Raid In Yemen

Allahpundit puzzles over the Reuters account of a raid in Yemen that was botched by Trump because he didn't... what?

The grim Reuters allegation is this:

U.S. military officials told Reuters that Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations.

As a result, three officials said, the attacking SEAL team found itself dropping onto a reinforced al Qaeda base defended by landmines, snipers, and a larger than expected contingent of heavily armed Islamist extremists.

So now Trump is expected to weigh in on the appropriate level of ground support?!? And maybe eyeball some satellite photos? As Allahpundit notes. General Mattis, now SecDef, has some experience here. Gen. Dunford, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and National Security Advisor Flynn, formerly a Lt. General who oversaw raids like this for a living, were also in the final meeting. Please.

IMHO the Commander in Chief approves these missions, or rejects them, based on the possible rewards and any risks associated with the country in question (Yemen, here), other allies, and US and world opinion. If the Defense Department submitted a half-baked plan after months of effort, well, that's on them. More reasonably, these are dangerous missions and sometimes things happen. E.g., the last known raid in Yemen, Dec 2014, failed to rescue the targeted hostages:

2 Hostages Killed in Yemen as U.S. Rescue Effort Fails

Or in Syria, Oct 2015:

US special forces soldier is killed in Isis hostage rescue mission in Iraq

Almost done. Back to AllahP:

What’s missing from any of the reporting is the suggestion that Defense warned the Trump White House that they weren’t ready to roll but the White House demanded action anyway. Until that evidence is produced, why should we assume that Trump is the negligent party?

OK, into the Bonus Round for outrageous reporting. Here is the Guardian, picked up by The Week:

Saturday's Navy SEAL raid in Yemen — which resulted in the death of an 8-year-old American girl and a U.S. naval officer — had previously been rejected by former President Barack Obama, The Guardian reports. President Trump approved of the raid in his first military strike as commander-in-chief:

[Colonel John] Thomas said he did not know why the prior administration did not authorize the operation, but said the Obama administration had effectively exercised a "pocket veto" over it.

A former official said the operation had been reviewed several times, but the underlying intelligence was not judged strong enough to justify the risks, and the case was left to the incoming Trump administration to make its own judgment. [The Guardian]

Oh, brother. CNN addresses the veto claim specifically:

The raid was greenlit by President Donald Trump shortly after taking the oath of office, but multiple officials told CNN the mission had been planned months in advance and had been briefed to then-President Barack Obama.

 

Both defense and Obama administration officials said the operation was never vetoed by Obama and that "operational reasons" were why it was pushed back after January 20 and why Obama left the task of authorizing the raid to his successor.

 

People want to believe and the media wants to give their customers what they want. Unexpectedly reality-based reporting from the NY Times on this.

 

WHAT TIPPED THE BAD GUYS? Why did our troops lose the element of surprise after arriving by helicopter five miles away? Speculation in the Times:

 

In this case, the assault force of several dozen commandos, which also included elite soldiers from the United Arab Emirates, was jinxed from the start. Qaeda fighters were somehow tipped off to the stealthy advance toward the village — perhaps by the whine of American drones that local tribal leaders said were flying lower and louder than usual.

 

Through a communications intercept, the commandos knew that the mission had been somehow compromised, but pressed on toward their target roughly five miles from where they had been flown into the area. “They kind of knew they were screwed from the beginning,” one former SEAL Team 6 official said.

 

Too many eyes in the sky making too much noise? Plausible? Surely we have done this lots of times.

Comments

[Sandy Daze]

Yes, we have done this a lot. You can bet that the after-action will be very rigorous.

Fair winds and following seas, Chief

Once again you are on point, going where hopefully most all of us will follow.

God Bless You.

[common man]

We are so fortunate to have men like this willing to go into a shithole like Yemen and eliminate a bunch of very bad dudes

[Jim Eagle]

Yeah, I have always looked to the non-serving CJS educated press to give me analysis of military operations as if they think they are all the same as some asinine video game. I have no idea why TM thinks their opinions are even worth posting.

