Libya in chaos since overthrow of Kadhafi (Agence France-Presse) - September 4, 2018 - 8:30am TRIPOLI, Libya — Libya, which has seen more than a week of deadly clashes between rival militias around Tripoli, fell into chaos with the ouster of strongman Moamer Kadhafi in October 2011. Two rival authorities and a multitude of militias are vying for control of the oil-rich country. The capital Tripoli is the seat of the internationally backed Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj. A parallel government operates out of the country's east, backed by the self-styled Libyan National Army of military strongman Khalifa Haftar. Here is a timeline of its descent into chaos: Kadhafi killed Triggered by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, demonstrations erupt in Libya in February 2011. A coalition led by Washington, Paris and London lends its backing. Kadhafi, who has ruled for 42 years, … [Read more...] about Libya in chaos since overthrow of Kadhafi
Libya timeline
Libya prioritizes release of Filipino captives
Libya prioritizes release of Filipino captives Patricia Lourdes Viray (philstar.com) - August 7, 2018 - 6:59pm MANILA, Philippines — The Libyan government has formed a high-level working group for the release of three Filipino engineers kidnapped last month, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the Libyan Ministry of Internal Affairs would be taking the lead in negotiating for the release of the Filipino hostages. "We're thankful that they made this a priority and we're hopeful that since they have made it a priority, they'll be able to recover three Filipinos and the Korean at the soonest possible time and in good health," Cayetano said in a press briefing. Cayetano has refused to disclose more details but said that the team is working on its own timeline. The Philippine government is also in constant contact with the families of the Filipino captives, … [Read more...] about Libya prioritizes release of Filipino captives
The uncertain legacy of the Singapore summit
US President Donald Trump returned from his short summit meeting in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jung-un in an exultant mood. “Everybody can now feel much safer than the day I took office,” Trump tweeted. “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea.” He subsequently told reporters, “I have solved that problem.” There is only one catch: what Trump claimed was untrue. The nuclear threat posed by North Korea remains undiminished. The joint statement issued by the two leaders was as brief – just 391 words – as it was vague. The statement was far more about aspirations than accomplishments. North Korea committed only “to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.” Missing was any definition of what denuclearization might entail, a timeline for implementation, or a reference to how any actions would be verified. Other issues related to nuclear weapons, including ballistic missiles, were not … [Read more...] about The uncertain legacy of the Singapore summit
When pushing for war, belief is all that matters
When will it stop? The Trump administration was “confident” that “animal Assad” was responsible for the alleged attack in Douma on April 7 despite lacking evidence, and veteran journalist Robert Fisk visited Douma and was told by hospital doctors that no chemical attack took place. Embed from Getty Images The dailyReport Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox US President Donald Trump had to decide within 48 hours what price Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would pay. The choice was rushed; the evidence was obfuscated and filtered through fanatics like National Security Adviser John Bolton to Trump’s ear. Following collective military strikes in Syria by Israel, the US, Britain and France, there are two narratives now in play – that the attack wasn’t illegal and was magnanimous versus this dubious event was seized upon by the old “allies.” Belief is what matters – just ask General James Mattis, who said … [Read more...] about When pushing for war, belief is all that matters