Nigeria abductions: Michelle Obama 'outraged' - BBC

"Mrs Obama, who was speaking ahead of Mother's Day in the US on Sunday, said the girls reminded her and her husband of their own daughters. "What happened in Nigeria was not an isolated incident. It's a story we see every day as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions," she said. She cited the Pakistani schoolgirl and campaigner Malala Yousafzai, who was shot and wounded by the Taliban for speaking out for girls' education. "The courage and hope embodied by Malala and girls like her around the world should serve as a call to action," Mrs Obama said."  BBC

-------------------------------

OK.  What does Mrs. Obama want the US to do?  It is clear that the Nigerian government cannot deal with this situation.   It is likely that no combination of minor powers can deal with a mass kidnapping followed by slave trafficking across a lot of central Africa.  Unless some intelligence analysis of  extraordinary quality pinpoints locations and that breakthrough is followed by the availability of high quality troops, transportation, etc. then nothing will be done by European or African means.

No, to do the job properly would require something like the commitment of much of US Eighteenth Airborne Corps (the 82nd Airborne Division, additional air assets, logistical assets, etc.), a lot of SOF and the redirection of a lot of US satellite reconnaissance, UAVs and SIGINT assets.   All these intelligence means are exactly the activities so thoroughly reviled by the press.  

A major logistical base would have to be built, local contracts let and the whole cycle of corruption that has infested Iraq and Afghanistan would begin anew.  

A major campaign would be fought across NE Nigeria.  The expense, born solely by the US would be immense.

Is that what Michelle Obama wants?  pl  

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27354230

Comments

[Highlander]

Is Dubhaltach a gaelic word? If so what does it mean?

[Dubhaltach]

In reply to Highlander 12 May 2014 at 10:45 AM

In a word yes, to get slightly more informative it's Irish (Gaeilge) rather than Gaelic. (Gaelic being the very closely related language spoken in parts of Scotland as with a name like "Highlander" I'm sure you know)

Dubh → "Black" & Altach "haired" thus "black-haired".

It's a family name, but something of a misdescription in my case as I take after my blonde and blue-eyed Danish mother. Most of my siblings and one of my own sons have the typical Irish/Scottish black hair and blue eyes 'though.

Dubhaltach

[Fred]

I saw that too. Looks like Jocelyn "We really need to get over this love affair with the fetus..." Elders needs an election year gig. Good to see that Senator Gillibrand is concerned about opinions of former in the closet USCG admirals - who served in the health care arm. Combat effectiveness obviously needs to be a secondary concern to 'equal opportunity'.

http://www.kirstengillibrand.com/act/dadtstoryproject/stories/alan-steinman-former-rear-admiral-u-s-coast-guard

[Highlander]

I don't know, those Norsemen were merrily raiding away in Ireland and Scotland a thousand years or so ago. That Danish influence may have occurred a lot longer ago than you think.

Thanks for the reply.

[Tyler]

They're closing the Riverside Border Patrol Station because they claim there's no illegal alien traffic in the area.

The truth is that they're terrified of the La Rasa Hispanics picketing them everywhere they go. Pathetic.

[Fred]

In Michigan the fine leaders of the University of Michigan have decided that illegal immigrants should pay the same tuition rates as veterans. To the great acclaim of the local liberal establishment. That would also be one of the universities called out for the 20% sexual assault rate on female students, not that anyone is going to get fired over that statistic mind you.

[Tyler]

I love the dichotomy there. Illegal aliens are the new "born without sin" darlings of the left. This country gets more insane everyday.