Europe & Eurasia

U.S., Britain launch first missiles against Gaddafi forces

By CNN

From CNN:  More than 110 Tomahawk missiles fired from American and British ships and submarines hit about 20 Libyan air and missile defense targets, U.S. Vice Adm. William Gortney said at a Pentagon briefing. The U.S. will conduct a damage assessment of the sites, which include SA-5 missiles and communications facilities. The salvo, in an […]

Westerwelle under fire for Germany’s Libya opt-out

By Reuters

From Reuters:  The centre-left daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung made one of the strongest attacks on [German Foreign Minister Guido] Westerwelle and Chancellor Angela Merkel for deciding to take no part in any military effort to protect Libyan civilians from leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.

Ashton wants billions of euros to aid North Africa

By Catherine Ashton, the International Herald Tribune

From Catherine Ashton, the International Herald Tribune:  Sometimes the toughest question in world politics is: “And then what?” It is the question I shall be asking — and starting to answer — at Saturday’s summit in Paris to discuss Libya.

French jets start enforcing no-fly zone in Libya

By Steven Erlanger and David Kirkpatrick, the New York Times

From Steven Erlanger and David Kirkpatrick, the New York Times:  American, European and Arab leaders began the largest international military intervention in the Arab world since the invasion of Iraq on Saturday, in an effort to stop Col. Muammer el-Qaddafi’s war on the Libyan opposition.

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 […]

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.

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.

NATO may carry out airstrikes against Libya in next few hours – source

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  NATO is ready to carry out precision airstrikes against Libya, and the military operation may begin in the next few hours, a NATO source said on Friday. "The decision is expected to be formally approved during today’s meeting of the NATO Council. Relevant military planning for this case has already been made, […]