Why We Say We Fight (Reflecting On The Rhetoric Of Past U.S. Presidents

President Obama

Why We Say We Fight: Presidents From The Founders To Obama Justify War -- Washington Post

Why does America fight? Throughout history, presidents have taken their case for military action to the public. On Monday, it was President Obama’s turn, as he made his pitch for the intervention in Libya. “Some nations may be able to turn a blind eye to atrocities in other countries,” he declared at the National Defense University. “The United States is different. And as president, I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action.”

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Japan's Military Rises To The Test In Crisis Hit Japan

Japan's Crisis Bolsters Its Military -- Wall Street Journal

Dozens of soldiers in camouflage and olive drab helmets now scour the debris-strewn outskirts of Rikuzentakata in search for victims from Japan's recent quake and tsunami. Military helicopters hover offshore, looking for bodies in the waves, while soldiers offer water—and even wash victims' clothes—in nearby shelters.

The efforts are part of Japan's largest military mission since World War II, with roughly 106,000 of its 240,000 soldiers rendering aid.

The stakes for Japan's military are high: If the mission is seen as a success, as it has been for the most part so far, it could lead to wider acceptance of a more-active military at a time when it is eyeing an increasingly visible international role. If it fails, with delays in reconstruction or other problems, it could dent the military's reputation.

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My Comment: I have the utmost confidence that the Japanese military will rise to the occasion. A special acknowledgement should also be given to U.S. soldiers in Japan .... they have also risen successfully to the challenge in rendering aid to the Japanese in their time of need.

Editor's Note

Because of other work commitments, blogging will return tomorrow morning.

Libya's Rebels Give Terms For A Ceasefire

Libyan Opposition Lays Out Conditions For Cease-Fire -- CNN

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Battles raged in Libya Friday as mixed messages of peace put forth from several corners brought no guarantees of an end to the bloody conflict.

In the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, Libyan opposition leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil laid out conditions for a cease-fire with Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

Among them were the removal of snipers, mercenaries and militias from western cities, an end to the sieges laid on cities such as Misrata and freedom of expression for the Libyan people.

But ultimately, he said, the opposition's goal remains regime change in Libya.

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More News On Libya's Rebels Seeking A Ceasefire

Libyan rebels prepared to accept cease-fire if Gaddafi lifts sieges, allows protests -- Washington Post
Libya rebels propose ceasefire -- Yahoo News/AFP
Libyan opposition sets conditions for cease-fire -- AP
Rebels signal openness to Libya cease-fire -- CBS
Libyan Rebels Set Cease-Fire Conditions -- Voice of America
Libyan rebels have 'no objection' to conditional cease-fire -- New York Post
Libyan rebels offer cease-fire. Does Qaddafi have the upper hand? -- Christian Science Monitor

More Talk Of Gaddafi Seaching For An Exit From Libya

Former Libyan prime minister Abdul Ati al-Obeidi said the Gaddafi regime was 'trying to talk to the British, the French and the Americans to stop the killing'. Photograph: Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images

Gaddafi Envoy 'Visits Britain For Secret Government Talks' Just A Day After Leader's Closest Aide Flees Crumbling Regime -- Daily Mail

* Mohammed Ismail 'flew to Britain' as tyrant's sons grow 'anxious'
* British officials send envoy back with tough 'go now' message to Gaddafi
* David Cameron faces strong pressure to put defected henchman on trial
* Musa Kusa implicated in Lockerbie bombing, shooting of WPC and IRA arms
* Former foreign minister quits, saying: 'It is our right to a good life'
* Government forces fight back against rebels, recapturing Brega

Libya sent a senior aide to one of leader Colonel Gaddafi's sons for talks with British officials in London, it was reported today.

Mohammed Ismail, an aide to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, is said to have been sent to the UK in recent days to discuss the bloody conflict with British officials.

Reports claim that he was carrying a message from Gaddafi about an exit-strategy for the embattled dictator.

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More News On Libya's Leadership Seeking A Way Out Of The Civil War

Gaddafi regime admits attempts to talk to west -- The Guardian
Libyan government aide holds talks in Britain -- AP
Gaddafi sons may be seeking exit plan as key envoy holds talks in Britain -- Sydney Morning Herald
Revealed: Gaddafi envoy in Britain for secret talks -- The Guardian
Gaddafi envoy holds secret Libyan talks on London trip -- Scotsman
Fighting Continues In Libya As Qaddafi 'Exit' Talks Reported -- Radio Free Europe
Is Gaddafi's Regime Seeking an Exit Strategy? -- Tony Karon, Time

Afghanistan War News Updates -- April 1, 2011

Afghan Mob Kills 10 United Nations Workers -- New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — Protesters angered by the burning of a Koran by a fringe American pastor in Florida mobbed offices of the United Nations in northern Afghanistan on Friday, killing ten foreign staff members and beheading two of the victims, according to an Afghan police spokesman. Five Afghans were also killed.

