The Coalition of the Unwilling has finally hammered out an agreement. NATO is expected to take over command of the war after 48 hours.
There is apparently going to be what was referred to as a 'two-tiered structure', giving NATo command and control of military operations, which include an arms embargo, no-fly zone and "civilian protection".
The second structure is based on NATO's International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan, and will partner NATO and non-NATO countries, including the Arab League and African Union, to "steer" strategy.
What thet translates into in plain English is that Britain, France and especially the US will supply almost all of the hardware and personnel and assume almost all of the cost while the UN and the Arab League get a voice and a veto on any strategy.
It's unclear whether US forces will now be under foreign command,but I would think it's likely.
There's a compound word for this situation of which the first part is cluster, but I will let my readers draw their own conclusions. This is gong to be war by committee.
The deal was brokered by the Brits after France and Turkey's interaction degenerated into threats and name-calling. The French were adamantly opposed to giving NATO control, and in return the Turks accused them of being "crusaders" plotting to grab Libya's oil.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's Islamist Prime Minister came up with this gem:
"I wish that those who only see oil, gold mines and underground treasures when they look in that direction, would see the region through glasses of conscience from now on."
The Brits have also changed their minds, and are now saying that the coalition will not stray beyond the UN resolution by personally targeting Muammar Khaddaffi.
"It is very important we don't go beyond that in any way," he said.
So..how are they planning on ending this again?
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