tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post4919297850097584394..comments2024-02-06T08:33:52.695+02:00Comments on Eeben Barlow's Military and Security Blog: ISN'T IT TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS?Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-44144905605517763852013-02-11T14:19:42.725+02:002013-02-11T14:19:42.725+02:00That is an astonishing amount to pay for failure, ...That is an astonishing amount to pay for failure, Matt! I can only shake my head at the gross incompetence we witness with these so-called training teams. <br /><br />Well, PMCs with a real reputation (I am not talking about the wannabees which seem to be all over the show getting contracts) can make a massive contribution. Sadly though, your Dept of State seems to pettily view my company as some sort of enemy so the chances of us getting involved are about zero. <br /><br />I have long maintained that African forces are completely incorrectly structured – they are semi-clones in terms of organisation of their European or old-Soviet masters. But that mind-set prevails and noting will change it. <br /><br />My argument is that if you haven’t won a war, how the heck do you teach soldiers how to win? A great many PMCs – and foreign army training teams – have records of failure. One cannot therefore expect to get a winning team out of that. I know this will upset many but it is the harsh reality of life. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-85135763966750850912013-01-29T02:49:25.544+02:002013-01-29T02:49:25.544+02:00Eeben,
Excellent analysis and here is a toast to ...Eeben,<br /><br />Excellent analysis and here is a toast to a new year and a farewell to the bloody and chaotic prior year!<br /><br />What kills me about Mali is that the US spent over 500 million on training forces in Mali, and I am wondering what was taught? Classes on coups and how 'not to be a soldier'? lol <br /><br />Here is the money quote from this article I read recently. <br /><br />"The U.S. spent more than $500 million in a “counterterrorism” program backing the Malian military against the insurgents, including the training of elite military units by U.S. Special Forces. U.S.-trained units under Tuareg leadership then defected, leaving the Malian forces demoralized. In March 2012, a U.S.-trained officer, Capt. Amadou Sanogo, led a coup to overthrow the government of President Amadou Toumani Touré."<br /><br />http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2013/01/23/mali-disregarded-lessons-in-humanitarian-intervention/<br /><br />With that said, someone in the hi command needs to re-evaluate the process of training these folks, and future forces that will be used against the islamists throughout Africa, because this is unsatisfactory in my book.<br /><br />Also, I talked a little bit on my blog about the possible PMSC contribution in this new phase of the GWOT. I think this ECOWAS force will require much hand holding and training, much like with the AMISOM force. We will also see security upgrades and manpower adjustments with private companies all throughout the region. <br /><br />I was curious what you thought about the possible contributions of PMSC's in Africa as the islamists continue to take land? Take care. -mattFeral Jundihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16448933885952005675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-24128238201130366502013-01-24T06:19:21.362+02:002013-01-24T06:19:21.362+02:00From the tone of your comment, I deduce that you a...From the tone of your comment, I deduce that you are from Africa, Unknown?<br /><br />Yes, you are correct. There is no such thing as “free” training – I have witnessed the disastrous effects of many of these so-called free training programmes. The scramble for Africa started several years ago and both the West and the East are hedging their bets to see who can claim Africa’s resources. “Free” training is one way to ensure that the so-called beneficiary has to continually look to you for help when they need it. (As mentioned, look where this approach got the SANDF). This help then comes at a price that is often unaffordable.<br /><br />Your comment on the sudden rise of rebels groups once SF teams arrive in a country is something many Africans I speak to have noticed and it is causing them extreme concern. Unfortunately, this approach to foreign policy is driving governments in exactly the opposite direction and they are beginning to view the West with a growing suspicion. <br /><br />As for bombing and fighting extremists in one theatre and then supporting them in another theatre is furthermore equally alarming to many on this continent. It is indicative of foreign governments’ inability to identify the enemy/threat – a critical factor in any strategy or operational plan development. You are correct – when the real threat emerges, they feign surprise and cannot understand how their supposed ally – who was actually their real enemy to begin with – could attack them. <br /><br />One cannot blame the soldiers and airmen who are providing this training and advice as they are simply following their orders. However, it is putting them increasingly at risk – something that in turn is equally concerning. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-82744211512074262262013-01-23T19:24:19.213+02:002013-01-23T19:24:19.213+02:00Hi Eeben
