[T-LoW]

Better than letting this madman continue slaughter his own people because he's too obsessed with power.

[Unknown Target]

The US owes it to the people of Libya to join the NFZ.

[perihelion]

Gadhafi's foreign minister has just announced a cease-fire in response to the UN resolution.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/18/libya.civil.war/

[Dilmah G]

Yeah, the US had experience with the operations needed to be carried out to allow an NFZ back in Bosnia and Gulf War: Episode I.

But **** YES.

* Dilmah G fist pumps.

Have a feeling that this may soon turn into a rather hot war in the skies. Will be an opportunity to see if the Libyan Air Force carries out local airspace denial operations and how they do them for those of us sitting in our comfortable armchairs. Gaddafi seems like the kind of guy who'd want to sortie the pointy looking things when the boys come hunting for SAMs.

EDIT: Ah, will the NFZ be called off then?

[Shade]

The US owes it to the people of Libya to join the NFZ.

Perhaps, but I doubt it'll be necessary. Some of the things coming out of France give me the impression that they're just waiting for Gaddafi to give them an excuse to blow his military to smithereens. Might because of allegations that Gaddafi contributed to Sarkozy's election campaign - Sarkozy could be attempting to prove that wrong by means of exploding Libyan aircraft and tanks

That said, it would certainly be a welcome change to see middle-eastern people cheering at American planes for a change, rather than shooting at them.

All that aside, the toughness of the resolution surprised me. This one's tough enough to actually make a real difference, and broad enough that Gaddafi has to be real careful of he gives everyone an excuse to take potshots at his military. Good to see the UN can, on occasion, do something right.

Too bad it still couldn't happen if the country in question was friendly with one of the permanent members. Insurmountable vetos make the UN far more ineffectual than it ought to be.

[Kosh]

The US owes it to the people of Libya to join the NFZ.

So what about the people in the numerous other dictatorships we've been supporting?

[Slasher]

They're not as important.  Besides, the Bahrainians are welcoming our Saudi allies.

[Nuclear1]

Canada's committed six CF-18s to the NFZ. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12781682


And from the Guardian Liveblog...

11.48am: Lars Eriksen, an ex-Guardian colleague in Copehagen, emails to tell us that Denmark is planning to send seven aircraft (six F16s and one transport carrier) to be stationed at bases in southern Europe in preparation for any action against Libya.

[Rodo]

But.... he can still use ground forces, right?

[Nuclear1]

Part of the resolution was to take any and all necessary measures to protect civilians...

So that likely means countries participating in the NFZ would be cleared to attack artillery if it threatened civilians.

[Bobboau]

yeah, he can use any ground forces he doesn't mind seeing disappear in a pillar of fire. he could use light infantry and infiltrate rebel cities, but I don't think that would work out too well for him either.

[Mongoose]

France jumping into a conflict gung-ho, while the US drags its feet and is noncommittal.  It's a strange world we live in.

[Shade]

11.48am: Lars Eriksen, an ex-Guardian colleague in Copehagen, emails to tell us that Denmark is planning to send seven aircraft (six F16s and one transport carrier) to be stationed at bases in southern Europe in preparation for any action against Libya.

That debate is long over, actually. Just about the fastest thing I ever saw our parliament do. They're already prepping to move, and might be in place as early as tomorrow morning. The current debate is over whether to add a couple of warships to the operation as well.

[Flipside]

France jumping into a conflict gung-ho, while the US drags its feet and is noncommittal.  It's a strange world we live in.

I must admit, I had to laugh at the irony of that as well

[Slasher]

Anyone else realize that in April of 25 years ago, the U.S. actually dropped bombs on Libya?  Does anyone else realize that 25 years ago, again in April, there was a serious nuclear mishap somewhere in the world too?  I hope everyone loves the eighties... 

[Mobius]

I know Italy's already given access to bases in Sicily.

Yep, seven bases.

[Nemesis6]

France jumping into a conflict gung-ho, while the US drags its feet and is noncommittal.  It's a strange world we live in.

We must have slipped into an alternate reality where this is Soviet Russia.

[achtung]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/19/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110319?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

I have this feeling there are going to be some pretty intense airstrikes within the next few days.

[Bobboau]

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/18/obama.no.fly/?hpt=T1

not ours though.
Im starting to wonder if Gaddafi has some sort of dirt on Obama...

[Black Wolf]

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/18/obama.no.fly/?hpt=T1

not ours though.
Im starting to wonder if Gaddafi has some sort of dirt on Obama...

Given the USAFs record for blue on blue in recent years, this might not be such a bad thing.