Lost weapons now in hands of Middle East extremists.
By on Aug 15th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Lost weapons now in hands of Middle East extremists.
“At least three U.S. government agencies are now investigating the massive ‘disappearance’ and diversion of weapons Washington intended for Iraqi government forces that instead have spread to militants and organized gangs across the region.” Newsweek notes that thousands of arms have flowed into Turkey through the black market. A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office last month showed that since 2004, some 190,000 AK-47 assault rifles and pistols, bought with U.S. money for Iraqi security forces, have gone missing.
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Nothing like having our own weapons turned against us. Bound to happen.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:22 pmSpreading democracy worldwide. At least your money is well-spent, arming the terrorists of the world giving new reasons for more war. Yay. How could this go badly?
August 15th, 2007 at 3:22 pm“We have nothing to fear but incompetence itself”
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Keystone Kops.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:23 pmSo… my tax money went to buy guns… that were given away… by the Bush Administration… to terrorists.
FAIL.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:25 pmThe US stole 22 Billion from Iraq in the first weeks of the war, this money could have paid off Iraqs debt
August 15th, 2007 at 3:26 pmParaphrasing the forward thinking Condi: “Who could have forseen an arms shipment to the most volatile region on earth might end up in the wrong hands?”
August 15th, 2007 at 3:27 pmBushie,
August 15th, 2007 at 3:29 pmYou’re THE POSTERBOY for fumbling, mumbling, redneck SH*T-FER-BRAINS, EVER.
How many prescription drugs are you on????
And why was the US gov buying foreign made AK-47s to begin with??
Buy American!!!
What a freekin mess Bushco has made of it’s blunder, err… the Iraq war.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:29 pmOne billion dollars has been plundered from Iraq’s defence ministry in one of the largest thefts in history, The Independent can reveal, leaving the country’s army to fight a savage insurgency with museum-piece weapons.
The money, intended to train and equip an Iraqi army capable of bringing security to a country shattered by the US-led invasion and prolonged rebellion, was instead siphoned abroad in cash and has disappeared.
“It is possibly one of the largest thefts in history,” Ali Allawi, Iraq’s Finance Minister, told The Independent.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article313538.ece
August 15th, 2007 at 3:30 pmIraqi government forces = militants and organized gangs, depending on who they are shooting at on a particular day
August 15th, 2007 at 3:30 pmThis is why we cannot wait to fix our democracy with the next election. IMPEACH NOW!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:31 pmBUSH IS ARMING TERRORISTS!!! JUST LIKE REAGAN TRADED WEAPONS TO TERRORIST IRAN, & GAVE THE MONEY TO TERRORIST CONTRAS FOR MORE WEAPONS.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:32 pmhave said this from the beginning…
August 15th, 2007 at 3:34 pmthey are arming their own killers…
…
oh, the irony.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:35 pmThis must be Clinton’s fault!!!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:36 pmthey are arming – AND TRAINING – their own killers…
fixed…
August 15th, 2007 at 3:36 pmIs this Bush’s way to encourage insurgents to “bring it on”? Ugh. This is your tax dollars hard at work aiding militants to kill Americans.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:36 pmthe bush doctrine:
kill them. kill ourselves. kill everyone.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:37 pmAnd this is a surprise?
Speaking of missing stuff — any guesses on where those billions of dollars stolen out of Iraq are winding up?
August 15th, 2007 at 3:38 pmThe real question, which any of the NRA trolls can vouch for.
Why is the US government buying the Iraqi security forces AK47s, but supplys our military with the very inferior M-16 A2?
August 15th, 2007 at 3:39 pmComment by Uncle Ho
Ronnie Raygun also funded the Afghan Rebels, who later became Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Republicans are always creating enemies we have to at a later date, go kill or take out of power.
Hell, they gave Sadam chemical weapons even.
Stupidest foreign policies ever.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:41 pmWhy is the US government buying the Iraqi security forces AK47s, but supplys our military with the very inferior M-16 A2?
Comment by Spudge_Boy
Easy! We only want the best for our Allies… and our enemies. So we get them the very best. And if you look closely at BlackWater’s weaponry, they carry AK’s and Uzis, not many M-16s there either.
But of course, a LOT of money has been made by US arms companies selling those AK’s.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:42 pmDoes this make the U.S. a “specially designated global terrorist”?
