Obama's coalition is starting to crumble.

[ekrem]

We are, now, the lead MILITARY in the coalition... but the Brits and French put the coalition together, not Obama. We are the lead military because we're best at it. This is NOT Obama's coalition. It is Cameron's and Sarkozy's coalition. Get the fuck over yourselves. This is not the US, it is the UN.

Much as I would like to slam Obama, I actually (grudgingly) respect him for it. It must seriously piss him off that he's had to launch a military action.

It isn't a UN coalition.
It is USA-UK-France.

French jets striked 1st, they were already in the air once Sarkozy made the final statement of Paris meeting.
Some NATO countries have committed aircraft to the operation like Denmark and Norway, and Italy is key in all of this as it contributes with Air-bases.

Italy is already threatening to review the status of its Airbases.
Norway says, that its aircraft won't take-off for now since some differences have been resolved.

@Avatar
Germany isn't participating, it has objections.

 

[ekrem]

The French moves, which western diplomats said included launching the first attack on Libya without fully informing its allies, angered US and UK officials and are hampering efforts to transfer command of the operation to Nato, officials said. Relations grew so tense on Monday that French and German ambassadors to Nato walked out of a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the alliance's decision-making body, after Anders Fogh Rasmussen, secretary-general, criticised Paris for impeding Nato involvement and Germany for not actively participating.

Turkey, a Nato member that has expressed reservations about the military intervention, also blocked a move to give the alliance command and control responsibilities during a Sunday night meeting.
FT.com / Middle East & North Africa - Rift over command of Libya campaign

Italy is now threatening to review the status of the Airbases it has so far contributed to the operation.
Norway says, that under these circumstances it's airctaft, which have already been deployed to Italy will not take part.

 

[B. Kidd]

Even Obama, said that he put this coalition together at the urgings of Sec. State Clinton. If this is not his coalition then who's is it? Currently the US has command and control in this operation. That means that Obama, is CinC. According to Sec. Def Gates, the US wants to pass this authority on in the next few days. So far there have been no takers. How about it California Girl, do you have evidence to the contrary? By the way do you really have to swear to make your point?

Remember liberals always blame conservatives for their own indiscretions.

We are, now, the lead MILITARY in the coalition... but the Brits and French put the coalition together, not Obama. We are the lead military because we're best at it. This is NOT Obama's coalition. It is Cameron's and Sarkozy's coalition. Get the fuck over yourselves. This is not the US, it is the UN.

Much as I would like to slam Obama, I actually (grudgingly) respect him for it. It must seriously piss him off that he's had to launch a military action.

How can you respect Obama for this coalition when this hasn't played out yet?

How much active Arab participation is there in the no-fly zone?
Is it clear yet in the Arab streets mind that the attack on Libya is an attack on a tyrant (despite what the U.N. resolution says) and not an attack on the Arab world?

One thing is clear. No partner in this coalition wants to assume leadership in this campaign. We are hiding behind the Europeans and both are using the Arab league (gulp!) as cover.
This may not end pretty.

 

[ekrem]

How can you respect Obama for this coalition when this hasn't played out yet?

How much active Arab participation is there in the no-fly zone?
Is it clear yet in the Arab streets mind that the attack on Libya is an attack on a tyrant (despite what the U.N. resolution says) and not an attack on the Arab world?

One thing is clear. No partner in this coalition wants to assume leadership in this campaign. We are hiding behind the Europeans and both are using the Arab league (gulp!) as cover.
This may not end pretty.

Britain wants NATO to take over but France does not, and Italy is threatening to rethink its participation unless NATO takes command.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/africa/22nato.html?_r=1&src=twrhp
Italy is key with its airbases.

Only Qatar, which represents 0.1% of Muslim world population has commited to the operation. With 4 Aircraft.

 

[California Girl]

We are, now, the lead MILITARY in the coalition... but the Brits and French put the coalition together, not Obama. We are the lead military because we're best at it. This is NOT Obama's coalition. It is Cameron's and Sarkozy's coalition. Get the fuck over yourselves. This is not the US, it is the UN.

Much as I would like to slam Obama, I actually (grudgingly) respect him for it. It must seriously piss him off that he's had to launch a military action.

It isn't a UN coalition.
It is USA-UK-France.

