Libyan Civil War Megathread

[Camerus]

The moment we get involved, even with a no fly zone, we take on some responsibility for events as they unfold, and thus risk getting drawn into things further.  Fuck that.

Meh, I live in America and we are burdened with responsibility whether we act or don't act. Hardly a compelling reason to do nothing.

Not so simple as trying to placate the 'blame America' crowd.  Once we get involved, the chances of getting further drawn in increase exponentially - likewise do the PR costs of then backing away after initial involvement.

[Josquius]

With China- I've been thinking could a way to get them to agree to the no fly zone be to make it not specifically a NATO thing? Invite the Chinese and others to send over some forces to help out?

The Arab League not doing anything- The Arab league is the governments of the Arab nations. Just the sort of people being thrown out during the unrest in the middle east...If anything they would support Gaddafi I'd think.
However, Egypt really should be doing something. Spreading the revolution so to speak. But to do it alone...it would be too much of a war. I'd think they would be fully willing should the west want to get involved also though.

Maybe France will take the lead on this?

http://www.france24.com/en/20110310-France-NTC-national-transitional-council-embassy-Libya


With Sarko, all things are possible.

Would this see the Anglo-French carrier sharing at work?

Would be cool for it to be a mainly EU affair. But getting people willing to join isn't the problem really, its getting the UN (China, Russia) to give the go-ahead.

[alfred russel]

Would this see the Anglo-French carrier sharing at work?

I predict disaster. The French will surrender after the first plane is shot down, and the British will respond by launching an attack on the French side of the ship to prevent it from being turned over to the Lybians, causing the carrier to sink.

[jimmy olsen]

Would this see the Anglo-French carrier sharing at work?

the British will respond by launching an attack on the French side of the ship to prevent it from being turned over to the Lybians, causing the carrier to sink.

[DGuller]

Would this see the Anglo-French carrier sharing at work?

I predict disaster. The French will surrender after the first plane is shot down, and the British will respond by launching an attack on the French side of the ship to prevent it from being turned over to the Lybians, causing the carrier to sink.

[dps]

Why do you think the French would wait till a plane gets shot down?

[garbon]

Not so simple as trying to placate the 'blame America' crowd.  Once we get involved, the chances of getting further drawn in increase exponentially - likewise do the PR costs of then backing away after initial involvement.

I see it from a different viewpoint. We're already involved (especially when we have principal statesmen telling a dictator to step down); it's just a matter of how involved we should get.

[Monoriu]

With China- I've been thinking could a way to get them to agree to the no fly zone be to make it not specifically a NATO thing? Invite the Chinese and others to send over some forces to help out?

No fly zone - maybe.  Sending over some PLA soldiers?  Absolutely no way. 

[Monoriu]

I've never gotten the impression that China would care about its citizens one way or the other.

In recent years, the communists try really hard on any and all disaster relief type actions.  Whenever there is some earthquake, mining diasaster, major traffic incident, even if they happen outside China, the Chinese government will do the utmost to help its citizens.  This is a great way of boosting legitimacy and it doesn't hurt the ruling class. 

[Valmy]

Yes he does.  Chavez will send: El Condor Legion.

I forgot all about him.  Wouldn't that be fascinating if he sent some boys over?

What would be fascinating is how he got them there.

[Valmy]

With China- I've been thinking could a way to get them to agree to the no fly zone be to make it not specifically a NATO thing? Invite the Chinese and others to send over some forces to help out?

No fly zone - maybe.  Sending over some PLA soldiers?  Absolutely no way. 

It would be against China's long standing foreign policy of national soveriegnty above all else anyway.

[Caliga]

What would be fascinating is how he got them there.

AirFrance?

[Berkut]

Yes he does.  Chavez will send: El Condor Legion.

I forgot all about him.  Wouldn't that be fascinating if he sent some boys over?

What would be fascinating is how he got them there.

LOL, that is a really good point.

As an American, I pretty much just take it for granted that we can get troops almost anywhere we want as a matter of course...

[Mr.Penguin]

France should go at it alone, with both air stikes and ground troops, a chance to regain some of their past glory and ofcourse improve the ratings of President Sarkozy...

[Valmy]

France should go at it alone, with both air stikes and ground troops, a chance to regain some of their past glory and ofcourse improve the ratings of President Sarkozy...

They would only do so if it was a former colony of theirs.