Should terrorist be negotiated with to save the lives of innocents?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 12:49:55 -0400

Nigeria's Boko Haram extremists are offering to trade young women and girls for the release of militant leaders.

Boko Haram offers to swap kidnapped girls for detainees

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 1:03 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:03:15 -0400

It is tragic to not negotiate, but if we start to negotiate with terrorist groups we give a great deal more power to the groups. This act also opens up the door for future terrorists to act based on past behaviors.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 8 at 2015 1:19 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 13:19:07 -0400

From the Barbary Pirates in the 1700's, Iran Contra, Al Qaeda, the Taliban and countless other groups down the years, we've been negotiating with who we've deemed to be terrorists that day for hundreds of years. It's a pretty well established American tradition. I've never understood why we pretend otherwise...

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 8 at 2015 2:17 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 14:17:24 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member - The US should never negotiate with terrorists. While it may seem like a good thing to do in a particular situation, the truth is that any negotiation will only encourage more incidents to occur. The only negotiation I am in favor of is to allow them to choose their manner of death.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 8 at 2015 3:00 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:00:41 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member as tragic as it may be for those families that have lost love ones to this policy I believe it is the correct policy not to negotiate. It will empower them to take more hostages going forward. I also believe we need to have a more aggressive and effective strategy to deal with one (1) or fifteen (15) or more hostages when it comes to our leadership in Washington. If we were on the offensive with other nations to rescue and tactically go after these terrorist the might think twice. I'm not for sitting back and waiting for negotiations - that hasn't worked. Strike fear into the enemy with decisive action that won't forget. But who am I, just a retired Colonel working from the Arm Chair!

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 8 at 2015 3:50 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:50:32 -0400

Using Star Wars as a reference. There is such a thing as "aggressive negotiations".

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2015 4:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 16:13:08 -0400

Terrorism is a tool/weapon. The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.”
Negotiating with a terrorist legitimizes their cause and furthers terrorism.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Dec 28 at 2015 4:15 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 16:15:10 -0500

Many may not understand, I am a product of my past: 1985 in Latin America President Reagan's orders were we do not recognize hostages so if helped came every one standing was shot. Which means I to shoot hostages; that drove the young soldiers that went out the wire with me crazy.