friends in this affair? The kidnappers? The Algerians? The French clinging to their colonial holdings? BP putting its employees in harm's way without providing proper security? n nLet's cut the crap and concentrate on drilling and fracking and otherwise exploiting oil and natural gas reserves in more civilized parts of the world. Screw the Muslims. Leave them to drink tea, smoke hookahs, play sheshbesh, make babies and slaughter each other.
lol
The Algerians did not have any choice, as the terrorists were attempting to move the hostages. That is unacceptable. But in any event, in Beslen, the terrorists intended to die with their hostages, as the whole school was rigged with explosives. It is clear that this was not the act of "rational" hostage takers. Death was their goal, for themselves and others. n nThat does not excuse the failures of the Algerians and their lack of competance, but in the end it was better this ended soon rather than be played out like Beslen. A drawn out situation only benefits the terrorists.
All well and good but none of us has a clear appreciation of the tactical situation. A gas complex sprawled across a couple of miles attacked by at least a couple dozen well-armed, mobile men who take a hundred or more hostages at multiple locations is hardly a job that a few Seal snipers can resolve. It also seems that the Algerians attacked when at least some of tge terrorists were trying to make their getaway with hostages in five vehicles. And then, too, this is a GAS complex with the prospect that the terrorists could have blown up the whole place, hostages and all. It may turn out when we have more than fragmentary reports that Boot has a point, but it's a bit arogant to start bashing Algeria with little solid information. n nBesides, at least Algeria is on our side in this fight — which is a lot more than you can say about Arabs generally.
The latest reports out of Algeria, if they are to be believed, indicated that the vast majority of hostages have been freed (over 100) in what increasingly looks like a daring and quite successful rescue operation. Perhaps Mr. Boot would like to reconsider his rash and ill-conceived thesis?
NATO should get training in fighting Islamists from Algeria, and maybe the USA should remember that Algeria voted no, in the Arab League vote that was so crucial to the "multi-lateral legitimacy" of the Libyan adventure.
Behold the perils of instant analysis! Seems that it's too soon to tell whether the Algerian security forces' assault was a success or a failure. Perhaps we should wait on, um, the facts…?
excellent
yes, excellent idea – that Max Boot really should have waited for the facts. nJust read the timeline of events today, UK Telegraph, and the Algerians did what needed to be done to save as many hostages while also stopping the destruction of the entire gas complex. Currently clearing landmines planted by the multi-cultural crew of terrorists – seems more than a few spoke perfect British. n nWhile the deaths of hostages are tragic, this might just be a tipping point in many ways. n
But the West refuses to deal with the countries supporting these extremists. Saudi Arabia, the gulf states and Iran. nThe West more and more has given into blackmail.
Let's be generous and just say that Mr. Boot doesn't get the bigger picture, which goes so far beyond the hostages.
u25cf The most famous event of the 1972 Munich Olympics, saw the German police storming the Palestinian hostage takers at the airport. The result was all eleven Israeil hostages died.r nu25cf In 1974, after the IDF commandos assaulted the school at Maalot, 31 Israelis were killed, including 25 children.r nu25cf At Waco in 1993, our “highly skilled” law enforcement people took the initiative after a long standoff, and the result was 82 civilians and four police officers died.
● The most famous event of the 1972 Munich Olympics, saw the German police storming the Palestinian hostage takers at the airport. The result was all eleven Israeil hostages died.
● In 1974, after the IDF commandos assaulted the school at Maalot, 31 Israelis were killed, including 25 children.
● At Waco in 1993, our “highly skilled” law enforcement people took the initiative after a long standoff, and the result was 82 civilians and four police officers died.
how do you spell Rescue? nE N T E B B E
Yes, the Western countries provide the best in hostage rescue services: both hostages and terrorists are guaranteed satisfaction!
I would buy into two points you are trying emphasized and they both are obvious. The democratic societies are based on more humane and human live preserving principles. It was historically developed through centuries and we can see it how it was obvious during WW2 when Russia and Germany suffered most losses because the culture of those regimes completely devalued human lives. Second might be presented as axiom, better train special forces with having advanced technological support are able to produce better outcomes. It happen to be democratic and most economically developed countries with emphasize on preserving human life.
It would be nice if Mr. Boot returned to tell us exactly what he would have had the Algerian government do. He like the rest of us, of course, would have liked to see it end as neatly as the Maersk Alabama incident to which he alludes, the terrorists dead or captured and all the hostages rescued. That, however, clearly was not to be the outcome no matter how skilled and highly humane the forces tasked with accomplishing it. n nSo, Mr. Boot would have asked the Algerians to do exactly what? I'll bet he can't suggest an approach that would have had as much chance of a significantly better outcome than the chances of the proverbial snowball in Hell. Indeed, I'll bet that what Mr. Boot would have urged upon the Algerians, if he could even articulate an actionable plan, would if heeded by the Algerians have been almost certain to result in a far worse outcome, both short-term and long-term, than what the Algerians did without greenlighting it with foreign governments. And though I wish the Algerians had accomplished the mission with the loss of fewer innocent lives (and the loss of more terrorist lives), I am glad they acted as quickly and decisively as they did.