Femall

[maryrose]

Sean Spicer gave a timeline totally approved by a Amy.
Successful raid in that it killed 14 Al Queda.
I am satisfied.
Price advances 52 to 47

[maryrose]

Amy should be Bammy so left can blame their boy .

[buccaneer morgan]

The international crisis report shows the background, of the battlefield.

[Captain Hate]

So after a mysterious eight year gap, are we back to the grim milestones?

[Beasts of England]

The Sessions vote was only a first or preliminary vote, with the final scheduled for next week. Ignoring that more than forty Dems would vote against someone with whom they've served with for years, the degree of delay is reprehensible.

Even the radical racist Holder was confirmed 75-21.

[Frau Mit Schatten]

I am grateful that such fine men live in our country.

[jimmyk]

"Totally approved by a Amy" brought back memories of Jimmuh, when he consulted Amy (who was, what, about 10?) on nukular weapons.

[Momto2]

News flash -a Bodega strike in N.Y. (I had to google to find out what this was) So, up to 1,000 Yemeni small grocery stores are closing to protest the President's temporary halt on importing some Muslims.

I thought everyone should know so you can stock up on all the things you would normally buy at these places.

Carry on...

[maryrose]

I cannot believe Dems voting in lockstep against Sessions.
Disgraceful behavior.
I can't believe Holder got that many votes.After his hand in the pardon of one of Clinton's backers Mark Rich this thug was held in contempt by Congress for lying about Fast and Furious.
Republicans must have been drunk at the time of the vote.

[Frau Fotomodell]

Please call him *odious* radical racist Holder, Beasts.

The "American" girl was as American as I am a 6'2" blond Finnish model. Islamic terrorists should *not* take their children to work.

[rse]

Funny, the press did not cover that large Ranger raid in Afghanistan several years ago when they knew the group was coming and the female cultural officer with them was blown up first because the women were wearing suicide belts. I just remember the wounded ranger trying to salute with multiple lost limbs when he was thought to be unconscious.

I find that picture above hard to look at as my son and husband knew him from his visits with friends here in ATL.

[maryrose]

Vote to advance Mnuchin going on now.
Dems keep voting not to carry on legislative business.
If they don't want to work why are we paying them?

[lurkersusie]

Great news!

Kurt Schlichter

Lawfare disarmed! || IMPLOSION: 'Clock Boy' Lawsuit Against Shapiro Dismissed, Shapiro Awarded Attorneys' Fees http://www.dailywire.com/news/13100/implosion-clock-boy-lawsuit-against-shapiro-ben-shapiro?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=news&utm_campaign=twitterbenshapiro-share#.WJOgGIk2pYo.twitter …

[Jim Eagle]

In Re: Ber

[Jim Eagle]

In Re: Berkeley. Can you imagine how deadly and disciplined our military would be today if we had the draft?

[Joan]

Everyone here knew the media would make hay and money out of the deaths of American service personnel once Trump was in office. I don't understand why anyone in uniform votes for a democrat.

[Frau Fotomodell]

Mrs. Yemeni Shopkeeper will miss the income, I betcha.

maryrose, white guilt applied liberally (!) kept the Republicans from bringing up Holder's corrupt past. He was hidden in plain sight: "In late 2007, Holder joined then-Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign as a senior legal advisor. " From there he was put in the administration. The young Lightbringer had to have his adviser.

[maryrose]

Thank you Frau for that information.
Obama and his posse invaded Washington and now it is up to President Trump to eradicate his faulty policies and E O s

[DebinNC]

PBS stations, or at least the Atlanta one, is carrying an hour long Evening With Eric Holder this weekend - an interview with Holder and WaPo writer.

[Jim Eagle]

Another reason to defund PBS and NPR.

[Frau Fotomodell]

Good news for Ben Shapiro and others attacked by viscous lawfare. I'm glad time's up for Clock Boy. What a farce, but he will always have BHO as a science-loving buddy.

[Beasts of England]

I was shocked when I read that, too, maryrose. And Holder's vote was 17-2 out of the committee.