August 15th, 2007 at 3:44 pmYou can probably buy some of these lost weapons at gun shows here in the U.S. by now.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:44 pmComplete incompetence- brought to you by the Bush administration.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:45 pmWayne…
Not just Republicans…Dems too….all trying to get involved in foreign affairs. We need to put a wall around the United States, turn the torch of the Statue of Liberty into a middle finger and live within our means here.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:45 pmRemarks by the President on Teaching American History and Civic Education
East Literature Magnet School
Nashville, Tennessee
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Thanks for that warm welcome — really warm welcome. (Laughter.) Across America today, Americans are reciting 31 world — words that help define our country. In once sentence we affirm our form of government, our belief in human dignity, our unity as a people, and our reliance on Providence.
… We didn’t need any more theory in Washington. We needed people that actually done. …
There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.
when we talk about having an accountability system to make sure no child is left behind, our Secretary of Education has actually done it.
When I talk about having an accountability system to make sure the weapons we’re distributing to Iraqi soldiers don’t wind up in the black market, our Chymp in Chief ain’t done it.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:46 pmPetraeus says he will propose troop cuts
5 minutes ago
BAGHDAD – The top American commander in Iraq said Wednesday he was preparing recommendations on troop cuts before he returns to Washington next month for a report to Congress, and believes the U.S. footprint in Iraq will have to be “a good bit smaller” by next summer.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070815/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_petraeus;_ylt=Avpsy2_L6Tklb9GLZg_PbhRvaA8F
August 15th, 2007 at 3:47 pmWasn’t Patreus in charge of the weapons before he was promoted to Bush-Clone-In-Charge?
Good to know such an astute General will be giving us his “unbiased” assessment of operations in Iraq next month!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:47 pmTobey, how much ya wanna bet those “remarks” don’t find their way into the White Hou, er, Petraeus’ remarks next month.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:48 pmAll parties have done it.
Republicans and Dems alike.
We should put a wall around the United States…turn the torch of the Statue of Liberty into a middle finger and live happily ever after.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:49 pmComment by Wayne — August 15, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Another example: Prescott Bush selling steel to Nazis.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1312540,00.html
August 15th, 2007 at 3:49 pmUh, Mizzie, wrong thread…
August 15th, 2007 at 3:49 pmThis report (read: alarmism to undermine the war) by MSNBC and Newsspeak is nothing new as it relates to minor weaponry that’s gone missing since 2004. The fact that it’s suspiciously being brought up now, years later, is obviously a tactic by the librul media to undermine the effectiveness of the surge. Further, progressive who believe in anything Newsspeak writes are traitors because Newsspeak magazine has a notorious track record in its past. Newsspeak, about two years ago, is the magazine that slanderously printed that US soldiers in Gitmo flushed a Koran down the toilet; this led to many deaths courtesy of riots in the uncivilized Muzzie world. As for these missing weapons, libruls are really uneducated if they make a big deal about them because these are only rifles and pistols that are missing. The real problem with weapons in Iraq is the IEDs and such technology coming in from Iran.
August 15th, 2007 at 3:50 pm“by next summer.”
So, is that 1 1/2 or 2 Friedmans?
August 15th, 2007 at 3:52 pmAnd why was the US gov buying foreign made AK-47s to begin with??
Buy American!!!
What a freekin mess Bushco has made of it’s blunder, err… the Iraq war.
Comment by Wayne — August 15, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
The idea was to lose them all along. As anyone in the military knows the “pop” from an AK is a lot different than a pop from a M16. So as long as it’s in anyones hands but Coalition forces, mission accomplished. More death, while the US still tries to steal that ever elusive oil..
August 15th, 2007 at 3:52 pmBushCo – we will be talking about this fu#$ked up administration for the rest of our lives. Are the Bushes arming anyone in Paraguay?
PERON
August 15th, 2007 at 3:54 pmThere again we could be foolish
Not to quit while we’re ahead
For distance lends enchantment
And that is why
All exiles are distinguished
More important they’re not dead
I could find job satisfaction
In Paraguay
…and what is the world’s Capital for blackmarket weapons? Dubai..cough.. cough…
August 15th, 2007 at 3:54 pmWe arm the world!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:57 pmWe kill the children!
Military Expects to “Surge” Until June 2008?