Western countries provide the best hostage rescue services: satisfaction guaranteed, for both hostage and terrorist.
dumb down, Stupendous! Hold your breath, shut-up, sit down & listen to me: Nobody would dare to ask this question. What’s the Algerian Militants motive and why 29 are martyred and 3 captured. Is it greed as Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s Oh No.? Boring. Abdelaziz Bouteflika would privilege those Algerian Militants generously to fight Arabspringers for him but the Algerian Militants ditched Abdelaziz Bouteflika and preferred trouble to prosperity to commit extreme crime to get the World’s attention outloud: No Thugocracy on planet earth has the birthright to appropriate Arabspringers hydrocarbon to BP or its siblings to supply Israel Algerian gas instead of Egypt who felt sinful to pump gas into Israel at 10% of Platt or for free incase al-Qaida fiddled with the gas-meter.
dumb down? Cannt get much dumber than you, sweetie n nAchmed, and all your brother slaves to al la n nas you see yourselves- n nO men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all aware. n n(Al Qur'an, Al-Hujurat 49:13) n nYOU ARE THE BEST AL LA LA CAN DO n npretty nauseating don't you know n nBut, since you all think you are the best, so much better than the infidel…………you can rot and wallow in your ignorance and degradation. You don't need anything from the infidel- n neat the oil and sand- n n…………….have you mated with azeri? n
It’s a joke to say that BP Roughnecks are executed or even killed. BP Roughnecks hired in Algeria to steal hydrocarbon or die. What would you think a Filipino or Japanese who ain’t qualified to be a janitor in his country doing in the most educated country in North Africa? Tap-Dance! BP will harvest millions outta insurance claims leaving cents for the dead. I don't feel sorry for BP Roughnecks. They’re very highly paid petty thieves hired to steal hydrocarbon & starve natives for living. The useless Algerian jumpy Army murdered 37 BP Roughnecks who’re taken hostage by Algerian Militants for bargain. The Algerian Army sees anything moves in the Sahara is the Enemy of the State and must be gunned-down. Abdelaziz Bouteflika Regime coldblooded hypocrisy condolences insulted the concerned governments and the victims' families. Since Abdelaziz Bouteflika jumpy Army is to be blamed for murdering BP Roughnecks. Such showdown ain't first but it’s the beginning of new era of hydrocarbon terror. It’s not the first time that Obama bluffed an African dictator. He told Omar al-Bashir of Sudan: “if you let George Clooney secede & form South Sudan government he will stop ICC headhunting Omar al-Bashir for Darfur Genocides. Obama needed Israel’s support During the election, Obama vowed to protect Abdelaziz Bouteflika if he will supply Israel Algerian gas instead of Egypt who felt sinful to pump gas into Israel at 10% of Platt or for free incase al-Qaida fiddled with the gas-meter. Now that Obama inaugurated second term. I don’t think he needs neither Abdelaziz Bouteflika nor Israel. After all BP is British Norwegian SWF and those 3 Americans who lost their lives are BP Roughneck alas Collateral victims generously secured by huge variety of good quality Insurance coverage. Please dumb down, Stupendous! Hold your breath, shut-up, sit down & listen to me: Nobody would dare to ask this question. What’s the Algerian Militants motive and why 29 are martyred and 3 captured. Is it greed as Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s Oh No.? Boring. Abdelaziz Bouteflika would privilege those Algerian Militants generously to fight Arabspringers for him but the Algerian Militants ditched Abdelaziz Bouteflika and preferred trouble to prosperity to commit extreme crime to get the World’s attention outloud: No Thugocracy on planet earth has the birthright to appropriate Arabspringers hydrocarbon to BP or its siblings
What’s took you so long? David! Cameron needed Victoria Nuland’s permission to go on offense. What a looser? It’s a joke to say that BP Roughnecks are executed or even killed. BP Roughnecks hired in Algeria to steal hydrocarbon or die. What would you think of a Filipino or Japanese who ain’t qualified to be a janitor in his country doing in the most educated country in North Africa? Tap-Dance! BP will harvest millions outta insurance claims leaving cents for the dead. I don't feel sorry for BP Roughnecks. They’re very highly paid petty thieves hired to steal hydrocarbon & starve natives for living. The useless Algerian jumpy Army murdered 37 BP Roughnecks who’re taken hostage by Algerian Militants for bargain. The Algerian Army sees anything moves in the Sahara is the Enemy of the State and must be gunned-down. Abdelaziz Bouteflika Regime coldblooded hypocrisy condolences insulted the concerned governments and the victims' families. Since Abdelaziz Bouteflika jumpy Army is to be blamed for murdering BP Roughnecks. Such showdown ain't first but it’s the beginning of new era of hydrocarbon terror. It’s not the first time that Obama bluffed an African dictator. He told Omar al-Bashir of Sudan: “if you let George Clooney secede & form South Sudan government he will stop ICC headhunting Omar al-Bashir for Darfur Genocides. Obama needed Israel’s support During the election, Obama vowed to protect Abdelaziz Bouteflika if he will supply Israel Algerian gas instead of Egypt who felt sinful to pump gas into Israel at 10% of Platt or for free incase al-Qaida fiddled with the gas-meter. Now that Obama inaugurated second term. I don’t think he needs neither Abdelaziz Bouteflika nor Israel. After all BP is British Norwegian SWF and those 3 Americans who lost their lives are BP Roughneck alas Collateral victims generously secured by huge variety of good quality Insurance coverage. Please dumb down, Stupendous! Hold your breath, shut-up, sit down & listen to me: Nobody would dare to ask this question. What’s the Algerian Militants motive and why 29 are martyred and 3 captured. Is it greed as Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s Oh No.? Boring. Abdelaziz Bouteflika would privilege those Algerian Militants generously to fight Arabspringers for him but the Algerian Militants ditched Abdelaziz Bouteflika and preferred trouble to prosperity to commit extreme crime to get the World’s attention outloud: No Thugocracy on planet earth has the birthright to appropriate Arabspringers hydrocarbon to BP or its siblings
oh please n ndo we need this incoherent psychopath posting here?