[Beasts of England]

Odious radical racist still-in-contempt, Eric Holder. Better, Frau? :)

[Captain Hate]

"They kind of knew they were screwed from the beginning,” one former SEAL Team 6 official said.

SEAL Team 6... Hey, weren't they the guys that got attacked after Biden ID'd them as having taken out OBL? But Trump is the big mouthed impulsive one?

[jimmyk]

Does anyone think the Republicans will learn from this and not reflexively confirm appointments the next time (God forbid) a Democrat is President?

[lurkersusie]

But but Trump ended call early

Byron York
Byron York – Verified account ‏@ByronYork

Aussie columnist: 'Turnbull thought he could outsmart Trump and trap him into taking 1250 of our boat people…' http://ow.ly/j7Nj308CKQV
Herald Sun
Herald Sun
Embedded image
Trump called PM’s refugee bluff

MALCOLM Turnbull thought he could outsmart Donald Trump and trap him into taking 1250 of our boat people.
View on web

[dublindave]

Trump's 'Benghazi'.

12 days in.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/02/schumer-and-leadership-team-refuse-to-meet-with-gorsuch/

[Captain Hate]

Does anyone think the Republicans will learn from this and not reflexively confirm appointments the next time (God forbid) a Democrat is President?

Oh jimmyk; you're such a kidder.

[lurkersusie]

Mike Lee spoke about this yesterday on Cavuto

More people support using the two speech rule to overcome a SCOTUS filibuster than the nuclear option. http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2017/02/constitutional-justices-how-to-talk-about-supreme-court-nominations#.WJOZzzOTajw.twitter …

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/317629-trump-taps-first-woman-to-cia-second-in-command

I assume she's good or she wouldn't have gotten the job.

I don't care, but wanted it on record she is the first woman to have this high a job in the CIA. I intend to use this when next I hear how sexist President Trump is.

[lurkersusie]

I know it's buzzfeed

Chris Geidner
Chris Geidner – Verified account ‏@chrisgeidner

States And Dem Lawmakers Blocked From Defending Consumer Bureau In Court: https://www.buzzfeed.com/zoetillman/states-and-dem-lawmakers-blocked-from-defending-consumer-bur?utm_term=.lxYoOrw0J8 … by @zoetillman #CFPB

[Beasts of England]

We had an ambassador raped and murdered during Trump's administration, DublinDave? I must have missed that!! Link, please.

[Jim Eagle]

Trump's Benghazi? LOL.

Thanks for the laugh DuDa.

[anonamom]

That picture is hard for any mother of sons to look at rse.
Probably for anybody with a brother, husband. We are forever indebted to them and families for their enormous sacrifice.

[buccaneer morgan]

Gina was in charge of that black site in Thailand, so that interrogation memo would likely have her insights

[pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

I this turns out to be true, i predict the leftists will go insane.

http://www.newsmax.com/Politics/Trump-Religious-Freedom/2017/02/02/id/771648/?ns_mail_uid=38569093&ns_mail_job=1709593_02022017&s=al&dkt_nbr=ppbqtdfr

[jimmyk]

Trump's Benghazi? I thought to the left Benghazi was a big nothingburger anyway.

[Old Lurker]

Beasts "Ignoring that more than forty Dems would vote against someone with whom they've served with for years..."

Which is EXACTLY why I explode every time I hear some Senator (R) avoid doing something hard because "that's not how we do things here in our club...")

[Eric in Boise]

Trump called PM’s refugee bluff

Reliable sources indicate that it was pretty much all over when Turnbull said "Don't call my bluff, Donald."

[Frau Fotomodell]

Amen, anonamom. The spirit shines from the eyes of that young man.

[pagar, a bacon, ham and sausage supporter]

Hold on to your chair, I have just seen a report that says Joe Biden is telling the truth.

First time for anything, I guess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5VXxb5q9yI

"The CIA Tool George Soros not Well & Joe Biden Warns the World about the Collapse at Davos"

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

pagar,

He said this morning at the prayer breakfast that he would repeal the Johnson Amendment.

