Who is Boko Haram, and Why Should You Care?

[OakRiver]

So, going out on a limb I'm guessing they didn't #BringOurGirlsHome ?

 

[HoughMade]

 

[mrjarrell]

BBC News - Boko Haram crisis: Niger 'will not help retake' town of Baga

Looks like Niger will join Chad in abandoning help, at least for awhile, to Nigerian efforts to fight Boko Haram.

Interestingly...


I wonder if France might entertain the thought - at least for the next couple months - of pushing back more forcefully against Boko Haram. I mean, it would be a bit of a political game, but... they deserve some smack down.

This is one that the Nigerian government should have been right out in front on. Sadly, their corruption and ineptitude has made a bad situation far worse and no-one else is going to step in to help them. Their president is likely in talks with the US to have us bail his ass out of a situation he's made worse.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Not above using 10 year old girls as suicide bombs

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/w...omber-hits-maiduguri-nigeria-market.html?_r=0

DAKAR, Senegal — A girl perhaps no more than 10 years old detonated powerful explosives concealed under her veil at a crowded northern Nigeria market on Saturday, killing as many as 20 people and wounding many more.

The blast inflicted devastating damage on shoppers at the Monday Market in Maiduguri, the shopping hub in a city that is at the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency. The explosion, witnessed by dozens of people, represented a new tactic in the Islamists’ campaign with their decision to use perhaps their youngest-ever suicide bomber.

 

[PistolBob]

Well, let's see.

Short answer: Gas prices and the global economy. We get nearly 20% of our crude oil from Nigeria. Not a lot of people know that.

Long answer: Regarding the humanitarian crisis......... well, if you aren't concerned about educating yourself on 'current affairs' (that could seriously affect the U.S. economy too).... then why should I explain it to you?

In 2013 the US imported 3.6 billion barrels of oil. Give or take a few thousand. Of that, Nigeria provided a measly 103 million barrels. Or roughly 2.8% of our oil. Where did you get your 20% figure?

US Oil Imports by Country of Origin

 

[mrjarrell]

Now they're spreading their attacks out to neighbouring countries.

'Boko Haram raids' Cameroon military base - Africa -

 

[churchmouse]

That will change some minds.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Boko Haram massacre is so big, survivors give up counting bodies - BBC Newsbeat

 

[Denny347]

Boko Haram massacre is so big, survivors give up counting bodies - BBC Newsbeat

It's in Africa, no one really cares. Sad.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

It's in Africa, no one really cares. Sad.

Thankfully, there are still a few journalists out there with integrity.

Jake Tapper will be covering it this evening on The Lead on CNN. He's one of the few great ones.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Boko Haram kills over 2000 in Nigeria and the U.S. responds with a tweet ? again | Twitchy

 

[HoughMade]

Boko Haram kills over 2000 in Nigeria and the U.S. responds with a tweet ? again | Twitchy

 

[T.Lex]

Rwanda, Nigeria/Boko Haram.... I guess there has been some consistency in US policy over the years....

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Boko Haram Appears to Be Using Abducted Girls as Suicide Bombers: Experts - NBC News

 

[ghuns]

Boko Haram Appears to Be Using Abducted Girls as Suicide Bombers: Experts - NBC News

I can't believe they would stoop to that level... Wait... Yes, yes I can.

 

[Destro]

Boko Haram kills over 2000 in Nigeria and the U.S. responds with a tweet ? again | Twitchy

Bump

For a place that gets it's kicks calling each other fascists/liberals/anarchists over their political and educational microcosms, it's kind of sad we are not discussing this more.


2,000+ innocent people with no way to protect themselves brutally massacred for no reason by hundreds of terrorists and the world stands silent. A couple of journalists kick a hornets nest and get stung and the world is outraged...

 

[calcot7]

Good information....I thought they were a band from the 1970's or 80's.

 

[ghuns]

Good information....I thought they were a band from the 1970's or 80's.

Loves me some Whiter Shade of Pale.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Boko Haram strikes in Cameroon as foreign troops arrive from Chad - CNN.com


Boko Haram kidnapped 80 people in northern Cameroon Sunday, officials say

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Orphaned by Boko Haram: 'They are slaughtering people' - CNN Video