Tag Archives: Libya

Afrika Korps II: Merkel agrees in principle on troops in Libya

Posted on 12 April 2011 by craigjameswilly

Angela Merkel has agreed in principle on the possibility of sending German troops as part of an EU force to Libya to provide humanitarian aid and protection. Our assorted commentators are enjoying this flip-floppery. See Jean Quatremer: In short, if … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sarkozy’s bare-chested war counsel

Posted on 3 April 2011 by craigjameswilly

Nothing inspires less confidence in the bases of France’s war against Libya than this photo of Bernard-Henri Lévy about to meet President Nicolas Sarkozy. It is in this state that France’s most media-savvy “philosopher” discussed the high politics of war … Continue reading →

Posted in article, France, lighter side | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Expensive advertising

Posted on 29 March 2011 by craigjameswilly

While the US has largely dominated the Libyan intervention in terms of cruise missiles, the number of aircraft sorties, while an absolute majority, is not overwhelming. This compares favorably with previous wars – Kuwait, the Balkans – where all but … Continue reading →

Posted in article | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Europe as a “big Switzerland”

Posted on 28 March 2011 by craigjameswilly

It’s been a little unreal following the developments in Libya and the very ad hoc Western response to it. The whole thing is a bit of a ramshackle affair: an ever-evolving mission cobbled together by a slightly erratic French president and poor … Continue reading →

Posted in essay | Tagged , , | Leave a comment