Libya - The End Game

[dune]

Hand to hand fighting now in parts of Tripoli. As yet an accurate reading of the situation is unclear, but the momentum is clearly with the rebels now.

[pap]

Listening to Today on Radio 4. Looks like that bar catching the Colonel, the end game has arrived.

 

I was in the States when this kicked off back in March, and managed to catch one of the 'talking heads' shows on C-SPAN while I was there. The attitude of most of the commentators was that the US had no interests there, shouldn't get involved and that the conflict could go on interminably.

 

With the benefit of five months worth of hindsight, this actually looks like the first justified foreign intervention in the region. For a start, we had the (admittedly shaky) support of the Arab council. Now, it looks like we've strengthened our ties with an Arab nation and have been seen to do the decent thing on the world stage.

 

While I am not a fan of the Conservative party, I do have some grudging respect for the strong position they held from the outset, and the support that has been provided for the rebels throughout.

[Ken Tone]

Listening to Today on Radio 4. Looks like that bar catching the Colonel, the end game has arrived.

 

I was in the States when this kicked off back in March, and managed to catch one of the 'talking heads' shows on C-SPAN while I was there. The attitude of most of the commentators was that the US had no interests there, shouldn't get involved and that the conflict could go on interminably.

 

With the benefit of five months worth of hindsight, this actually looks like the first justified foreign intervention in the region. For a start, we had the (admittedly shaky) support of the Arab council. Now, it looks like we've strengthened our ties with an Arab nation and have been seen to do the decent thing on the world stage.

 

While I am not a fan of the Conservative party, I do have some grudging respect for the strong position they held from the outset, and the support that has been provided for the rebels throughout.

 

I hope you're right mate, but I fear that even after finishing off Gaddafi's followers, which still won't be that easy, the next phase could be very messy. There does not seem to be any stable opposition (the mad colonel stifled that) and there's a real danger of something close to civil war as the various factions try to dominate. There's even danger of a Taliban-like regime.

 

It ain't over yet.

[ecuk268]

I hope you're right mate, but I fear that even after finishing off Gaddafi's followers, which still won't be that easy, the next phase could be very messy. There does not seem to be any stable opposition (the mad colonel stifled that) and there's a real danger of something close to civil war as the various factions try to dominate. There's even danger of a Taliban-like regime.

 

It ain't over yet.

 

Agreed.

 

This is when tribal differences come to the surface. The rebels from the East and West Libya are distinctly different and it'll need a strong leader to hold it all together as The Colonel did.

[bridge too far]

Perhaps it's now time to stop calling them Rebels?

[hutch]

There is something poetic, though, about a man who spent his life supporting and encouraging all sorts of rag-tag rebels around the world being ousted by a bunch of rag-tag rebels, isn't there?

[dubai_phil]

There was a lolage interview yesterday from the Compound on Sky News, some young "Freedom Fighter" had walked into the main building & found himself in The Colonel's bedroom and walked out wearing his Hat, with his big Bling Chain of Office & his Mace. Was a good spot & the lad was actually quite eloquent about the whole thing. Good spot by the Sky crew and also amazing that they (& Beeb & CNN et al) should be in the thick of it so rapidly. Not sure I'd have wanted to be there like that.

 

Now to see if anyone learnt anything from Iraq. What's the rebuild plan people?

[dubai_phil]

Oh and here is one worrying snippet from CNN.

 

The Libyan Army had over 20,000 Shoulder Launched SAM missiles. Now they have none, and the rebels have only accounted for "some".

 

Hmm

[dune]

There is something poetic, though, about a man who spent his life supporting and encouraging all sorts of rag-tag rebels around the world being ousted by a bunch of rag-tag rebels, isn't there?

 

There is something sweet about seeing dictator in fear of his own people.

 

In other news it's not looking good for the journalists trapped in the Rixos hotel, including bbc reporters.

[um pahars]

Agreed.

 

This is when tribal differences come to the surface. The rebels from the East and West Libya are distinctly different and it'll need a strong leader to hold it all together as The Colonel did.

 

Not saying Tito or The Colonel are/were good news, but just as when Tito popped his clogs and the former Yugoslavia fell in to internecine battles, I do fear for Libya. Let's just hope they accept their differences and there is a ccomodation for all.

[dune]

Not saying Tito or The Colonel are/were good news, but just as when Tito popped his clogs and the former Yugoslavia fell in to internecine battles, I do fear for Libya. Let's just hope they accept their differences and there is a ccomodation for all.

 

Don't worry, the Islamists, are waiting to fill the vacum...

