Posted on 01/31/2020 11:32:35 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Friday relaxed Obama-era restrictions on the U.S. military’s use of land mines, arguing that the previous policy put American troops at a “severe disadvantage.”
The move has been criticized by arms control proponents and underscores the administration’s willingness to upend policies set by Trump’s Democratic predecessor, in the face of concerns about the dangers such weaponry poses to civilians long after conflicts end.
President Barack Obama’s administration said in 2014 that it would no longer produce or otherwise acquire antipersonnel land mines, including to replace existing U.S. stockpiles, which can age to the point where the munitions can longer be used.
The United States had also prohibited the use of the weapons outside of the Korean Peninsula.
In a statement, the White House said that the Pentagon had determined that the restrictions had put troops at a disadvantage.
“This policy will authorize Combatant Commanders, in exceptional circumstances, to employ advanced, non-persistent landmines specifically designed to reduce unintended harm to civilians and partner forces,” the White House said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Good-mine the southern boarder
Just call them IED’s. The media hasn’t had a problem with that.
Typical. Ban them everywhere you wouldn't actually need them. The one place the US Army would be decidedly on the defensive in the initial combat phase would be Korea. Hence, landmines are still used there. "Banning" landmines was a stupid, feel-good gesture.
The Democrat Fascist party, and their Fake news toadies, once again indicates its total ignorance of how modern landmines work
‘
been stating it for the millionth time on FR: place them at the border. No need for $$ on the wall. Just a clean up crew aka wild dogs.
Land Mines, sure.
And Coal mines are land mines, too.
Hell, you can set them using GPS to pull them if necessary.
Awesome. Now enhance the wall!
Man he really stepped on it there
Well played sir!
When is he going to clean out the political correctness that is destroying the military? Example: Classes on defeating “toxic masculinity” going on at West Point?
When is he going to clean out the political correctness that is destroying the military? Example: Classes on defeating “toxic masculinity” going on at West Point?
At this point......wouldn’t it be simpler to just reverse every single last rule change the Obama administration implemented?
There might be 1 or 2 that are actually good that somehow snuck through by mistake, but that’d be a small price to pay to nuke the endless stupidity that flowed forth from Hussein.
There ya go!!
A huge force multiplier, especially in a defensive posture. We always map and mark our minefields, unlike the Third World despots who just spread them willy-nilly.
Damn; you beat me to it.
Yep - no more accidents years later from exploded mines - they can be made safe when no longer needed.
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