Article

2011-02-27 Africa North

US military advisers in Cyrenaica. Qaddafi's loses his air force

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Posted by gorb 2011-02-27 03:23|| || Front Page|| [2 views ] Top

#1 Don't forget that Egypt and Libya fought a brief border war back in 77. The Egyptians rolled across the border, but not very deep, in response to Kadaffy's provocations, as well as support for a plan to assassinate Sadat (Daffy was pissed at Sadat about the peace treaty with Israel). They thumped Libya pretty good.

Yes, I am an old spook, I remember things like that.

Posted by OldSpook 2011-02-27 11:10|| 2011-02-27 11:10|| Front Page Top

#2 I remember that as well.

I put the salt pic in the text because the source is Debka. The US putting advisers into Libya? It could happen, I suppose, but it would require Obama to make a decision, something he isn't too good at. Perhaps Mr. Gates leaned on him some, or Gates and Hilde did a little tag team.

Not saying it couldn't be true, and if true I don't want all this blabbed all over the New York Times tomorrow, but I'm a little skeptical.

Posted by Steve White 2011-02-27 11:38|| 2011-02-27 11:38|| Front Page Top

#3 If, if, if this is true it is a big mistake. I'd give debkafile a weak F6.

Posted by Besoeker 2011-02-27 13:28|| 2011-02-27 13:28|| Front Page Top

#4 It is one of those situations that "If it isn't true, it should be."

If for no other reason than to quietly protect the oil infrastructure from destruction by anybody, so that it can be turned over to whoever wins. Saddam made a huge pain in ass by blowing up Kuwait's oil wells.

The foreign forces could also send any loyal Libyan military elements radio signals advising them that the game is pretty well over, so they shouldn't foul up and do something stupid, that would get a lot of them killed and their officers hung. Essentially, "go ahead and defend your base, but do not go slaughtering your own people."

Included in this batch I can imagine a lot of serious snipers as well, to do counter sniping in the cities, as needed.

Lastly, to establish a covert "beachhead", for various purposes, including the evacuation of foreigners, and the flow of weaponry and supply. Making friends with the people at this time could pay handsome dividends later.

These, and lots of other reasons.

Posted by Anonymoose 2011-02-27 14:44|| 2011-02-27 14:44|| Front Page Top

#5 Clinton says we're reaching out to the opposition leaders in the eastern area. 'Reaching out' wasn't defined in detail.

Posted by lotp 2011-02-27 17:56|| 2011-02-27 17:56|| Front Page Top

#6 Probably much in the way blind people reach out for points of reference.

Anyway, you gotta love the 'Burg. You realease an article, and when you check back on it, it has already found a picture and some appropriate snark. :-)

Posted by gorb 2011-02-27 19:02|| 2011-02-27 19:02|| Front Page Top

#7 Moose, I usually agree with the way you think but I think you're missing one point about paying off dividends. Arabs don't see things that way - if they did where is all the discount Iraq oil and Iraqi - American oil contracts. The lybians will take the assistance and then auction their gains to the highest bidder. I've given up on the lot of them.

Posted by Hellfish 2011-02-27 19:35|| 2011-02-27 19:35|| Front Page Top

#8 Silent naval blockade and no-fly zone, just telling those who need to know. Iranians in the Sahel make an interesting target, perhaps for the Nigerians with a little help.

Posted by Halliburton - Mysterious Conspiracy Division 2011-02-27 22:29|| 2011-02-27 22:29|| Front Page Top

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