One military-industrial reason the French want to take the lead in Libya

[TomClash]

The air attack will showcase the Rafale, France's next gen fighter jet. I don't believe it has seen significant combat and international interest in purchases is lagging. That could change if it performs well. If it doesn't perform well, they'll know what they have to fix.

[AzNick]

1. That is indeed one of the reasons

CNN just about to show the French military hardware in use.

[davepc]

2. And historically the French have always loved to meddle in North Africa

[AzNick]

3. Africa is indeed France and Britain's turf and US intervention was never well thought out

France lose Ivory Coast after the US meddled ("Punish the French", she said).

The result in Ivory Coast is economic and political devastation.

[WatsonT]

10. I thought Africa was the Africans turf.

[AzNick]

12. It was not during the cold war. nt

[WatsonT]

14. During the cold war the entire developing world was in play

and that led to a lot of bad decisions on both sides that made the world a worse place.

Good thing that's over now. We no longer need to act as if the cold war is ongoing.

[Angry Dragon]

4. Let the War Games Begin

[Sky Masterson]

5. Or maybe they want to help the rebels?

And maybe since they are flying in to a battle zone that they want to keep their pilots safe by giving them the best shit to fly..Just a theory..

[WatsonT]

11. True humanitarian missions carried out by national governments

for countries that are not their allies are rare.

Typically they're getting something out of the deal. Or at least expecting to.

[Sky Masterson]

17. Everybody wants something.

I am going to hold on to the notion that once in a great while,Maybe..Just maybe,sometimes things are done with noble intentions.
I know that doesn't make for great debate on A political message board on a Saturday afternoon but gawd dammit, There is good in this world master Frodo,And it's worth fighting for!(Oops..I was channeling my inner Samwise) :P

[WatsonT]

21. Didn't they only get involved

when the problems of the world landed in their own backyard and threatened their nice little homes?


The hobbits were quite content to let others bear the burden until they were forced to get involved for their own self-interest.

:hide:

[Old and In the Way]

6. It's almost like these small theater wars are a labratory for the MIC

they provide a showcase to market and refine their products.

[Raksha]

18. Ummm...why do you think Israel is the biggest recipient of American foreign aid?

It isn't because we're such gung-ho Zionists. Most of that money comes right back to the U.S. in the form of purchases of the latest military hardware. And why do you think there's no real incentive to end the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? Sure, all the politicians indulge in a lot of pious posturing about "the peace process" but that's ALL it is--posturing. The REAL goal is to keep the I/P conflict going indefinitely. Israel is a first-class showcase for the MIC.

[kenny blankenship]

7. The Libyan Air Force has old French Mirages

Maybe this will be a good way to show other Mirage owners that it's time to upgrade?

[TomClash]

8. Good Point

The comparison may be telling.

[WatsonT]

9. Would be a good sales pitch.

[somone]

13. A big reason: Immigration

France does not want another influx of North African refugees/immigrants

[WatsonT]

15. So they're fighting them over there

to avoid dealing with them on the home front?

[Citizen Worker]

16. Wasn't the Falklands War the first live fire test of the French made Exocet anti-ship missile?

[GSLevel9]

19. they should sell sponsorship rights for the gun camera footage too.

and maybe NASCAR style stickers on the wings and nose?

:sarcasm:

[newblewtoo]

20. by gum I think you are on to something

the first self sustaining Wall Street financed war. I like the way you think GS-9 take a promition to GS-11 on the house, but only to step 2.