 Editor in Chief Bill   | 23 Dec 2025 5:38 p.m. PST |
The U.S. has been conducting intelligence-gathering flights over large parts of Nigeria since late November, according to flight tracking data and current and former U.S. officials, in a sign of increased security cooperation between the countries… Reuters: link |
 Legion 4  | 23 Dec 2025 5:49 p.m. PST |
Frankly the US is most likely running a number of surveillance missions in the air and from space over many regions. |
| pzivh43 | 23 Dec 2025 6:03 p.m. PST |
+1 Legion 4. We shouldn't be surprised at how clueless MSM is about military things, I guess. |
| Legion 4 | 23 Dec 2025 6:15 p.m. PST |
We could fill volumes … with what most of the media does not know about military matters. 😎 |
 John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 6:16 a.m. PST |
Why is the United States worried about Nigeria? |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 6:20 a.m. PST |
Africa is full of former European colonies. Why aren't the former powers the ones surveilling them? Hey, Britain! That's YOUR old playground. Not our problem.
Doesn't the US have enough things to do?
We're already over committed to Venezuela. Isn't that enough to distract us from China? |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 6:24 a.m. PST |
John, I assume you are serious. So The government has been concerned since day one about the ongoing murder, torture, rape, burnings, kidnappings and violence being perpetuated on the Christians of Nigeria, by the Muslims of that area. I have quite a few links if interested. Not being covered mush by the MSM. Below is just up to 2023, it is continuing in like since. … Over 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in the last decade (roughly 2014-2024). This violence, largely perpetrated by groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed Fulani militias, also involves widespread abductions, torture, and displacement.
Key Statistics for the Last 10 Years
Data from various human rights and watchdog organizations highlight the severity of the crisis. Total Christians Killed: Reports from the Nigeria-based International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) indicate that over 52,250 Christians were murdered by Islamist militants between 2009 and April 2023. Of those, more than 30,000 were killed since 2015. Annual Fatalities: In its latest reporting period (October 2022 to September 2023), Open Doors reported 4,118 Christians killed in Nigeria. Another report stated that over 7,000 Christians were killed in the first eight months of 2025 alone. Injured and Tortured: While exact numbers for injuries and torture are difficult to aggregate nationally, reports frequently document brutal incidents, including beheadings, the burning of victims in their homes, and severe physical assaults. The use of torture and enforced disappearances in captivity is a common tactic by extremist groups. Abductions: Thousands of Christians have been abducted. Intersociety estimated over 18,500 Christian deaths from enforced disappearances between 2009 and 2021, as many abducted Christians are killed in captivity or forcefully converted. Between 2019 and 2023, the Observatory on Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) recorded 11,185 Christians abducted. Displacement and Destruction: The violence has led to mass displacement, with an estimated 5 million Christians displaced within Nigeria. Over 18,000 churches and 2,200 Christian schools have been destroyed or burned since 2009.
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| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 6:25 a.m. PST |
Yes John I agree (mark that in your diaries 😉), others should be more concerned and doing more. |
| goibinu | 24 Dec 2025 6:31 a.m. PST |
Africa is full of former European colonies. Why aren't the former powers the ones surveilling them? Hey, Britain! That's YOUR old playground. Not our problem.
Doesn't the US have enough things to do?
We're already over committed to Venezuela. Isn't that enough to distract us from China? Europe's getting over its post colonial guilt. You Yanks want to police Africa, feel free. |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 6:34 a.m. PST |
Yes. That's terrible. Is the United States duty bound to rectify all terrible things in the world?
I remember reading about Muslim vs Christian animosity since Nigeria became independent from Britain. Shouldn't Britain be dealing with it?
France has never really let go of their "former" colonies in Africa. Again, I ask. "Why is this America's problem?"
Oh right. The self assigned role of Policeman of the World. The automatic Good Guy. We have screwed up so many countries with this self-assigned role.
Iran/Persia and the Shah?
Vietnam?
Nicaragua? Isolationism seems more and more attractive these days. We have 11 aircraft carriers, and seem to have a need to use them. Now the Golden Fleet! More expensive busy work. |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 6:39 a.m. PST |
By the way, aren't the Christians fighting back? You talk about the bias of the MSM. How many Muslim casualties have there been?
History has shown us that Christians are perfectly capable of committing atrocities.
It seems insoluble. Bill Clinton has stated that his biggest regret was not getting involved in the Rwanda Burundi war. Frankly, I'm glad he didn't. Would we still be there? |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 7:01 a.m. PST |
John "Again, I ask. "Why is this America's problem?"
