Libya: Benghazi unrest, to Civil War, to a new government and Gaddafi's death.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

The mix of signs is something. In LA:

[patrick1]

We probably should have already had a carrier positioned but apparently one is en route.

Yes, the Charles de Gaulle.

Ha, indeed.  Something the British have let go. The US carriers do have a larger aircraft complement. Once the coalitions has taken down their anti aircraft capabilities, it is much better/economical to have a carrier on hand than to launch million dollar cruise missile or send a stealth bombers from Missouri.

[MaxQue]

Apparently, Canada is sending 6 bombers in Libya. They left Canada on Thursday

But they don't do anything until they decide if they will be based in France or in Italy.
Great, if it take two days to take that decision... no wonder why people laugh of Canada.

[patrick1]

Looks like the US is now stepping to the forefront.  3 B2's attacked an airfield and now the F-15 and F-16's based in Italy are attacking Qaddafi's ground forces.  We probably should have already had a carrier positioned but apparently one is en route.

I am somewhat skeptical of the effects of air power on ground politics.

It isnt a silver bullet for sure, but it does level the playing field/prevent bloodbath on side of rebels if they dont have to contend with concentrated armor.

[exopolitician]

The mix of signs is something. In LA:

wah wah wah...

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

We probably should have already had a carrier positioned but apparently one is en route.

Yes, the Charles de Gaulle.

Ha, indeed.  Something the British have let go. The US carriers do have a larger aircraft complement. Once the coalitions has taken down their anti aircraft capabilities, it is much better/economical to have a carrier on hand than to launch million dollar cruise missile or send a stealth bombers from Missouri.

To be fair, there is almost a natural aircraft-carrier there, Sicilia, several bases are on it, including an American one. And it takes 1 hour for French planes to reach Libya from our southern Corsican base of Solenzara, but yes, with the Charles de Gaulle our planes would be at 10 mins from Libya, I don't know if their would be a big difference in time with Sicilia.

Ah, and, this morning some Emirati planes were planed to land on a Sardinian base, with the last statements of Arab League, dunno if it will be confirmed. Though, the fact that Qatar and UAE are the ones in might also be due to the fact that they would have big defense cooperations with France.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Oh, we have Russia messing around still more now, affirming coalition bombing have been non selective, have touched health centers, roads and bridges, and made civilian casualties. They seem to be very well informed...

[Antonio the Sixth]

The mix of signs is something. In LA:

LOL

[patrick1]

We probably should have already had a carrier positioned but apparently one is en route.

Yes, the Charles de Gaulle.

Ha, indeed.  Something the British have let go. The US carriers do have a larger aircraft complement. Once the coalitions has taken down their anti aircraft capabilities, it is much better/economical to have a carrier on hand than to launch million dollar cruise missile or send a stealth bombers from Missouri.

To be fair, there is almost a natural aircraft-carrier there, Sicilia, several bases are on it, including an American one. And it takes 1 hour for French planes to reach Libya from our southern Corsican base of Solenzara, but yes, with the Charles de Gaulle our planes would be at 10 mins from Libya, I don't know if their would be a big difference in time with Sicilia.

Ah, and, this morning some Emirati planes were planed to land on a Sardinian base, with the last statements of Arab League, dunno if it will be confirmed. Though, the fact that Qatar and UAE are the ones in might also be due to the fact that they would have big defense cooperations with France.

Yeah, Sigonella. My cousin was stationed there for several years. I really don't know what the capacity of the base is though.  I am probably overstating the need for the number of planes here.

It will interesting to see how this all play out.  I hope the pressure from this makes his loyalists turn against him and this gets resolved soon- not too optimistic of that happening though.

[exopolitician]

Arab League criticizes airstrikes on Libya - AFP

Today's events have been brought to you by the word: Hypocrisy.

[Antonio the Sixth]

So even the Arab league now is playing the little hypocritical game ? What a shame.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Russia calls on Britain, France, US to 'stop non-selective use of force' in Libya - Reuters.

Should have voted against it then.

Hipocrites...

Hypocrites club is a large one.

[Antonio the Sixth]

True, but the only thing that matters is that they are doing the right thing now.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Forcing a cease-fire? Would be splendid.

Separating two fighting sides? Would be great.

Supporting one side against other in Arab tribal war? Insane.

The way the geography of Libya is, a divide back into Tripolitania and Cyrenaica is quite plausible.  About the only thing the two really had in common pre-Independence was being Italian colonies.  Uniting them made as much sense as uniting Algeria and Tunisia would have.

Cyrenaica never was Gaddafi's strong point. It was a stronghold of As-Sannusi dynasty he toppled.

[Franzl]

True, but the only thing that matters is that they are doing the right thing now.

Agree 100%. Opposition to military intervention here seems to be from people that oppose military operations on principle. Which also means they don't seem to care how many people are murdered in Libya.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Arab League criticizes airstrikes on Libya - AFP

Today's events have been brought to you by the word: Hypocrisy.

As I said, it's more nuanced than that, they criticize 'bombings beyond the no-fly zone operation'. Which would yes kinda be hypocrite since France was clear on that in its resolution, and they were in Paris to prepare the things.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Not surprising that Germany, as usual, opposes military intervention.

According to a poll which was released today, 62% of the German population support the "Coalition" air strikes against Libya, with 65% opposing a participation of German military in the strikes.

[Franzl]

Not surprising that Germany, as usual, opposes military intervention.

According to a poll which was released today, 62% of the German population support the air strikes against Libya, with 65% opposing a participation of German military in the strikes.

Totally normal. It's the right thing to do...but others should do it for us.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Amr Mussa, leader of Arab League, called for an extraordinary meeting of the League.

[Reaganfan]

Obama likes his tomahawks and drones, doesn't he?

[Antonio the Sixth]

I'm glad that for once we share the same feelings, Franzl.

[Franzl]

I'm glad that for once we share the same feelings, Franzl.

Germany almost always acts like this. Must be in most Germans' blood, I imagine.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     So the no-fly zone is much more than just a no-fly zone, eh?

[Hash]

Apparently, Canada is sending 6 bombers in Libya. They left Canada on Thursday

But they don't do anything until they decide if they will be based in France or in Italy.
Great, if it take two days to take that decision... no wonder why people laugh of Canada.

Well, we have a reactionary idiot leader, a cabinet of clowns and incompetents, a defense minister who looks like a village idiot, a joke environmental policy made by oil lobbyists, a navy which is the butt of all jokes and an attitude both politically/culturally/economically which makes us look like idiots or jokes.

[Mr. Morden]

    So the no-fly zone is much more than just a no-fly zone, eh?

Yes, the UN resolution calls for much more than a no fly zone.  Which is why it's stupid that some in the media are simply calling it a no fly zone.  It's more  like a "no fly zone" + "no attack cities zone".