Army General Assumes 158K Will Still Be In Iraq,
Raising Questions About Funding
August 15th, 2007 at 3:58 pmWhy is the US government buying the Iraqi security forces AK47s, but supplys our military with the very inferior M-16 A2?
Comment by Spudge_Boy
God, I hate the M-16 jam-o-matics
August 15th, 2007 at 4:01 pmI used the SR-25 Stoner and a mark 23 .45 ACP side.
So since these missing weapons are no doubt getting into that hands of insurgents who are targeting our troops, does this mean the U.S. Government will declare portions of the U.S> Military (particularly whose involved in arms quartermastering) as being a “terrorist organization”? After all, if we want to be consistent with the spin-up to use the 2001 AUMF to attack Iran, we wouldn’t want to be flaming hypocrites would we?
August 15th, 2007 at 4:04 pmAlmost everyone in my outfit carried a pistol, whether issued or not, to cover for the sand-hating 16s. What a pice of crap that was!
August 15th, 2007 at 4:05 pmWayne; you are correct. Ray-gun did arm Osama bin Laden and the mujahideen in the 1980s. I should have included that tidbit in my previous post.
Irrefutable evidence that Republicans love terrorists & love to arm terrorists and hate America for their freedoms.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:07 pmOh no ! Now we need to name ourselves as a terrorist organization in addition to the Revolutionary Guard for supplying weapons to the insurgents.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:08 pmUpside; I was issued the .45 pistol and picked up a M-16, ditched the med bags to try to blend in. Corpsmen were a preferred target by the VC.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:10 pmAmazingly enough in Nam, the most controlled and secured equipment was the weapon and associated ammunition. The weapons are not missing…someone(s) lost them. Maybe I assume too much that the military still uses hand receipts and serial numbers for their weapons.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:16 pmDoesn’t anyone remember the weapons facility at Al Qaqa’a ? The huge weapons cache that was left unguarded after the overthrow of Saddam because Rumsfeld didn’t think looting should be a priority. And a weapons dump the size of Manhattan was allowed to be emptied.
We already established a precedent that if you need weapons, just wait and we’ll give them to you, whether you’re friend or foe.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:20 pmSays a dumb fu*king troll that can’t spell liberal.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:20 pmIsrael fears masks may spook Syria
ISRAELI Defence Minister Ehud Barak has suspended the planned distribution of gas masks to the Israeli public because of fears the move could be taken by Syria as preparation for imminent war and trigger a pre-emptive attack by Damascus.
For months, the Israeli media have been reporting concern by Israeli military intelligence over the possibility that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad might launch a missile strike against Israel or undertake a more limited attack on the Golan Heights.
Mr Assad’s ascribed motives include an attempt to prod negotiations over the Golan Heights, captured by Israel in 1967, and fear that Israel is planning a strike against Syria to regain the deterrence lost in its inconclusive war against Hezbollah in Lebanon last year.
Syria has in the past year undertaken a significant build-up of its armed forces that for the first time in decades gives it a military potential Israel must take seriously, including numerous ground-to-ground missiles capable of striking anywhere in Israel, including Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv newspaper Yediot Achronot reported that Syria, to offset Israel’s air superiority, had the densest array of anti-aircraft missile batteries in the world, including the latest models coming off Russian production lines.
The Syrian army has been carrying out intensive manoeuvres and has built up its forces opposite the Golan Heights. It has also equipped itself with new Russian anti-tank missiles that can penetrate tank armour.
Israel distributed gas masks to its entire population before the Gulf War of 1991 in anticipation of a missile attack, possibly with chemical warheads, by Saddam Hussein. The Iraqis fired several dozen missiles at Israel but only with conventional warheads.
After last year’s war, during which thousands of Hezbollah rockets hit Israel, the defence establishment decided to collect all masks still in civilian hands for refurbishing and then redistribute them so as to be prepared for chemical weapons use in a future conflict. It is this redistribution Mr Barak has put on hold.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:21 pmComment by Uncle Ho
I know, you guys had a big target all over you!
I usually had the CAR-15 and also had a .38 S&W Combat Masterpiece as well as a .45 ACP when doing the jungle penetration thing. Needed to be easy to get through the trees and wanted lots of “metallic courage” with me.
