Western Europe

Libya a reminder that Europe matters

By Clayton M. McCleskey, the Dallas Morning News

From Clayton M. McCleskey, the Dallas Morning News:   [T]he on-going crisis in Libya and the unrest across the region are reminders that the U.S. cannot solve every problem on its own.

Would a Kosovo-level intervention succeed in Libya?

By Max Boot, the Wall Street Journal

French FM: Arab nations willing to join military operation in Libya

By AFP

From AFP:  Several Arab nations are prepared to take part in a military operation in Libya to stop the advance of leader Moamer Kadhafi’s forces, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe wrote on his blog on Wednesday. "Only the threat of force can stop Kadhafi. It is by bombarding, with the few dozen planes and helicopters […]

New Commander for NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps

By Allied Command Operations

From Allied Command Operations:  Lieutenant General James Bucknall has assumed command of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) from Lieutenant General Sir Richard Shirreff who is assuming the appointment of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

NATO forces seize rockets from Iran in Afghanistan

By Kimberly Dozier, the AP

From Kimberly Dozier, the AP:  NATO forces in Afghanistan have seized 48 Iranian-made rockets intended to aid the Taliban’s spring battle campaign, the most powerful illicit weapons ever intercepted en route from the neighboring state, officials said Wednesday.

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 […]

Obama and Cameron agree that NATO will prepare “full spectrum of possible responses” against Libya

By the White House

From the White House:  The President spoke with Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom today [3/8/11] about the situation in Libya.

Washington’s Options on Libya

By the Editors of the New York Times

From the Editors of the New York Times:  The Obama administration is throwing out so many conflicting messages on Libya that they are blunting any potential pressure on the Libyan regime and weakening American credibility.

Gates: “no unanimity within NATO for the use of armed force”

By Ewen MacAskill and Julian Borger, the Guardian

From Ewen MacAskill and Julian Borger, the Guardian:  Despite the rhetoric of the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, in backing a no-fly zone, French Nato officials are averse to the alliance’s intervention in north Africa, arguing it would discredit the pro-democracy movement and provide an opening for Islamist extremists to exploit the turmoil and declare an […]