Should We Arm The Libyan Rebels?

Rebel fighters move under fire from forces loyal to Col Gaddafi near Bin Jawad Photo: REUTERS

NATO Says Arming Libyan Rebels Not an Option -- Voice of America

As NATO assumed full control of military operations targeting Libya, the alliance's chief said the body does not support the idea of arming the rebel forces.

Hours after NATO took over the Libyan operations, the alliance's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen laid out the goals: to protect the Libyan people, not to arm them. His remarks appeared to contradict suggestions by U.S. and British officials that the UN mandate guiding NATO operations could allow for arming rebels fighting the forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

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More News On And Should We Arm Libya's Rebels?

NATO rules out arming Libyan rebels -- ABC News (Australia)
We won't arm Libyan rebels - NATO -- Herald Sun/AP
NATO chief opposes arming Libyan rebels -- IBTimes
Nato commander says aim is 'to protect' not help rebels -- BBC
Obama doesn't rule out arming rebels in Libya -- USA Today
Libya: Britain considers arming rebels -- The Telegraph
U.S. Mulls Arming Libyan Rebels -- NPR
Can the coalition arm Libya’s rebels? -- Euronews
Arming Libya's rebels would be a tricky gamble -- CBS News
Kalashnikovs vs. Tanks: What Libyan Rebels Need to Win -- Abigail Hauslohner, Time

China Lays Out A Fuutre Vision For It's Military

Officers including spokesman with China's Ministry of National Defense Geng Yansheng (2nd L) prepare to answer questions at a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2011. The Chinese government issued the white paper on China's national defense in 2010 on Thursday, which reiterates China's insistence on peaceful development and pursuit of a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. (Xinhua/Li Mingfang)

China Lays Out Vision for Military -- New York Times

BEIJING — The Chinese military said Thursday that while the security situation in Asia and the Pacific was generally stable, it was becoming “more intricate and volatile,” with no clear solutions for tension points like the divided Korean Peninsula and with the United States increasing its involvement in regional security issues.

The military’s vision was laid out in a national defense white paper, a document published every two years since 1998. The paper tries to walk a line between trumpeting the modernization efforts of the Chinese military and assuaging fears by foreign governments and analysts that the fast-growing People’s Liberation Army will be used for expansionist purposes or regional dominance.

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More News On China's Military

China white paper highlights US military 'competition' -- BBC
China military policy paper lays out worries about U.S. -- Reuters
China warns of military competition in Asia -- Financial Times
China sticks to defensive national defense policy -- Xinhuanet
China's nuclear facilities "safe," military says in defense review -- CNN
Chinese Military Assessment Seeks 'Better Understanding' -- Voice of America
We will never bully our neighbours: China -- Times Of India
China's air force steps up modernization drive: white paper -- Xinhuanet
China Reaffirms "No First Use" Deterrent Policy -- Global Security Newswire
China sticks to no-first-use of nuclear weapons: white paper -- Xinhuanet
Chinese navy improves combat capability: white paper -- Xinhuanet
China's national defense tasked to guard sovereignty, peace: white paper -- Xinhuanet
China's army chief of staff to visit US in May -- AFP

Civil War In Ivory Coast -- News Updates March 31, 2011

Ivory Coast Battle Nears Decisive Stage in Key City -- New York Times

DAKAR, Senegal — The battle for Ivory Coast’s presidency neared a decisive phase on Thursday as opposition forces reached the outskirts of Abidjan, the country’s commercial center, and the government’s army chief fled his post.

The army chief of staff, Gen. Phillippe Mangou, sought refuge for himself, his wife and five children in the home of the South African ambassador in Abidjan, the South African Department of International Relations said in a statement.

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More News On The Civil War In Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast: Ouattara forces surround Gbagbo in Abidjan -- BBC
Ivory Coast fighters descend upon main city -- Yahoo News/AP
Heavy weapons fire heard in central Abidjan -witnesses -- Reuters
France says Gbagbo must leave to avoid bloodbath -- Reuters
Ivory Coast's main city braced for war as opposition forces reach Abidjan outskirts -- The Telegraph
Ouattara says forces "at gates" of Ivory Coast's Abidjan -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Outtara's Forces Reach Ivory Coast Capital -- NPR
Pro-Ouattara forces seize Ivory Coast capital -- MSNBC
End-Game in Ivory Coast: Gbagbo's Last Stand -- Time Magazine
In pictures: Ivory Coast showdown looms -- BBC

My Comment: It looks like this crisis/civil war is finally coming to a close.

What Is The CIA Doing In Libya?

CIA Operatives Gathering Intelligence In Libya -- NPR Staff and Wires

The CIA has sent a small, covert team into rebel-held eastern Libya while the White House debates whether to arm the opposition, NPR has confirmed.

