March 25, 2011 View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website. In this Issue: Obama's 'Poorly Conceived' Libya Intervention A New Lease on Life for Humanitarianism Voices from Inside Japan Obama's 'Poorly Conceived' Libya Intervention President Obama's decision to intervene in Libya is hobbled by poor timing and muddled objectives, but charges that the war is illegal are unfounded, says CFR's James Lindsay. Read more Op-ed: "Libya - Too Much, Too Late" by Richard Haass (Politico) Media Conference Call: "Assessing Military Action in Libya" with Max Boot and Ray Takeyh Op-ed: "United States Must Take Sides to Keep the Arab Spring from Islamist Takeover" by Ray Takeyh (Washington Post) Article: "The Horrible Libya Hypocrisies" by Leslie Gelb (Daily Beast) Op-ed: "What Is the U.S. Plan for Libya? A Negotiated End to a Civil War" by Micah Zenko (New York Times) Op-ed: "Planning for a Post-Qaddafi Libya" by Max Boot (New York Times) CFR experts on Libya For continuously updated coverage on the Middle East, view this Issue Guide. A New Lease on Life for Humanitarianism The United States and its coalition partners' decision to enforce a no-fly zone in Libya seemed to be a vindication of the fragile "responsibility to protect" norm, writes Stewart Patrick on ForeignAffairs.com. But just how strengthened "RtoP" will be depends on how well the intervention turns out. Read more First Take: "Libyan Strikes - Clearer Objectives Needed" by Robert Danin Book: How Wars End - Why We Always Fight the Last Battle by Gideon Rose Analysis Brief: Libya and the Responsibility to Protect Foreign Affairs: "What Intervention Looks Like - How the West Can Aid the Libyan Rebels" by Robert Hunter Backgrounder: The dilemma of humanitarian intervention Interactive: Global Governance Monitor - Armed Conflict CFR experts on Humanitarian Intervention Voices from Inside Japan Japan's resilience and strength, along with international assistance, will energize Japan's rebuilding effort, says Sheila Smith. She shares stories from people on the ground on the Asia Program's blog, "Asia Unbound." Read more Interview: "Disaster Relief in a Dangerous World" with Seth Cropsey, Hudson Institute Op-ed: "The Devil We Know" by Michael Levi (Slate) Blog: "Remembering Katrina and Sichuan Amidst Japan's Crisis" by Elizabeth Economy ("Asia Unbound") Op-ed: "The Bank of Japan Averts a Financial Earthquake" by Sebastian Mallaby (Financial Times) Foreign Affairs: "Japan's Rebound - How Unconventional Thinking May Help Japan Recover From Disaster" by Christian Caryl CFR experts on Japan For continuously updated coverage on Japan, view this Issue Guide.   Egypt's Referendum: Nervous Steps Forward Egypt's constitutional referendum passed in the country's fairest polls in decades, but the ability of non-democratic forces gaining advantage is of concern in the next elections, says CFR's Steven Cook in this interview.     New Foreign Affairs Mobile Site Access Foreign Affairs content from your smartphone at the newly launched m.ForeignAffairs.com. There, find a new Snapshot by Annia Ciezadlo's article "Let Them Eat Bread - How Food Subsidies Prevent (and Provoke) Revolutions in the Middle East."     This Week on CFR's YouTube Channel Drawing on lessons from the first and second Gulf Wars, former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft discusses developments in the Middle East, stressing the importance of defining the objectives of coalition efforts in Libya. Watch more videos on CFR's YouTube channel. responsibility to protect     On the CFR Blogs THE WATER'S EDGE James Lindsay discusses the many unknowns in Obama's Libya strategy in today's "Friday File." ASIA UNBOUND Adam Segal writes on China's tightening controls over cyberspace. LATIN AMERICA'S MOMENT Shannon O'Neil discusses the implications of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico's recent resignation. AFRICA IN TRANSITION John Campbell expresses optimism about the prospects of a peaceful vote in Nigeria. FROM THE POTOMAC TO THE EUPHRATES Steven Cook discusses the possibility of revolutionary change in Syria. ENERGY, SECURITY, AND CLIMATE Michael Levi explains acceptable levels of radioactive contamination. GEO-GRAPHICS Graph depicting whether increased renewable energy output can make up for decreased nuclear energy production. Read and weigh in on CFR's expert blogs.     EXPLORE CFR's WEBSITE:     Regions      Issues      Experts     Publications     About CFR Find CFR on Twitter and Facebook. Privacy Policy The Council on Foreign Relations does not share email addresses with third parties. Council on Foreign Relations 58 East 68th Street New York, NY 10065 Tel. +1 212.434.9400 Fax: +1 212.434.9800