Overview for libya

Does Obama Prefer a Qaddafi Victory?

The White House has moved slowly on Libya. Does Obama genuinely want to see Qaddafi toppled or has he decided that America is better off with his regime in place? The Obama administration has moved slowly on Libya. My latest CNN column asks: has the White House decided America will be better off …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 14, 2011

Questions for Libya Non-Interventionists

George Will posed some questions for those arguing for the U.S. to intervene in Libya. But those skeptical about intervention also have some tough questions to consider. George Will posed some questions for Libya interventionists the other day. Here are some questions for non-interventionist…

Written by David Frum on Friday March 11, 2011

Is Sarko's Libya Response a Domestic Power Play?

Sarkozy has received praise for recognizing Libya's opposition. But the move may have been made with domestic political concerns in mind. French President Nicolas Sarkozy's recognition of the Libyan opposition as the new legitimate government has received much attention. However, the decision may …

Written by Jean Granville on Friday March 11, 2011

On Libya: Europe Leads, Obama Stalls

There's a striking paradox over the response to Libya: those with the will to act (France) don't have the means; those with the means (the US) don't have the will. Here's text of a statement from the French government on Libya. It raises a striking paradox about Libya: those who have the will to …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 10, 2011

Qaddafi's Real Fear: A War Crimes Trial

Are fears of facing an International Criminal Court trial for human rights violations pushing Qaddafi and his sons to cling to power? It used to be, in the bad old days of the 20 th Century, that when the time came for tin-pot dictators to be replaced, they fled to some accommodating country …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 10, 2011

Why Obama Must Intervene in Libya

Obama is wrestling with whether or not to intervene in Libya. One consideration should top his thinking: What message will it send if Qaddafi survives? President Barack Obama is wrestling with a decision whether or not to intervene in Libya. Here is a consideration that should top the president…

Written by David Frum on Monday March 7, 2011

The Qaddafis' Austrian Connection

As Western nations move to crack down on his assets, authorities are taking a closer look at Qaddafi's long-standing ties and investments in Austria. As Qaddafi continues to cling to power, Washington, Bern and Brussels have initiated a hunt for his assets, freezing accounts were they can. …

Written by Robin Tim Weis on Saturday March 5, 2011

Let Libyans Fight Their Own Revolution

A Canadian warship carrying special forces is joining an allied flotilla off Libya. Any actions other than evacuating foreign civilians though will be a mistake. Right now a Canadian warship – HMCS Charlottetown -- is heading for the Mediterranean to join an allied flotilla off Libya. It …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 3, 2011

Lobbyists Cashed in on Qaddafi

In an important piece today, David Corn looks more closely at Qaddafi's Western enablers. Guess what? They weren't working for free. David Corn has more today on Qaddafi's Western enablers. And guess what? They weren't working for free. Libya hired Monitor group, a Boston-based consulting …

Written by David Frum on Thursday March 3, 2011

Judgment Day for Qaddafi's Rights Record

Until the Libyan rebellion began, the world had no trouble shaking Qaddafi's hand and tolerating, if not condoning, his homicidal eccentricities. On Sunday, the Toronto Star ran a headline “Human Rights Council burnished Libya’s image.” Wrong, wrong, wrong. A more accurate headline …

Written by Peter Worthington on Monday February 28, 2011

Where Were Qaddafi's Critics All This Time?

Switzerland has frozen Qaddafi's assets and human rights groups are urging intervention. But where were they a month ago when Qaddafi was just as heinous? It's been a bad 24 hours for Mu'ammar al-Qadhdhāfi (as Daniel Pipes tells us to spell the name): The Obama administration has urged that …

Written by David Frum on Thursday February 24, 2011

Obama Heads for Foreign Policy Disaster

Despite the domestic focus of these early months of his presidency, Barack Obama thinks of himself as a foreign policy thinker above all, according to those who know him best. His confidence is undiminished by his lack of experience and credentials, and that confidence continues to flourish despite …

Written by David Frum on Thursday September 17, 2009

The Lockerbie Bomber Story Continues to Unravel

The release of the Lockerbie bomber looks increasingly like a deceitful connivance between the British, the Scots and the Libyans. Meanwhile on this side of the Atlantic, an uncurious American press has accepted the Obama administration's account at face value. But given the level of lying in …

Written by David Frum on Sunday September 6, 2009

The Headlines Review

Napoleon Linardatos presents a humorous take on today's headlines. Napoleon Linardatos presents a humorous take on today’s headlines. “As Internet Booms, the Postal Service Fights Back” - New York Times , 08.28.09 The U.S. Postal Service plans to start its own email …

Written by Napoleon Linardatos on Sunday August 30, 2009

Megrahi's Release: Another Shoe Drops

A news report today suggests that while the Obama administration was opposed to the release of al-Megrahi, it made clear that it was open to compromise - such as house arrest in Scotland - rather than implacably opposed, period. The yielding attitude of the Obama administration seems to have …

Written by David Frum on Sunday August 30, 2009

Gaddafi's Son: Bomber's Release No Surprise to U.S. & U.K.

Some telling comments from Gaddafi's son today in the Glasgow Herald . He anticipates deals between Libya and London, declares Lockerbie bomber Megrahi "an innocent man" and claims that the U.S. knew well in advance about Megrahi's release. Some telling comments from Gaddafi's son today in …

Written by Sean Linnane on Friday August 28, 2009

Qaddafi's Gift to Obama

My latest column in The Week tries to analyze what we know - and what we have yet to learn - about the release of the convicted Lockerbie bomber. Luckily for President Obama, nobody is asking many questions on this side of the Atlantic. Or more exactly: nobody is asking any of the questions that …

Written by David Frum on Thursday August 27, 2009