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Surely only a nation governed by the will of the people can be considered sovereign.

For example (and using the Democracy Index) there are 26 full democracies whose sovereignty should be...

Nightly Britain bombs Tripoli. Bar death, what do we achieve?

Jenkins misses a point that if the politicians decide that military intervention is necessary then the military must salute and get on...

And I am amazed that you think this is a problem only with westerners.

This discussion would be purely of an academic historical nature had a decisive and short sharp intervention been carried out in response to UNSC resolution 1973. The civilians needing protection...

You saw it coming while I for a moment thought that it was all pretty straight forward and would play itself out in a short sharp intervention. My distaste for the political classes continues to grow...

David, I believe that despite the experience of air only campaigns in the past (Bosnia - Yugoslavia) the current set of smart guys in DC decided that a "no boots on the ground" campaign had the right...

I appreciate in the greater scheme of things that it does not mater if I know what NATO is up to in Libya. My question is whether NATO know what they are up to there?

In reply to my comment:



Ken responded:



I noticed your reply in the Journal - From Roman Legions to Navy SEALs: Military Raiding and its Discontents where you quoted Stonewall Jackson as...

How rebels held Misrata
...

I said to take cognisance of. The opinions here are generally few and far between (I think mainly because many are serving or dependent on the DoD/military/whatever for their income that there is...

You need to analyse carefully what you are up against before believing that "quick, clean and easy (and low cost) options" exist.

Grenada and Panama are probably pretty good examples from the US...

And I am supposed to give a rats ass about that?

Some around here seem to be pretty informed and provide valuable information to those seeking it... then there are a fair percentage that are...

Dithering, vacillation, hesitancy etc are hardly indicators of self assured policy implementation.

You should read the article and also the one in the New Yorker - THE CONSEQUENTIALIST

Then...

What is consistent is the evidence that the Obama Administration does not have the vaguest idea of what's going on and how to proceed in Libya. What we are quite possibly witnessing is the most inept...

OK I believe I understand where you are coming from now.

Politician to General: General, this is your mission nothing more, nothing less. To achieve this mission within the laid down time frame...

Yes did happen Bob.

My interest in this is not to denigrate the Libyan rebels but rather to understand who they are and what they have to offer (see my later comment to David).

Its a "know your...

Well yes, there will be parallels and there will be significant differences. Each case has to be handled on its merits. The current WH and State clearly is all at sea over how to handle the Arab...

I recalled you saying more on the limited concept before. Found it here:

Limited result vs limited means

I would just comment that the politicians determine the objectives which almost...

Well yes, the weak constant with Libya and Iraq (and Afghanistan) is the State Department and the CIA. As long as the US has to rely on these clowns for briefings, guidance and intel the planning and...

Lets deal with this aspect first:

Here's my take on the McCain article in Time:

First of all this article seems to have been put together after two chance/random conversations between the...

OK, lets skip what we agree on...



This is where we disagree.

The US off that carrier (had there been a war against Libya) would have been able to crush Libya in an afternoon. Militarily...

Why do I not see any reference to civilians here? Was their protection not the primary reason for the intervention after all?

First, I would suggest was the requirement to save Benghazi from being...

Exactly... and the Hungarians are still waiting (since 1956) for the US support to arrive which Radio Free Europe implied would be forthcoming.

It is evident that each successive generation of...

Well your President believes it and I accept that as being the official US position on the matter... and suggest that if you have a problem with that you take it up with him.

Technically you are correct. But in reality the Libyans in Misrata and a few other places are fighting each other while the majority of the NATO air effort overflies Libya at a safe height while a...