United Nations

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.

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.

“NATO is ready to act,” moves ships in the Med

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  Today we have decided to increase the presence of NATO maritime assets in the Central Mediterranean.

NATO Action Cannot Replace A Security Council Resolution in Libya

By Sarwar Kashmeri

As the situation in Libya becomes daily more chaotic, pressure mounts on President Obama to militarily intervene on the side of the Libyan opposition.  He should resist these calls. Without a clear mandate from the United Nations Security Council in support of Libyan intervention, the United States has little to gain, and much to lose […]

Libyan crisis reveals “the Obama conception of the U.S. role in the world”

By Scott Wilson, the Washington Post

From Scott Wilson, the Washington Post:  President Obama is content to let other nations publicly lead the search for solutions to the Libyan conflict, his advisers say

French FM: “NATO is not the organization” to stop Gaddafi

By Alan Cowell and Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

NATO military officials briefing governments on range of options in Libya

By Karen DeYoung, the Washington Post

From Karen DeYoung, the Washington Post:  NATO military officials began briefing governments Tuesday night on a range of options that will be presented to defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday. The Obama administration, NATO and other international organizations are united in their belief that any military intervention in Libya would require some international backing. But […]