No training is free. The West knows how t...Hi Eeben<br />No training is free. The West knows how to play the “for free” game. On top of that, the training is sub standard, and the equipment, their rejects. As soon as a receiver of such equipment becomes a bad guy, no spare parts are available for their Western equipment.<br />As soon as Western forces deploy in countries, strangely enough, rebel groups’ start forming and become threats to Governments. (CAR, DRC, South Sudan, Nigeria? etc.)<br />As you rightly point out, who trained the Malians, Algerians etc etc. <br />To add to some comments on the “Arab Spring” – The West are sending their troops to be killed and maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan, but support the extremists in Libya, Egypt, Syria…. The support they gave them via SF troops on the ground, airstrikes etc. and then they turned around and bite them in the back through an embassy attack and 4 Americans killed, amongst them the ambassador who in fact supported the rebels in Libya. So the strange thing here is, as soon as a Government is actually trying to control/suppress an extremist/terrorist uprising, they are criticized by the West as being dictators and not wanting a democracy. The West in return assist the “freedom fighters” and after the smoke clears, are surprised at the results!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11070862213777887832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-63011416026333121422013-01-23T05:55:19.999+02:002013-01-23T05:55:19.999+02:00I agree that many know what is coming SFMedic but ...I agree that many know what is coming SFMedic but I do not believe that they do not know what to do. I think they know what to do but do not know how to do it. I attribute this to poor advice, lack of training, lack of will, etc, etc.<br /><br />Whereas tribalism definitely plays a role in many of these conflicts, I have also seen it being encouraged and exploited by advisors. Any advisor worth his salt should not involve himself in tribal and cultural issues he knows nothing about. <br /><br />The resources are there but many leaders have sold this birthright – or nationalised it to their own advantage. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-32039559784697665532013-01-23T05:49:12.314+02:002013-01-23T05:49:12.314+02:00A not so uninformed view, Mike.
It is spreading ...A not so uninformed view, Mike. <br /><br />It is spreading and what the Arab Spring did was provide access to uncontrolled flow of weapons. What I still cannot get my head around is the provision of air support to extremists in one country and then the bombing of them in the next. <br /><br />Africa has such potential but it is being wasted. But, I believe that Foreign Interests have replaced Vital and National Interests. Mali has, in many ways, itself to blame – as do many African countries. For this reason, they should not be entertained when they provide poor governance or sell the birthright of their people. Yet, when these governments finally realise they are in deep trouble, they blame someone else – and yes, there are some to blame – but had they governed and strengthened the pillars of state, they would never have found themselves in the predicament they are in. <br /><br />Strengthening the state by making use of dubious foreign advisors is a shot to the head.<br /><br />After all, when you are perceived as weak, the enemy appear strong. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-53021426172440367932013-01-22T17:09:38.788+02:002013-01-22T17:09:38.788+02:00Good day Eeben, the question begs,,, where next?
...Good day Eeben, the question begs,,, where next? <br />With the current trend and direction could the "Arab Spring" head to Mauritania ,Morocco, Western Sahara? It is a nice long line of countries from where the extremists could sow the seeds of destruction and draw Nigeria`s already fragile political/religious clans into the quagmire. <br />If the west does nothing and allows this "Arab Spring" to continue unabated it could end up as the West`s own "winter of discontent."<br /><br />The way i see it is that we are all on a slippery slope and the hand rails are being chopped down. The trend seems to be running East to West across Africa and will surely start flowing down like a disease.<br /><br />My humble uninformed 2 cents<br />Mike Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008570891301616458noreply@blogger.com