US takes war on terror into Sahara

[Thom Little]

The United States has set aside $500 million over the next five years to secure a vast new front in its global war on terrorism: the Sahara Desert.

Critics say the region is not the terrorist zone that some senior US military officers assert. They add that heavy-handed military and financial support that reinforces authoritarian regimes in north and west Africa could fuel radicalism where it scarcely exists.

The Trans-Saharan Counter-Terrorism Initiative (TSCTI) was begun in June to provide military expertise, equipment and development aid to nine Saharan countries where lawless swathes of desert are considered fertile ground for militant Muslim groups involved in smuggling and combat training.

"It's the Wild West all over again," said Major Holly Silkman, a public affairs officer at US Special Operations Command Europe, which presides over US security and peacekeeping operations in Europe, former Soviet bloc countries and most of Africa.


http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=2403492005

[Oversea Visitor]

1. Haha

US 500 mil sales to war profiteers.
Aaaah they cant afforded to pay for it.
No problem we buy it for them
As long as you it is from my companies
:rofl:

Meanwhile the children in this area ask
Please sir tell us how we can eat bullets we very hungry
and this all suppose to be aid package.

Cuckoo Cuckoo
wont send any food aid too costly cant afford
but wheee 500 million in Military aid
All get orgasm

Hmmm maybe new strategy
Give weapon they go biff bang, less people
No more hungry Africa.

[xchrom]

2. 500 mil?

man, it just boggles -- bushco is going to ruin this country.

[CJCRANE]

3. They should go after the terrorist bases at North Pole too nt

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

4. "nine Saharan countries"

Please tell me we're not about to start propping up the genocidal government of Sudan.