1 I'm going to agree with you 100% on this one Harvey. As long as it's not directly impacting us, or aiding the terrorists let'em do what they want to each other. It is a cold way to think, and I feel badly (to put it mildly) for those innocents that will be made to suffer. But our Soldiers are Our Soldier - they are the most precious resource we have and must not be squandered.

2 There's going to be some big bad stuff coming our way over there, Harv. I made reference to it when I was joking about Fidel not being on our radar. I wish I had a better handle on the politics of all those nations over there and all the tribes, but I don't. I have a bad bad feeling... very bad.

3 Good points; however, intervention might help the war on terror. We've had trouble out of the Sudan before. Africa may just go up in flames very soon. The last thing we need is another Afghanistan/Taliban scenario somewhere else. Plus, I can't see standing around and letting a million people die because no one else will help them. We're Americans dammit!

4 I don't care about Sudan either, man.. but, I care about my fellow human beings... if I could help stop innocents being slaughtered, I would... regardless of what country they are in... the Sudan has been used to harbor terrorists anyway.. their government is letting this genocide happen, and letting terrorists have camps there.. double the reason to keep an eye on Sudan... and, possbily send in troops...

5 I need to go over and read what Blackfive has over on his blog, haven't had the chance yet. Last I heard 25% of Africa was Muslim. Perhaps the stat was wrong and I don't know if there are some nations more densely populated with them than others... either way, that's a significant percentage in my book and something we need to be very very aware of. As I said in my blog on Iraq, this Beast has long reaching tentacles, reaching much further than the Middle East.

6 Well, I'm really beat and not thinking too awfully straight, but I have pondered on much of Africa for a while. What I see is that we've been putting on the heat in the countries were the terrorists have been traditionally the most comfortable and welcome. They've had to run... Where do they run to? Africa - most of the continent is in turmoil. AIDS, dictators, it's a mess. (and yes I know it's not the entire continent, but enough to be problematical) If you're a terrorist and want time to reorganize and recruit new idiots to your cause - this is the place you go. These people have nothing left to lose, they have nothing to fight with, they are dying by the thousands already. Perfect for Al Qaida or other low-life bastards to move in and create a new base, renew operations. Promises of making things better if a few will be willing to die for the cause... Just my take. It's possible I'm wrong.

7 If there's a Sudan-terrorist connection and putting troops there will help the WOT more than putting those troops in Syria or Iran, then make the case for it with some evidence like Powell did for Iraq. I'll be glad to support it. But right now, it sounds like a damn feel-good humanitarian mission for our little brown brother, and I don't have the taste of Somalia out of my mouth yet. If I'm wrong, let me know with facts & evidence & sources. Right now I'm just plain too damn ignorant & in the dark to know where to come down on this.

8 If we had a couple-three active duty divisions, plus the required air and sea support, just sitting around wondering which thumb to put up their asses today, sure, I'd be all in favor of intervening. Little wars keep the hinges oilled. The Marines were succuessful in their massive expansion during WW2 because they had so many veterans of the Bannana Wars and China. Trouble is, we don't have those divisions, air wings and sea lift to spare. We closed them out and spent the peace dividend. Now we'll be damned lucky to get Congress to approve an increase in active duty manpower of 30-40,000 spread among all the services. Even if we could make that an annual increase (and we should) it would be years before we could invest a couple divisions in the Horn of Africa. Damned shame.

9 If I remember correctly al Qaeda had a whole infrstructure set up there in the late 90's and supposedly left. My guess would be that they are still a huge presence in the area, only not as visible. Reasons for this would be the easy access to the Red Sea and thus the Mediterranean (they were supposedly HQed in or near Port Sudan. Of course this could all be a bad memory ;-) Any one able to confirm this?

10 Obviously I need to really read more on this. I'll admit I didn't realize much of what you all are saying. Thanks.

11 This is exactly the kind of situation for which Clinton would have sent in troops. Only not enough to do the job effectively and probably with orders not to hurt anyone... It's too bad the U.N. is such a waste of good New York real estate, because if it was at all a useful organization this Sudan thing would be right up its alley.

12 I've researched it, and yeah, we need to be there. The 'evidence' you are looking for Pops, won't be available until GW gets his second term. The GWoT will make a huge turn South after about a year of cleanup in the ME. GW is playing with kid gloves in other areas right now in order to avoid the "You're declaring war on the whole world!". Which is pretty much what we should be doing.

13 _Jon - any links to go with that statement? Like I said, I'm just looking for info right now. If you could do a post on it, so much the better. Seems like there's information hunger out there.