Oh right. The self assigned role of Policeman of the World. The automatic Good Guy. We have screwed up so many countries with this self-assigned role.
Iran/Persia and the Shah?
Vietnam?
Nicaragua?" Our problem is not as much getting involved, as it is staying there and believing we can somehow make democracies out of these areas. Nation building! That is the bane of all globalists, Republican and Democrat. As we should have in Afghanistan, go in, rinse and clean and leave. When the fleeing Taliban come back from the caves, into the cities, go back long enough to rinse and clean again. Hit them while they are available to be hit and then forget them. Quick and fast, least cost all around for us. IF we deem it necessary. As to Clinton. Billy Boy got burnt badly with Somalia. Then he compounded it by bringing hundreds of thousands back into the United States with a little or no vetting. Which we, the taxpayers, are suffering for now. 😡 He should have stuck to staining dresses in the Oval Office. Keep in mind what the headline here says: "intelligence gathering". Not prepping forces to invade. Since day one, the democrats and the mainstream media have been telling us that Trump planned to invade Greenland, Panama Canada. 🙄 Now for months " the invasion of Venezuela is eminent!!". Not sure why everyone believes the new "outrage du jour", every time the media and democrats shout a new one. Reminds me of Gary Burbank's character: Burbank: "I'm a Big Fat Balding Guy with a Cigar in my Mouth and my Pants Half-Zipped. And THIS time I'm being totally honest with you." And they believe the "next one". 😏 |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 7:21 a.m. PST |
I once read an acidic comment on how "we" wanted to turn Afghanistan into a New Hampshire town hall democracy. A rather accurate statement, it seems. Why do "we" want to use our military and their lives in useless ventures? |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 7:41 a.m. PST |
"Why do "we" want to use our military and their lives in useless ventures?" If you mean "nation building", they learned the wrong lessons from WW 2 with Japan and Germany. Globalist have believed they could emulate that ever since. Well that and watching too much "Star Trek" and believing a "United Federation of Planets" is possible (in this case nations). You would think the league of Nations and the United Nations failures would disabuse them of that notion, but that doesn't seem to be the case. |
| goibinu | 24 Dec 2025 7:43 a.m. PST |
Why do "we" want to use our military and their lives in useless ventures? Imperialism was so much easier in the 19th century, America missed the boat. |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 7:55 a.m. PST |
You would think the league of Nations and the United Nations failures would disabuse them of that notion, but that doesn't seem to be the case. How many times have you heard that "socialism and communism are not failures, because they have never been tried as they should be?" The idea is still "valid"! 🙄 But nobody has implemented them correctly! 🤔🤷🙄 The same applies to the League and the UN.
By golly, we'll get it right next time! |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 7:56 a.m. PST |
Right on schedule, an Ultramodern thread is off the rails regarding the OP. 😄
Maybe a little ahead of schedule? Usually it takes the 25th post. |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 8:03 a.m. PST |
I'm so sick of the White Savior mentality.
It's up to the Civilized nations to impose order on the "lesser breeds".
"Take up the White Man's burden…."
Thanks, Kipling. That was written to encourage the United States to bring civilization to the "sullen inferior races" in the Philippines. 🙄 Just an excuse.
I thought that Spain had done that already. But, the ideal of Imperialism is never far from the surface, and always had been.
That's what Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was all about. Yes, the world must be saved from Communism and Islam. History repeating itself, and not just rhyming. |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 8:04 a.m. PST |
"How many times have you heard that "socialism and communism are not failures, because they have never been tried as they should be?"
The idea is still "valid"! 🙄 But nobody has implemented them correctly! 🤔🤷🙄
The same applies to the League and the UN.
By golly, we'll get it right next time!" Phrases uttered by every liberal, socialist, communist and anarchist every time a new one fails. 😂 "We will get it right this time". 😉 Every country is self centered and politicians are corrupt or corruptible. This is not new. Been so since Cain and Abel, or two different caves of the first men, wanting what the other had. I put both in case one is religious or not. 😉 |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 8:14 a.m. PST |
John Why blame the west and or Christianity? "Yes, the world must be saved from Communism and Islam" Muslims believe the same and practice it today. As do Communist, Socialist… actually everyone. I don't see "radical" Christian groups hijacking planes and blowing up towers in the name of their religion. Burning , raping, torturing, killing Jews in the name of their religion. Ramming cars into crowds of Christmas shoppers in Europe in the name of their religion. Killing runners in marathons in the name of their religion.
