BULLETIN – AT 7:56 P.M. ET:  The UN Security Council has voted to approve the use of force in Libya.  The resolution passed 10-0, with five abstentions.  Among the abstainers were Russia, China, and Germany.  Germany is, we presume, an ally of the U.S., Britain and France, and we should note its vote.  We expected more of Angela Merkel's government, but strange things seem to be happening in Germany.  They've happened there before.

We understand from initial news reports that military action to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya could begin within hours, led by Britain and France, with a possible assist from Italy.  However, some unnamed officials in both the United States and Europe, especially within the NATO headquarters, are ridiculing that idea, saying that it will take a few days to organize things.  

The United States might provide some logistical support, and it's understood that American air and naval assets might become more directly involved later.  We have no clear indication of how this is all being coordinated, and whether there's a single officer in command. 

There is deep concern among many military experts that this will be too little, too late, especially if a few more days are allowed to drift by.  Rebel forces are being pushed back in Libya, and Colonel Gadaffi has promised a bloodbath in Benghazi, the main rebel stronghold.  The Libyan government's attack on that Benghazi might even come overnight.

We are only now starting to get speculative stories on the kind of force that might be used initially, but they could include cruise-missile strikes at air-defense installations and airfields.

This is developing by the minute.

March 17, 2011