Good thing I don't dish out my opinions of others freely around here.
Ken, because the current and probably the most inept US Administration in history has said there will be no "boots on the ground" does not mean that the use of ground forces is not an intelligent military option to those nations serious about bringing a quick end to the violence in Libya. (I think Gates may well be the problem here)
In the following article (published after my comments) by Rear Admiral Chris Parry RN (retired):
We can't put boots on the ground in Libya – but what about fins?
I particularly agree with a statement of his which I have alluded to in one of my earlier posts (I seem to remember):
Then there is this:We are, to paraphrase Tacitus, creating a stalemate and calling it peace.
Royal Marines could be sent in to Libya as thousands flee fighting
I believe this figure could be 600 Marines as this article (which I found this morning) alludes to:
Britain to Send 600 Navy Marines, Ships to Libya, Times Says
I say, do it Britain and good on yer (and if you need a 58 year old to pass the ammo I'll get my kit out of the museum and report for duty )
I also still maintain that by rerouting the the Marine Brigade and 2 & 3 Para from Afghanistan to Cyrus/Malta (either/or or both) is still the best solution to kill two birds with one stone. Get the troops out of (America's war) Afghanistan and (apply an effective force level to) deal effectively with the situation in Libya.
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