International Organizations

European governments “completely puzzled” about U.S. position on Libya

By Josh Rogin, the Cable

From Josh Rogin, the Cable:  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s meetings in Paris with the G8 foreign ministers on Monday left her European interlocutors with more questions than answers about the Obama administration’s stance on intervention in Libya.

EU police arrest 9 Kosovo war crimes suspects

By Nebi Qena, the AP

Time to Lead in the Middle East

By Hugh De Santis

Perhaps it is the fear of Donald Rumsfeld’s “unknown unknowns” that explains why President Barack Obama has failed to take a more active role in preventing Muammar Gaddafi’s slaughter of his own people.

Specter of Rebel Rout Helps Shift U.S. Policy on Libya

By Mark Landler and Dan Bilefsky, the New York Times

From Mark Landler and Dan Bilefsky, the New York Times:  The prospect of a deadly siege of the rebel stronghold in Benghazi, Libya, has produced a striking shift in tone from the Obama administration

Denmark preparing F-16s for potential NATO no-fly zone

By the Copenhagen Post

From the Copenhagen Post:  Lene Espersen, the foreign minister, told parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday that the Air Force is preparing four F-16 fighter jets [and 90 crew] to take part in an internationally-backed no-fly zone over Libya, should Nato high command decide to act.

The United States watches as Moammar Gaddafi gains

By the Editors of the Washington Post

From the Editors of the Washington Post:  Two weeks ago, when Mr. Obama flatly decreed the end of the Gaddafi era – "So let me just be very unambiguous about this," Mr. Obama said then.

The impact of US defense cuts on the transatlantic alliance

By Tomas Valasek, the Center for European Reform

From Tomas Valasek, the Center for European Reform:  The US defence budget seems set to fall as Washington begins to restore order in its finances.

Arab decision boosts prospect of EU military action in Libya

By Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver

From Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver:  The Arab League has given the green light for Western powers to impose a no-fly zone in Libya, prompting France to step up its campaign for military action. The 22-member league in a resolution on Saturday (12 March) called for the UN Security Council to quickly issue a mandate for […]

Kerry: “A no-fly zone for Libya”

By John F. Kerry, the Washington Post

From John F. Kerry, the Washington Post: [O]ur diplomatic efforts must extend beyond the United Nations. The support of NATO and the African Union are important.

Sarkozy: “France is not in favour of military intervention or an intervention by NATO”

By Reuters