I have plenty of respect for Franks and North.
I also think our idea that Islamic fascists will quit being fascists if we keep feeding them money is a little bizarre. We've been doing that for decades.
Don't think this is so much a NS problem as one of appeasing a nation that we really don't need to appease. We obviously need to keep a presence in UAE as a launch-point into Iran, and to keep the Straight of Hormuz open. I don't see how UAE could possibly ask us to close our base, given their place in the region.
Did you visit the links?
UAE and Somali companies, mostly. Is it because UAE is helping us to root them out, or is it because we busted them on our own? If they are helping us root the terrorists out, is it because they have a genuine desire to do so as a country? Or is it just for the protection and money while privately wishing us dead? I feel that's a pretty valid question given the topic. If you have some information, or views to share, I would appreciate it.
Have any of our other allies in that area really stood with us in any meaningful way other than letting us operate bases, and turning over a few of the worst offenders in exchange for keeping them out of hot water?
Turkey wouldn't even let us operate off of their soil when we went in to Iraq. I agree that we have and need military bases in that part of the world. Are these folks really our friends, though?
Considering that we trust Dubai and DP World to manage the port most critical to the logistic support of our troops in the War on Terror, and that we trust them to a greater amount of support for our surface combat vessels then any other nation, I'd say that the conclusions of General Franks and Colonel North are based on sound principle, not hysterics.
BTW welcome to FR, I hope the Cowboy in our name isn't a reference to bareback mountin' or the "rough riders" comment in your tag line..
good post. I will admit to being not up on all the points of the issue & need to really get in & research before I can speak intelligently on it.