*** Official Libya In-Game Thread ***

[ssmith general]

Actions in Iraq changed arguably the most influential state in the region to take its first steps toward a more real form of democracy.  Much like the US revolution, the desire for change seems to be in the early stages of sweeping the entire region. 

^^^THIS^^^

A lot of people also tend to forget that we now have the most dangerous country in the area, Iran, surrounded.

[che boludo]

Actions in Iraq changed arguably the most influential state in the region to take its first steps toward a more real form of democracy.  Much like the US revolution, the desire for change seems to be in the early stages of sweeping the entire region. 

^^^THIS^^^

A lot of people also tend to forget that we now have the most dangerous country in the area, Iran, surrounded.

I agree with the surrounded portion, but Iran is only acting out because we are in Iraq.  The majority of the Arab nations hate Iran.  They are the largest Shia dominated state and are distinctly different in heritage, language, and culture from other Arab nations.  Iraq's population is dominated by a Shia majority as well which was oppressed for many years by the Sunnis minority in charge.  The "civil war" was nothing more than foreign fighters on either side of the ideological factions of Isalm fighting for control in Iraq.

The Iranians backed the Shia majority and the Sunni's supported the former regime loyalists.  Both groups of foreign fighters had a common enemy in the US/western world's influences but neither wanted to cede control of the most productive nation (in terms of natural resources other than oil).  The key successes we achieved in the "surge" operations of 2007 were to target the foreign fighter influence while striking a balance to support a distrustful Shia majority (to offer an opportunity of support from sources other than Iran).

Those efforts caused a successful cessation of major activities which lasted long enough to re-install adequate security forces and give the Iraqis the best chance of withstanding the foreign influences and becoming their own nation.

So, I wouldn't agree that Iran is the most powerful nation.  They are simply the one in the best position to be be belligerent as they know we are not willing/capable of starting another war which may unify the extremist elements of the Shia and Sunni sects against the coalition forces thus threatening a delicate peace that is emerging in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia is the key player in the region for many reasons, but money, prestige, and influence lead the list.  They are a key ally in a very Machiavellian sense.

[ssmith general]

So who would you say is the most 'dangerous'?

[BAMAWV]

So who would you say is the most 'dangerous'?

Iran may not be able to hit downtown Dothan with a nuke, but they can certainly send suitcases in all directions.

[che boludo]

So who would you say is the most 'dangerous'?

None are real threats in the traditional sense of nation to nation threats.  

Our biggest concerns to safety reside in the support of and interconnection of extremist cells who are common to all (as they are truly worldwide in nature).  Our successes/failures in the GWOT still reside in our ability to ID and successfully target those cells, their key areas of operations, funding/support through diplomatic, covert, and military methods.

Personally, I think the lawless, islamic extremist safe haven that Somalia represents has become a huge threat to those operations as it is difficult to access the region and use cooperative means to develop intelligence to defeat those cells of activity.

Pakistan's continued and increased cooperation is most critical at this point toward success in Afghanistan.

Iran is a rogue state, but I truly think the winds of change are beginning to take root which will force the continuation of movements to challenge the existing authorities.  The test will come in the UN/NATO's resolve to support those national movements of change or let the existing powers squash the resistance.  The Internet is a powerful tool for information.  It will be the youth movements in these countries that decide if they will continue to settle for the status quo which has kept them entrenched in poverty, conflict, and third world conditions in spite of the regions monopoly on the world's most precious resource.  

[BAMAWV]

So who would you say is the most 'dangerous'?

None are real threats in the traditional sense of nation to nation threats.  

Our biggest concerns to safety reside in the support of and interconnection of extremist cells who are common to all (as they are truly worldwide in nature).  Our successes/failures in the GWOT still reside in our ability to ID and successfully target those cells, their key areas of operations, funding/support through diplomatic, covert, and military methods.

Personally, I think the lawless, islamic extremist safe haven that Somalia represents has become a huge threat to those operations as it is difficult to access the region and use cooperative means to develop intelligence to defeat those cells of activity.

Pakistan's continued and increased cooperation is most critical at this point toward success in Afghanistan.

