April 19, 2011

Going in Circles in Libya

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The LA Times reports on how things are going in Libya:

“We rushed into this without a plan,” said David Barno, a retired Army general who once commanded U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. “Now we’re out in the middle, going in circles.”

The failure of the international air campaign to force Kadafi’s ouster, or even to stop his military from shelling civilians and recapturing rebel-held towns, poses a growing quandary for President Obama and other NATO leaders: What now?

Well, this, apparently:

A joint British-French military team of advisers is to be sent to Benghazi in a move that is likely to lead to accusations of mission creep….The UK-French team will advise the rebels on intelligence-gathering, logistics, and communications. In an indication of the serious nature of the move, the team will be run by a joint force headquarters, the Guardian has learned.

….William Hague, the foreign secretary, said in a statement that the team “will enable the UK to build on the work already being undertaken to support and advise the NTC [National Transitional Council] on how to better protect civilians”. He added: “In particular they will advise the NTC on how to improve their military organisational structures, communications and logistics, including how best to distribute humanitarian aid and deliver medical assistance.”

Hague said the British section of the team will consist of “experienced British military officers”.

Bud these are advisors, not trainers, no rebels are being armed, no boots are on the ground, etc. etc. Move on, nothing to see here, folks.

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