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Africa North
Dozens of CIA operatives on the ground during Benghazi attack
2013-08-02
Everyone's talking about this Jake Tapper story this morning, so here's the link.
Posted by:

#15  The Americans in Benghazi were surrounded regionally by all types of USDOD + INTEL Assets, BOTH IN + OUT OF COUNTRY - IMO the Admin's core argument is that SSSSSSSSSSHHHHH a DEDICATED hostage rescue team was not available or too far away to effectively or timely intervene. ITS STILL A CROCK BECAUSE US-WORLD MILITARY HISTORY IS FULL OF EXAMPLES WHERE NON-DEDICATED, NON-AGENCY/SERVICE ASSETS OR FORCES WERE USED IN EMERGENCY OR CONTINGENCY SUPPORT OF THOSE IN CRISIS.

These Amers died for a POLITICAL AGENDA + PUBLIC RELATIONS, NOT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T BE RESCUED.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2013-08-02 19:44  

#14  The Horn Blows at Midnight. Jack Benny. Actual caution 4, do not approach the minuteman.
Posted by: Shipman   2013-08-02 16:57  

#13  All quiet on the White House front: No press briefing following Benghazi bombshell
Posted by: Beavis   2013-08-02 13:49  

#12  operatives, but not operative-operatives?

Yes, though 'analysts earning a bit of Special Duty Pay' would be a tad more accurate.
Posted by: Pappy   2013-08-02 13:33  

#11  Pappy: "Depends on what kind of operatives. I'd surmise that most of them couldn't handle a firearm if/when their lives depended on it."

So to paraphrase Whoppi Goldberg, these were operatives, but not operative-operatives?
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2013-08-02 12:50  

#10  Stansfield Turner Method of extracting intel,

Whahaha, indeed! Non-disclosure statements, weekly/monthly polygraphs, paid sabbatical, one-time Special Duty Pay (SDP) bonus, lifetime medical.... anything you want.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-08-02 12:00  

#9  Enough operatives to assemble into a platoon if they had to?

Depends on what kind of operatives. I'd surmise that most of them couldn't handle a firearm if/when their lives depended on it.

Routine Klingon's MTT rotation, or extracting personnel from a training mission gone badly.

I'd thought about that as well. Also likely is the Stansfield Turner Method of extracting intel, which might explain why they held off leaving for so long (and didn't want any non-Klingon assistance.).
Posted by: Pappy   2013-08-02 10:59  

#8  Conjecture aside, mine included; two men, two US Gov't employees know exactly WTF took place. They are the Klingon Chief of Station (COS) in Tripoli and the State Department Regional Security Officer (RSO).
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-08-02 09:42  

#7  Depending on where these operatives were would that be enough to stop the attack?
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2013-08-02 09:33  

#6  Which side of the battle were the CIA operatives supporting?
Posted by: airandee   2013-08-02 09:32  

#5  BP,

could be, could not be. However the lessons in (real, not 'revolutionary') history are that tyrants that live by threat and abuse alienate just about all the key people needed to keep them alive as they find out in the last few minutes of their lives. Lavrentiy Beria to the courtesy phone.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2013-08-02 09:16  

#4  Michael Yon links to this CNN Bombshell: CIA Personnel in Benghazi Silenced with Threats to Their Families by Obama Regime
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2013-08-02 09:06  

#3  Large number of operators could [could] have been a coincidence. Routine Klingon's MTT rotation, or extracting personnel from a training mission gone badly. State Department AMBO shoot out takes place simultaneously.

Interesting to note; no apparent unity of effort. Most of our guys are here, your guys are there, our EXFIL is inbound...... have a nice day.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-08-02 08:39  

#2  Enough operatives to assemble into a platoon if they had to?
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain   2013-08-02 08:29  

#1  The State Department told CNN in an e-mail that it was only helping the new Libyan government destroy weapons deemed "damaged, aged or too unsafe retain,"

Whahhahahaaa
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-08-02 08:14  

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