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retmil46 · #93 09-12-2012, 01:16 PM

Several have asked why the Marines didn't open fire.

I'd imagine the first priority in that situation is safeguarding the lives of the embassy staff and their families. Needless to say that takes absolute priority over protecting property.

In the case of the Libyan embassy, it's my understanding so far that the deaths were caused by incoming rocket fire. Marines are usually very competent marksmen, but I dare say it's well nigh impossible to shoot down an incoming RPG round with an M-16 or M1911.

(And if any of them were able to accomplish that spectacular feat of marksmanship, I'd call them SIR regardless of rank.)

Given the first priority of protecting the embassy staff civilians, orders from the ambassador/embassy staff notwithstanding, it was up the Marine on-scene commander to assess the situation and determine the best way to not only accomplish Priority # 1, but also minimize the danger and casualties to those under his command as well - also mindful of what international repercussions his actions might have.

In both cases, had the Marines opened fire and wounded or killed any locals - it most likely would have turned what was initially a group of rioters in relatively small number, obstensibly initially only intent on destroying property - into an angry lynch mob of thousands bent on revenge and blood.

We have absolutely zero info on what the situation was on the ground, and I for one am not going to second guess the decisions of the on-scene commander in either case - other than to say, had the ambassador indeed given totally nonsensical orders, that would have resulted in needless injury or death to civilians and/or the Marine contingent, I'm fairly certain the Marine commander would have (respectfully, of course) told the ambassador to go screw himself and taken the appropriate actions.

The opinion that BO's election chances are now in the hands of the Libyan and Egyptian authorities, and how they respond to this, is spot on. Not only that, but the future of both country's internal affairs and citizens for the next 2 or 3 generations, and how the world deals with them, is on the line as well. Both country's internally are still in a state of flux after the Arab Spring, the final outcome still to be determined.

If the rioters receive only a slap on the hand, or no response at all, from the authorities, it doesn't bode well - it indicates that the Islamic fundamentalists/radicals have gained the upper hand, and that both countries may eventually become Islamic republics or theocracies along the lines of Iran - sadly, that in the end, their citizens only traded one form of authoritarian government for another, that most likely will be even worse.