But I do see one religion doing that. Also, let's stop saying "radical" and instead use "fundamentalist". Because that is what they really are.. IMHO. |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 8:19 a.m. PST |
"Oh, my sweet Dummer child…"
Old Nan (Was she a secret Targaryen?) |
| Andrew Walters | 24 Dec 2025 10:19 a.m. PST |
We've been helping Nigeria fight crazy people with guns in the North for a long time. This intelligence is probably (mostly) shared with Nigeria for them to take action on. We send trainers and equipment and so on to Nigeria regularly. |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 10:33 a.m. PST |
"Oh, my sweet Summer Child!"
Damn autocorrect!
Either that or fat fingers. |
 Dal Gavan | 24 Dec 2025 11:01 a.m. PST |
I don't see "radical" Christian groups hijacking planes and blowing up towers in the name of their religion. Remember Northern Ireland and "The Troubles"? Though the UDA and P/IRA interests were as much about money and power as religion, it was still Orange vs Green. It still is. |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 11:32 a.m. PST |
To each other and of course England. But they are not doing so all over the world and for centuries before, nor conquering and subjugating others and forcing their religion upon them. Fundamentalist Muslims have and are to this very day? Of course you know it to be true and very recently in Australia. Even today: "Christmas lights illuminate Damascus's Old City while government forces patrol its shadows as security fears haunt Syria's Christian community. They recall the shooting and suicide attack in June at the Saint Elias church in the Syrian capital that killed 25 people and wounded dozens more. "People are going home early, and are afraid," said Tala Shamoun, 26, a university student who was visiting a Christmas market with family and friends. Damascus has seen crime including robberies and kidnappings, she said, but the attack on the church "was the biggest tragedy", she told AFP. Syria's authorities blamed the Islamic State jihadist group, while a little-known Sunni Muslim extremist group claimed responsibility." I know, you might say: "Well Syria, of course, but…" But I can find them daily. Nigeria, the U.S., Australia, Europe, SE Asia, the Philippine, ME… always somewhere. How many Christmas markets in Europe did not open this year? How tight is security in the ones that did? Are they fearing radical IRA extremists? The KKK? Abortion extremists? No, we all know what they fear and why they do. |
| goibinu | 24 Dec 2025 11:42 a.m. PST |
Europe has been dealing with internal and external terrorism for centuries. The difference is, apart from right wing eejits like AfD and their ilk, we don't cak ourselves like you did after 9/11 and declare war on a religion. |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 12:24 p.m. PST |
Ahhh but Europe has, and many times with good and valid reason. There is a difference between those who practice a religion and those who use fundamentalism to practice a religion. The U.S. never declared war on a religion. But they have declared war on some groups who practice fundamentalist extremism and countries who harbor them. Now has Europe ever declared a war over religion? Let's ask: Ferdinand II & III (Habsburg Emperors), Albrecht von Wallenstein & Count Tilly (Imperial commanders), Gustavus Adolphus & Axel Oxenstierna (Sweden), Cardinal Richelieu & Louis XIII (France), and Christian IV (Denmark). I know there are many in Europe concerned. Subject: "CLOSE THE BORDERS!" – Geert Wilders' CPAC Speech STUNS Europe | TRUTH About ISLAM & IMMIGRATION – YouTube
YouTube link I know, just another "right wing" extremist.. right? 😏 But I read it daily in the media that is willing to cover it. Of course that is the physical danger. What about the cost to the people who actually pay the taxes. "Berlin—Germany's far-left globalist capital—has seen its migrant housing bill explode, becoming a symbol of everything Germans, particularly the AfD, warned about but which most chose to ignore. Newly released government figures have revealed the capital spent nearly €900.00 EUR million ($9.8 million) in 2024 alone to house migrants, many of which do not have any kind of status in the country, almost triple the cost from just four years earlier, Die Welt reports. Internal Senate data confirms that accommodation expenses for foreign nationals reached €883.00 EUR million last year, compared with €312.00 EUR million in 2020, an increase of 183%.
The numbers expose the real cost of mass migration policies pushed by Berlin's left-liberal globalist political class. Mega-sites like Tegel and Tempelhof have become financial black holes for German workers. Tegel alone swallowed roughly €260.00 EUR million ($280 million) in 2024, more than many German cities spend on public services altogether." It's nice to live in a cocoon, but eventually you have to come out and face the world as it is. Unless of course they eat you in the cocoon first. 😏 |
| goibinu | 24 Dec 2025 12:33 p.m. PST |
LOL Your fear of a mooslim world is tangible. And you forgot to mention Europe's own War on Islam – the Crusades. We got over it, until America kicked over the hornet's nest and started the mullahs off again. So thanks for that.
