The US has struggled with whether to support the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), or General Khalifa Hafter’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA). Russia’s backing for the LNA seems like it is set to shift the US into the former’s camp.
Africom officials say that there is “heightened concern” over Russia supporting the LNA, and that the US is considering deploying trainers to neighboring Tunisia to support the GNA and address security concerns.
Africom chief Gen. Stephen Townsend accused Russia of “trying to tip the scales in its favor,” and that US strategy is to go the other way. It’s not clear that the US had any interest in backing the GNA in the first place, but seemingly it’s just about being contrary to Russia on the matter.
Tunisia’s Defense Ministry had been hoping to have the US send troops to work with them on building up their military, and the US seems to be looking to use that to get adjacent to Libya without actually going into the very dangerous Libyan coastal area.
Libya is perhaps the best example of the United States meddling to help . The no fly zone was about as helpful as burning down America .
Sounds like the marketing boys at Langley are sending out a trial balloon. Will it play in Pretoria ?
Pretoria, the capital of South Africa? I think you mean Peoria.
Bring the troops home. They are needed here.
I hope you don’t mean to quell the riots.
But of course.
Scary thought.
Seeing eight nights of rampage, killing, maiming, and property destruction is scary too.
The military would only add to that. The National Guard should be used for civil disorder. Allowing for the imposition of the Insurrection Act at this point would be premature and can only lead to emboldening the village idiot to use it at the drop of the hat in the future.
At what point in time, if the mayhem continues, would you turn to the Insurrection Act?
When the National guard and the police can no longer handle the job. That hasn’t happened. The military is trained to kill. The others are trained to maintain order although the police seem to have morphed into the military. Maybe it’s all those toys passed down. This will eventually die down. The ramifications for calling out the military for this particular issue could lead to a lot more bloodshed than we’re seeing now.
And the money spent on those troops is badly needed here.
Hasn’t Tunisia turned into a functioning democracy, really the only success story of the Arab Spring? Well so much for that.
I an baffled by functioning democracy. I have no idea what it stands for. If you look at our example, where money always elects those protecting their interests, while shifting all the losses onto taxpayers — is this a functioning democracy? Justice, fairness, rule of law and accountability — selective at best. If Tunisia has achieved any degree of economic justice, preventing the elute from plundering the economy — then they succeeded. As for US — small countries try to appease its aggressive manners by giving in an inch or two. Such as accepting offer of training. Which then expands into another mission altogether.
US dies not know what to do any more. First, did not mind Russia and Egypt helping Heftar. It looked like it can win either way. First, Heftar was useful in getting rid of Ghadafi. Then was told to go away — not needed any more. But the Parliament supported Heftar and they went to Tobruk. US felt secure — asked UN to import National Unity Government via a ship — and forced Tripoli to accept this. It looked like this UN recognized government was going to force Heftar back into retirement. He is US citizen. But then with Egyptian and Russian help, he took Benghazi, reintegrated south and moved close to Tripoli. At that point Trump went on a full fledged charm offensive. He spoke to Heftar, he praised him — and Tripoli, UN recognized government was left to fend for itself. In a really bold move Russia and Turkey proposed a peace conference, with Turkey being now in Tripoli corner — after everybody abandoned them.
We know the outcome of Berlin meeting. Suddenly, the entire West was there — placing nearly hundred conditions to peace deal. That was expected — and plan B is in place. With Turkey backing UN recognized government, US put pressure on Heftar to yield— to accept US conditions and Tripoli would have to fold. He rejected — and in our press articles appeared more or less threatening his family in Virginia. Suddenly, Hetar started losing battles around Tripoli, and US rediscovered interest in UN recognized Tripoli — thus plans to get in from Tunisia!
Now, if Tripoli government needed or desired US military — easily done. US could just come in from the sea, bring whatever troops and armaments. The problem is — Tripoli has now support. If anyone thinks that Turkey just casually strolled into Tripoli without a power support — think twice. Just like in Syria, where Russia and Turkey support different sides, just to get power over them and resolve conflict — this is an exact same scenario. So now, US CANNOT lean on Heftar as his forces cannot take Tripoli. Whether he can or not — is irrelevant, as his appearance of weakness, strengthened Tripoli and Turkey support.
Now, US is shifting gears — blame Russia, and infiltrate Tripoli. Tripoli is in danger of being infiltrated by some odd Islamists — to weaken Tripoli to force them to kneel. That would weaken Turkey’s position. So, Hertar has bern written off AGAIN, and Tripoli is being COERCED into accepting US control.
At this point US us right to blame Russia. Russia now actually controls both sides through Turkey and Egypt. And if no interference happens — can at length unify them.
Thus — interference through Tunisia. And pressure on Turkey.
It will not work — as a PRINCIPAL request Turkey made from UN recognized government is on the maritime borders along Mediterranean shelf.
In short, Turkey is cutting off US-Israeli plan for exporting East Mediterranean gas to Europe via pipeline to Greece. First, Turkey wants to drill in East Med and plans to do it shortly. Israel is letting Cyprus complain, and is staying quiet.
There is a reason — Israel is NOT a signatory to UNCLOS just like US — so it cannot claim EEZ where it currently drills for gas. It does not want to be a signatory as the rights of the neighbors will have to be recognized. But Turkey is going to drill, and take gas via its LAND pipeline, joining other pipelines including Turk Stream from Russia — all Europe bound. Turkey will not allow Israel and US create alternative pipeline to Greece.
So, Turkey’s interest in supporting Tripoli is diametrically opposed to US interest. And since Tripoli is NOT calling for US support — US can only interfere by infiltrating.
Even this is dubious. Plenty of formerly US paid militants who stopped fighting Assad and accepted Turkey’s control. Many of them — specially in Idlib — are fighters that cannot go home fearing prosecution. Thousands accepted Turkey’s jobs in militia and went to Libya. Ironically many ARE from Libya that came into Syria early on when most arms and militants cane from Benghazi. That was CIA mission in Benghazi where US Ambassador was killed.
The plot thickens.