British PM: War against Al Qaeda in Africa could last decades
Mokhtar Belmokhtar, an extremist linked to al-Qaeda, on Sunday released a video taking responsibility for the “blessed operation”, which he said was a response to the French military intervention in Mali, which borders Algeria to the south.
Speaking at Chequers on Sunday, Mr Cameron acknowledged that the terrorist threat in North Africa had grown and he predicted a prolonged struggle to meet it.
“It will require a response that is about years, even decades, rather than months and it requires a response that is patient, that is painstaking, that is tough but also intelligent, but above all has an absolutely iron resolve; and that is what we will deliver over these coming years,” he said.
William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, signalled that could mean directing more of Britain’s growing aid budget to countries in the region.
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If you are going to pussy foot around blindly but respectfully, it will last forever.
BL@KBIRD on January 21, 2013 at 11:48 AM
*pops popcorn and settles in*
BigGator5 on January 21, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Great, the Brits declare, with iron resolve, to throw more money at the problem.
Is there anything ‘throwing more money at’ can’t do?
Dusty on January 21, 2013 at 12:03 PM
GW Bush said that 11+ years ago. Welcome to the party, pals…
rcpjr on January 21, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Yep, the Long War.
thebrokenrattle on January 21, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Dianatha Harris is cool with that, as long as 0bama is her president.
UltimateBob on January 21, 2013 at 12:14 PM
Wait, I thought AQ was gone. Obama got Osama, and therefore, no more terrorism or terrorists would ever threaten civilization or the US again.
The administration spent several weeks spiking the ball over it. Said AQ was on the run.
What’s the deal?
Good Lt on January 21, 2013 at 12:26 PM
Chasing the snake’s tail isn’t quite the same thing as killing the snake.
CPT. Charles on January 21, 2013 at 12:37 PM
With the current ROE it will last longer than I will.
CorporatePiggy on January 21, 2013 at 12:40 PM
The primary aim of modern warfare (in accordance with the principles of doublethink, this aim is simultaneously recognized and not recognized by the directing brains of the Inner Party) is to use up the products of the machine without raising the general standard of living. (2.9.25, Goldstein’s Manifesto)
Bulletchaser on January 21, 2013 at 12:44 PM
We can only pray for peace and recognize it is only a dream, for we must always be prepared to fight the next war.
SC.Charlie on January 21, 2013 at 1:00 PM
Wait, after Obama killed Osama, is there still terrorism?
Schadenfreude on January 21, 2013 at 1:05 PM
How does someone eradicate radical fundamentalist Islam. I am open to any suggestions.
SC.Charlie on January 21, 2013 at 1:27 PM
There’s obviously no good answer to this, but it might be prudent to begin by taking a hard look at being less particular about collateral damage in communities that harbor and thereby implicitly support bad actors. “The Jihadis are in that house there, now please don’t level my block like you did to the one in the next town over” would be the situation we’re looking for. Does this happen in real life, though?
Dead Hand Control on January 21, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Yup – that worked so well for the Russians in Afghanistan…
callingallcomets on January 21, 2013 at 2:08 PM
[Dead Hand Control on January 21, 2013 at 1:54 PM]
I don’t consider the deaths of those who aid and abet the Islamists collateral damage, but I understand what you mean.
I also suggest that those who incite the Islamists to action with their rhetoric be put on the same list as those Islamists who carry out the acts, regardless of what posh urban or suburban town or city they live in. Quit confining our fight with the tail of the Medusa, or just one head, and go after all the heads.
Secondly, the effort should be much more about taking territory, not retaking or defending territory.
None of that though can be satisfactorily acted upon, much less won, if one doesn’t clearly define what the target is. Up to now, we’ve still defined it no better than “whoever attacks us”, and that’s just stupid.
Dusty on January 21, 2013 at 2:25 PM
Yup – that worked so well for the Russians in Afghanistan…
[callingallcomets on January 21, 2013 at 2:08 PM]
What’s your point? The Soviets weren’t fighting Islamism and they weren’t fighting it’s spread.
Dusty on January 21, 2013 at 2:34 PM
Start by quarantining the world of Islam. Stop giving Islam money. Stop Muslim travel in the west, stop Muslim immigration to the west. View Islam as the dangerous ideology it is. Believe nothing Muslims say.
In no time Islam will collapse back into lethargic nothingness. Notice not one level was pulled, not one trigger was squeezed.
BL@KBIRD on January 21, 2013 at 3:13 PM
lever not level
BL@KBIRD on January 21, 2013 at 3:16 PM
This is a good place to start. However, we would need to develop our energy sources in the West, which Ogabe has shown no interest in doing.
8 weight on January 21, 2013 at 3:48 PM