Chief Tango sends us a link to the New York Times which, thanks to anonymous sources, lays out the pentagon’s strategy for fighting ISIS in Libya.
Airstrikes against as many as 30 to 40 targets in four areas of the country would aim to deal a crippling blow to the Islamic State’s most dangerous affiliate outside of Iraq and Syria, and open the way for Western-backed Libyan militias to battle Islamic State fighters on the ground. Allied bombers would carry out additional airstrikes to support the militias on the ground. The military option was described by five American officials who have been briefed on the plans and spoke about them on the condition of anonymity because of their confidential nature.
[…]
Indeed, the reason so many military officials were willing to discuss classified war planning, including the option of aggressive airstrikes, was to show that the administration was taking the ISIS threat in Libya seriously. At the same time, though, the administration hopes to show that it is exercising restraint…
I’ll bet that by the time they get around to launching these airstrikes, the targets will have fewer targets. I’m also prretty sure that any of these “military officials” have any military rank attached to their names.
CNN reports that B-52 bombers are being moved into position near the war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq next month.
The bombers would deploy in April to take part in the air campaign against ISIS, according to Air Force Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, who announced the deployment while speaking at the Air Warfare Symposium 2016 in Orlando, Florida, in February.
It looks to me like the Pentagon and the White House are hoping to make the Democrat party appear as if they’re serious about prosecuting the war against terrorists and ISIS in the months leading up to the election.
Always thought it interesting whenever talk of retiring the “obsolete” A10 is brought up, the B52 isn’t.
I heard the BUFFs are going to food stamps, absentee ballots with a democratic candidate selected, an airplane ticket to Europe or the US and a hand written apology letter written by the CiC.
I could not verify the source and information before press time.
‘Looks like I don’t verb so good. …community college…
Why aren’t we reading about this after the fact, like yesterday’s strike in Somalia?
This all a dog and pony show. Feb 25th there was a WH meeting where Pentagonals delivered the options package requested by the WH. Immediately thereafter, the NYT gets the story and it is fairly overwhelmed by the number of sources that are calling to talk but remain, ahem, anonymous. Give me a break.
Un. Fuggin’. Believable.
Officials anonymously spoke about the confidential plan as proof the administration is taking the threat in Libya seriously. (Whatever happened to OPSEC? I guess DoD still ascribes to announcing offensive plans to the media).
IIRC, I recall reading some time ago that ISIS established a foothold in that country during the late summer of 2014 (if not earlier).
Obviously an election year.
An Imagined Scenario
25 February 2016 New York Times
Editor: “Jeez. Again? Who is it this time? Biden? Don’t answer that. Just tell whoever it is that Schmitt has the assignment and to call him directly!”
Ring tone. “Times. Eric Schmitt speaking.”
“Mr. Schmitt. This is Ms Evans of Treasury Secretary Lew’s office. Will you please hold for the Secretary?”
Schmitt: “I’m sorry, Ms Evans, but if this is about the plan to bomb Libya that was discussed at today’s National Security Council meeting, please tell Secretary Lew that I have all the sources I can use at the moment–and then some.”
Ring tone. “Times. Eric Schmitt speaking.”
“Mr. Schmitt. This is Pete Wilson of Susan Rice’s office. Will you please hold for the Secretary?….Hello? Mr. Schmitt? Are you there?””
So what legal authority is the administration going to use this time in Libya, considering that they didn’t even invoke the War Powers in 2011?
Worrying about pesky things like legality is the mark of the “little people”, L4C. Gets in the way of “Hope and Change”.
How strong were the ISIS militants in Libya before we moved in the last time?
If it appears in the NY Slimes before it occurs, it’s all a sham. They are doing this for political purposes (bolster Shillary!’s chances), not to effectively counter ISIS in Libya or anywhere else. If you telegraph your punch, don’t be surprised if it’s ineffective.
More phony crap from a phony administration.
A little (or a lot of) Arc Light will definitely cure what ails you. I wonder if France will give us overflight rights this time. Go BUFF go!