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 …

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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 …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 10, 2011

Obama’s Guantanamo About-Face

President Obama's promise to close Guantanamo may be a casualty of the "Arab spring." Hypothesis: President Obama's promise to close Guantanamo is a casualty of the "Arab spring." As Eli Lake notes in a characteristically in-depth report here , the Obama administration has transferred about 67 …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday March 8, 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…

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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. …

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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 …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday March 3, 2011

Europe's Coming Refugee Crisis

The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. Already, 5,000 Tunisians have attempted to migrate to Italy since …

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Written by David Frum on Saturday February 26, 2011

What Does Bahrain's Turmoil Mean for Iran?

The West's response to the protests in Bahrain should be guided by one test: Will our decisions bring us closer to - or further from - democracy in Iran? Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf, connected by a causeway to Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has been swept by protests against the …

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Written by David Frum on Saturday February 19, 2011