The attack began when hundreds of demonstrators, some of them armed, poured out of mosques after Friday Prayer and headed to the headquarters of the United Nations in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif. They disarmed the guards and overran the compound, according to Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai, spokesman for Gen. Daoud Daoud, the Afghan National Police commander for northern Afghanistan.

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More News On Afghanistan

UN staff killed in Afghanistan amid protests over Qur'an burning -- The Guardian
Afghanistan: 12 killed in protest at UN office -- Yahoo News/AP
'Eight UN workers killed' in Afghan Koran protest -- AFP
U.N. staffers killed in Afghanistan -- CNN
Two U.N. staff killed in Afghanistan were beheaded: police -- Yahoo News/Reuters

101st General: 6 Die In Afghanistan Battle -- Army Times
Six US soldiers killed in Afghanistan -- CNN
6 slain Fort Campbell soldiers are identified -- McClatchy News/AP

Losses in Pakistani Haven Strain Afghan Taliban -- New York Times
Taliban Losses In Pakistan Strain Afghanistan Insurgency -- Huffington Post

Bush warns of fallout from early Afghanistan exit -- CNN
Bush: Don't leave Afghanistan too early -- The Hill
Former First Lady Laura Bush Continues to Fight for Afghan Women's Rights -- FOX News
The plight of young Afghan girls -- William McKenzie, Dallas News

Night Vision Tech Tangles Troops in Afghanistan -- The Danger Room
Cameras, Spy Balloons Surge in Afghanistan -- The Danger Room
Afghanistan: Kabul vs New Kabul City -- The Telegraph
Elders cause uproar over Afghanistan pop concert --The Scotsman
Death of Sunday newspaper reporter killed in Afghanistan explosion 'was not preventable' -- Daily Mail
Afghanistan’s reasons for optimism -- Craig Charney and James Dobbins, Washington Post
What India is Up to in Afghanistan, and Why -- Jyotti Thottam, Time

World News Briefs -- April 1, 2011

Libyan Rebels Seek Cease-Fire as U.S. Vows to Withdraw Jets -- Bloomberg

April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Libyan rebels called for a cease- fire as forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi drove them back for a third day after sandstorms and clouds hindered NATO air strikes and the U.S. said it’s withdrawing all warplanes.

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MIDDLE EAST

Deaths in Syrian protest march for freedom. Syrian protesters clash with security forces. Protests in Damascus follow Friday prayer.

Rival protests fill streets as Yemen's President defiant. Fears of clashes as Yemenis demonstrate.

Hezbollah refuses to comment on Israeli maps allegedly detailing its military sites.

Don't meddle, Bahrainis tells Iran. Kuwait will expel Iran diplomats linked to spy cell, Qabas says.

ASIA

Japanese, US military search for tsunami victims. Radiation found in groundwater at Japan complex. Japan PM to visit disaster zone, nuclear crisis drags.

U.N. staffers killed in Afghanistan. Two U.N. staff killed in Afghanistan were beheaded: police.

Choose dialogue or war, N. Korea tells South.

AFRICA

Rag-tag rebels will not topple Gaddafi by military force, admits U.S. as dictator vows to stay in Libya 'until the end'. Gaddafi forces storm Misrata as rebels offer truce. 2 cabinet officials say U.S. isn’t likely to arm Libyans. Libyan government aide holds talks in Britain. Libyan opposition sets conditions for cease-fire.

Ivory Coast rebels seize state TV, control Gbagbo palace. Ivory Coast: Gbagbo and Ouattara in Abidjan battle. I. Coast battle rages as Gbagbo digs in.

Thousands protest to 'save the revolution' in Egypt. Egyptians rally in Cairo to 'save the revolution'.

EUROPE

Italy ships more than 2,000 migrants off island. EU slams France for sending North African migrants back to Italy.

Polish, Turkish experts open to U.S. withdrawing nukes from Europe.

Medvedev’s plan to oust Putin allies tests limits of power.

Italian anarchists claim mail bombs sent to Greece. Switzerland, Italy, that injured 3.

New Portuguese, Irish economic disclosures deepen European financial struggles.

AMERICAS

U.S. offers $5 million in killing of ICE agent.

Federal agents told to reduce border arrests, Arizona Sheriff says.

Mexico’s drug lords fall, but war goes on.

U.N. admits at least $600G lost on overpriced boat that housed Haiti peacekeepers.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Libyan conflict could spread missiles to extremists.

Al-Qaida tied to Tuesday's attack in Iraq?

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Toyota raises prices of almost all Scion, Lexus, Toyota models.

New auto sales in Japan plummet 37% after disaster.

