Normally, U.S. Marines protect most U.S. embassies overseas. Known as Marine Security Guard (MSG) detachments, they are trained and equipped for the mission of internal security. At the embassy they are directed by State Department Diplomatic Security (DS) agents, usually an RSO and his assistant RSO (Regional Security Officer).
DS agents are unique in that they are both federal law enforcement and U.S. foreign service officers (diplomats).
Still, in friendly and peaceful environments the Marines and DS agents generally rely on the host nation to provide perimeter security.
That’s not the case in Ukraine today, as Kyiv remains under threat of artillery and missile fire.
The Wall Street Journal notes, “the embassy in Kyiv was all but shut by the time Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, its diplomatic staff largely relocated 340 miles west to Poland, with a small group making short trips to a makeshift diplomatic post in Lviv, just inside the Ukraine border.”
Last Wednesday, the American flag was raised at the newly reopened embassy.
So, Marines are currently not protecting the embassy in Kyiv. For now, the embassy and its limited number of personnel are being protected only by State Department diplomatic security.
In the wake of the 2012, terrorist attacks against the U.S. government facilities in Benghazi, Libya, which claimed the lives of four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador, the Department of State established the Office of Special Programs (SP) as part of the nascent High Threat Programs (HTP) Directorate within the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
It is unknown if the DSS’ new Foreign Emergency Support Teams (FEST) are currently helping with security in Kyiv, but the Pentagon is reportedly considering restoring a Marine security guard detachment and/or sending some type of military special operations forces to protect this warzone embassy.
All the while trying to avoid the appearance of sending U.S. troops to Ukraine and provoking Vladimir Putin.
As the Wall Street Journal reports:
President Biden has yet to be presented with the proposal. But if he approves it, troops would be deployed only for the defense and security of the embassy, which lies within range of Russian missiles, U.S. officials said. Their presence inside Ukraine would mark an escalation from Mr. Biden’s initial pledge that no American troops will be sent into the country.
But what exactly is the security threat? The WSJ adds:
The Kyiv embassy is a traditional European diplomatic installation, rather than a fortified complex as seen in some other parts of the world where security threats are more longstanding.
Officials see as unlikely an attack on the embassy like the 2012 assault on a diplomatic outpost in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans including the top diplomat. But they are generally uneasy about sending American diplomats into an active war zone.
Also weighing on officials at the State Department and Pentagon is the evacuation of the Kabul embassy last summer.
While the Pentagon weighs its options to defend the embassy in Kyiv, they are likely considering another Marine security force called FAST. FAST (Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Teams) are highly trained Marines who deploy across the world to serve as security at United States government installations, especially those naval bases with nuclear weapons.
Whatever forces Biden chooses, being able to secure and rapidly help evacuate American diplomats out of harm’s way will likely be their primary mission.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AmericanActionNews.com
Remove the dumbocraptic party from power immediately
At first, I was disturbed by the parallels with the embassy in Benghazi, but I came to realize that there are significant differences.
First: any would-be attackers of the embassy in Kyiv would likely be hostile to the Ukrainian government. In contrast, the Al-Qaida attackers of the Benghazi embassy were radical Islamists like the government that had taken over Libya.
Second: as a result, the Ukrainian government would have no qualms about ordering Ukrainian units to attack any besiegers of the Kyiv embassy.
Third, Ukraine knows that it is in serious continued need of American aid, whereas the radical Islamists had none. They had gotten all the needed aid when Obama sent them military equipment and encouraged NATO allies to directly fight Libyan forces trying to quell their rebellion. Gratitude to the USA is far down the list of priorities of radical Islamists.
His dumb ass should go to Ukraine
One the war with Ukraine and it’s true government is not any of America_s business! Two, Joe Traitor Biden is not the President of the United States of America! FACT! You damn fake news media’s are about to come down for PROTECTING the Democratic TERRORIST’S Nationwide!
If Befuddled Biden had even one functional brain cell remaining, he would order the withdrawal of ALL embassy staff from Ukraine until the situation there is resolved.
But, since his handlers want an excuse to go to war with Russia…
Every decision Biden makes is wrong, so buckle up for another disaster.
remember Benghazi ! ! ! another commie democrat failure!
The Village Idiot acts, brave heroes die.
A famous quote comes to mind; “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to F*ck things up.”
Thought he did already
If President Trump was in office, as elected, this whole thing would not even be an issue. Two more years and the U.S. will have no credibility at all. Communist Democrats win again in the destruction of America.
Get rid of rigged (Dominion) voting machines, or this will be permanent, if not already.