[Janet S.]

PBS stations, or at least the Atlanta one, is carrying an hour long Evening With Eric Holder this weekend - an interview with Holder and WaPo writer.

Yeah, Deb. It is sickening.

Our PBS stations are running -
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution - Independent Lens

[Threadkiller]

Republicans must have been drunk not been afraid of reelection at the time of the vote.

[James D.]

I have no idea why TM thinks their opinions are even worth posting.

I don't, either. CNN has shown itself to be a merchant of lies, distortions and slander rather than news, and the other outlets TM links to are no better.

[Captain Hate]

From lurkersusie's link:

a one-paragraph order on Thursday, a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit denied intervention requests filed by a group of state attorneys general, Sen. Sherrod Brown and Rep. Maxine Waters, and a coalition of civil rights and consumer protection groups. The judges did not give a reason for their decision.

Another setback for the Restraining Order and Kerosene Maxine. Maybe if that hoarse voiced goof hadn't made such an ass out of himself with his dimwitted "protest" at Cowlumbus's tinker toy airport, his staff might have overruled his idiot fatassed second wife and talked some sense into him. But I'm sure the brilliant legal mind of Cordray will find a way out of this. MOAR popcorn.

[Beasts of England]

It's a mystery, OL.

[Frau Fotomodell]

Are those in AZ still proud of voting for John McCain who is now making an ass of himself...again?
Someone tell him to stuff a saguaro in it.

[Old Lurker]

Not to quibble with your statement, Frau, but it would be even better if you delete "now" and change "again" to "still".

[Frau Fotomodell]

Will there be photo ID be required? According to Holder, I'm not "one of his people."

[Captain Hate]

Frau, not to take the AZ GOP off the hook for McVain and Flake, but that General election senate contest smelled like a burning slaughterhouse.

[glasater]

Sessions is - to my understanding - going to be held in the Senate so he can vote for DeVos who may encounter rough waters in being confirmed.

[Frau Sein oder nicht Sein]

In times of action, I not be good with preview.

[glasater]

Frau, on this side of the state we never ever hear of Cantwell or what the heck she's doing in the Senate.

[Frau Sein oder nicht Sein]

OL - yes, yes, and yes.
The once and still mad maverick.

[lurkersusie]

Trump better fund a way to clean the swamp

Laura Ingraham
Laura Ingraham – Verified account ‏@IngrahamAngle

Leaks Dogging Trump in West Wing and State Department via @LifeZette http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/leaks-dogging-trump-west-wing-state-department/ …

[Frau Sein oder nicht Sein]

Count your blessings, glasater. In 2009, our Tea Party JOM group visited Congress and saw Patty "My eyes are too close together" Murray in the Senate. I saw what she does in the there. Yike!
The good news is the beauty shop (heh) does its very best in getting her ready to read the prepared speeches.

[Old Lurker]

I find this funny.

http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/02/federal-judge-messes-up-order-on-trumps-immigration-ban/

[glasater]

One of the most obnoxious of ME spokespersons against the travel ban I've seen mouthing off on TV is the odious Khizr Muazzam Khan,,

[Captain Hate]

Has Whizzer Khan found the part in his Pocket Constitution that Trump's EO is violating?

[Beasts of England]

Thanks, glasater. How sickening that we have to delay the appointment of our AG because of purely partisan voting on the left.

[Buckeye]

What did our tinker toy airport do to piss you off CH?

I think the Somalians running the joint are doing a bang up job:)

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/02/report-uber-ceo-to-quit-trump-economic-advisory-council-amid-criticism/

A real profile in courage, this guy.

He has the Zuckerberg-type face: smug, squinch-eyed, and unimpressive.

I would sell Uber stock if I had any.

[Janet S.]

The same State Dept. that let SoS Clinton have a private server & didn't archive any of her work...is gonna try & sabotage President Trump.

They scapegoated employees after Benghazi. They held up FOIA requests.

[Janet S.]