The operatives are in Libya to gather intelligence to help direct NATO airstrikes and to help train inexperienced rebel fighters.

"The CIA team is there to train them how to shoot, how to fight, how to have military discipline," NPR's Deborah Amos reported from Cairo. "They are joining a team of former Libyan military officers who are now training about 30,000 young Libyans in the rebel stronghold to also improve discipline, improve communications and make it into a more coherent fighting force."

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More News On The CIA Working In Libya

Exclusive: Obama authorizes secret help for Libya rebels -- Reuters
Surprise! CIA’s at Work in Libya -- The Danger Room
In Libya, CIA is gathering intelligence on rebels -- Washington Post
C.I.A. Agents in Libya Aid Airstrikes and Meet Rebels -- New York Times
CIA officers working with Libya rebels -- L.A. Times
CIA Sends Teams to Libya; US Considers Rebel Aid -- ABC News
NATO takes over air operations as CIA works the ground in Libya -- CNN
CIA sends teams to Libya; US considers rebel aid -- Yahoo News/AP
CIA in contact with rebels -- The Age
Report: CIA and British agents in Libya -- UPI
CIA links up with rebels in Libya -- CBS
Prez gives CIA nod to get Khadafy -- New York Post
Gates: No ground troops while 'I am in this job' -- AP
CIA Operatives Have Been on the Ground in Libya for Weeks -- New York Magazine
WH puts CIA on rush orders to vet Libyan rebels -- Hot Air
Are Libyan rebels being led by a CIA plant? -- The Week

Afghanistan War News Updates -- March 31, 2011

FALCON FUEL-UP - An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron based on Aviano Air Base, Italy, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, while flying over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, March 29, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. William Greer

Within Obama’s War Cabinet, A Looming Battle Over Pace Of Afghanistan drawdown -- Washington Post

Military leaders and President Obama’s civilian advisers are girding for battle over the size and pace of the planned pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan this summer, with the military seeking to limit a reduction in combat forces and the White House pressing for a withdrawal substantial enough to placate a war-weary electorate.

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More News On Afghanistan

U.S. military balks at promised Afghan drawdown -- AJC
Signs of Strain as Taliban Gird for More Fighting -- New York Times
Defence keeps quiet on captured Taliban leaders -- Sydney Morning Herald
NATO troops kill two Afghan civilians -- AFP
Foreign troops kill Afghan civilians in Kandahar: police -- Reuters
Afghan driver tries to ram into NATO patrol in south but ends up in ditch, killing 2 civilians -- Canadian Press
6 French troops and 4 Afghans lightly wounded in suicide car bomb attack in Afghanistan -- Canadian Press/AP
In Afghan info war, being first trumps being right -- Stars And Stripes
Half U.K. Army Supplies Arrive in Afghanistan Late, Auditors Say -- Bloomberg
Reintegration of ex-insurgents key to fledging Afghan governments -- Canada.com/Post Media News
Karzai denounces alleged 'trophy' killings in Afghanistan -- L.A. Times
Western aid lines Taliban pockets in Afghanistan -- AFP
Taliban's nod to girls' education a small, sad step forward -- CBC
AFGHANISTAN: Afghan asylum-seekers hit by tighter immigration rules -- Alertnet
Modern city bigger than Kabul on drawing board north of dilapidated, crowded Afghan capital -- Yahoo News/Canadian Press
Newly Discovered Natural Arch in Afghanistan One of World's Largest -- Science Daily
War's a farce in Afghan truce village -- Maiwand Safi, Asia Times

World News Briefs -- March 31, 2011

Libyan Rebels in Retreat as Country's Foreign Minister Resigns -- ABC News

Obama Authorizes Covert Operations; NATO Takes Control of Air Operations

Libyan rebels have retreated despite support from NATO airstrikes, days after seeming to turn the tide against leader Moammar Gadhafi.

The ongoing battle has shown no signs of abating as President Obama Wednesday signed a presidential finding authorizing covert operations to assist the anti-Gadhafi forces.

Rebels were met overnight with heavy fire from Gadhafi forces as cars fled the eastern city of Ajdabiya, erasing almost all of the rebels' gains.

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MIDDLE EAST

Middle East: Live report.

Syria's Assad under pressure as new protests called. Syria committee 'to study' lifting emergency laws. Anger as Assad fails to reform.

Death toll hits 57 in Iraqi hostage siege.

Bahrain steps up arrests of activists: opposition.

Rival Yemen demos set scene for tense Friday.

A New Palestinian movement: Young, networked, nonviolent.

ASIA

Situation at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant still serious. Four of six Daiichi reactors can’t be fixed; Tokyo Electric president hospitalized. Four reactors at Fukushima nuclear complex will have to be scrapped, utility chairman says.

China white paper highlights US military 'competition'.

