03.21.11

Bombing Moe: The 4 percent Brits

Posted in Bombing Moe at 1:43 pm by George Smith

Figure of the day, token British missile strikes:

130 US Tomahawk launches
6 UK Tomahawk launches
136 cruise missile launches

Brit explosive contribution to ‘the Coalition,’ 4.4 percent by weight.

One might chalk it up to reluctance after Iraqi Freedom but there’s this:

British Prime Minister David Cameron told the nation’s parliament Monday that the coalition has “neutralized” Libyan air defenses and made “good progress” in achieving its mission to protect civilians. He also said coalition operations had averted what he called “bloody massacre” of Benghazi residents by Gadhafi loyalists.

Plus, the Brits might just not have the right stuff for the heavy lifting.

And if they launch all their Tomahawks, there’s a big check for replenishment they’re going to be cutting for Raytheon, messing with the British balance of trade.

So what’s the difference between not-bombing whatsisname in Bahrain and Moe in Libya?

At least three today, actually.

One — it’s because in Bahrain, it is whatsisname. No one knows whatsisname like they know Moe. Whatsisname needs to be on television more, a lot more. But as long as we still have Moe that’s not likely to happen.

Two — there’s a US Fleet parked there.

Three — Bahrain is all about banks and financialization. The US never does anything about banksters and Wall Street proxies. (By way of Digby.)

From the New York Times:

“Twenty-five percent of Bahrain’s G.D.P. comes from banks,??? Mr. Abdulmalik said as he sat in the soft Persian Gulf sunshine. “I sympathize with many of the demands of the demonstrators. But no country would allow the takeover of its financial district. The economic future of the country was at stake. What happened this week, as sad as it is, is good.???

Remember, we never never bomb bankers even if it might be right thing to do.

The dilemma of choosing to support the most inept rebel force in the world in Libya is pretty clear.

Unless we’re prepared to do overwhelming close air support whenever they march or stumble west down the highway to Tripoli, ‘our guys’ are going to get slaughtered.

“[I’m] sure it was necessary to fly B2 bombers from the United States to bomb Libya in addition to the tactical fighters involved,” notes J. sardonically at Armchair Generalist. “No overkill here.”

And from yesterday’s comments, a reader notes on competing arms pitches in Brazil:

France/Dassault have been unsuccessful flogging those Rafale jets (couldn’t even sell them to Libya.) Maybe the free advertising will help.

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