[Proud2BeRight]

One thing I have been attempting to understand:
Are our embassies guarded by our military?
Are they armed?
What are their Rules of Engagement?
Why were the first terrorists who broke past the fence not mowed down?

[2ndDivisionVet]

United States embassies are guarded by US Marines and civilian state department staff, as well as police forces of the host country outside the embassy walls, IIRC. Yes, they are armed. An armed force of 2-4,000 is going to get through that perimeter.

[MestaMachine]

Two Marines were among the four Americans killed. So far no word about the ROE. But there IS word that we were warned and obama ignored it...has not attended security briefings for months and no meetings with intel at all in the week leading up to this. Security was not beefed up at any of our embassies on 9/11. In Egypt, they were sent home early.

[Covenantor]

As 2ndDivisionVet said. In addition Ambassadors are in command of the USMC at the embassy and set ROE. Note that this is not always in accordance with State Dept nor even National Policy, though the Ambassor might get called down or replaced.

During the early days of the Viet Nam war the early efforts of MACV-SOG chasing VC and NVA infiltrating from Laos were stymied by the US Ambassador to Laos. He refused to grant his ‘permission’ to allow SF Hatchet Forces to cross the border searching for NVA supply and command centers.