Libyan Civil War

[Vindekarr]

No Jim, it's not "could have" it's has

 

Apparently he opened them early this morning, on the one hand that may have positive effects in some opposition supporters suddenly having AK-47s, but on the bad side, a whole lot of fanatical khadafi supporters also now have AK-47s.

 

I also heard they brought down a MiG fighter this morning-the rebels that is. It goes to show that airpower isnt everything: the stupid jock probably got cocky, he certainly went down in a massive fireball, which should ahve wonderful morale effects across Benghazi.

 

Right now if I was in command of the western efforts, wouldnt be too worried about AA for my own sake, it's more about comercial and civilian craft's safety: a Eurofighter has some stealth ability, and it's not at a whole lot of risk from a few psychotic khadafi lackeys with ZsuShilkas, but said ZsuShilkas may be unable to solidly hit a Eurofighter, but they can easily kill civilian aircraft, and with this nut in control, that's just the sort of target he'd p[oint them at.

Edited March 20, 2011 by Vindekarr

[Aurielius]

I also heard they brought down a MiG fighter this morning-the rebels that is. It goes to show that airpower isnt everything: the stupid jock probably got cocky, he certainly went down in a massive fireball, which should ahve wonderful morale effects across Benghazi.

 

Right now if I was in command of the western efforts, wouldnt be too worried about AA for my own sake, it's more about comercial and civilian craft's safety: a Eurofighter has some stealth ability, and it's not at a whole lot of risk from a few psychotic khadafi lackeys with ZsuShilkas, but said ZsuShilkas may be unable to solidly hit a Eurofighter, but they can easily kill civilian aircraft, and with this nut in control, that's just the sort of target he'd p[oint them at.

At the current moment at least according to US news it was a Rebel jet downed by Rebel AAA. Glad you are sanguine about AAA but I doubt if the Coalition pilots feel the same way, it only takes one dumb shot fired by an incompetent to really ruin your day over a Hot Zone. Libya does have a competent if older three tiered air defense system purchased and trained by the Russians, their SAM capacity is more than likely the highest priority for air group commanders at the moment. SAM-5's are nothing to sneeze at, I am sure after the strike assessment they will come up with a tally of how many remain and deal with them in short order before progressing to Air Corridor Sweeps. This is far from a done deal, the Fat Lady has yet to be called from even her dressing room yet .

Edited March 21, 2011 by Aurielius

[ginnyfizz]

Now Ghaddafi is foaming at the mouth and threatening retaliatory strikes against civilian and military targets in the Med, as reported by AFP. Given that fact, I suspect that the call by the Russians, the Chinese and the African Union for a cessation of action is not likely to be heeded. Well, it is to be hoped not.

[WizardOfAtlantis]

I'm really surprised this is happening. And that the UN is sanctioning it. What's that all about? All a country has to do now is get agitated and everybody jumps in on the party? I seriously doubt that the same reaction would happen in, let's say, Peru.

 

Of course, I know it's because there's a goodly amount of oil there, but still...maybe there's a bit more of, "Ah, you like to be the terrorist and hold one of our planes those years ago, huh? Well, you just wait, pal. You just wait.".........."Ok, wait is over. See, Geddafi? We didn't forget, you kidnapping dingus, now we're taking you out."

 

Africa, too, has been filled with civil war and nobody gave a concerted crap about them.

[marharth]

I'm really surprised this is happening. And that the UN is sanctioning it. What's that all about? All a country has to do now is get agitated and everybody jumps in on the party? I seriously doubt that the same reaction would happen in, let's say, Peru.

 

Of course, I know it's because there's a goodly amount of oil there, but still...maybe there's a bit more of, "Ah, you like to be the terrorist and hold one of our planes those years ago, huh? Well, you just wait, pal. You just wait.".........."Ok, wait is over. See, Geddafi? We didn't forget, you kidnapping dingus, now we're taking you out."

 

Africa, too, has been filled with civil war and nobody gave a concerted crap about them.

I think it has a lot to do with what happened in Egypt.

 

There was a lot of pressure on the US to openly support the protesters, I think we didn't want to go in too slow with our views this time.

 

Not to mention no one really likes Gaddafi that much, so its not too hard to oppose him.

[Harbringe]

Ghadaffi is like Noriega from Panama a few years back , someone certain people in the west had dealings with but would have rather not ,so now a chance to be rid of him comes along and and many jump to the opportunity.Though unless they are willing to commit ground troops getting rid of him could be a protracted struggle.Hopefully his own people (on his side) will decide having bombs dropped on them is too much to ask and remove him themselves.

[marharth]

Ghadaffi is like Noriega from Panama a few years back , someone certain people in the west had dealings with but would have rather not ,so now a chance to be rid of him comes along and and many jump to the opportunity.Though unless they are willing to commit ground troops getting rid of him could be a protracted struggle.Hopefully his own people (on his side) will decide having bombs dropped on them is too much to ask and remove him themselves.

If we send in ground troops and get in a third war... Well that would be pretty f***** up.

 

Gaddafi is just insanely power drunk at this point. Basically the entire world is against him and he somehow thinks he will walk away alive through fighting.

[WizardOfAtlantis]

Ghadaffi is like Noriega from Panama a few years back , someone certain people in the west had dealings with but would have rather not ,so now a chance to be rid of him comes along and and many jump to the opportunity.Though unless they are willing to commit ground troops getting rid of him could be a protracted struggle.Hopefully his own people (on his side) will decide having bombs dropped on them is too much to ask and remove him themselves.

If we send in ground troops and get in a third war... Well that would be pretty f***** up.

 

Gaddafi is just insanely power drunk at this point. Basically the entire world is against him and he somehow thinks he will walk away alive through fighting.

I don't know about being out of his mind...first, you have to think that he has to put forward a face to the world that is one hundred percent convinced of what he's all about. No cracks in the dam, no errors, no easily misinterpreted messages. So even if he doesn't think it, he'll be damned sure to act like he's the greatest thing since Achilles and that no one's ever heard of his "little problem".

 

As for another ground invasion...sheesh, i would have hoped they could have finished Afghanistan first, but I'm worried that Afghanistan has turned into a constant Spring Training event.

 

 

[Pyrosocial]

There will not be any ground troops. The rebel leaders have stressed that they are all for air support, but do not want foriegn troops on their soil for fear of the country being split east and west. That's why we have just given them artillery and air, nothing else.

[Aurielius]

There will not be any ground troops. The rebel leaders have stressed that they are all for air support, but do not want foriegn troops on their soil for fear of the country being split east and west. That's why we have just given them artillery and air, nothing else.

Evidently they have more confidence in their tactical abilities than most military analysts have of them, so far the rebels have only managed to occupy ground that has been vacated by the Kaddifi Loyalists after being decimated by the Coalition CAP. I wish them luck, but do not share their assessment of their capacity to gain ground without close air support. Eventually the rebels will have to fight in an urban environment where proficiency with heavy weapons and close order tactics will be a must and close air support will not be available.

Edited March 28, 2011 by Aurielius