re: #155 Killgore Trout

I don’t know if the Chinese are going to become major players in this. I’d be more worried about the French who have a couple thousand troops in the region. I am getting worried about how this is going to play out. Everybody has, at least publically, said no to ransom or prisoner swaps. That leaves us with the only option of a rescue. Nigerian forces are terrible (even tried to assassinate one of their own commanders last week). US and UK don’t seem interested in lending a rescue team. The French or the Israelis might do it but I’m not sure if they’d make that public information. If this is left to Nigerian troops for the rescue it could be a bloodbath for all involved. I don’t think that’s wise.

China may not involve its military, but it can exert financial pressure on business and political leaders. China is a heavy investor in Africa now. If the locals can’t protect Chinese nationals, then China will do the protecting.