Politics & Diplomacy

EU, not NATO, should lead on Libya

By Sarwar Kashmeri, the Foreign Policy Association

Preserving the Coalition

By the Editors of the New York Times

From the Editors of the New York Times:  The United States, its allies and Libyan rebels all want to see Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi out of power and support United Nations-mandated military action to keep him from slaughtering innocent civilians.

Germany’s unhappy abstention from leadership

By Constanze Stelzenmüller, the Financial TImes

Pentagon puts Libya operation’s price tag at about $550 million

By Walter Pincus, the Washington Post

From Walter Pincus, the Washington Post:  The military intervention in Libya has cost the United States “about $550 million” in extra spending so far, a Defense Department spokeswoman said Tuesday

A Long-Term Strategy for Libya and the Mediterranean: Over to the European Union

By Sven Biscop

Now that operations have started, all eyes are fixed on the military intervention in Libya. That can only be useful though in the context of a comprehensive political strategy for the country and the region. Crafting such a strategy is the role of the EU. Intervening in Libya is not evident. The operation is far […]

Did Obama threaten to withdraw from coalition?

By Anne Applebaum, the Washington Post

From Anne Applebaum, the Washington Post:  The French Socialist Party triumphed in local elections last weekend. The Libyan rebels triumphed in Brega and Ras Lanouf.

North Africa is Europe’s problem – not Obama’s

By the Editors of the Observer

From the Editors of the Observer:  Committees are sometimes the fairest way to decide policy; rarely, if ever, are they the most efficient. As a system for conducting wars, their shortcomings are obvious.

FT: NATO should pursue regime change

By the Editors of the Financial Times

From the Editors of the Financial Times: The west intervened to avert a bloodbath in Benghazi. That was necessary and right.

Turkey not game to back NATO

By Abby Phillip, POLITICO

From Abby Phillip, POLITICO:  Since taking office in 2009, President Barack Obama has made it a priority to cultivate a stronger American alliance with Turkey

Italy to propose joint plan with Germany on Libya

By Philip Pullela, Reuters

From Philip Pullela, Reuters:  Italy will propose that it and Germany back a joint plan on Libya that involves a ceasefire, a humanitarian corridor and exile for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.