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2011-03-23 Africa North

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Posted by Steve White 2011-03-23 11:48|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 This must be more of that "smart diplomacy" we've been hearing about.

Posted by Mike 2011-03-23 11:58|| 2011-03-23 11:58|| Front Page Top

#2 This was an awful headline. No, Germany has not left NATO, like France did under De Gaulle.

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-03-23 11:58|| 2011-03-23 11:58|| Front Page Top

#3 C'mon Germany...get on board. Haven't you heard...it's called 'Progressive Realism'. It was all the rage in Davos last year. NATO...schmato...you only have to remember one word here..."legitimacy". Besides, this whole military command clusterfuck ain't such a bad thing. In fact, it's the proof we wanted to re-order all those old institutions anyway. Oh, and by the way, the Portugese econonomy just shit the bed...expect to pony up very soon.

Posted by DepotGuy 2011-03-23 13:10|| 2011-03-23 13:10|| Front Page Top

#4 But U.S. defence secretary Robert Gates hit back at the suggestion, saying it would be 'unwise' to target the Libyan leader adding cryptically that the bombing campaign should stick to the 'U.N. mandate'.

The President of the United States publicly demanded Gaddafi's ouster. He even talked about stringing him up ('the noose is tightening').

Then he ordered substantial military action against Gaddafi.

Now, however, it is 'wise' to leave a wounded, embittered Gaddafi unmolested. A dictator who has nonetheless just survived an onslaught by the world's lone superpower, making him utterly fearless. A dictator who has still access to money, weapons and who is backed by major international players. A dictator with a history of sponsoring 'revenge' terror attacks.

Wisdom!

Posted by Herman Shusons7918 2011-03-23 13:12|| 2011-03-23 13:12|| Front Page Top

#5 Obama is showing that America is a paper tiger again.

Posted by DarthVader 2011-03-23 13:27|| 2011-03-23 13:27|| Front Page Top

#6 What's that wise bit of advice? When you strike at a king, you must kill him. Leave Kadaffy in power I think we will look fondly on the days of Pan Am 103.

Posted by Oscar Spineck3066 2011-03-23 13:46|| 2011-03-23 13:46|| Front Page Top

#7 Re: Gates. Has anyone else noticed that Gates hasn't been reading from the playbook lately. First he said a no-fly zone operation was a bad idea, then "regime change isn't the mission" and then the "no we won't kill G'Daffy" business.

Seems to me he's getting into the public policy/decision making arena in a way that no other SoD has done to my knowledge. If true, is it because lack of leadership from the Whie House or because he's rebelling against that leadership? Don't know Gates or his beliefs well enough to decide.

Posted by Mercutio 2011-03-23 13:46|| 2011-03-23 13:46|| Front Page Top

#8 He has publicly stated he will leave the SecDef role shortly.

Posted by lotp 2011-03-23 14:07|| 2011-03-23 14:07|| Front Page Top

#9 Germans = Pussies. In Afghanistan first, now in the Med.

Posted by No I am The Other Beldar 2011-03-23 14:12|| 2011-03-23 14:12|| Front Page Top

#10 What advantage is there for the Germans to get involved in Libya? At least in Afghanistan it forestalled US abandoning NATO and pulling forces out of Germany and Europe.

Posted by Oscar Spineck3066 2011-03-23 14:38|| 2011-03-23 14:38|| Front Page Top

#11 I don't think it should surprise that this whole Libya deal is showing both Barry and the Euro's to be basically wimps.

Posted by Jefferson 2011-03-23 15:00|| 2011-03-23 15:00|| Front Page Top

#12 "What advantage is there for the Germans to get involved in Libya?"

Gaddafi called for 'jihad' against Europe even before the rebellion. Removing him would be a matter of fundamental physical security for Germany.

The official political objective in Afghanistan however doesn't make sense for Germany (or anyone else IMHO.)

Based on a rational assessment German forces should quit Afghanistan and participate in the 'Anti-Gaddafi Alliance.'

Making a red diaper baby Chancelorette of Germany has consequences. The apple does not fall far from the tree.

Posted by Herman Shusons7918 2011-03-23 15:03|| 2011-03-23 15:03|| Front Page Top

#13 Wait -- the Germans surrendered before the French? The Krauts must be in phase-2 of their "either at your throat or at your feet" posture.

Oh, and while never say "I told you so," and dislike people who do... I told you so.

Posted by regular joe 2011-03-23 15:34|| 2011-03-23 15:34|| Front Page Top

#14 One way to look at it is if they don't participate in the war, they won't have to take in all the muslim refugees that will be displaced by it.

Posted by Penguin 2011-03-23 20:46|| 2011-03-23 20:46|| Front Page Top

#15 Wehell, as per OWG-NWO + GMD-TMD between GERMANY + JAPAN dev indigenous Nuclear Arensals-Weapons, methinks its safe to say the Internat Community will argue to allow Japan before Germany, regardless of the merits???

Espec as per RUSSIA.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2011-03-23 21:01|| na 2011-03-23 21:01|| Front Page Top

#16 Obama is showing that America is a paper tiger again.

Well, if you were a President looking to wreck NATO, damage your former European allies, and ruin the US' standing as a superpower....

Posted by Pappy 2011-03-23 21:05|| 2011-03-23 21:05|| Front Page Top

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