French jets striked 1st, they were already in the air once Sarkozy made the final statement of Paris meeting.
Some NATO countries have committed aircraft to the operation like Denmark and Norway, and Italy is key in all of this as it contributes with Air-bases.

Italy is already threatening to review the status of its Airbases.
Norway says, that its aircraft won't take-off for now since some differences have been resolved.

@Avatar
Germany isn't participating, it has objections.

The coalition came together to support the UN Resolution, giving military action the 'go'. Germany never participate on offensive ops.... their military still operate under post-WWII rules that they have not changed. Those rules, effectively, stop Germany from any kind of action other than defense. They'll support the action behind the scenes, as they usually do. Same with all the rest. The hard work, as always, falls to the few, including:

UNITED STATES
· Submarines Providence, Scranton and Florida launching Tomahawks.

· Destroyers Barry and Stout launching Tomahawks.

· Amphibious assault ships Kearsarge and Ponce, carrying Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

· Command ship Mount Whitney.

· Support ships Lewis and Clark, Robert E. Peary and Kanawha.

· U.S. Navy aircraft include EA-18G Growler electronic air warfare aircraft, at least four P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and one EP-3E Aries electronic surveillance aircraft, all flying from land bases in the Mediterranean. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier jets are operating from the Kearsarge.

· Air Force aircraft include B-2 stealth bombers flying from Missouri and F-15 and F-16 fighters from unspecified bases.

· The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group will deploy from Norfolk,Va., on March 23 ahead of schedule to support Odyssey Dawn operations. The group includes the amphibious ships Bataan, Mesa Verde and Whidbey Island carrying the 22nd MEU.

FRANCE
· Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle left its base at Toulon March 20 en route to waters off Libya. De Gaulle is carrying 20 aircraft, including Rafale and Super Etendard strike fighters, and is escorted by the destroyers Dupleix and Forbin, frigate Aconit, oiler La Meuse, and an unnamed nuclear attack submarine.

· Destroyer Jean Bart already on the scene.

· French land-based strike aircraft spearheaded the March 19 attacks on Libya.

ITALY
· Destroyer Andrea Doria Frigate Euro Support ship Etna As of early March 20, more ships were to be en route from Italy: Destroyer Francesco Mimbelli; frigate Fenice; patrol ships Libra and Sirio; amphibious ships San Giorgio and San Marco.

· At least 4 Tornado strike aircraft and 4 other combat aircraft are available.

CANADA
· Frigate Charlottetown Six CF-18 Hornet strike fighters Canada's forces are operating as part of Operation Mobile.

UNITED KINGDOM
· Unnamed Trafalgar-class nuclear attack submarine launching Tomahawks.

· Frigates Westminster and Cumberland.

· Typhoon and Tornado strike aircraft operating from Gioia del Colle air base in southern Italy. Tornado GR4s with Storm Shadow cruise missiles took place in the initial strikes on March 19, flying from the Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Marham in Norfolk, eastern England. Agence France-Presse reported the aircraft conducted four mid-air refueling operations during the 3,000-mile, eight-hour mission, the longest Royal Air Force bombing mission since the 1982 Falklands war. The British effort against Libya is dubbed Operation Ellamy.

· Additionally, E3-D Sentry, Sentinel and Tristar surveillance aircraft and VC-10 aerial tankers are operating.

BELGIUM
· Six F-16 fighters to be ready for operations March 21.

DENMARK
· Six F-16 fighters and a transport are operating from Sigonella air base on Sicily.

QATAR
· Four combat aircraft reportedly are in operation by March 20.

SPAIN
· Four F-18 strike fighters are operating from Decimomannu air base on the Italian island of Sardinia.

· One aerial tanker and one CN-235 maritime surveillance plane.

· A submarine and frigate are to deploy this week pending parliamentary approval, according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
· Strike aircraft are reported en route to Decimomannu air base.

The U.S. aircraft carrier Enterprise, which recently passed through the Mediterranean, is now in the Arabian Sea conducting air operations over Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

List came from here: Coalition Against Gadhafi Growing - Defense News

 

[ekrem]

NATO is now meeting for 2nd day in Brussels. Today already for 6 hours.
There is currently another break for the ambassadors to contact their capitals.

CNN-Turk reporter in Brussels says, that Germany has swung over to Turkey's position to completely block NATO's involvement in Libya.