And ArmyVet, you are right! IF you lost a weapon, and weren’t dead, there was Hell to pay to the First Shirt, the CO and the other REMFs.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:24 pmNo No it was lost on purpose, we sold weapons to Iraq & Iran under Reagan(the Iran Iraq War), that was what Iran-Contra was about & what Ollie North lied to Congress about; we (as a nation) tend to do that, it doubles the money-making for our private weapons makers. It’s how it is.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:25 pmWell it makes since that the US supply the enemy with weapons to continue the so call war. If we hadn’t given them weapons and bullets they would have nothing to kill our soldiers with. Bush is doing a great job at getting our soldiers killed while feeling the pain and those fake feelings to the families of those who died based on his lies. Americans should feel proud of this Liar-in-Chief. 9 more soldiers died today in Iraq and more will die each day thanks General Petraeus and the White House making sure the terrorist are well equiped to continue. I wonder if that will be in the White House report to Congress on Sept. 15th.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:26 pmDon’t mean to seem too distrustful here…but isn’t the GAO a wholly owned Bush subsidiary? Why would they release such supposedly devastating information?
August 15th, 2007 at 4:34 pmI wish I could make up my mind whether Bush and company are incompetent boobs or diabolical evil masters of chaos.
ArmyVet; The GAO(General Accounting Office) is an investigative arm of the Congress, not the White House.(but not much difference from Bush control under the 109th Congress).
August 15th, 2007 at 4:43 pmUncle Ho – I sit corrected. But still the whole thing seems fishy to me :)
August 15th, 2007 at 4:44 pmAnd ArmyVet, you are right! IF you lost a weapon, and weren’t dead, there was Hell to pay to the First Shirt, the CO and the other REMFs.
Comment by upside00
No chit.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:52 pmIf you were not dead, you ended up wishing you were.
This is another example of the unbelievable incompetence we have seen from this administration. This is not the first time weapons have gone missing in Iraq. The fact that Petraeus decided to not look for these weapons is disturbing. This kind of incompetence puts our soldiers at risk.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:58 pmGoogle: Susurluk Incident/Scandal
Google: Operation Gladio
The CIA and others are in on the Turkish drugs/arms trade. We taught the Mujahadeen to grow opium to fund their secret war in Afghanistan (1979-1989), just like we showed our hired thugs in Southeast Asia how to set up the Golden Triangle to help fund secret wars during the Vietnam war.
Everyone in Europe knows about it, and several governments have investigated their own countries involvement alongside the CIA (Italy, Turkey, Belgium, etc)
THE CIA SELLS YOUR KIDS DRUGS! (both directly and indirectly)
THE CIA WAS BEHIND FALSE FLAG TERRORISM IN EUROPE!
August 15th, 2007 at 5:05 pmJust wondering why my posts aren’t being posted?
August 15th, 2007 at 5:29 pmThe huge weapons cache that was left unguarded after the overthrow of Saddam because Rumsfeld didn’t think looting should be a priority. And a weapons dump the size of Manhattan was allowed to be emptied.
Comment by raynman
Securing the oil was more important to Bushco than securing or blowing the dumps.
Hey, it’s not like we invaded for WMDs right?
August 15th, 2007 at 6:59 pmOh, yeah that was the reason given for invading…………
that was completely intentional – if everyone over there ran out of munitions, what would our erxcuse be to hang around – that’s just “the boys” keeping the “game” going, so they can keep ripping off all parties involved, including you righty idiots who pay taxes (if any of you really do)
August 15th, 2007 at 7:05 pmOK, so republicans are incompetent at running government and they can’t prosecute a war without screwing up badly. But, they have been pretty good at winning elections! That’s something.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:42 pm#8 – good point wayne – 190,000 ak-47’s? – how can you “lose” nearly 200,000 machine guns!!! – and are these brand new or 2nd hand on the black market somewhere?
August 15th, 2007 at 8:03 pmThe military is good at losing things. Last year they lost about 17 F-14s.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:41 pmLast year they lost about 17 F-14s.
Comment by WaltTheMan
What? Really! Please provide links, I’ve never heard this!!!
August 15th, 2007 at 11:49 pm…bullsh*t…
…Blackwater has ‘em…
August 16th, 2007 at 8:02 pmComment by RepublicansAreFascists — August 15, 2007 @ 11:49 pm
The links are gone. I did a Google on “F14 iran missing” and got ome hits, but could not open the threads and no ‘cache’ showed up as well. The original artical appeared in February.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:39 am