Where the heck were the Marine Security Forces? Should have slaughtered every SOB coming over the wall. This was an invasion of US Territory and should have been answered with force. That’s the only thing the muslims understand.
During my time with the Marine Security Guard (MSG) (decades ago) protecting the building is secondary to securing US classified information inside it and protecting Americans and local employees of the diplomatic facility. I’m pretty sure this has not changed. MSG detachments are normally pretty small in size (less than 10 Marines on average), so the notion of a prolonged battle with hundreds of determined and/or armed demonstrators with no outside local assistance is just not in the cards. The host country is responsible for the external security of the compound and for repairs to it if damaged by its citizens. However, kill host country citizens over mere property damage/destruction and all deals are off.
In high tension situations, the MSG can be directed to wear civilian clothing so as not to unnecessarily inflame local sensitivities. They are still armed and empowered to act as directed by the senior diplomat, just not in uniform. They are probably the two “security personnel” killed along with the ambassador (assuming they were, in fact, MSG). If the normal pattern for escorting ambassadors holds, the NCOIC of the MSG detachment is probably one of the dead. Looks like they were trying to move to a safer area when killed (along with a fourth person who is identified in some reports as a local consulate staff member). Waited too long to get out.
If I understood the State Department’s attitude properly, the building burning down, while unfortunate, is, relatively speaking, a better event than it being captured and all the classified information inside falling into the hands of the radicals (like it did in Teheran in 1978). State will take the killing of the ambassador pretty hard both at a diplomatic and personal level. They will view the Marine’s deaths less so. After all, getting killed in the line of duty is an occupational hazard for Marines, even those in the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (formerly Marine Security Guard Battalion). The Marines, of course, will never forget.
Whether or not this gutless, appeasing administration will make their deaths mean something...is well, unlikely.