 

It's worrying, but one can only hope that we get our way and that we are able to exploit the oil reserves. I have investments i several global oil companies and am hopeful of a favourable resolution.

[Seaford Saint]

Its a good plan.....Europe needs the oil, Libya is their biggest supplier - gadaffi is in the way. Remove the man by arming the rebels, "Advisors" coordinating attacks supported by massive airpower under the guise of a UN mandate so its legal. France arming the rebels.

 

 

Does it matter if civil war breaks out? Not really, as long as we have our oil.

 

Brilliant

 

Operation 4 star...coming to a pump near you

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Don't worry, the Islamists, are waiting to fill the vacum...

 

It's worrying, but one can only hope that we get our way and that we are able to exploit the oil reserves. I have investments i several global oil companies and am hopeful of a favourable resolution.

 

I don't think many people will give a **** about your investments to be honest. Hopefully Libya becomes a fully democratic state with free and fair elections and if the will of the people elects a party that doesn't have the West's greed as it's primary concern then none of us should lose any sleep because after all, this is what we all wanted wasn't it? A Libya free from Gadaffi? Or, much like Iraq, were our true motives hidden from us all along?

Edited 24 August, 2011 by Thorpe-le-Saint

[GenevaSaint]

Don't worry, the Islamists, are waiting to fill the vacum...

 

It's worrying, but one can only hope that we get our way and that we are able to exploit the oil reserves. I have investments i several global oil companies and am hopeful of a favourable resolution.

 

Only a matter of time before Dune made it self centered. You sir are a ******.

[dune]

I don't think many people will give a **** about your investments to be honest. Hopefully Libya becomes a fully democratic state with free and fair elections and if the will of the people elects a party that doesn't have the West's greed as it's primary concern then none of us should lose any sleep because after all, this is what we all wanted wasn't it? A Libya free from Gadaffi? Or, much like Iraq, were our true motives hidden from us all along?

 

You might not realise this, but most pension funds have equities in oil companies. Therefore it is in everyones interest that we fully exploit the situation. Your naivity to the ways of the world is staggering.

[Verbal]

Don't worry, the Islamists, are waiting to fill the vacum...

 

It's worrying, but one can only hope that we get our way and that we are able to exploit the oil reserves. I have investments i several global oil companies and am hopeful of a favourable resolution.

 

You only have 'investments' in that brilliant company that discovered water off the Falkland Islands. Stop pretending you're some investment magnate sweeping his invisible hand across international events. It's silly.

[dune]

You only have 'investments' in that brilliant company that discovered water off the Falkland Islands. Stop pretending you're some investment magnate sweeping his invisible hand across international events. It's silly.

 

That's news to me, but who am I to argue with Verbal.

[This Charming Man]

Its a good plan.....Europe needs the oil, Libya is their biggest supplier - gadaffi is in the way. Remove the man by arming the rebels, "Advisors" coordinating attacks supported by massive airpower under the guise of a UN mandate so its legal. France arming the rebels.

 

 

Does it matter if civil war breaks out? Not really, as long as we have our oil.

 

Brilliant

 

Operation 4 star...coming to a pump near you

 

And the oil companies arming Gadaffi, keep the war raging a bit longer and keep the price of oil up.

 

I do love conspiracy theories...

[um pahars]

Don't worry, the Islamists, are waiting to fill the vacum...

 

It's worrying, but one can only hope that we get our way and that we are able to exploit the oil reserves. I have investments i several global oil companies and am hopeful of a favourable resolution.

 

Investments. LMFAO.

 

A couple of hundred sprinkled here and there does not equate to an "investment"!

 

Reading some of your share dealing posts reminded me of my nephews playing Risk!

 

Go and find me a Rhodesia video

[Verbal]

Its a good plan.....Europe needs the oil, Libya is their biggest supplier - gadaffi is in the way. Remove the man by arming the rebels, "Advisors" coordinating attacks supported by massive airpower under the guise of a UN mandate so its legal. France arming the rebels.

 

 

Does it matter if civil war breaks out? Not really, as long as we have our oil.

 

Brilliant

 

Operation 4 star...coming to a pump near you

 

The problem with this is that the one thing that interrupts the flow of oil the most is civil war. So on this argument, it would be against Europe's interests to destabilise Gaddafi. But when did Europe ever manage to do anything by way of an aggressive foreign policy?

Edited 24 August, 2011 by Verbal

[Seaford Saint]

The problem with this is that the one thing that interrupts the flow of oil the most is civil war. So on this argument, it would be against Europe's interests to destabilise Gaddafi. But when did Europe ever manage to do anything by way of an aggressive foreign policy?

