Western Europe

Libya’s impact on transatlantic security

By James Blitz, the Financial Times

From James Blitz, the Financial Times:  Above all, the US, having spearheaded the initial assault, took a back seat – catching Britain and France by surprise.

Libya doesn’t equal success for NATO

By Kurt Volker, Foreign Policy

Covert teams from NATO members “provided critical assistance” to Libyan rebels

By Lolita C. Baldor and Slobodan Lekic, the AP

From Lolita C. Baldor and Slobodan Lekic, the AP:  As the battle in Libya appeared at stalemate, it was an open secret that foreign military advisers were working covertly inside the country providing guidance to rebels and giving tactical intelligence to NATO aircraft bombing government forces.

U.S. action helped cause of freedom in Libya

By the Editors of the Washington Post

From the Editors of the Washington Post:  We’ve seen across the Middle East, as in the rest of the world, that freedom isn’t something that gets “imposed.

Should the Libya Model be applied elsewhere?

By Robert Haddick, Small Wars Journal

From Robert Haddick, Small Wars Journal:  Although NATO explicitly stated that it had "no intention of deploying land forces anywhere in Libyan territory," the New York Times asserts that this was not the case.

NATO Campaign Won’t Be a Model for Future Action

By Alistair MacDonald, John W. Miller and Nathan Hodge, the Wall Street Journal

From Alistair MacDonald, John W. Miller and Nathan Hodge, the Wall Street Journal:  The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Libyan air campaign succeeded in helping rebel fighters on their way to Tripoli, but NATO’s involvement lasted longer than politicians hoped

Intell and Special Forces from allies helped rebels take Tripoli

By Karen DeYoung and Greg Miiler, the Washington Post

From Karen DeYoung and Greg Miiler, the Washington Post:  The rapid weekend advance of Libyan rebel troops into Tripoli was the result of an opposition strategy put in place two weeks ago with the advice of British, French and Qatari special forces on the ground

National Composition of NATO Strike Sorties in Libya

By Jorge Benitez

Eight nations participated in strike sorties in NATO’s Operation Unified Protector (OUP) in Libya. These nations are the US, France, Great Britain, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway.  However, there are now only seven nations conducting strike sorties because Norway withdrew its aircraft as of August 1. Britain contributed four additional fighters to help offset the loss […]

Surveillance and Coordination With NATO Aided Rebels

By Eric Schmitt and Steven Lee Myers, the New York Times

From Eric Schmitt and Steven Lee Myers, the New York Times:  As rebel forces in Libya converged on Tripoli on Sunday, American and NATO officials cited an intensification of American aerial surveillance in and around the capital city as a major factor in helping to tilt the balance