 

[Charles_Main]

I don't understand. The state run pro (democrat) war media is reporting that on day three the no fly zone has been a success. They wouldn't lie to us would they?

Actually the problem is the Arab league thinks you can impose a no fly zone with out dropping any bombs.

Qaddafi is claiming we killed civilians with our bombs, so the Arab League support is slipping. The Irony is if anyone else had handled the taking out of Libyas Air Defenses, not only would there have been more Collateral Damage, but allied planes would have probably been lost as well.

 

[California Girl]

How can you respect Obama for this coalition when this hasn't played out yet?

How much active Arab participation is there in the no-fly zone?
Is it clear yet in the Arab streets mind that the attack on Libya is an attack on a tyrant (despite what the U.N. resolution says) and not an attack on the Arab world?

One thing is clear. No partner in this coalition wants to assume leadership in this campaign. We are hiding behind the Europeans and both are using the Arab league (gulp!) as cover.
This may not end pretty.

Britain wants NATO to take over but France does not, and Italy is threatening to rethink its participation unless NATO takes command.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/africa/22nato.html?_r=1&src=twrhp
Italy is key with its airbases.

Only Qatar, which represents 0.1% of Muslim world population has commited to the operation. With 4 Aircraft.

4 aircraft is a lot from Qatar, they're a small nation. However, you're wrong... again... the UAE is also in.

 

[ekrem]

4 aircraft is a lot from Qatar, they're a small nation. However, you're wrong... again... the UAE is also in.

UAE isn't in.
They have announced, that their role in Libya is solely delivering Humanitarian Aid.
They do this in co-operation with Turkey.

UAE's role in Libya confined to humanitarian aid

 

[California Girl]

4 aircraft is a lot from Qatar, they're a small nation. However, you're wrong... again... the UAE is also in.

UAE isn't in.
They have announced, that their role in Libya is solely delivering Humanitarian Aid.
They do this in co-operation with Turkey.

UAE's role in Libya confined to humanitarian aid

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
· Strike aircraft are reported en route to Decimomannu air base.

List came from here: http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=6013503&c=AIR&s=TOP

 

[ekrem]

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
· Strike aircraft are reported en route to Decimomannu air base.

List came from here: Coalition Against Gadhafi Growing - Defense News

Wrong reports.
UAE Foreign Ministry has said today, it's role is solely limited to delivering Humanitarian Aid. In co-operation with Turkey.

 

[ekrem]

The forces currently bombing Libya, don't represent an UN coalition.
Simple as that.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

Wow.. this may ruin his vacation.

 

[Soggy in NOLA]

BTW.. didn't the Iranians slaughter their citizens too?

 

[ekrem]

What goes around, comes around. If not today, then tomorrow.
Warmongers.

 

[California Girl]

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
· Strike aircraft are reported en route to Decimomannu air base.

List came from here: Coalition Against Gadhafi Growing - Defense News

Wrong reports.
UAE Foreign Ministry has said today, it's role is solely limited to delivering Humanitarian Aid. In co-operation with Turkey.

So, the coalition says they're in and the UAE say they're out.... I'd say the UAE is trying to keep its citizens happy by some 'double speak'.

 

[California Girl]

The forces currently bombing Libya, don't represent an UN coalition.
Simple as that.

The UN says it does. That may not sit well with you but that is, frankly, un-fucking-lucky. It's a UN Resolution... and the action is backed by the UN. Stop whining.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

BTW.. didn't the Iranians slaughter their citizens too?

Yeah, minor details, but.......................this is so different.

 

[ekrem]

So, the coalition says they're in and the UAE say they're out.... I'd say the UAE is trying to keep its citizens happy by some 'double speak'.

The UAE never said, it was in.
Just some reports to give legitmacy to the full-scale bombing of yet another Muslim country to portray as if Muslim countries are participating in the bombing campaign.

 

[B. Kidd]

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
· Strike aircraft are reported en route to Decimomannu air base.

List came from here: Coalition Against Gadhafi Growing - Defense News

Wrong reports.
UAE Foreign Ministry has said today, it's role is solely limited to delivering Humanitarian Aid. In co-operation with Turkey.

So, the coalition says they're in and the UAE say they're out.... I'd say the UAE is trying to keep its citizens happy by some 'double speak'.

Being American, aren't you hip to 'double speak' from a gov't?