Pakistani politician survives 2nd assassination attempt in 2 days. Pakistani politician blames assassination attempt on CIA, Pakistan government.

Within Obama’s war cabinet, a looming battle over pace of Afghanistan drawdown.

Indian census puts population at about 1.2 billion. Indian census results: 1.21 billion people or 17 percent of world population.

AFRICA

Libya's Gaddafi not close to breaking point: U.S.. Libya: Nato assumes control of military operation. NATO takes over air operations as CIA works the ground in Libya. Gaddafi will stay in Libya "until the end": spokesman. About 1,000 believed killed in Libya violence: UK.

Rebels besiege Ivory Coast's main city of Abidjan. Tension high in Abidjan as rebels advance. Ivory Coast army chief Phillippe Mangou 'seeks refuge'.

Egypt's presidential vote to be held by November. Egypt to elect new president by November.

Southern African leaders meet on Zimbabwe stand-off.

EUROPE

Italy hits out at 'scandalous' refusal of European nations to help with Lampedusa's boatloads of migrants from North Africa.

Dmitry Medvedev: Russian ministers must quit boardrooms.

German firms encouraged corruption: Greek Minister.

Chinese 'euro coin scam' leads to arrests in Germany.

AMERICAS

Brazil joins Bolivia anti-drug fight.

Guatemala's alleged No. 1 drug trafficker captured.

In rare visit with Castro, Jimmy Carter attempts to restart US-Cuba relations.

Israeli: Argentina gives commitment to bomb probe.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Arab revolutions will boost Al Qaeda, says radical US cleric Awlaki. Al Qaeda responds to CNN.

Pakistan handles Islamic extremism with kid gloves.

Bali bomb suspect Umar Patek arrested in Pakistan. Official: CIA tipoff led to Pakistan arrest.

Al-Qaeda mag: We heart the Mideast revolts.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dreamliner becomes a nightmare for Boeing.

Wal-Mart CEO Bill Simon expects inflation.

Microsoft files complaint against Google. Microsoft takes Google complaint to EU.

Geithner: inflexible currencies are biggest monetary problem.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 31, 2011

Qaddafi Forces Adapt As Rebels Grow More Ragged -- CBS News/AP

Rebels showing battle fatigue as military victory appears increasingly unlikely; Qaddafi forces ditch heavy armor for trucks to confuse NATO airstrikes

Libya's rebel forces continued to struggle against Muammar Qaddafi's superior firepower on the ground, as the United States and other allies consider whether to supply them with weapons.

The rebels have given up nearly all the ground they have gained after allied airstrikes took out some of Qaddafi's heavy weapons. Now government forces are changing tactics, leaving behind the armed military vehicles and moving in armed pickup trucks like the opposition does, reports CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark. That makes it difficult for coalition forces overhead to distinguish who's who on the ground.

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Graphic Timeline: The war in Libya -- National Post

NATO takes over air operations as CIA works the ground in Libya -- CNN

NATO Starts Taking Control of Libya Operations -- Defense News

Stateside Basing Kept the F-22 Out of the Libya Fight -- DoD Buzz

While Libya Rages, Navy Sends Its Newest Warship to… San Diego?!? -- The Danger Room

UK wasted £6bn on ditched military kit -- Scotsman

China Reaffirms Nuke Policy of "No First Use" -- Global Security Newswire

Chinese army speeds up developing high-tech weaponry and equipment -- Xinhuanet

China white paper highlights US military 'competition'. -- BBC

Indian navy eyes more Israeli UAVs -- Flight Global

Joint missile shield: to be or not to be? -- Voice of Russia

Militarizing Civilian Satellites -- Strategy Page

Air Force Hopes to Buy 80 to 100 Next Gen Bombers -- DoD Buzz

Los Alamos Has Its Faults -- Defense Tech

10 injured in fire aboard carrier off San Diego -- Houston Chronicle

Technology Extends Stratcom’s Priorities -- U.S. Department of Defense

Qwest to be military's sole IPS provider -- UPI

Cybersecurity breach may leave DOD networks exposed -- Stars And Stripes

Euro Hawk undergoes testing at Edwards AFB -- U.S. Air Force

Jet Engine Explodes, Injuring 10 on Carrier -- Military.com

Audit of Pentagon Spending Finds $70 Billion in Waste -- New York Times

GAO Audits Pentagon Program Cost Growths -- Ares/Aviation Week

Pentagon Works to Tackle Cost Overruns, Official Says -- US Department of Defense

Budget Slows Defense Growth, Comptroller Says -- US Department of Defense

Arlington's Grave Mix-Ups: Will the Army Ever Fix the Problem? -- Time

Libyan Rebels Too Weak To Finish Off Gaddafi

U.S. Fears Libyan Rebels Set Up for Defeat Without Greater Western Intervention -- FOX News

Fresh battlefield setbacks by rebels seeking to oust Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi are hardening a U.S. view that the poorly equipped opposition is probably incapable of prevailing without decisive Western intervention -- either an all-out U.S.-led military assault on regime forces or a decision to arm the rebels.