Subprime bonds are back.

U.S. unemployment rate falls to 8.8 pct., two-year low.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 1, 2011

US Ending Its Air Combat Role in Libya -- ABC News

Gates says US ending its air combat role in Libya, leaving the heavy lifting to allies

The Pentagon is about to pull its attack planes out of the international air campaign in Libya, hoping NATO partners can take up the slack.

The announcement Thursday drew incredulous reactions from some in Congress who wondered aloud why the Obama administration would bow out of a key element of the strategy for protecting Libyan civilians and crippling Moammar Gadhafi's army.

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

U.S. Gunships Will Be ‘on Standby’ in NATO’s Libya War -- The Danger Room

Libyan Ops Costing USAF $4M Each Day -- Defense News

Airmen return home from Libyan airstrike -- Rapid City Journal (h/t: Alert 5)

NATO Now in Full Control of Libya Mission -- Defense News

Rebels: Gaddafi using Israeli weapons -- Ynet News

China’s National Defense in 2010 -- Chinese Ministry Of Defense

China's nuclear facilities 'safe,' military says in defense review -- CNN

Hezbollah refuses to comment on Israeli maps allegedly detailing its military sites -- Daily Star

Russia employs Arctic brigade to defend oil and gas reserves -- RIA Novosti

NATO to Deploy Mobile Counter-IED Labs by Late 2011 -- Defense News

Indian Govt okays sacking of 'honeytrapped' Navy officer -- Times Of India

British military unveils lavish royal wedding plans, including flypast after couple tie knot -- AP

Japanese, US military search for tsunami victims -- Yahoo News/AP

U.S. Military Commander Prepared for the Day After -- Wall Street Journal

Hardship pay authorized for some civilians, but not military, in Japan -- Stars And Stripes

Cost, Risk Scuttled Planned Raptor Data Upgrade -- Defense News

F-22s Won’t Get F-35 Datalinks,Yet -- DoD Buzz

Military bases in AFRICOM -- Armchair Generalist

Air Force officials present budget to appropriations committees -- U.S. Air Force

Q: Why So Long For a New Bomber? A: Money, Honey -- DoD Buzz

DNI Drags Heels on GAO Access to Intelligence -- Secrecy News

All-female team launches historic mission over Afghanistan -- Bagram Airfield

Navy now says 11 hurt in Hornet engine fire -- Military Times

US Army to Test, Evaluate SoldierEyes, FASTCOM Systems -- Defense Talk

Army suicide prevention efforts raising privacy concerns -- USA Today

2010 Military Spouse of the Year lauded for website creation -- Cannon Connections

Alaska May Let Troops Drink at 18 -- Newser

Military Deaths Nearly Every Day in March; Almost a Third are Californians -- Salem-News

Breaking News: Gates Offered Retired Aircraft Carriers To China

Aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)

From Alert 5:

During his recent visit to Beijing, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Chinese President Hu Jingtao that Washington is willing to sell retired USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ranger to China to help narrow the trade deficit between both countries.

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My Comment: One more reason (or opinion) on why Sec. of Defense Gates should be fired.

US Ending Its Air Combat Role In Libya By Withdrawing Its Ground-Attack Aircraft

Pentagon To Withdraw Ground-Attack Aircraft, Leaving Allies To Handle Bulk Of Libya Sorties -- L.A. Times

But with Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi's troops regaining the offensive against beleaguered rebels, questions have deepened as to whether NATO can handle the mission without U.S. firepower.

The Pentagon said it would soon withdraw jet fighters and ground-attack planes from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led air campaign in Libya, a move that U.S. lawmakers warned could make the airstrikes less effective in preventing Moammar Kadafi's forces from attacking opposition-held areas.

But the U.S. is keeping combat aircraft, including AC-130s and A-10 ground-attack planes, on standby in case the operation's Canadian commander, Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, requests U.S. help, said Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Thursday. He said the U.S. was not ruling out sending American warplanes back over Libya if NATO proved unable to halt Kadafi's advancing forces.

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More News On The U.S. Ending Combat Air Operations Over Libya

U.S. ending Libya air assault at crucial time -- CBS News
US to pull out of Libya air attacks -- Press Association
US 'To Pull' Attack Aircraft From Libya -- SKY News
Gates says US ending its air combat role in Libya, leaving the heavy lifting to allies -- Canadian Press/AP
Libyan Rebels Seek Cease-Fire After U.S. Vows to Withdraw Jets -- Bloomberg Businessweek
U.S. Gunships Will Be ‘on Standby’ in NATO’s Libya War -- The Danger Room

My Comment: Talk about horrible timing .... with Libyan forces loyal to Gaddafi now getting the upper hand ... the U.S. decides to (effectively) leave?!?!?!? This is very odd and very disturbing.