 

Only temporarily Verbal. Give it 3 months and the oil will flow and end up on our forecourts. Whover said that this is a conspiracy theory only needs to check out the facts..freely available.

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

You might not realise this, but most pension funds have equities in oil companies. Therefore it is in everyones interest that we fully exploit the situation. Your naivity to the ways of the world is staggering.

 

So what if they do? The price of oil keeps reaching record highs they'll be fine if for once the West didn't cast it's all-knowing shadow over the Middle East. This is the 'naivity' you mention: my constant hope that for just once, the West would stop being a right bunch of ****s.

 

By Christmas I imagine that Libya would have held elections, the West won't accept them and we'll fund another bloody civil war to get the 'oil-friendly' guy into power - probably someone in the mould of Batista I reckon.

Edited 24 August, 2011 by Thorpe-le-Saint

[View From The Top]

Don't worry, the Islamists, are waiting to fill the vacum...

 

It's worrying, but one can only hope that we get our way and that we are able to exploit the oil reserves. I have investments i several global oil companies and am hopeful of a favourable resolution.

 

With your record in the markets and your reading of events I'd suggest that those oil companies will soon be bankrupt.

 

How are your HMV shares?

[dune]

Investments. LMFAO.

 

A couple of hundred sprinkled here and there does not equate to an "investment"!

 

Reading some of your share dealing posts reminded me of my nephews playing Risk!

 

Go and find me a Rhodesia video

 

lol, this coming from the wannabe chairman that spunked hundreds on 1885 shares in SLH. Just think of all those quiz nights you could have had.

[dune]

With your record in the markets and your reading of events I'd suggest that those oil companies will soon be bankrupt.

 

How are your HMV shares?

 

We can't all be high flying ebay powersellers.

[um pahars]

lol, this coming from the wannabe chairman that spunked hundreds on 1885 shares in SLH. Just think of all those quiz nights you could have had.

 

Probably more spent than your oil company investments. Gordon Dune Gekko and his take on middle east economics me up!!!

 

Pure comedy value

[View From The Top]

We can't all be high flying ebay powersellers.

 

Which is why I make way more money with my investments (Adidas and John Smedley at the moment) than you do with yours.

 

Try it, way better returns than playing the markets.

[um pahars]

 

Try it, way better returns than playing the markets.

 

Playing being the operative word. LOL.

 

I love listening to the world according to Dune and his ramblings on Rhodesia, Churchill, Islamists et al. Great comedic value!!

[Thedelldays]

Only temporarily Verbal. Give it 3 months and the oil will flow and end up on our forecourts. Whover said that this is a conspiracy theory only needs to check out the facts..freely available.

 

good

[Thedelldays]

So what if they do? The price of oil keeps reaching record highs they'll be fine if for once the West didn't cast it's all-knowing shadow over the Middle East. This is the 'naivity' you mention: my constant hope that for just once, the West would stop being a right bunch of ****s.

 

By Christmas I imagine that Libya would have held elections, the West won't accept them and we'll fund another bloody civil war to get the 'oil-friendly' guy into power - probably someone in the mould of Batista I reckon.

bet you are happy to use said oil though are you not..?

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

bet you are happy to use said oil though are you not..?

 

Using oil is a necessity of modern living as you well know. I'm not happy about using it, give it another 5-6 years when my salary finally reaches £30k plus and I'll be buying myself some hybrid motor.

[Thedelldays]

Using oil is a necessity of modern living as you well know. I'm not happy about using it, give it another 5-6 years when my salary finally reaches £30k plus and I'll be buying myself some hybrid motor.

 

you could take your moral stance in live in the trees.....

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

you could take your moral stance in live in the trees.....

 

I hope the defence cuts don't see you out of a job because you'd be ****e at stand-up

[um pahars]

bet you are happy to use said oil though are you not..?

 

We regularly fill up at the recycled chip shop fat place just under the bridge. Quite a bit cheaper and you get to play the "guess whose restaurant's waste I'm smelling" game.

 

My hands are clean.

[dune]

Which is why I make way more money with my investments (Adidas and John Smedley at the moment) than you do with yours.

 

Try it, way better returns than playing the markets.

 

I've sold the odd bit of silver and made good profits, but can't be arsed with it. spending ages taking pic, adding a description and putting the add together,waiting for payment, wrapping things up, trips to the post office, and then the awkward customers that want their money back. not for me but good luck to you if you enjoy it.

[dune]

Playing being the operative word. LOL.