Anyway, I have some carousing to do. So have a happy Christmas. Before ISIS ban it.
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| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 12:55 p.m. PST |
The Crusades were only a weak response to the mass conquest and subjugation of much of the world, by fundamentalist Islam. Go back and look at all they conquered from 600 until the Crusades and then after. It continues today, anywhere they feel safe to do so. I've just pointed out the facts. It is not a "peaceful" religion, nor has ever been one. I don't fear them, I just understand from a historical perspective, what they have done. Now go forth and celebrate and hope they are not looking for another example to be made, near you. 😱 😉 |
| pzivh43 | 24 Dec 2025 12:57 p.m. PST |
35thOVI, some people will ignore reality no matter what facts you show them. Or twist it so it looks OK to them. Eventually, I think reality will assert itself and it will not be pretty. |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 1:36 p.m. PST |
Pzivh43 I agree. We ignored so much here before 9/11. |
| Dal Gavan | 24 Dec 2025 2:53 p.m. PST |
To each other and of course England. Wrong, mate. The IRA had been murdering people (not just servicemen, also women and kids) in Europe since 1979. NORAID may have asked the US media not to report that. They even got two Aussies they thought were British ( link ), in front of their wife and girlfriend. But they are not doing so all over the world and for centuries before, nor conquering and subjugating others and forcing their religion upon them. True. Christians stopped doing that nearly 100 years ago. Now they only try to force their styles of government onto people. But I get your point and, to a certain amount, I agree. Again, it's not the "average" Muslim, it's the extremists who are the problem. The real problem, though, are the idiot governments who do not do deep-level vetting and have an open doors policy, because of cost and to appease a few noisy activists, who insist that doing deep vetting violates potential terrorists' human rights. <BLEEP> terrorists have forfeited any rights that they may have had. I hope you and yours have a great Xmas/New years, 35th. May your hangovers and indigestion be mild and brief. My condolences for the passing of your wallet. |
| 35thOVI | 24 Dec 2025 3:35 p.m. PST |
And to yours as well Dal. Hangovers are not a problem for me. I rarely drink more than a beer every 3 to 4 weeks and a very occasional shot. |
| Legion 4 | 24 Dec 2025 5:45 p.m. PST |
OVI +1 Dal +1
E.g.
You Yanks want to police Africa, feel free. Some need to take things into prospective. Many places in Africa are resource rich. The Euro saw that decades ago. That is a major consideration with the USA's involvement there. Plus radical islamist are running wild and yes killing Christians. It has to be clear militant islam is spreading, and aggressively. Even in the USA and Europe large moslem crowds dance wave their flags and chant, etc. in front of Christian holiday displays and events. And these actions are not pro or supportive of Christians. This has 0 to do with freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly and even freedom of religion. The USA is about 62% Christian. E.g. islam about 2%. Saying that, many moslems in the US are not militant. They are just like any other American regardless of religion, ethnicity, etc. We've been helping Nigeria fight crazy people with guns in the North for a long time. This intelligence is probably (mostly) shared with Nigeria for them to take action on. We send trainers and equipment and so on to Nigeria regularly. Exactly … plus in many other places in the region as well. It didn't just happen yesterday. Along with that goes the "great game" … The US [and even Europe] want to keep our enemies e.g. China, Russia, more islamist, etc. taking control of those areas. To take advantage of the resources, and other assets including building ports, airfields, etc. And controlling them. Like a game of Pacman they keep gobbling up pieces. And will and are using them against the US/West. It has nothing to do with imperialism. The US does not need to do that. When it can work with the various local govt's etc. And improve the host nations overall … But admittedly the US can only do so much in some cases. For a variety of reasons, e.g. old habits, religious beliefs, tribalism, etc. still play very big part in many of these nations and cultures … Like Putin was trying to do in Syria. He wanted ports in the Med as well as airfields, etc. It was, he believed, to Russia's advantage. That being able to be a threat to NATO. We know how successful this venture was.
The IRA had been murdering people (not just servicemen, also women and kids) in Europe since 1979. NORAID may have asked the US media not to report that. They even got two Aussies they thought were British ( link ), in front of their wife and girlfriend. They murdered Mountbatten IIRC. If I read the history correctly the current Irish Army broadly traces their roots/linage back to the IRA. Once again one man's freedom fighter is another's terrorist … However, IIRC there was a split into two factions of the IRA. One becoming not a terrorist organization but the "legitimate" Irish military. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Ireland understandably wants to keep its independence and is not a member of NATO. However, does have some general agreements. etc. with NATO. And does take a number of UN Peacekeeping missions, etc. And at times taking losses. Their military is small compared to some other Western nations. But still take on many UN missions. IIRC some are deployed current.