Are crowds of people (3 people) still visiting Khan's son's grave? The MFM tried to produce/direct THAT as a story.
I guess it didn't take off.

[lurkersusie]

Bannon works for the president not you.

Brendan Bordelon
Brendan Bordelon – Verified account ‏@BrendanBordelon

Republican and Democratic senators say they'll be watching to see whether inclusion of Steve Bannon negatively impacts decisions made by NSC https://twitter.com/MorningConsult/status/827276157468880897 …

[Skoot]

The son of a one of my wife's office staff is AF and was on duty at Dover when Owens remains were returned last evening. He received an invitation to meet Trump and he sent his mom a nice picture to hang in the office.

[Buckeye]

The same State Dept. that let SoS Clinton have a private server & didn't archive any of her work...is gonna try & sabotage President Trump.

Tillerson doesn't strike me as a chump. I bet he will put a few throat slitters in the right slots.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Roseanne Barr Verified account
‏@therealroseanne

APPROVE SESSIONS B4 THE SOROS OWNED DEMOCRATS ARE ABLE TO KILL PPL IN THE STREETS!

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

Roseanne seems to have been doing quite a bit of reading over the last couple of years.

[Skoot]

CENTCOM statement on Yemeni raid.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

✔
@ChadPergram

Fox has learned that GOP Congressional retreat interloper suspect Emily Guendelsberger did not answer questions from police & lawyered up

[The Gipper Lives]

Congrats to NBC, The Enemy Propaganda Network, for using fuzzy soft-focus photos of Anwar al-Awlaki staring thoughtfully into mid-distance and for handing their NBC megaphone over to terrorists, regurgitating paragraph after paragraph of al Queda claims uncritically.

The AINO (American In Name Only) terrorist al-Awlaki was indeed a thoughtful guy--when he wasn't, say, killing soldiers at Fort Hood.

NOTE TO NBC: al-Awlaki's daughter Nora was a Human Shield, killed by terrorists, not by SEALS.

She was American Family, too, NBC. Not just another disposable prop for your Trump-bashing.

The SEALS were attacked trying to protect and free her--and all of us--from the enemies of civilization, the ones NBC seems so eager to assist.

But now that you mention it, it's almost as if the terrorists were waiting for the SEALS.

Did an Obama Mole in the bureaucracy warn them we were coming, just to "Get Trump"?

Is that why Democrats are stalling all levels of confirmations, to keep all their moles in place in a kind of slow-rolling coup?

Sadly, you can't put it past these gutter-dwelling political gangsters.

Investigate that, NBC.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-02-02/amazon-tumbles-misses-revenues-aws-disappoints-guides-lower

Good. I was a Prime member for years. Did not renew last summer. Now I am REALLY glad I didn't.

I choose not to give money to my enemies, too.

[Jane]

You know of you spend $1000 on Amazon stock when it opened, it would be worth $489,000 today.

[Jim Eagle]

MM,

Good for you. I believe in buying local unless for some reason you can't find what you need. I support all our local businesses first before I head to Riverhead for Dick's or Bath, Bed and Beyond or Michaels, etc. Most of the time I find everything with my local business.

Buy local and make America great again.

[TEH WATCHER]

Maguire is at least as ambivalent as I on this.latest of his puzzling positions.

I'm just glad there is a flicker of unity in the oppos as the Iranian and a judge pin back his waxy ears and haughty EOs.

[Jim Eagle]

For CH,

Being a BB enthusiast. Kenyon Barry, Rick's son, is a player on Florida's BB team and shoots his FT's underhanded like dad.

I have to tune in at 7pm to watch that if he gets fouled.

[TEH WATCHER]

'How sickening. '...lol...these DeLays are frustrating the best citizens EVAH !!!

[Captain Hate]

Are crowds of people (3 people) still visiting Khan's son's grave? The MFM tried to produce/direct THAT as a story.
I guess it didn't take off.

They're still giving Sheehan like coverage of 8+ years ago to that POS despite there being no evidence he helped Curb Dive. Keep banging that monkey, tools; it's very entertaining.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Jack,

In all honesty, it was economid. I can't afford to be buying books on impulse.

