Last September in Iraq, three Navy SEALS captured Ahmed Hashim Abed, believed to be the one responsible for killing four American civilian employees in Fallujah in 2004.
High fives all around, right? Not exactly. The military bureaucracy has now charged the three with mishandling Mr. Abed, and will now spend the next few months and who knows how much money in official courts-martial to determine if one of the men punched him. Mr. Abed allegedly suffered a fat lip.
It matters little if the three are found guilty or not. The damage has already been done.
Navy SEALS (which stands for Sea, Air, and Land – describing the combat environments in which their prodigious and often stealth fighting skills are used) are not exactly supposed to be in the public light, due to the often secret nature of their assignments. But for these three that relative anonymity is now gone, their names have been published.
Can you spell demoralize? A collective chill must be settling over all military personnel worldwide. What happens now on the battlefield, or while guarding combatants? Will soldiers hesitate to take action against suspected terrorists? Will soldiers guarding enemy combatants fear that their detainees will claim abuse, whether it happened or not?
Terrorists everywhere, as well as common criminals, must be jubilant. Claim even minor injury, and your enemy the United States military will take up your cause, conduct an investigation, point fingers at its own soldiers, and maybe even convict them and send them to jail.
On the radio talk shows today calls from military personnel – active and retired – poured in. Several claimed that the military’s Rules of Engagement (ROE) have been so tightened under the current administration, defining what they can and cannot do on and off the battlefield, that their efforts to perform their duties are hampered. That would be the get-soft agenda of the current president.
One caller from North Carolina who had served two tours each in Afghanistan and Iraq described how the strict ROE hampered the rescue of the captain of the Maersk Alabama from Somali pirates in April.
You will remember that in April this president was asked twice whether deadly force could be used to free the captain of the Maersk Alabama, who had been captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia. His answer was that the SEALS could use deadly force only if the captain appeared to be “in imminent danger.” Fortunately, the commander on the scene made that determination and the captain was rescued.
My question back then: when is a person, captured by pirates with guns in a speedboat trying to evade capture, NOT in imminent danger? When they serve him tea?
The story from the Naval Times
How Obama's rules of engagement hamper military efforts
How Obama hampered the captain's rescue
Comments
one more reason he's outta here in the next election. and i did vote for him (unfortunately)
Fantastic article, Mr. Cook. This is totally outrageous. How DARE the President even allow this? This is shocking, disgusting and just plain WRONG. I am so tired of his constant apologies for America! Worse is the bowing down to these freaks who are so PC they can't even see right and wrong anymore.
So back to being the bullies of the world, the ugly Americans to most of our allies abroad. Somebody has to stand up for right and Obama has done a great job in mending torn international relations. Relations we need badly because we can't go it alone like the previous administration insisted on. Bowing? How about diplomatic protocol you uneducated idiot. Its unbelieveable, he was handed the worst economy, two wars and now its all his fault? Its clear to me the lies by the self righteous and egotistical self serving Republicans would rather see people die than try to help this country. Its all about being in power with them. They are a scary bunch and to think they want Palin as their next President.
Adam, you said you voted for him but now your not because he did the correct cultural thing by bowing to the Japanese Premier? Lets suppose your next leader refused to bow and the Japanese leader refuses to shake his hand. What do you have now? I know, the Southern States.
john s.
read up on japanese protocol - you do not have to bow 90 degrees at the waist to show respect to the japanese gov't.
the univ. of connecticut republican group has a funny video on youtube with pictures of DOZENS of dignitaries throughout the world who have met this same japanese leader and not BOWED down to him.
you need to educate yourself before blindly following this apologetic president
Scoff. Did Obama change the rules to make this happen? NO. Idiot. These are standing military rules. Unless he ordered them directly to prosecute these men, its an internal matter, not something the president pursued. What next, blaming Obama for sunspots? You have failed to prove your case, ya whackadoodle. Less paint chips in your diet, more thinking.
Bravo to Navy Seals, CIA and the US Military and Intelligence Community. And, the Commander in Chief Barack Obama achieved what his predecessor GWB could never did. This IS Mission Accomplished!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!