Regardless back OT … the US has a vested interest in Africa. With many natural resources plus deterring militant islam. As well as not letting the Chicom and Russians gain too much control over Africa. |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 6:38 p.m. PST |
Now has Europe ever declared a war over religion? Let's ask:
Since you ask… The Crusades have already been discussed. Can't easily dismiss that. How about the Albigensian Crusade? Thirty Tears War? Heresy! That's 25seconds of thought. As long as it took me to type that. I shall leave further suggestions as a task for the student. The Puritans in Massachusetts driving out Roger Williams?
French Papuans vs good Protestant settlers in New England? And vice versa? Does that count? |
| John the OFM | 24 Dec 2025 7:45 p.m. PST |
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| Dal Gavan | 24 Dec 2025 11:22 p.m. PST |
"Hangovers are not a problem for me." So your friends and relatives can just suffer?  However, IIRC there was a split into two factions of the IRA. One becoming not a terrorist organization but the "legitimate" Irish military. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I think that's basically right, mate. But there's more than just the IRA treading the Terror road. There's been at least four "flavours" of the IRA, as well as the Irish National Liberation Army. How many are still active? No idea. Goibinu will know, if he chimes in. My paternal grandparents were big supporters of the "Real IRA" (whatever that was), but finally shut up about it all after something happened in the 80's. They were not pleased with me joining the ADF, so we didn't talk much after that. |
| 35thOVI | 25 Dec 2025 3:41 p.m. PST |
Well the reason for the surveillance: "President Donald Trump said the U.S. launched airstrikes in northwest Nigeria on Christmas night targeting ISIS militants he accused of killing Christians, calling the operation decisive and warning further attacks would follow if the violence continues. "Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!" Trump said Thursday on Truth Social. "I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was. The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. "Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper," he continued. "May God Bless our Military, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues."
" |
| 35thOVI | 25 Dec 2025 4:13 p.m. PST |
"The U.S. military's Africa Command said on X the strike was conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities and killed multiple ISIS militants. The strike comes after Trump starting in late October began warning that Christianity faces an "existential threat" in Nigeria and threatened to militarily intervene in the West African country over what he says is its failure to stop violence targeting Christian communities." |
| Legion 4 | 25 Dec 2025 5:15 p.m. PST |
As noted here already … The US just struck ISIS targets in Nigeria … Merry Christmas ISIS … "burn baby burn". And there is plenty more where that came from. I await some in Congress saying this a war crime, etc. 😎 I think that's basically right, mate That's what I thought … FWIW again they have very small military and seems they volunteer for a lot of UN missions … I wish them success with little to no losses. "we" wanted to turn Afghanistan into a New Hampshire town hall democracy. A rather accurate statement, it seems. Well I don't who said that. But it was often said, "Bomb A'stan back into the stone age." … Truth be told and many have said it, A'stan was still almost in the stone age. How could you tell? Europe has been dealing with internal and external terrorism for centuries. Yes in many cases it was from their colonies in a number of islamic countries. Oh … and the IRA too … Europe also has a much bigger moslem population than the US. The difference is, apart from right wing eejits like AfD and their ilk, we don't cak ourselves like you did after 9/11 and declare war on a religion. Well once again your views are extremely skewed, incorrect, way off base, etc., etc. I.e. don't know what you are talking about again. War was declared on militant islam. Not all of islam. If the US declared war on all of islam. There would be a lot of places in those lands that would look like the dark side of the moon. And here's another news flash. Many moslems don't like radical militant islamists. Note: more moslems have killed other moslems than the US/NATO, etc. FWIW radical militant islam declared war on the US, as well as the Jews and many Euros. we don't cak ourselves You already been tipping a few pints … yes ? Plus we don't like militant radicals[or anyone else] attacking us on our own territory[or anywhere else]. We're unique that way. Maybe some Euros don't mind being attacked by terrorists … but we Yanks see things differently. But of course, some Euros suffer from "Yankaphobia" … |
| OSCS74 | 26 Dec 2025 8:00 a.m. PST |
The original question has been answered. It has been reported also that Nigeria assisted designating targets. |
| Legion 4 | 26 Dec 2025 10:06 a.m. PST |
Yes, and the POTUS said we'd do it again, if needed … Which based what we know about militant islam e.g. ISIS, AS, BH, AQ, etc., in this case. There will have be more strikes … there has to be. There are still too many islamists out there wanting to kill us. |
