Libyan Civil War Megathread

[Sheilbh]

I am frankly very surprised that such an open ended resolution passed.

The UN has been pretty good on this.  The ICC investigation was ordered very soon as were pretty comprehensive sanctions and the, as you say, surprisingly open-ended resolution.

I'm intrigued by the US role in this.  The first I heard of anything more than a no-fly zone was Susan Rice a couple of days ago which suggested something shifted either in the US administration or in negotiations.  I'm not clear at all what happened.

Interesting to see what Qaddafi does. I am not buying his "immediate cease fire" talk. Although it would be pretty awesome (and not just for Libya) if the threat of UN action causes him to just decide "fuck it, I think I will retire to Monaco..."

This is something I find really interesting is the balance of creating a system of international justice that punishes war crimes and crimes against humanity against no longer being able to offer the world's tyrants a comfortable birth in Monte Carlo.  I think I favour the former.  It is better that Charles Taylor is being prosecuted and can't chill in Lagos, or convert to Islam and get a poolside seat in Jeddah, but it's a problem with international law that it can end up endangering civilians even more.

Why would Libya call a ceasefire now? On the one hand, if he's winning, you wouldn't think Qaddafi would give up; on the other hand, if he's afraid of losing, you wouldn't think he'd be rational enough to quit, especially without trying to call the West's bluff.

He's wily and, despite all appearances to the consequence, not mad.

Sarko is a Jew?  Who leads France?  Are you sure about this?

First Jewish President (Jewish like Disraeli), but they've had two Jewish Premiers (Jewish like Ben Gurion) back when the Prime Minister mattered more than the President.

His father was a Hungarian, his mother was a (french?) jew.

I think she's Franco-Greek.

[Barrister]

Why would Libya call a ceasefire now? On the one hand, if he's winning, you wouldn't think Qaddafi would give up; on the other hand, if he's afraid of losing, you wouldn't think he'd be rational enough to quit, especially without trying to call the West's bluff.

He's wily and, despite all appearances to the consequence, not mad.

I read a piece recently that said while he's not delusional, did argue he could be I think suffering from borderline personality.

[CountDeMoney]

BBC sez RAF deploying 9 and 31 squadrons.

Canada is deploying a half dozen CF-18s.

Don't strain yourself Canucks.

"Now witness the firepower of this fully ARMED and OPERATIONAL Iroquois-class Destroyer!"

[Viking]

He forgot to ask about Attorney General.

And the Supreme Court. The last refuge of Papism in the US needs protestant blood.

[Viking]

BBC sez RAF deploying 9 and 31 squadrons.

Canada is deploying a half dozen CF-18s.

That's the version with the bacon fryer in the cockpit EH?

[Darth Wagtaros]

 

He forgot to ask about Attorney General.

And the Supreme Court. The last refuge of Papism in the US needs protestant blood.

[Barrister]

BBC sez RAF deploying 9 and 31 squadrons.

Canada is deploying a half dozen CF-18s.

Don't strain yourself Canucks.

"Now witness the firepower of this fully ARMED and OPERATIONAL Iroquois-class Destroyer!"

Actually we sent a Halifax class frigate as well. :canuck:

[jimmy olsen]

The abstentions came from China, Russia, Germany, India, and Brazil. Germany said it was concerned about a protracted military conflict. China said it opposes the use of armed force in international relations.

I don't get the position of the German government in this issue. Why do we join the BRICs and Lybia instead of our NATO partners? Now Germany doesn't just let its allies fight alone, but even abandons them in diplomacy? It's not like we would have contributed meaningfully in a military intervention anyway, but why can't we at least join the rest of the West in the UN?

Qadaffi even bombed a Berlin disco didn't he? No lingering feelings over that?

[Admiral Yi]

Qadaffi even bombed a Berlin disco didn't he? No lingering feelings over that?

A GI hangout disco.

[jimmy olsen]

Qadaffi even bombed a Berlin disco didn't he? No lingering feelings over that?

A GI hangout disco.

180 Germans were wounded

[Josephus]

Anybody caught in a disco post 1979 deserves that.

[Mr.Penguin]

From Benghazi...


A Libyan Mig-23 shot down over the Benghazi airport, pilot ejecting some 40-50m over the ground. The Soviet's may not always have made the best planes, but their ejection seats has always been the best... 


edit: fund a better picture

[MadBurgerMaker]

"Splash one Flogger"

[Mr.Penguin]

Anyway, it looks like the pro- daffy troops  are making a mad dash at Benghazi before International pressure forces them to stop. It's unlikely that they will try and take the city it self, but are going for the airport and the main road to Tubruk in an attempt to isolate Benghazi...

[Viking]

I hate it when idiot journalists refer to SP Art, IFV's, APC's or Light Armour as "Tanks". It just shows their own ignorance and incompetence in assessing the nature of military equipment. So when I saw this nice pic in profile claiming it is a fighter I just had to look up the profile of the SU-24, the MiG-23 and the Mig-27. Unfortunately for my smug self image it was actually a MiG-23 fighter.

BTW, I'm staying up tonight to watch the start of the Second Air Campaign against the Locals in Libya.