American planes should not be used to enforce the UN's no fly zone in Libya

[Rage for Order]

I think the member nations of the UN are expecting the US to take the lead in establishing the NFZ over Libya. Why is that? Why shouldn't Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China and other member nations of the UN use their jets to establish and enforce the NFZ? The US can provide logistical support - air traffic control, radar, communications. It's time for somebody else to step up. France lobbied really hard for the NFZ; let them take the lead.

[Joe the Revelator]

1. Because, quite frankly, we're better at it..

[Rage for Order]

3. Libya's air force is weak

A combination of British, French, German, and Canadian forces could handle the job with ease. We should sit this one out.

[ReturnoftheDjedi]

2. Canadian F18s are en route

[oberliner]

4. Britain and France are taking the lead

As much as they can anyway.

[Berserker]

9. Good for them

fuck what repuckes think of France.

[joshcryer]

5. The US isn't going to be that involved by all accounts I've seen so far.

[inademv]

6. It's mostly a question of who has the biggest and best

jets to get the job done with secondary concern to the physical location and logistics of using particular jets. IIRC the most advanced jet in the Libyan Air Force is the Mirage 2000 which is a slight step above the American made F-15 Fighter.

Honestly I don't see why the other countries involved in the decision and backing the action wouldn't involve themselves but given our substantially higher military budget I dare say that we are better positioned to enforce the no-fly zone.

[applegrove]

7. Does anyone in the Arab League have jets? Cause they should be involved.

[oberliner]

12. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have the most fighter jets

I doubt they will get involved in that way though.

[Quixote1818]

8. According to this, the British and French are making the first strikes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2011/03/airstrikes_on_libya_could_comm.html

Snip> I am told the first strikes will be unilateral ones by British and French aircraft. They could be in the air within hours. It is likely five Arab air forces will take part. Hillary Clinton has said it will mean bombing Libyan air defences. Nato will step up if asked but could take a while.

[jp11]

10. Why is that? We are Team America world police always first to put our money and men

up when 'combat operations' are on the table.

We run the largest military budget in the world many times over most other countries must be some reason for that right, world police.

[HEyHEY]

11. Well, China, Germany, Russia all abstained from voting.

I'm all for the others doing it.