Top of the Agenda: NATO to Command No-Fly Zone NATO officials agreed to assume command of the Libya no-fly zone (BBC) from the United States, a handover that could come as soon as this weekend. All twenty-eight NATO members agreed to the shift, including Turkey, which had opposed coalition targeting of Libyan ground forces. According to NATO leadership, the mandate included only maintenance of the no-fly zone and not airstrikes on loyalist ground assets (al-Jazeera), which continue to be the charge of the United States, France, and the UK. Further talks are scheduled over the weekend to consider whether NATO should take on this expanded role. A decision is expected by Monday. The United Arab Emirates (NYT) agreed to commit its warplanes to air patrols over Libya, in what experts say is a coveted victory for an allied coalition "anxious" for Arab support. Coalition aircraft continued to bombard Qaddafi forces (WSJ) around the town of Ajdabiya, but have been unable to break the siege on the key western city of Misurata. According to the Financial Times, European allies have been responsible for three-quarters of no-fly patrols, while U.S. forces have concentrated their strikes on Qaddafi's ground forces and supporting infrastructure. However, U.S. military officials say that fears of collateral damage have prevented attacks on regime assets within cities. Analysis: This CFR Analysis Brief looks at how intervention in Libya has been justified by the "responsibility to protect" doctrine. But debate is growing over whether Libya meets the criteria, and the mission's success is challenged by lack of clarity on objectives. This op-ed for the Moscow Times discusses how Russia's decision to abstain on the UN Security Council resolution on Libya, rather than vote no, demonstrates that Moscow's foreign policy is shaped by its vital interest in maintaining good relations with both the EU and the United States. The U.S. and European allies face increasing questions about the extent of their air bombardment of the Libyan regime's forces. This Analysis Brief notes that broader regional unrest, especially in Yemen, also poses troubles for policymakers. Background: The brutality of the Qaddafi regime and the subsequent debate over a no-fly zone has again spotlighted the UN's "responsibility to protect" doctrine. This CFR Backgrounder examines the dilemma of humanitarian intervention. The UN Security Council resolution regarding Libya was passed on March 17, 2011. Multimedia: This interactive timeline from the Guardian details steps taken by seventeen countries in the Mideast and North Africa toward regime change. |