T45Heinous

That option would open a huge bag of worms that none of us could predict...You have non-state actors, sponsored/financed by the US, killing citizens/terrorists of another country...IN that country...I think that the UN, the world community and IRAQ would have just a little heartburn about that, especially considering the scale that would be involved. We had/have contractors in this AOR for decades, performing security operations, not offensive combat operations.
If we have to go back there with ground forces, they will be US military, not contractors, that would be a non-starter for all the reasons I stated and about 100 others!

badflaps

Am I the only one that thinks sending 200+ GI's to Iraq to help, has "Alamo" written all over it.

jungle

Just a guess, but you have zero military experience and don't really understand the strategy, tactics or logistics required to go into hostile territory; kill or run off large numbers of hostiles and maintain control of the real estate.

Private security firms have flourished because it is incredibly expensive to fund large standing modern military organizations.

The current situation is likely to end in a long struggle between various tribes and whose invisible man is best, but it is really about money and power for those running the various factions. They just want to carve up their little piece of the pie, and if oil goes up in the meantime they all profit more.

I don't think the Saudis, Kuwait, or Iran would be heartbroken over a spike in oil prices and if it can be gained by cheaply arming 6,000-12,000 savages and turning them loose all the better.

Creating chaos is easy and inexpensive, creating order is difficult and very costly.

KC10 FATboy

Jungle said it best. But I'd like to ad, private security firms and Spec Ops are two totally different things. One is meant to secure and protect, while the other is mean to be the most lethal, light, and invisible killing machine ever created.

jungle

Correct, but much of that lethal effect comes from the huge amount of support from conventional forces, intel, and support weapons.

These are assets even the best of private security cannot field.
They aren't going to get dedicated satellite support, a carrier or airstrikes to underline their point.

A very good example of SpecOPs is the series of "accidents" that have happened to Iran's nuclear program over the past few years. Whodunnit?

Some of us have been watching too many movies, maybe they think Chuck Norris could just come in and throw a roundhouse.

jungle

Getting good publicity for your dirty little war:


ISIS Stunner: Terrorist Organization's Annual Reports Unveiled; Reveal Full "Investment Highlights" | Zero Hedge

Timbo

Why do you have to 'roll in' ?

How about 'death from above'?

We have the technology, (drones) use it!

brianb

Now that's what I'm talking about. A little Special Forces/Drone sandwich for ISIS should satisfy this afternoons cravings.

atpcliff

Nice Iraqi girl story.
Too many haters in the world.
99% of the people on earth want to live their lives in peace.
It's the 1%(the OTHER 1%) that are interested in violence and subjugation.

When different peoples meet, they often realize how similar they are.

Mark Twain:

brianb

That's why that 1% needs to be neutralized or things will never change for the long term betterment of us all.