The Mali conflict

[rainforests1]

Several foreign countries have provided assistance in this conflict. Why? Have the French become so weak that they need assistance(I recall the United States providing assistance with Libya as well)? Or is there another reason(drones?)?

 

[mlp]

Are you saying that the countries want to exercise their drones, so they insert themselves into conflicts for that reason alone?

Do you enjoy phrasing things as questions? Does it enable you to make insinuations that you can then walk away from?

 

[Envy]

Several foreign countries have provided assistance in this conflict. Why? Have the French become so weak that they need assistance(I recall the United States providing assistance with Libya as well)? Or is there another reason(drones?)?

Have they ever not needed assistance?

Spoiler

 

[FortyTwo]

Do you enjoy phrasing things as questions? Does it enable you to make insinuations that you can then walk away from?

 

[mlp]

Have they ever not needed assistance?

Spoiler

The poor French. How far they have fallen since the time of Napoleon.

 

[das_nut]

If seems that the vast majority of Malians favor the French intervention.

 

[FortyTwo]

Have they ever not needed assistance?

Spoiler

 

[das_nut]

^- Damnit, I was going to use him in the thread on felons!

 

[rainforests1]

Are you saying that the countries want to exercise their drones, so they insert themselves into conflicts for that reason alone?

Do you enjoy phrasing things as questions? Does it enable you to make insinuations that you can then walk away from?

I'm not sure what you're referring to with the last paragraph. We have drones in maybe 6 countries. I'd think it could be a reason. No explanation has been given for our assistance that I'm familiar with. Shouldn't Congress have to approve of this?

 

[mlp]

I'm not sure what you're referring to with the last paragraph.

Maybe you could give it some more thought, and you'll be able to figure it out?

We have drones in maybe 6 countries.

Which countries?

I'd think it could be a reason.

What are your reasons for thinking that?

No explanation has been given for our assistance that I'm familiar with.

What sources have you checked?

Shouldn't Congress have to approve of this?

What makes you think that?

 

[das_nut]

What makes you think that?

Little known fact, but Rainforests1 was even against George Washington's use of military force without congress's approval.

 

[rainforests1]

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/11/four-more-drones-obama/
I'm not sure if wired.com is a good source but according to them we'll be using drones in Mali. The civilians will suffer and we'll just claim it's an "accident". And most people will actually believe it. I also find it strange that the UK and Canada are also getting involved. Apparently the militants are so powerful it takes 4 countries to beat them.

 

[das_nut]

You find it strange that the US and Canada might lend military aid to counter radical religious militants?

 

[rainforests1]

I guess it's 5 countries we have drones in:Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The media looks the other way usually, but many find this worrisome.

You find it strange that the US and Canada might lend military aid to counter radical religious militants?

I would think France can handle them on their own.

 

[das_nut]

I would think France can handle them on their own.

They probably can. But if we have assets in the region that they don't, it can be easier for the US or Canada to be involved.

 

[mlp]

I guess it's 5 countries we have drones in:Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The media looks the other way usually, but many find this worrisome.

What makes you think the media looks the other way? I constantly see articles and news segments about drones.

I'm sure many find "it" worrisome, whatever "it" is. Most people find something worrisome. Some people even find the lack of current coverage of Genghis Khan worrisome.

 

[FortyTwo]

^- Damnit, I was going to use him in the thread on felons!

I think this is like the fourth time I've not only used Javert, but that exact pic of Javert. I cannot stay away from Les Mis for more than, like, two minutes.

 

[rainforests1]

They probably can. But if we have assets in the region that they don't, it can be easier for the US or Canada to be involved.

Could you give examples of these assets you're talking about? What assets does the UK, Canada, and US have that the French don't have?

 

[rainforests1]

What makes you think the media looks the other way? I constantly see articles and news segments about drones.

The local newspaper gives news from the Associated Press. Drones are rarely mentioned and, when they are, most times civilian deaths aren't even mentioned. Could you give sources that do mention drones frequently? Do your sources mention civilian deaths, or just militant deaths?

 

[ledboots]

The local newspaper gives news from the Associated Press. Drones are rarely mentioned and, when they are, most times civilian deaths aren't even mentioned. Could you give sources that do mention drones frequently? Do your sources mention civilian deaths, or just militant deaths?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/01/2...acks-targeted-killings-that-involve-civilian/

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drone_attacks_in_Pakistan
http://web.law.columbia.edu/human-r...sm/drone-strikes/counting-drone-strike-deaths

http://www.policymic.com/mobile/art...st-and-the-cia-only-wants-to-up-drone-warfare

I just googled, and there are scores of others.