Libya: U.N. Security Council to support action short of invasion

[Farang]

"Some reports quote the French saying that there could be an attack within hours of a vote passing. It is likely five Arab air forces will take part."

Seems like it might be too little, too late. Had this happened when the rebels surrounded Tripoli, it might have ended quickly. I can imagine a lot of worst case scenarios here, including a lengthy civil war (which had appeared on the verge of ending) resulting in the victory of either Gadaffi or whoever the hell the people in the east are (do we know?)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12779628

 

[Schadenfroh]

Too little, too late

I was rooting for the rebels

(but I am against US involvement)

 

[rudeguy]

just send in the drones and take the idiot in charge out. If the next in line doesn't act right, keep going down the line.

 

[Londo_Jowo]

I don't see anything happening in Libya other than the rattling of swords.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Well this was well played. Stood around with fingers up their ass, then decided that maybe they should do something, after it would have done any good. I hope the US doesn't get involved at this point.

 

[Nebor]

I really hope the US has no involvement in this action whatsoever. Aside from the fact that it's none of our business, the admittedly shaky and poorly adhered to standard of IFF is at it's worst amongst some of the Middle Eastern nations. If we get involved.... well, we've shot down British fighter jets due to malfunctioning IFF, imagine if 5 Middle Eastern air forces are operating in the same space as Libyan loyalist and rebel aircraft. It'll be a cluster fuck.

 

[PottedMeat]

Well this was well played. Stood around with fingers up their ass, then decided that maybe they should do something, after it would have done any good. I hope the US doesn't get involved at this point.

I wonder how this would have played out if the revolt started maybe a week earlier than it had with the earthquake and all.

 

[chucky2]

I really hope the US has no involvement in this action whatsoever. Aside from the fact that it's none of our business, the admittedly shaky and poorly adhered to standard of IFF is at it's worst amongst some of the Middle Eastern nations. If we get involved.... well, we've shot down British fighter jets due to malfunctioning IFF, imagine if 5 Middle Eastern air forces are operating in the same space as Libyan loyalist and rebel aircraft. It'll be a cluster fuck.

But, it could also serve as a really good proving ground for the F-22....

Chuck

 

[werepossum]

Well this was well played. Stood around with fingers up their ass, then decided that maybe they should do something, after it would have done any good. I hope the US doesn't get involved at this point.

Statistically, our chances of involvement are probably inversely proportional to the practicality of being involved.

 

[Karl Agathon]

But, it could also serve as a really good proving ground for the F-22....

Chuck

I don't want America involved, but if it is to be then why not test out some of the toys. Question though, I thought F-22s werent on aircraft carriers? Or are they?

 

[chucky2]

I don't want America involved, but if it is to be then why not test out some of the toys. Question though, I thought F-22s werent on aircraft carriers? Or are they?

Nope, F-35 will eventually be on the carriers. Land bases from Greece and Egypt, along with Spain, all right there, range not a problem with tankers...

Chuck

 

[Nebor]

I don't want America involved, but if it is to be then why not test out some of the toys. Question though, I thought F-22s werent on aircraft carriers? Or are they?

They're not, but the president approved the move of a two flights of F22 to Al-Udeid during the recent tension with Pakistan. Presumably they're still in the Middle East AO, but I'm not really familiar with their operational range.

 

[Fern]

Well this was well played. Stood around with fingers up their ass, then decided that maybe they should do something, after it would have done any good. I hope the US doesn't get involved at this point.

qft

Fern

 

[Fern]

Statistically, our chances of involvement are probably inversely proportional to the practicality of being involved.

lol

Fern

 

[Karl Agathon]

Nope, F-35 will eventually be on the carriers. Land bases from Greece and Egypt, along with Spain, all right there, range not a problem with tankers...

Chuck

Thanks, perhaps you can answer another question for me? I know the F-22 is not in production anymore. if its currently the best/most advanced fighter we have, why are not at least some of them on carriers in general? I ask because although its not likely (for now anyway) wouldnt we want the best on those carriers if they are deployed to say a possible blue water conflict with Red China.

 

[speg]

Light that crazy bastard up!

 

[chucky2]

Thanks, perhaps you can answer another question for me? I know the F-22 is not in production anymore. if its currently the best/most advanced fighter we have, why are not at least some of them on carriers in general? I ask because although its not likely (for now anyway) wouldnt we want the best on those carriers if they are deployed to say a possible blue water conflict with Red China.

Because it'd have had to be designed for carrier duty from the onset, and I don't believe it ever was. The F-22 was/is the replacement for our F-15 mainline fighter (or fighter/bomber in the case of the F-15E).

The carriers will get the F-35, which is like F-22lite. The folks on the carriers will likely wish though they got naval F-22's...personally I think we should have gone that route, but hey, F-35's for all I guess...

Chuck

 

[werepossum]

Thanks, perhaps you can answer another question for me? I know the F-22 is not in production anymore. if its currently the best/most advanced fighter we have, why are not at least some of them on carriers in general? I ask because although its not likely (for now anyway) wouldnt we want the best on those carriers if they are deployed to say a possible blue water conflict with Red China.

The Navy has expressed interest in a future air superiority fighter, which might (or might not) be a variant of the F-22. But it's very difficult to make a true carrier-based air superiority fighter of the first water because of the weight necessary to sustain what are basically controlled crashes on a regular basis. It's also very difficult to make a truly stealthy aircraft with folding wings, which are a necessity on a carrier-based aircraft, and for the F-22 stealth is a major design factor.

 

[Karl Agathon]

^^^^Thanks Chucky and Werepossum, I feel a bit more educated on the subject now :thumbsup:

 

[Doppel]

yes! Let's do this!

 

[wuliheron]

The UN couldn't find its own ass with both hands and the US has no interest in a ground war because even the rebels don't like us. At most we'll stop Gaddafi from bombing the shit out them so we don't look like total uncaring assholes to the entire Muslim world. That still leave Gaddafi to do anything else he pleases and the UN free to do what it does best and complain. If and when we need the oil to start flowing again then we might think about something more drastic.

 

[Genx87]

Let the Arab nations and France foot the bill. No US involvement!

 

[RabidMongoose]

It's time for the Europeans to step up and show that they're actually relevant at the world stage. However, I doubt that they're up for the challenge. Europe is quickly becoming irrelevant. I fear that they would only be up for it if it involved them committing a massacre of other people. Something like this that involves helping people is out of the European frame of mind.

 

[wuliheron]

Let the Arab nations and France foot the bill. No US involvement!

Yeah, right. This is just another corporate subsidy the US makes at tax payer expense. Get over it. If you don't like supporting big business you live in the wrong country.

 

[chucky2]

Forget the bill, let them be the ones to do it so they can show the Warmongering US how they can enforce a no fly zone, along with protecting the civilian populace (as I just heard on TV, HowTF do you even accomplish that from the air???), from another wacked out Muslim dictator.

Each and every civilian casualty, we ought to issue a press release on how the Warmongering, Great Satan, Blood for Oil, 'no fly zone' nations are butchering civilians. Then, when the internal Libyan forces clash, because these same nations that didn't prevent the civilians from being killed, also need to be called out on they themselves being responsible for all those deaths too (even though it was Libyan on Libyan).

I await the Bu bu Bu it's different cries from the usual suspects....

Chuck