What I discovered was that I can go to the library or the used book store and get what I want. It may take me a bit longer, but patience is a skill I need to learn, anyway.

Plus it makes me happy I am denying Bezos of income.

[Captain Hate]

JiB, I assume that's a child from his second marriage since his two older sons are already retired from basketball (I don't remember them shooting free throws underhanded). I get the argument that Rick used to preach endlessly and irritatingly about the efficacy of the mechanics but most people just find it too unnatural.

At least nobody shoots free throws as jump shots since Hal Greer.

[TEH WATCHER]

Is Bannon a white supremacist?

I mean, err..are Arab inferior genes in play? African genes? Most of us have them unless you're pure aboriginal.

How pure are y'all?

[Jane]

Boy, my typing skills have gone to hell. My point was, don't be too quick to hate people. Bezos is a pretty spectacular guy, even if you disagree with him.

[windansea]

Is Bannon a white supremacist?

Of course he is doofus. JOM is a non white minority site, we hates the white man

[Jim Eagle]

CH,

He has to be from 2nd marriage since he is only 19 or 20. But he looks like Rick that's for sure.

So far, no need to put him on the FT line.

[TEH WATCHER]

Apparently the Yemen raid is just a sample of the military competence of Trumpy.

No more plz...

[TEH WATCHER]

Windansea.

Beastie boy claims you're butt buddies without any evidence to the contrary. Tell us why you swapped the sportfisher for the party barge, but spare us the details.

[TEH WATCHER]

If you lack the supreme genes you might want to tone Trump down a mite.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Jane,

I don't hate him. I just don't widh to support his actions.

I have followed this policy with movies, TV shows, cable subscription, etc.

The way I see it, if they continue to get money from people like me, thay won't be inclined to change their opinions, since they will assume I approve.

Well, I don't approve, so no money from me.

[buccaneer morgan]

The BBC had to correct its minitrue reporting re. Christian refugees from the middle east

[Jane]

No reason to send him money MM, he has plenty. But his free market record is about as admirable as it gets. And his record since high school is something every conservative American would consider the American dream. I have nothing but admiration for what he has accomplished. Enough so that I can ignore his political leanings.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2017/02/prominent_aussie_journalist_calls_out_pm_turnbull_for_thinking_he_could_outsmart_donald_trump.html

[TEH WATCHER]

Spicer needs some fashion consultation. I thought Trump was all superficial appearance and image preservation.

That lime green tie doesn't make it.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Jane,

There is no doubt he is smart and conceived a supremely successful business. I am in admiration of that.

However, he chose to enter the political arena. Once he did that, I am forced to either approve or disapprove.

I disapprove.

You are free to support his business. My decision is only for myself. It's been my long-standing policy to not support people who wage war against me, whether it is Julia Roberts, George Will, Comcast Cable, or CNN.

This is my personal decision. I haven't money to donate to causes, so it is the only way I can express my disapproval.

I realize not everyone follows this type of thinking, and that's ok with me. It's a personal decision.

[Richard Aubrey]

The Geneva Convention says that setting up to fight from among civilians is a war crime. However, it does provide dead civilians with which to reproach US policy, providing the president is a republican. If the president is a democrat, libs couldn't care less about collateral damage.
Be interesting to find out if this thing was burned.
Checking out Operation Red Wings, for which Obama was not blamed. Among other things it should have been a Nightstalker bird doing the insertion with its protections. Instead, say some reports, it was a Guard bird without the tactical gimcrackery the 160th has. Some reports show a MH47, the tactical model, but with five Guardsmen killed. So that might mean a CH47 instead.
Might have been burned, too.
Still, it was not another grim milestone. When Bush was president, whenever the accumulated casualties reached a number ending with zero, it was another grim milestone. When Obama was president, nobody got killed.
Now, with Trump, the grim milestone is any number divisible by 1.

[Skoot]

According to sundance at CT, Turnbull leaked the call to box Trump into a corner. That didn't work out to good.