Opinion from the desk of the Editor:

I have patiently waited to see what everyone had to say about how to handle the situation in Nigeria and that of Boko Haram……and as usual a lot of it is pure manure!

When I first got interested in international relations I wanted to study the causes of war……thanx to my time experiencing it first hand, both overt and covert………after some of the studies were out of the way I decided to specialize in Middle East Studies……..this opinion piece is from a person who has experienced war first hand and how to deal with an opponent that cannot be negotiated with at any time.

I need to warn my readers that my idea will not be a popular one and may even be considered barbaric by some……but there is a way to handle the situation of the missing girls once they are found……..

We,  and by we I mean the rest of the so-called civilized world, have to make this a situation that should never be attempted and to do that we need to use psychological warfare as well as strength…..we know that this situation will not be resolved by negotiation and trust……and since we know this there can be only one way to proceed.  If we have a weak stomach then this will not end well for the world and especially for the kidnapped girls.

Some action needs to be formulated…….an the time tried technique of sanctions is not, I repeat NOT, a good idea……..this will end only with a good complete strike against Boko Haram……a quick strike and extraction is a good scenario but a lame one……without inflicting damage on the group what will stop them from doing this again?

There comes a time when one must play by the rules of the opponent and this is one of those times……it must be brutal and all encompassing.  Yes, even messy.

I would work the angle of the human traffickers in the region….they know where this group is and where the girls are housed.  Offer them $1 million for location with NO repercussions against them…….then give them the option of taking home $10 million for the head of the leader….and I do not mean that metaphorically.

Once the girls are located and extracted then the entire group needs to pay the ultimate price for their actions…….if that is a sticking point then i say you will face a similar scenario over and over.  There MUST be a price for their actions…..and that price needs to be strong and bold…..so that any further considerations for terror long these lines will cause a group some second thoughts.

Sanctions, condemnation and negotiation will do NOTHING to eliminate these tactics from the terrorist arsenal…..make them face reality……that actions have consequences.  We must cut the head off the snake!

I know these are extreme measures and the world may well criticize such an action……..but it will send a message and make terrorists realize that they are NOT in control.

Doing the little things like sanctions will do nothing to change the minds of terrorists and their unacceptable actions.

Rescue the girls….then be bold…..be brutal……..be barbaric……….. or good home and shut the Hell up!

Note:  Under normal conditions I am NOT in favor of using US Troops for every international situation…..where I do have a problem is when innocent civilians are harmed by warring factions……it is unacceptable……NO matter who does the harming.

The situation in Nigeria demands a through resolution…..a resolution that will send a message to all wannabe extremists…..that there is a consequence for involving civilians in their mindless conflict……..if they act like animals then treat them like animals…….PERIOD!