Category: Blogs

NATO meeting leads to more planning

By David Brunnstrom and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters

From David Brunnstrom and Justyna Pawlak, Reuters:  Diplomats said a meeting of ambassadors from the 28 NATO states did not reach a decision on whether the alliance would take part in military operations against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi authorized by a United Nations resolution.

Germany mulls Afghan option after Libya abstention

By Stephen Brown and Matthias Sobolewski, Reuters

From Stephen Brown and Matthias Sobolewski, Reuters:  [Foreign Minister Guido] Westerwelle sought to mollify Germany’s NATO allies like France for not backing them on Libya, by saying he "understands and respects our partners in the Security Council, the European Union and in the Arab League who, after weighing up all the arguments, came to a […]

Obama’s Libya Turnabout

By James Joyner

After two weeks of signaling that the United States would continue its pattern of not intervening in the democracy movements in the Middle East, the Obama administration suddenly persuaded the UN Security Council to authorize war to protect civilians in Libya. Was this a deliberate subterfuge or did the president change his mind? My initial […]

Building Afghanistan’s Police Force

By Derek Reveron

For many of the world’s countries, human security is now national security. Afghanistan is no exception. While much attention centers on building an Afghan army while NATO military forces conduct counterinsurgency operations, there is also a concerted effort to build police forces to fill the security deficit created by years of war.  

NATO military assets for Libya action

By Reuters

NATO Goes To War. Again.

By James Joyner, the New Atlanticist

From James Joyner, the New Atlanticist:  This time, "NATO" is not a fig leaf for "the United States." While Afghanistan remains a NATO operation in name, it has long since Americanized on the ground.

Gaddafi regime announces cease-fire

By the AP

Cameron: “Britain will deploy Tornadoes and Typhoons” to enforce UN Resolution

By David Cameron, Office of the Prime Minister

From David Cameron, Office of the Prime Minister:  The resolution specifically authorises notifying Member States to use all necessary measures to enforce a No Fly Zone and to protect civilians and civilian populated areas, including Benghazi.

Canada to send CF-18 fighter-bombers to Libya operation

By Murray Brewster, the Canadian Press

From Murray Brewster, the Canadian Press:  Canada is poised to send in fighter jets to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya, defence sources told the Canadian Press. Six CF-18 fighter-bombers are being readied at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, Que. and are expected to deploy overseas once the Harper government gives the official green light. Their […]

Norway, Denmark prepared to contribute to Libya operation

By AFP

From AFP:  Norway and Denmark said Friday they were prepared to contribute to the no-fly zone operation approved by the UN Security Council. Norwegian Defence Minister Grete Faremo and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Oslo was analyzing its contribution with other NATO allies. At a joint news conference the two ministers said the Norwegian […]