European Union

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.

“Serious cyber attack” targets EU’s Commission and diplomatic service

By the BBC

From the BBC:  The EU has reported a "serious" cyber attack on the Commission and External Action Service on the eve [3/23] of a summit in Brussels, a spokesman told the BBC.

Sarkozy reignites row over NATO military role in Libya

By Ian Traynor, the Guardian

From Ian Traynor, the Guardian:  Nicolas Sarkozy has belittled Nato’s role in the military operations against Muammar Gaddafi, re-igniting the row over who replaces the Americans in charge of the campaign in Libya. … The Nato decision is expected by Monday, before foreign ministers meet in London on Tuesday to discuss Libya. Senior officials were […]

The Wrong German Foreign Policy

By Joschka Fischer, Social Europe

From Joschka Fischer, Social Europe: [N]ever has Germany been more isolated.

Diplomats mourn “death” of EU defence policy over Libya

By the DPA

German leaders criticize Merkel’s split with NATO and European allies

By Steven Erlanger and Judy Dempsey, the New York Times

From Steven Erlanger and Judy Dempsey, the New York Times:  Driven by electoral pressures and Germany’s postwar aversion to war and nuclear power, Chancellor Angela Merkel has deeply strained relations with allies in the European Union and the NATO alliance

Italy threatens to take back its bases unless NATO is in command

By AGI

From AGI:  [Foreign] Minister Franco Frattini has said Italy will take back its bases if NATO does not assume command of operations in Libya.

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.

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 […]