Libya updates

[Dago]

Very graphic pictures below. Between 50-80 Charred bodies found in a warehouse.

Spoiler!

[/IMG]

[Double Edge]

But why did we put ourselves in a position that forces our hand?

You did not put yourself in that position, events on the ground forced it. That event is the Arab spring and securing it is what forced your hand. For now the spotlight is on dictatorial republics, see Syria. So as to influence indirectly the dictatorial monarchies which are harder to mess with.

The ultimate goal here is a more free & prosperous Arab world. There is no better weapon to use against the Islamists.

In other words,what was really in the minds of the decision makers.

Recent developments on the ground, the big picture that forces the hand.

Kinda like 9/11 & getting rid of Saddam.

No 9/11 or arab spring and both those leaders would still be in charge today.

But I can't see a reasonable strategic objective(and it kinda annoys me,to be fair).

How about now :)

The great powers like to create these interlocking triangles of stability around the world.

This is more valuable long term than some oil contracts.

[Officer of Engineers]

Mihais has a point. Nothing here explains the Canadian Force's participation and a Canadian command.

[Dago]

Where is Gadaffi? Maybe this was him when he fled LOL. I must of counted 50 vehicles passing by. I don't think Gadaffi is traveling like that anymore.

[NUS]

The ultimate goal here is a more free & prosperous Arab world. There is no better weapon to use against the Islamists.

The "dictators" were the only thing between Islamists and power. Now Islamists are fighting side by side with NATO to remove them. Guess who will by in control of Egypt and Lybia very soon?

The great powers like to create these interlocking triangles of stability around the world.This is more valuable long term than some oil contracts.

Mwahahaha! That's a joke of a year!

[1979]

" But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship. ...voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country. "

Hermann Goring -Nuremberg Diary.

[Double Edge]

The "dictators" were the only thing between Islamists and power. Now Islamists are fighting side by side with NATO to remove them. Guess who will by in control of Egypt and Lybia very soon?

Yeah ? and what about the elections after. Think they will get in ?

The ppl want jobs, not religion. More interested in what they can get in this life rather than the next one.

Mwahahaha! That's a joke of a year!

Yeah but it trumps your cliched war-for-oil theory

You've got to be pretty damn broke to go to war for oil.

Mihais has a point. Nothing here explains the Canadian Force's participation and a Canadian command.

NATO obligations ?

What's your guess.

[1979]

NATO obligations ?

Why did the Germans pull out than ?

[Officer of Engineers]

NATO obligations ?

What's your guess.

LGen Bouchard got chosen because he is a Canadian, ie a country with no real stakes in Libya.

[Double Edge]

Even Gaddafi who did everything West demanded, is still being blamed in WMD production. His mistake was attempt to change Production Share Agreement with western companies.

Are you suggesting this was the cassus belli ?

Cannot find too much on this apart from a embassy cable, what source would you recommend here. pls dont say stratfor

[NUS]

Are you suggesting this was the cassus belli ?

Cannot find too much on this apart from a embassy cable, what source would you recommend here. pls dont say stratfor

Well, if US government is not good enough for you...

Libya: NOC takes bigger share as Total renews EPSAs for Blocks C17 and C137

And learn what the "casus belli" is.

[NUS]

Libyan Islamist says interim council should quit | Top News | Reuters

Jihadists plot to take over Libya - Washington Times

[Double Edge]

Well, if US government is not good enough for you...

Did not find it very revealing

Libya: NOC takes bigger share as Total renews EPSAs for Blocks C17 and C137

And learn what the "casus belli" is.

What about it ? Show me where you think the 'casus belli' is ?

Show me the breach of contract. There is none.

The article title itself indicates the contract was up for renewal, the NOC is entitled to change terms on renewal.

[highsea]

LGen Bouchard got chosen because he is a Canadian, ie a country with no real stakes in Libya.

Maybe we should force Mexico to join NATO.

Then it could have gone to a Mexican general, since it's a job "no American is willing to do"...

[kato]

Four weeks after the fall of Tripolis loyalist troops continue to hold onto all towns they held back then.

There are currently three fronts:
- Syrte, where rebel troops are growing tired of constantly withdrawing again from their assaults with forward positions constantly under loyalist artillery and rocket fire
- Bani Walid, where loyalist troops have begun counterattacks against rebel troops yesterday
- Sabha, where rebels claim to have taken the airport and encircled the city

While losses look low at a first glance - maybe ten dead, fifty injured on each front per day on the rebel side - that casualty rate becomes something different when you consider that combat at such casualty rates has been going on for two weeks and that the rebel troops on each front did not exceed 2000-3000 troops in the first place - meaning they've been suffering overall casualty rates in the vicinity of 25-30%. On the Sabha front casualty numbers are slightly higher than on the other two, reflecting that NATO can't support them that far south.

The only major change from four weeks ago is that the rebels have taken over Libya's chemical weapons stored at the Ruwagha depot.