Back in the Reagan era the slogan was “Peace through Strength.” In the military ranks this was modified, with typical military humor as decidedly unofficial, politically incorrect, slogans such as “Peace through Fire-Superiority” or “Peace through Marksmanship” or “Peace through Close Combat,” and the like.
Hold that thought.
Last month the New York Times reported “U.S. Kills Top Qaeda Leader in Southern Somalia.” The target was Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, who was killed by American commandos in a daring daylight raid in southern Somalia. Here’s how the Times summarized the operation.
On Monday, around 1 p.m., villagers near the town of Baraawe said four military helicopters suddenly materialized over the horizon and shot at two trucks rumbling through the desert. . . .
The helicopters, with commandos firing .50-caliber machine guns and other automatic weapons, quickly disabled the trucks, according to villagers in the area, and several of the Shabab fighters tried to fire back. Shabab leaders said that six foreign fighters, including Mr. Nabhan, were quickly killed, along with three Somali Shabab. The helicopters landed, and the commandos inspected the wreckage and carried away the bodies of Mr. Nabhan and the other fighters for identification, a senior American military official said.
You won’t find it in the Times story, but Fox News made it a point to report that ten days prior to the raid President Obama signed the Execute Order that gave the go-ahead to assassinate Nabhan. President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize a month later.
So, who says President Obama hasn’t done anything to earn the award?
“Peace through Targeted-Assassinations” anyone?
October 11th, 2009 | 3:24 am
Just to be clear, an “Execute Order” does not necessarily mean an order to execute someone. It’s merely a term for an order issued by the JCS to initiate military operations.
October 11th, 2009 | 5:05 am
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October 11th, 2009 | 1:56 pm
Mr. Carter’s note is correct. Theoretically, this EXORD could have directed a typical “targeted raid,” or rather less formally, a “capture/kill” operation. But given the way in which the raid was conducted, it seems likely that Nabhan had been “declared hostile.” This means that the operation for which the President issued the EXORD was probably intended specifically to kill him, rather than to capture him.
I should add that, while I am familiar with these types of operations, I have no knowledge of this one.
October 11th, 2009 | 4:55 pm
…Nevertheless, this is a very smart post. Well done.
October 12th, 2009 | 7:32 am
“Peace through Targeted-Assassinations” anyone?”
Ok. So it was wrong for the US to hunt down and shoot down Yamamoto? And it would be wrong for the US government to take out Osama? Look, I’m not a fan of Obama winning the peace prize but there are a lot better grounds for attacking him-sorry but targeted assassinations often can prove very effective.
October 12th, 2009 | 7:57 am
Yes, Joe is right. An EXORD merely gives the go-ahead for the operation. But given the description of the operation it doesn’t appear as though “capture” was a serious consideration. You don’t light up a convoy with helo-mounted .50 cals if your aim is to capture.
October 12th, 2009 | 10:27 am
Rob–I think you are missing the tongue-in-cheek thrust of the post.
October 12th, 2009 | 11:40 am
The Nobel Prize Committee has completely stripped the prize of any prestige or value by constantly passing over those who’s achievements actually deserve the award. By giving the award to someone who has good intentions, rather than actions, the prize has no value. Remember, Ronald Reagan actually helped to free millions of people from communism, yet never received the award – http://www.watercoolerweekly.com
October 12th, 2009 | 12:32 pm
I hope the post _was_ tongue in cheek. Nabhan wasn’t a head of state, he was a general in an army that has attacked us. Good for Obama for killing him.
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