Qaddafi is reaching deeper into his military ranks to send reinforcements onto the battlefield, has adopted new, unconventional tactics to counter the effects of coalition airstrikes, and apparently is convinced he can retain power by gradually retaking a degree of control of eastern Libya, a senior U.S. intelligence official said Wednesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence on the condition and capabilities of regime and rebel forces.

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My Comment: With the growing realization that the rebels are no match for Gaddafi's military, alternative strategies are now being explored to make sure that the fight on the battle field will change in favor of the rebels.

Talk of bolstering the rebel army with private armies (i.e. mercenaries), sending in the CIA, and even supplying the rebels with weapons over Sec. of State Clinton's denials and the objections of a key Congressman .... this is what is now making the rounds among key policy advisers on what to do in Libya.

My prediction .... inevitably there will be boots on the ground from the West in confronting and wiping out Gadaffi. The question that needs to be asked is .... whose boots on the ground will they belong to.

Libya's Foreign Minister And Former Spymaster Defects

Moussa Koussa, High-Profile Lockerbie Spymaster -- The Telegraph

Moussa Koussa, the Libyan foreign minister who defected from Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime, was one of the architects of its rehabilitation in the international community but a deeply controversial figure who is likely to pose David Cameron a particularly thorny political problem.

As the highest-profile defection from the ranks of Col Gaddafi's loyalists, he is a plum prize who is likely to be of great value in helping to dismantle his dictatorship.

The former spy chief's resignation also comes at a critical time in the coalition's attempts to dislodge Col Gaddafi, as the rebels are retreating under fresh onslaughts and Whitehall sources suggested they were unlikely to win without arms or training from outside.

So his information and contacts among Col Gaddafi's generals will be all the more valuable.

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More News On The Defection Of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa

Libya's foreign minister flees to Britain -- Al Jazeera
Libya's Foreign Minister Resigns, Arrives in Britain -- Voice of America
Libya: Moussa Koussa, Gaddafi's foreign minister, defects to UK -- The Guardian
Top Libyan minister defects to the U.K. -- CBS
Libya's foreign minister defects, arrives in Britain -- Reuters
Hague says Libya's Moussa in "secure location" in UK -- Reuters
'No immunity' for Libyan foreign minister -- Al Jazeera
Koussa offered no immunity - Hague -- RTE News
William Hague: no immunity for Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa -- The Telegraph

UK's Hague calls on Libyans to follow Koussa exit -- Reuters
Libya foreign minister Moussa Koussa must face atrocities trial, rebels declare -- The Guardian
Libya shrugs off foreign minister defection -- AP
Decision-maker from the heart of Gaddafi’s circle -- Financial Times
Libyan foreign minister Moussa Koussa 'could be first of many defections' -- The Telegraph
Defection 'shows regime crumbling' -- Press Association
Profile: Moussa Koussa -- Al Jazeera

My Comment: This is a diplomatic and intelligence coup. I am also sure that he has many secrets .... the Lockerbie bombing included .... that many Western officials are dying to hear about.

Samantha Power: One Of President Obama's Key Foreign Policy Advisers

Samantha Power, Susan Rice, President Obama Prepare to take us to War in Libya based on a United Nations mandate and ideology of our Responsibility To Protect (R2P) This becomes the Obama Doctrine of international intervention. Supported by Hillary Clinton and the U.S. State Department against the advisement of the Pentagon and US Defense Department. (Photo from The Last Refuge)

Samantha Power, Long A Critic Of U.S. Foreign Policy, Now Helps Shape It -- L.A. Times

An outspoken author and advocate against foreign atrocities before joining the Obama White House, she's now part of a small circle shaping the approach to the crises in Africa and the Middle East.

Reporting from Washington — After years as an outsider who watched in frustration as the U.S. failed to stop foreign atrocities, Samantha Power now is an influential White House insider in a position to try to help prevent mass killings and limit the influence of rogue leaders.

Power is part of a small circle of presidential advisors shaping the U.S. approach to multiple crises rippling through the Middle East and North Africa.

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More News On the Role That Samantha Power

Still Crusading, but Now on the Inside -- New York Times
Power: Obama gave 'meaning and content' to human rights, democracy -- Politico
Samantha Power Goes to War -- The Nation
Anti-Genocide Advocate Credits Obama For Libyan Uprising -- Washington Times

My Comment: UN Amb. Rice, Sec. of State Clinton, and NSA adviser Samantha Power have become the hawks on U.S. foreign policy in countries like Libya. But it is Samantha Power who is making the moral case for such interventions ..... and President Obama (so it appears) has accepted her reasoning.