 

I love listening to the world according to Dune and his ramblings on Rhodesia, Churchill, Islamists et al. Great comedic value!!

 

I can laugh at myself, you on the other hand can't and you're not remotely funny. I remember you flouncing off in a paddy not so long back.

[View From The Top]

I've sold the odd bit of silver and made good profits, but can't be arsed with it. spending ages taking pic, adding a description and putting the add together,waiting for payment, wrapping things up, trips to the post office, and then the awkward customers that want their money back. not for me but good luck to you if you enjoy it.

 

I reckon it takes me 5mins per listing in terms of pics, editing and listing (template to make it easy) and I operate my main account at a median average net profit of 75%.

 

Once you know what you're doing it's easy money and it beats leaving the money in an ISA at a pathetic rate on interest.

[um pahars]

it beats leaving the money in an ISA at a pathetic rate on interest.

 

Aha, but you're forgetting Bud "Dune" Fox doesn't just let it sit in an ISA, instead he is actively scouring the markets for the next investment opportunity.

 

"There's no nobility in poverty" (I haven't got a video for that though).

[Johnny Bognor]

I reckon it takes me 5mins per listing in terms of pics, editing and listing (template to make it easy) and I operate my main account at a median average net profit of 75%.

 

Once you know what you're doing it's easy money and it beats leaving the money in an ISA at a pathetic rate on interest.

 

There's hope for you yet. Despite your left wing leanings, you show some entrepreneurial flair, which is rare in the teaching profession.

 

In fact, my 15 year old 2nd cousin was suspended from school in Bury back in June for the henious crime of selling individual packs of crisps from multi-packs to his school mates. When challenged, the head teacher didn't have a problem with him breaking up multipacks (which retailers aren't allowed to do), he was suspended for making a profit.

 

FFS he should have been rewarded not penalised he for his endeavours. Shame those in academia can't encourage creativity, flair, common sense and nouse, but you don't get a certificate for that.

[View From The Top]

There's hope for you yet. Despite your left wing leanings, you show some entrepreneurial flair, which is rare in the teaching profession.

 

In fact, my 15 year old 2nd cousin was suspended from school in Bury back in June for the henious crime of selling individual packs of crisps from multi-packs to his school mates. When challenged, the head teacher didn't have a problem with him breaking up multipacks (which retailers aren't allowed to do), he was suspended for making a profit.

 

FFS he should have been rewarded not penalised he for his endeavours. Shame those in academia can't encourage creativity, flair, common sense and nouse, but you don't get a certificate for that.

 

Bless, so bitter it's painful.

[dune]

Aha, but you're forgetting Bud "Dune" Fox doesn't just let it sit in an ISA, instead he is actively scouring the markets for the next investment opportunity.

 

"There's no nobility in poverty" (I haven't got a video for that though).

 

You come across as a right dime bar.

[dune]

Reports that Gadaffi is cornered with some of his sons in an apartment block 2 km from his compound. UK Defence secretary will not confirm on deny that the SAS are involved.

[Verbal]

Reports that Gadaffi is cornered with some of his sons in an apartment block 2 km from his compound. UK Defence secretary will not confirm on deny that the SAS are involved.

 

Dammit dune - just go and LOOK FFS.

[um pahars]

Churchill had his feet on the ground of North Africa during his military career.

 

Maybe someone has a video link to it

[Thedelldays]

dune, its pretty clear (to me) that the SAS/SBS are involved with other SF teams...how else would a bunch of rag tag soldiors with guns stuck in the back of trucks get to almost over throw a government and take a capital city....on foot..

[Jonnyboy]

dune, its pretty clear (to me) that the SAS/SBS are involved with other SF teams...how else would a bunch of rag tag soldiors with guns stuck in the back of trucks get to almost over throw a government and take a capital city....on foot..

 

erm because of the large bombs that have taken out said governments defences for the last 3 months?

[dune]

dune, its pretty clear (to me) that the SAS/SBS are involved with other SF teams...how else would a bunch of rag tag soldiors with guns stuck in the back of trucks get to almost over throw a government and take a capital city....on foot..

 

Well as this is related to your line of work i'd be inclined to believe your assessment over jonnyboys.

[View From The Top]

erm because of the large bombs that have taken out said governments defences for the last 3 months?

 

Who do you think is lighting up the targets and finding them in the 1st place?

 

Little doubt that there have been boots on the ground since the air strikes started.

[Thedelldays]

erm because of the large bombs that have taken out said governments defences for the last 3 months?

lol.....not quite as simple as WW2 methods of just dropping bombs