Article

2011-03-14 Africa North

At Crossroads, Libya Rebels Vow to Stand or Die

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Posted by tipper 2011-03-14 04:10|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 They will die while Obama dithers and defers to "World Opinon".

Posted by No I am The Other Beldar 2011-03-14 11:01|| 2011-03-14 11:01|| Front Page Top

#2 Stand and die. Run and die.

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2011-03-14 13:11|| 2011-03-14 13:11|| Front Page Top

#3 If they are for an islamic state, I prefer that they stand and die.

Posted by Bobby 2011-03-14 15:12|| 2011-03-14 15:12|| Front Page Top

#4 If they are for an islamic state, I prefer that they stand and die. The rebels themselves probably don't know what they are working for. Neither does the rest of the world.

Posted by Anguper Hupomosing9418 2011-03-14 15:36|| 2011-03-14 15:36|| Front Page Top

#5 "The rebels themselves probably don't know what they are working for."

Truly a recipe for success.

/sarc

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2011-03-14 16:09|| 2011-03-14 16:09|| Front Page Top

#6 So, which side is practicing the fundamentals better?

Mass: Concentrate combat power at the decisive place and time
Objective: Direct every military operation towards a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective
Offensive: Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative
Surprise: Strike the enemy at a time, at a place, or in a manner for which he is unprepared
Economy of force: Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts
Maneuver: Place the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power
Unity of command: For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander
Security: Never permit the enemy to acquire an unexpected advantage
Simplicity: Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding

Posted by Procopius2k 2011-03-14 18:54|| 2011-03-14 18:54|| Front Page Top

#7 The key question is,

Does Daffy have the logistical wherewithal to project his forces as far Benghazi.

As WWII showed, supply lines along the coastal highway are vulnerable to attack from the desert.

Posted by phil_b 2011-03-14 20:36|| 2011-03-14 20:36|| Front Page Top

#8 Mass, advantage reb
Objective, advantage reb
Offensive, advantage daffy
Surprise, advantage reb
Economy of force, advantage reb
Maneuver, advantage daffy
Unity of command, advantage daffy
Simplicity, advantage reb

Pretty close all in all. This isn't the first time opposing forces have driven each other back and forth along the Libyan coastline. The upcoming battles could easily be won by either side. Whoever wins two out of three should prevail.

The missing element in your fundamentals list is Pursuit - Action against a retreating enemy. We tend to neglect it, because high-tech combat is so lethal that the losing soldiers surrender. That won't happen with either of the low-tech Libyan forces. One battle won, and punctuated with meaningful pursuit would end the war.

Posted by rammer 2011-03-14 20:39|| 2011-03-14 20:39|| Front Page Top

#9 ION DRUDGEREPORT AM > [Guardian.UK] LIBYAN REBELS PLEAD WID WEST TO ASSASSINATE GADDAFI [demand NFZ + Western mil air = tacstrikes agz pro-Gaddafi Military-Loyalist forces, key assets].

ARTIC > LRNC warns that WESTERN FAILURE TO SUPPORT ANTI-GADDAFI REBELS COULD INDUCE ORDINARY LIBYANS TO DETRIMENTALLY PERCEIVE THE WEST AS BEING UNRELIABLE + UNCARING, + TURN THEM TOWARDS RADICAL/RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM [e.g. anti-West Radical Islam, Govt. Hardline].

* EARTH TIMES > LIBYAN REBELS HOLD ON TO THEIR LAST STRONGHOLD IN WEST LIBYA.

* SAME > [Ex-Libyan Army General MOHAMMED ABDELRAHIM] ANTI-GADDAFI REBEL LEADER APPEALS TO WORLD FOR WEAPONS.

* IRNA > UN RESOLUTION NOT NEEDED FOR LIBYA NO-FLY-ZONE, SAYS HAGUE [UK Foreign Secretary WILLIAM HAGUE].

ARTIC > UK ForSec HAGUE = argued that
"overwhelming humanitarian need" allows the International Community to independently act under auspices of International Law widout requiring an absolute = de facto UN mandate. THE FUTURE FOR THE LIBYAN PEOPLE WILL BE BLEAK IFF THE GADDAFI REGIME MANAGES TO SURVIVE + PROPAGATE RULING POWER - A LONG NIGHTMARE FOR THE LIBYAN PEOPLE WILL BEGIN AS THEIR COUNTRY DEVOLS INTO BECOMING A "PARIAH STATE" [Cold War-era "Rogue State" = Terror Sponsor?] ONCE AGAIN???

Posted by JosephMendiola 2011-03-14 21:07|| 2011-03-14 21:07|| Front Page Top

23:50 USN,Ret
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