Posted on 11/17/2015 5:47:22 AM PST by RoosterRedux
Here's how to put the scale of Islamic State's attacks into perspective. Within a span of few weeks, the radical Islamist group carried out the deadliest terror attack in modern French history, killing 129 people, and the deadliest attack in modern Turkish history--the Oct. 10 Ankara bombing, which killed 102.
Between the two, I.S. blew up a Russian passenger jet over the Sinai, killing 224. Another 44 people died in suicide blasts in a Hezbollah-controlled Beirut neighborhood, the worst terror attack in the city since the end of the Lebanese civil war. A drumbeat of suicide bombings in Baghdad killed dozens.
In other words, Islamic State has launched a war on the civilian populations of all its major adversaries--NATO, Russia, Iraq and an Iranian ally.
A day after the Paris bloodbath, French Pres. Francois Hollande called the murders "an act of war that was committed by a terrorist army, a jihadist army, Daesh, against France." French Prime Minister Manuel Valls vowed to "annihilate the enemies of the republic."
All of Islamic State's enemies will likely strike back hard. But don't underestimate France. Its military has been one of the most aggressive in battling Islamist groups from Mali to Afghanistan.
France has been at war with Islamic State since September 2014 under the name Operation Chammal. Paris can call on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle--due to arrive Nov. 18 near the Middle East to support the war--and her assortment of Rafale and Super Etendard strike aircraft. A French two-star general is also attached to U.S. Central Command.
(Excerpt) Read more at warisboring.com ...
Now THAT’S funny
“send in the foreign legion”
Do they STILL accept anybody from ANY country?
They probably already have ISIS agents or at least sympathisers
the French WERE a decent people- now a mishmash of liberal
groups-
OH wait- am I talking about France or the USA?
sarc
FOR SALE: WWII French military rifle. Excellent condition. Never fired. Only dropped once.
“So far, the strikes by France have been mostly symbolic.”
Sit back and watch. I know the French - they can be absolutely ruthless when they try.
You left out Dien Bien Phu
I have no doubt that the French have some specialized units that can be ‘ruthless’...but they are definitely not a strong military power.
Their military expenditures are very small relative to GDP, they are primarily a defensive force (only have one aircraft carrier), and without NATO they could not conduct large scale combined arms operations outside of their borders.
France is a typical NATO member...and they have let the US do most of the heavy lifting for a long time. They can’t just flip a switch and ‘turn on’ a powerful military machine.
Algiers. Indochina.
You are, of course, entitled to your own opinion.... and the French are sending their ONE aircraft carrier (how many deployable do WE have? Hmm?? How many deployable does the RN have?) on forward deployed offensive operations. I wonder if we could REALLY conduct large scale combined arms operations outside of our borders? I fear that the next time we see such operations, they’ll be in CONUS.
They will probably add their special forces to ours on the ground.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kolwezi
Sorry, but you need to do some research. Who do you think made the massive tank sweep during the first Gulf War that drove Saddam’s elite into a corner? According to my son, an ANGLICO Marine who was there, “The French were about the only ones besides us who knew what the hell they were doing. I’d support them anytime.” He’s a fighting Marine and he admires the French. Need I say more?
Just as a comparison, France has 4 Aircraft Carriers. I believe Great Britain has one. France is also a nuclear power and ranks #6 worldwide in Military Strength.
Why don’t you find out what Army broke the German supply lines in Italy. It wasn’t us regardless of the destruction of Monte Cassino.
A suggested reading list would include, Generals Philip LeClerc. Maxime Weygand, Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, Alphonse Juin, Henri H. Geraud, and de Gaulle of course, just for starters.
I don’t mean to be argumentative, but it is really upsetting to see outrageous statements go unchallenged.
This shouldn’t be a countries military fighting ISIS. This should be the worlds special forces gathered under a single banner (Crusades would be my choice) and they should hunt down every single ISIS terrorist and kill them without fanfare. (I would use bacon tipped bullets, but I am silly that way)
Support these blessed soldiers of God with A-10’s and Spooky. Village to village, town to town, city to city. Either the population supports the mission or they are part of the enemy. If it means dismantling every mosque in site, so be it.
This would be a Good Thing.
France has experience in fighting in Africa. Recently putting the "Osama Bin Laden" of Africa (About Zeid) on ice. Operation Serval showed both strengths/weakness of French military. No aerial lift capacity. Relied on US. Troop shortage. In the midst of changing individual weapons (La Famas).
Not sure if the recent attacks will cause the French government to turn the military around or not.
I have no doubt that the French have some specialized units that can be ‘ruthless’...but they are definitely not a strong military power.
...............................................................
France is a Nuclear Power ranked 6th in Military strength in the world regardless of it’s small size as a country. (Put France inside of Texas and have over 1/4 of Texas left over.)
Their Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle is on its way to render more than a slap in the face to ISIS. They have a strong Air Force, strong Naval Force, strong Ground Force. They’re capable of far more than you think.
Well, if you’re really interested, for decades our doctrine included being prepared to fight two large scale wars abroad at the same time. Barry has reduced that doctrine to being capable of fighting only one large scale war abroad at the same time.
And we are certainly capable. The amount of personnel and equipment we poured into the middle east for ten years is really mind blowing....and ours is still the most powerful military in the world.
We have 11 carriers, I believe. I don’t know or care about the RN...they have recently contracted their military sharply, and are just as much of a typical NATO military as France. I used the word typical for a reason - never suggested that any other NATO military was better or worse than France’s.
Not sure why this is such a hot button topic for you. Its just factual - France has a doctrine based on defense, nuclear deterrence and a support role in NATO. Its just the way it is.
Agree. Their soldiers and airmen are good. The French problem is the same as ours: a political class consisting primarily of low intelligence failures doing the only job that will accept them.
...........................................................
You nailed it! The only time they have not been beside us was when Jacques Chirac was president. He hated America regardless of all his phony words of condolence after 9/11.
Blame it on Chirac.
He's only talking tough to keep himself from the gallows.
I am very well acquainted with our naval doctrine, especially during the Reagan years when I was on active duty. Sorry if I offended you - I have French military friends, and they take more heat than they deserve. They are quite capable and willing to project what power they have in their national (as well as NATO) interests. Outside of NATO, what they do is their business.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.