October 15th, 2008 by Sarah

As the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, Abu Muqawama highlights an article by Colonel Timothy J. Geraghty (Ret) in the U.S. Naval Institute’s journal Proceedings.

Abu Muqawama claims that Col. Geraghty touches upon one of the real taboo subjects surrounding the bombing: the provision of U.S. naval gunfire in support of the Lebanese Army at Souq el-Gharb; the U.S. saw itself as a neutral peace-keeper, but other actors saw otherwise.

The real lesson, says Abu Muqawama, is that “when U.S. and allied troops deploy into post-conflict and conflict environments as neutral actors, they must jealously guard that neutrality. Soldiers and diplomats must also bear in mind Gen. Rupert Smith’s warning: There is no such thing as impartial governance or humanitarian assistance. In this environment, every time you help someone, you hurt someone else.”

Posted in Syria, Terrorism, US foreign policy |