Iran is a rogue state, but I truly think the winds of change are beginning to take root which will force the continuation of movements to challenge the existing authorities.  The test will come in the UN/NATO's resolve to support those national movements of change or let the existing powers squash the resistance.  The Internet is a powerful tool for information.  It will be the youth movements in these countries that decide if they will continue to settle for the status quo which has kept them entrenched in poverty, conflict, and third world conditions in spite of the regions monopoly on the world's most precious resource.  

Would Israel agree?

[che boludo]

So who would you say is the most 'dangerous'?

None are real threats in the traditional sense of nation to nation threats.  

Our biggest concerns to safety reside in the support of and interconnection of extremist cells who are common to all (as they are truly worldwide in nature).  Our successes/failures in the GWOT still reside in our ability to ID and successfully target those cells, their key areas of operations, funding/support through diplomatic, covert, and military methods.

Personally, I think the lawless, islamic extremist safe haven that Somalia represents has become a huge threat to those operations as it is difficult to access the region and use cooperative means to develop intelligence to defeat those cells of activity.

Pakistan's continued and increased cooperation is most critical at this point toward success in Afghanistan.

Iran is a rogue state, but I truly think the winds of change are beginning to take root which will force the continuation of movements to challenge the existing authorities.  The test will come in the UN/NATO's resolve to support those national movements of change or let the existing powers squash the resistance.  The Internet is a powerful tool for information.  It will be the youth movements in these countries that decide if they will continue to settle for the status quo which has kept them entrenched in poverty, conflict, and third world conditions in spite of the regions monopoly on the world's most precious resource.  

Would Israel agree?

Israel is a protected state for all intensive purposes.  Their greatest threats are terroist in nature as well.  Any nation that would choose a nuclear option against Israel would be commiting suicide as the western powers of the world would destroy them. 

So, yes, as a traditional force on force singular threat.  I do not feel Israel feels that any singular nation is a threat to them militarily.  That nation's support of terrorist activities that may threaten Israel's people is a different story and a VERY real threat, but that does not fit the intent of my "traditional" sense of a threat on a nation to nation warfare status.

For that matter, Iran does not have nuclear options to provide support and I'd make a guess that any real money men to provide that type of support to destroy Israel would come from elsewhere in the region (referring to much wealthier nations). 

Pakistan's nuclear capability and continued danger of armed conflict with India make them a much more real threat in the area IMO if they should become an unstable nation.

[Crimson Phoenix]

Uncle Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi has been waving to his people from the front porch.  Looks like he may be around for a while....and the war too.

Not sure what to think at this point.

[ricky023]

He is going to be waving and he will be taken out by the CIA or some underground force I think. I don't think it will be a military cause it would be to much Media. RTR!

[ssmith general]

Qaddafi Forces Roll Back as Rebels Try to Organize

BENGHAZI, Libya –  NATO ships began patrolling off Libya's coast Wednesday as airstrikes, missiles and energized rebels forced Muammar Qaddafi's tanks to roll back from two key western cities, including one that was the hometown of army officers who tried to overthrow him in 1993.

Libya's opposition took haphazard steps to form a government in the east, as they and the U.S.-led force protecting them girded for prolonged and costly fighting. Despite disorganization among the rebels — and confusion over who would ultimately run the international operation — coalition airstrikes and missiles seemed to thwart Qaddafi's efforts to rout his opponents, at least for now.

Anti-aircraft fire lit up the sky in Tripoli late Wednesday, and explosions could be heard.

Coalition aircraft hit a fuel depot in Tripoli, a senior government official told reporters in a late-night news conference. Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim at first denied reports that Qaddafi's compound in Tripoli was hit earlier, then bactracked and said he had no information about that. Other targets Wednesday were near Benghazi and Misrata, he said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged there is no clear end to the international military enforcement of the no-fly zone over Libya, but President Barack Obama said it "absolutely" will not lead to a U.S. land invasion.

Read more: Click here for link

[ricky023]

I don't think Iran is that dangerous, because if they had a Nuclear Warhead they would have used it. Libya is the same way. RTR!

[BAMAWV]

A STRATFOR chart showed every energy and oil installation in Libya, offshore and on. Every one is a European-owned entity. This is no more a humanitarian mission than a mission to save the animals and the pets of Libya. This is about European energy, pure and simple.

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