In what universe is this a good development?
An Islamist militia linked to the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and kicked out of the city by locals is back openly manning checkpoints and building up support promising much-needed security.
Heavily bearded youths from Ansar al-Sharia control the western entrance into Libya's second biggest metropolis, patrol a hospital and check cars and trucks passing through another checkpoint in the south.
Witnesses say the group's members were at the scene of the September 11 attack that killed the U.S. ambassador, Christopher Stevens, and three other Americans - though Ansar al-Sharia denied any involvement.
Days after the assault, outraged residents drove the group out of its bases in the city in a "Rescue Benghazi" protest.
More than 5 months after the 9/11 assaults on our regional embassies that included the killing of four Americans in Benghazi, we still haven't struck back at the jihadis.
Obviously, our enemies learn not to fear us.
But consider our friends. They actually stood up to the jihadis and drove them from Benghazi after the assault and killings. Now those people who were friendly to America see the jihadis back in Benghazi. The jihadis just might know who turned on them in September, no?
I'd guess that Libyans won't be as quick to side against the jihadis the next time they have a choice.
This is "smart" diplomacy to restore our reputation abroad, remember.
UPDATE: We exacted revenge on the Afghan soldier who worked for the Taliban for the killing of First Lieutenant Alejo Thompson last May:
An Afghan soldier-turned-insurgent who was feted by the Taliban for killing an American soldier during an insider attack in eastern Afghanistan last year has been killed in a raid, the U.S.-led international coalition said on Monday.
As with dictators or terrorist leaders who screw with us, I hope we have a list of people who just need killing for past actions against us. No matter how long it takes, they should be killed. Ideally, when they buy the farm, they know we got them.
