It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
SANAA, Yemen (AP) — An American photojournalist and a South African teacher held by al-Qaida militants in Yemen were killed Saturday during a failed U.S.-led rescue attempt, a raid President Barack Obama said he ordered over an "imminent danger" to the reporter.
In an early morning statement on Saturday, President Obama acknowledged a failed attempt by U.S. forces to rescue Luke Somers, an American in Al Qaeda custody.
Obama defended his decision to authorize the attack, pointing out that Somers’ life was in danger after a Al Qaeda video was released announcing he'd be killed within 72 hours.
“Based on this assessment, and as soon as there was reliable intelligence and an operational plan, I authorized a rescue attempt yesterday,” Obama said.
originally posted by: Maxatoria
Was the seals the right unit to send in? was there better equipped or prepped units available from other countries as when you have a 72 hour count down theres not much time to start really doing much planning especially if they have to spend hours on a plane to get near the place
originally posted by: IAMTAT
...and before someone mentions the attack on Bin Laden...also remember that that plan originated with Obama's predecessor.
originally posted by: Benevolent Heretic
a reply to: ProfessorChaos
Wow. I totally expected to see you rake Obama over the coals for this, so I'm surprised at your take on it, but I agree with you. Unfortunately these things sometimes fail, but Obama did the right thing in trying to get them out of there.
My thoughts go out to the families...
originally posted by: IAMTAT
...and before someone mentions the attack on Bin Laden...also remember that that plan originated with Obama's predecessor.
So, Bush gets credit for killing Bin Laden now? LOL!
originally posted by: [post=18743003]ProfessorChaos
As much as I can't stand the man, at least it appears that he was attempting to do what a President should do when a citizen of the United States is being held hostage, rather than trying to understand, and sympathize with extremists.
originally posted by: ProfessorChaos
a reply to: Indigo5
I'm not so sure Obama is too worried about the 'politically safe' choices these days. He's been re-elected, no one is going to impeach him, and even if they try to, it will fail.
originally posted by: ProfessorChaos
a reply to: Indigo5
My statement in your quote was more in regard to his apparent (in my mind) agreement with, and/or appreciation of, these extremist groups, and their goals, in general.
originally posted by: projectvxn
a reply to: IAMTAT
Credit for killing bin Laden goes to the men and women who worked tirelessly for over a decade to kill that bastard where he slept.
originally posted by: projectvxn
a reply to: IAMTAT
Credit for killing bin Laden goes to the men and women who worked tirelessly for over a decade to kill that bastard where he slept.
On June 2, 2009, just over four months into his presidency, Obama had signed a memo to CIA Director Leon Panetta stating “in order to ensure that we have expanded every effort, I direct you to provide me within 30 days a detailed operation plan for locating and bringing to justice” bin Laden.
On May 26, 2009, Obama had concluded a routine national-security briefing in the Situation Room by pointing to Donilon, Leon Panetta, his newly appointed C.I.A. director, Mike Leiter, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, and Rahm Emanuel, his chief of staff.
“You, you, you, and you,” he said. “Come upstairs.”
The four followed Obama through the warren of narrow West Wing hallways to the Oval Office. They didn’t sit down.
Obama said, “Here’s the deal. I want this hunt for Osama bin Laden and [Ayman] al-Zawahiri to come to the front of the line. I worry that the trail has gone cold. This has to be our top priority and it needs leadership in the tops of your organizations.” He added, “I want regular reports on this to me, and I want them starting in 30 days.”