Category: Blogs

British Defense Chief believes NATO must target Gaddafi regime

By Con Coughlin, the Telegraph

From Con Coughlin, the Telegraph:  [I]n an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, [Armed Forces Chief Gen. Sir David] Richards said he wanted the rules of engagement changed so that direct attacks can be launched against the infrastructure propping up Gaddafi’s regime.

Questions but no answers for NATO in Libya

By Max Hastings, the Financial Times

From Max Hastings, the Financial Times:  [M]ore decisions on Libya will soon be required. A 60-day review of the Nato mandate is due on 31 May, a 90-day review on 30 June.

Update: NATO activities in Libya on May 13

By NATO

1st Armored Division officially leaves Germany for Texas

By Mark Patton, Stars and Stripes

From Mark Patton, Stars and Stripes:  After 40 years in Germany, 1st Armored Division headquarters soldiers will be trading in a diet of bratwurst and beer for one of Tex-Mex and barbeque.

Russia may take action over U.S. missile shield

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  Russia’s deputy defense minister has said action could be taken if the United States deploys its new missile defense system near Russia’s borders.

Lugar Challenges Obama Administration on Libyan War Authorization

By Richard Lugar, Office of Senator Lugar 

From Richard Lugar, Office of Senator Lugar :  We are nearing the end of the second month of U.S. military involvement, including a bombing campaign, in Libya’s civil war.

The Perfect Storm in Af-Pak

By Shuja Nawaz

With the killing of Osama bin Laden, attention has shifted to the endgame in Afghanistan. But a persistent problem remains inside Pakistan: the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban. This homegrown terrorist organization swore war against the state when the army was sent into the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) bordering Afghanistan. For the past […]

Sunni Monarchies Close Ranks

By Barbara Slavin

Reports that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is considering some form of membership for two non-Gulf states – Jordan and Morocco – confirm that the conservative Sunni monarchies of the Middle East are closing ranks against Iran, Shiite-led Iraq and the democratic wave sweeping the region. GCC secretary general Abdullatif al-Zayani made the announcement Tuesday […]

Update: NATO activities in Libya on May 12

By NATO

Most people in 23 nations back NATO action in Libya

By Michelle Nichols, Reuters

From Michelle Nichols, Reuters:  Sixty percent of people from 23 countries support NATO’s military intervention in Libya, a poll showed Thursday.